My First Journey to a Table Tennis Tournament

 

We all like sports. Some of us like to watch and some like to play. Sports makes us active, strong and stable. I also like different sports and of them Table Tennis (T.T.) is one of them.

 

I remember when I was in class 3, I first learned to correctly hold a TT bat and play very simply from my big brother. We practiced for long hours whenever we had free time. I slowly started to like the sport and improved myself also.

 

Last year our School did not participate in the T.T. tournament. But this year five students were selected for the “Joint School Table Tennis Tournament 2023”, where 6 different schools participated, organized by Rosebud School.

 

The selected players did not have many days for practicing. Our sports teacher Gyandev sir coached us. At home, I practiced it with my brother when I had some time. I could feel that I was doing better and my family and sports teacher helped me to build my confidence.

 

Finally the tournament day arrived. Our teachers gave us last-minute instructions. We arrived at the venue – “Nepal Table Tennis Hall at Lainchaur”. I was nervous and excited to see so many students present in the hall. We did some warm-up practice with other school students.

 

Finally the matches were begun. There were different categories. I was in Junior Girl’s Singles Category. Finally my name was called with another girl from KUSH school. I was both nervous and eager to know how she played. She was a good player but I won her in 2 sets. After winning her I felt more confident and less nervous. My team congratulated me.

 

My second match was with a girl from Rosebud school. She was cheered very loudly by lot of her school mates that made me more nervous. I hoped that I would not loose very badly, but surprisingly I won her also.

 

The third match was the semifinals. I had to win this match to go to the finals. My opponent was again a girl from Rosebud School. She was better than the previous girl. My heart was racing when I was playing against her. In the second set it was a very close call. We had so many deuces and I won at 20-18 points (the set was for up to 11 points only). I was much relieved and happy and felt like I have won the finals. But she seemed very upset, so I felt sorry for her.

 

Finally, the Junior Girds Singles Final was announced. I had to play against Suramya Shakya of Class 6 of our school. I knew she was the best player from our school and also played in international tournaments. I knew that I was going to become second, so I was not nervous as before. But I was very glad both first and second places went to our school. 

 

Even though we were a small team from our school, we won two places and at school we were congratulated by our Principal, teachers and friends. I hope we will do better in coming tournaments.

 

This was my first experience in a Joint - School Tournament, and I will treasure my experience for very long.

 

Shuvanjali Manandhar

Class 7 A

St. Mary's School, Jawalakhel

September 2023.

 

 यात्री

–  लक्ष्मी प्रसाद देवकोटा

कुन मन्दिरमा जान्छौ यात्री, कुन मन्दिरमा जाने हो ?

कुन सामग्री पुजा गर्ने, साथ कसोरी लाने हो ?

मानिसहरूको काँध चढी, कुन देवपुरीमा जाने हो ?

 

हाडहरूका सुन्दर खम्बा, मांसपिण्डका दिवार !

मस्तिष्कको यो सुनको छाना, इन्द्रियहरूका द्वार !

नसा-नदीका तरल तर, मन्दिर आफू अपार !

कुन मन्दिरमा जान्छौ यात्री, कुन मन्दिरको द्वार ?

 

मनको सुन्दर सिंहासनमा, जगदिश्वरको राज !

चेतनाको यो ज्योति हिरण्यमय, उसको शिरको ताज !

शरिरको यो सुन्दर मन्दिर, विश्वक्षेत्रको माझ।

 

भित्र छ ईश्वर बाहिर आँखा, खोजी हिड्छौ कुन पुर ?

ईश्वर बस्तछ गहिराइमा, सतह बहन्छौ कति दुर ?

खोजी गर्छौ हृदय लगाऊ, बत्ति बाली तेज प्रचुर ?

 

साथी यात्री बीच सडकमा, ईश्वर हिड्छ साथ

चुम्दछ ईश्वर काम सुनौला, गरिरहेका हात

छुन्छ तिलस्मी करले उसले, सेवकहरूको साथ ।

 

सडक किनार गाउँछ ईश्वर, चराहरूको तानामा

बोल्दछ ईश्वर मानिसहरूका, पिडा, दु:खको गानामा

दर्शन किन्तु कहिँ दिँदैन, चर्म-चछुले कानामा ।

कुन मन्दिरमा जान्छौ यात्री, कुन नव-देश बिरानामा?

 

फर्क फर्क हे ! जाऊ समाऊ, मानिसहरूको पाउ !

मलम लगाऊ आर्तहरूको, चहराइरहेको घाउ

मानिस भइ ईश्वरको त्यो, दिव्य मुहार हँसाऊ

 --------------------------------

In Nepal, most of the population have very deep and strong Hindu belief. They strongly believe that by worshiping and doing puja to the God’s physical sculptures and idol, they will obtain prosperity. However Mahakavi Devkota had a different view on what worshiping is.

         In Nepal, there are many famous Temples and Shrines at the Hill Tops, for example : Manakamana Temple, Pathibara Temple, Muktinath Temple, Palanchowk Bagwati Temple, Gosaikunda etc. Every year many people visit these temples and shrines, even though it is very hard to get to these place. People spend lot of their money and time, because they strongly believe that by visiting those Temples and worshiping the Gods there, they will obtain health, happiness and prosperity.

         One day Devkota was travelling and he met some people who were also travelling to reach to a very famous Temple. Some people were weak and so could not walk themselves, so they hired some porters to carry them on their backs! These porters, hoping to earn some money, they are doing this very difficult job of carrying heavy loads of human being up hills. It was a very pitiful sight for Devkota.

         In his very soft heart, Devkota felt very sorry for that porter, and also wondered why people are going to the Temple for worshipping the Gods, instead of doing humane works for the needy people, which he thinks is better than worshipping the stone idols of the Gods. He then writes this Super famous Poem.

 

To the Travelers he asks :

Hey Pilgrim Traveler : Which Temples do you wish to visit ? What puja items are you taking with you ?

Why are you riding on another human being, to reach to your Temple ?

 Is it not a shameful, cruel deed ?

Devkota then compares the Human Body to that of a Temple, where the Gods reside :

Human skeletons and mussels resembles the Temple’s walls

The Brain resembles the Temple’s roof, and our five sense’s openings resembles the Temple’s doors.

The network of nerves and veins are the pathways to our Temple.

Devkota further says:

Our Lords resides on the beautiful throne inside our hearts

Human mind is the one that can spread message of kindness to all

Thus the human beings are the resemblance of the Gods

Devkota wonders why people are taking such troubles to reach to difficult Temples :

Why you are searching for the God in the outside world ?

Do you not know that God resides in all human being ?

Gods resides deep inside us, but you search only the outside surface.

If you want to search for the Gods, search inside the human souls

Devkota further says:

Dear Travelers, God is travelling with you.

He only kiss those hands which are doing their work

He touches only those hands which is used to serve other people

Devkota also says:

The nature is abound by His presence. Do you not hear the sweet chirping of the birds ?

And listen to the cries for help from those needy people, are they not the voices of the God ?

God does not reveal itself openly, but you need to know how to feel his presence

 At the end Devkota urges everyone :

Oh, travelers, do not take such strenuous journey to the Temple

If you want to meet Him, return and serve your brothers and sisters who are in need

Serve them selflessly – by whatever means it is possible – give them love and affection

And your service to these people will be your worship to the Gods

And the God’s gift will be showered to you for your selfless deeds.

Father's Day

 

Written by Shradheya in 2020 August 19 (on Father's Day)

Tara's Story - by Shuvanjali

 

TARA’S STORY

 

A small baby girl was crying on her mother’s arms. “We can’t keep her with us any more,” the man said in a low voice. “But she is our child, we can’t leave her on the streets, she is just a baby “ the mother replied. “I understand, but we don’t have enough money to raise her,“ he said and added “ Please, I am sure some rich couple will find her, it is for her own good.”

 

After some time the woman was finally ready to give up her child, remembering that she would find a good place to stay. Before they left them they tied a small necklace around her neck to keep her safe.

 

Few hours later, a woman of age about 35 found the little baby crying inside a cardboard box. She waited for sometime to see if the baby’s parents would come to get her or not but nobody came. Feeling sorry she took the baby in.

 

Scene 1                  6 years later…..

 

The lady who took in the little girl was Radha Thapa. She owned a little tea shop where the little girl ‘Kanchi’ stayed and worked. Kanchi was always grateful to Radha didi for adopting her. She always would want to go to school but Radha didi always used to say, “School is just a waste of time and money, you can always learn something new at home.”  That made Kanchi think school was useless and did not wanted to go to school again.

 

Overtime Radha didi started to be strict and sometimes rude. She started to be careless about Kanchi and wanted more business only. But Kanchi did not mind at all, she was always grateful and obedient, she was very shy but smart. The customers did not care much about her either.

 

One cold winter morning, Kanchi was dreaming about going to school, and making new friends, when she suddenly heard a piercing sound, “Wake up !, Wake up !!” She looked outside and thought to herself, “It’s still so dark and cold also, why did didi call me ?” Again the sound came, “Kanchi, Oi Kanchi, wake up fast and go to fetch water. Quick I say.” Kanchi replied, “OK didi, I am going..”

 

The first chore for Kanchi was to fetch water from a nearby stone sprout. After some time Kanchi returned with two buckets of water, balancing in her two thin hands. Even if she returned as soon as possible, Radha didi always scolded her for being late and talking with other servants.

 

After that, Radha didi tells Kanchi to wash the big pots and pans. This was the favorite part of Kanchi’s day, she thinks. She says while dish washing, moving her hands and body rigorously, made her body warm. She also turned on the radio to listen to the some morning ‘Bhajan’. Radha didi gets very annoyed and thinks that Kanchi is not doing her work fast enough, and shouts, “Kanchi, why are you listening to that annoying song? Didn’t I tell you to finish your work fast?” “Yes didi. I am listening to a Bhajan and doing my work. Bhajans are songs for the Gods, and I like them very much.” “I don’t care about those silly song and your God. Just finish your work.”

 

Soon it was 7 o’clock and customers were already coming for their tea and breakfast. Now Kanchi needs to work fast. She doesn’t want to keep the customers waiting.

 

“Hey girl, bring me some bread and tea” first customer says. “And hurry, I don’t have time.”

“Yes, sir” she politely replies.

“An egg and a glass of milk for me,” says another customer.

Kanchi has to remember each customer’s order. If she makes mistake, then she again gets scolding.

 

Every day it is the same. She has to keep working fast, without catching her breath. She always wants to send the customers happily.

 

At 9 o’clock, while standing in front of the Tea Shop, Kanchi sees some children going to their schools. They all have big fancy bags, which makes Kanchi wonder to herself, “What might be in there ? Copies, books, pens, what else do you need to go to school. Radha didi might be right.. schools are a waste of time and money.”

 

As she was watching children go by, she sees a mother with her daughter. The child was very active and running ahead of her mom, but suddenly she trips and falls. She spills the contents of her bag, and books, copies, pens and her lunch all spills. Her mother hurriedly helps her pick her stuff, and says. “It’s okay dear. Don’t pick that lunch. I will get you new lunch. Just let that stray dog have it.”  Kanchi was surprised to see so many books, copies, pens and colour pens in that girl’s bag. She also thought to herself. “If it was me, I would have eaten the clean bread and give the dog the bread that touched the floor.”

 

At lunch time, people again started to gather. Some were rude and treated her rudely, but some were kind and gave her some tips also.

 

That day, a couple had come for lunch and saw Kanchi serving all the customers efficiently. They felt very sorry for her and started to talk with her.

 

“Now come here once,” the male called her. “I am Mr. Nepali and this is my wife. What is your name?”

“Kanchi”

“No, no, I am asking your real name,” he said.

“It is Kanchi.”

“Where are your parents?”

“I have Radha didi only.”

“OK. Do you go to school ?” the lady asks.

“No.”

 

They looked shocked !! How can a little girl not go to school ? They decided to talk to Radha didi about this.

 

“Radha didi, please come here once.”

 

The lady asks her, “ Why aren’t you letting Kanchi go to school ? In this modern time, you have to let her study.”

 

This remark made Radha didi very annoyed.

 

“So what ? Who will pay for her fees, huh ?? Her dead parents !? ”

 

“ We didn’t mean that,” the couple said. “ We meant that children must get a chance to read and write. If you don’t do so, this will affect the child’s rights.”

 

“ I don’t take care of her anymore. If you want her to go to school, then you can send her. In fact you can keep her yourself. I don’t want to feed this good-for-nothing girl, huh .” Radha didi’s face was red with anger.

 

“Okay, then we will take her and also send her to school,” said the wife. Then she asks to Kanchi, “Would you want to go to school ? You can also stay with us.”

 

Kanchi was confused and so she looked up to Radha didi, but she did not look back.

 

Finally she said, “ I do want to go to school and live with you too.” Hearing her answer, the look in the couple’s face priceless. They were extremely happy.

 

“Okay, first we are going to keep your name. We will call you “Tara Nepali”.

 

Kanchi was happy that she got a home, a family and her name, and she was able to go to school, like all kids of her age.

 

Before she left, she hugged Radha didi and thanked her for all she had done for her. With a heavy heart she left Radha Didi’s Tea Shop.

 

 

Scene 2                  9 years later…..

 

Tara is 15 years old and going to school.

 

“Bye mom. Bye dad. I am going to school now,” She was a smart student at school and also ranked first in her class. She is friendly, kind and obedient student.

 

One day, she was walking to her bus stop. As she was walking, she came by the “Radha Didi’s Tea Shop.” The place had not changed much. Seeing the place, the old memories of the hard times she spent there came flying into her mind. Tears started to roll in her eyes. She then prayed to herself, “Oh, God, thank you for letting me go to live with my loving family and a chance to go to my school. I think I will visit Radha didi this Saturday… Oh, my God, I am so late for my school..” She hurries to catch her bus.

 

 

 

Scene 3        10 years later…..

 

Tara is now a teacher at an orphanage school. Every day she goes to her school to play with the children, teach and tell them stories. She enjoys her work.

 

“Tara Miss, let us play story telling today ! We all will tell our own stories today,” one child said.

 

“Let’s do that !” everyone joined him, excitedly.

 

Turn by turn, the children told their own stories, but when it was Tara’s turn, she did not know what to say.

 

“M  i  s  s….. tell us about your childhood days. We really want to know. You have never told us about it,” one girl urged her to tell.

 

Hearing these innocent children’s desire to her own story, she couldn’t lie to them. Holding back her tears she started narrating her true life story. All the events were like flashback scenes in a movie. The children listened to her in awe, some were also crying. Even Gopi, the most restless boy of the class also sat quietly and was listening to her story. They all came to hug her after she ended her story.

 

A few weeks later, the orphan children asked if they can go to Radha Didi’s shop. “Sure, that’s a wonderful idea. I haven’t visited her for quite long now. How about tomorrow ?” The children all agreed. “Remember to give her a gift, Miss,” a girl reminded her.

 

The next day, they all went to a store and bought a shawl for Radha didi, as a gift. When they reached at her shop, an old lady was sitting behind the counter, and drinking tea. At first, the old lady did not recognize Tara. After Tara introduced herself as “Kanchi”, Radha didi instantly recognized her. Tara introduced all the children as her students of her class. Receiving the gift, tears rolled down her cheeks and she hugged Tara tightly and thanked her for remembering her even after so many years.

 

“ I am so sorry to have treated you badly. You never complained and always were grateful, while I was just blinded for earning money. Please… please do forgive me, by Tara dear.”

 

“ Of course, I will forgive you always. Because of the hardships during my childhood I have become a strong woman.”

 

All the children clapped and cheered for the happy reunion of Radha didi and Tara Miss.

 

a   THE END   a

                                                ….. of the beginning

 

Story written by : Shuvanjali Manandhar

Class 6, St. Mary’s High School

February 8, 2023

Mandala

 

A Day Trip to Phulchowki

 A Day Trip to Phulchowki

 

It was a Friday on Oct 14, 2022. Shradheya, out of nowhere, asked , “Can we go somewhere, tomorrow, dad ?”  “Hmm,” I replied, without giving a definite answer. He further said, “ Soon it would be Tihar, and then after I will be more busy…. And we haven’t been out for awhile…” he wanted me agree with him. “Where would you like to go ?” I wanted to know what he had in mind. “What about Phulchowki ?” he blurted, only half sure of what he had said. “ Oh, Phulchowki…good idea, let me think about it.” I could not give him an answer.

 

While going to office, Shradheya’ s  idea of going to Phulchowki, again came back to my mind. We had several times in the past talked about Phulchowki. We knew of its location – that it rose high above Godavari, the place of my alma mater. We had several times visited Godavari, and near by surroundings like the Naudhara, the place with 9 natural water sprouts, embedded in the forests of Godavari. I had also narrated my school-days experience of climbing Phulchowki, when I was aged 10/12 – a memorable outing event for the school kids. I knew Shradheya and Shuvanjali both liked to hike to Phulchowki some day – and this time has finally come. But it needed some planning to be done.

 

The Phulchowki Hill

Phulchowki, is a popular destination for hikers. The hike would start from Godavari, which is about 11km from Satdobato at Ring Road. From Godavari to Phulchowki, it is another 12km by road distance. Up to Godavari, a smooth black topped road exists, and the driving time is only 20 minutes. From Godavari, one can take a 4-wheel drive Off-road Pick-up to ride the winding, bumpy, gravel road with a steep average gradient of about 30 degrees, and average speed of 15 kmph, and 1 hour drive with occasional stoppages to see and enjoy the scenes and sceneries on the northern side. For the more enthusiastic hikers, it would take about 6 to 7 hours, 1-way uphill, to walk along the motorable roadway, and about 5 hours to those with stronger legs, who can hike through the fairly steep walking trail, that exists at several locations. At several locations, these walking trails are paved with concrete steps, making the hiking very easy, but at most of the lengths, these walking steps are not yet complete – which makes walking sticks very handy to avoid slippery falls.

 

Phulchowki is the highest peak within several peaks that surround the Kathmandu valley – it is at an elevation of 2757m from mean average sea level – which means it is 1427m above the Kathmandu valley’s average elevation. The Phulchowki peak can be clearly seen from any place in Kathmandu, on the southern eastern side of the valley. On a clear day, the peak can be seen with a pointed tower, which is a communication tower atop the hill. All the hills that encompass the Kathmandu valley is covered with forests and very little human activities can be seen within these forested hills. In the north eastern to western hills, the hills of Shivapuri exists, which is conserved as a National Park. On the western side, the hills of Chandragiri exists, where recently a cable car is operated for the ease of reaching atop the hill. The southern hills of Phulchowki is a very well preserved forest areas, with thick vegetation of hill trees species. Phulchowki – means ‘Hills of Flowers’ in Nepalese language, and it is very flora and fauna is well preserved. The naturalists have identified a wide variety of trees, flowering plants, butterflies, birds and wildlife – and is a haven for nature lovers.

 

Trip to Phulchowki

We finally decided to go to Phulchowki the next day on Saturday. We had to do some preparations too. Even though in Kathmandu, the rains have stopped, it was not predictable in the hills around the valley. Looking towards the hills, we could see the dark clouds that cover the hills and assume that rain is falling in those hills, even though the valley was having sunshine. For a hiker, the rain is the least thing to be expected, and they must always be prepared for rain, while hiking through high hills. And rain in high hills means the ambient temperature would falls drastically – in addition to natural drop in temperature due to elevation gain. So we prepared to take our warm, water resistant jumpers, and non-slippery hiking boots, an umbrella for each. We knew that after reaching the hill top, we would be hungry, so packed our lunch and bottled water. We also included our wooden walking sticks that would be very handy later on. In one of our previous outings, we forgot to check if our digital camera was loaded with the SD memory card or not, and could not save our photos in our camera – so this time we made it sure it was working well. Sometimes while travelling, Shradheya and Shuvanjali would get car-sick, so they took their tablets to be on the safe side.

 

Before leaving, I warned my kids, “Guys, God forbid, but any best car on earth, can also break down, and so if our car breaks down in the middle of the forest, we might have to camp overnight, till help can be received. So be prepared for the worst.” Shuvanjali was smart to gather some firewood, and packed them in a cardboard box, with a khukuri knife and a match box. “Dad, we might need to light a fire, and we cannot use to the wood from the forest,” she said. “Then, why don’t you add a teapot, and some tea, so that we can boil some tea, in such a case,” I suggested. The idea of the likelihood of spending the night started to make us feel creepy. “Shuvanjali, add some packets of instant noodles in our bag,” Shradheya smartly remarked.

 

Finally, we departed by 11 am, in our pick-up van. I suggested, since there was plenty of space in the pick-up, we load Shradheya’ s bike, so he can enjoy his ride downhill. “We are going for a hike, not a bike ride. And I don’t think my bike will withstand the rough and rugged road surface…” he opinioned. On our way I asked, “Guys, would you prefer to buy a bottle of Cold drinks, or some yogurt ?” Both the kids wanted yogurt and so we got some.

 

The ride to Godavari was much smooth because of the road surface was finally blacktopped – a year ago, the rough and dusty road to hardly bearable to pass through, even in a vehicle. Surprisingly fast, we reached Godavari in 20 minutes from Lagankhel. We alighted at Naudhara – the 9 natural water sprout – had a quick darshan at a small temple, and saw some fish in a small kunda in the premises of the Naudhara. We finally started our journey to our destination to Phulchowki hill.

 

The kept all the windows of the car down, so we could smell the fresh vegetative smell of the forest and also could watch the thick forested hill sides all around us. The car slowly moved forward along the twists and turns and gaining its height. There were no other vehicles, and only occasional bikers and hikers were to be seen.  We make several stops to see the hills and forests and also to stretch our legs. At one of the stoppages, our driver, Ganesh Dai, was itching his foot. He took off his socks and started looking closely – and there it was ! - he plucked off a black earthwarm-like leech, who was sucking his blood, of 2cm length. He said he had briefly gone inside the jungle, to take a nature’s call, at Naudhara, and the creature had gotten to his shoes. It can creep inside the sock and suck blood and fall off after it is saturated. We were surprised to see how much this small creature had devoured human blood, in such a brief time, when he angrily crushed the creature with a sharp pebble. Seeing the leach, we were all queasily uneasy. I had totally forgotten to prepare against this unwelcome creature. When we were kids, while we hiked on these hills, especially during rainy seasons, leech attacks were very common. No matter how tightly we wore our shoes and socks, we would see bloodied leeches fall off after removing our socks. Some leeches fall off from our neck and shoulder areas – especially when we used umbrellas on rainy days. We were told by our teachers to rub some kind of leaf-paste, with strong offensive smell – to ward off the leeches. We also used powered salt, and kerosene, and other things too. To make sure we were not already preyed by this creatures, we took off our socks and checks very carefully. We did not have any leech-repellents but had carried our mosquito-repellent – so I advised to spray the mosquito-repellents to our feet – to repell them, incase they wanted to attack us – an alternative that we were not sure if it really worked or not.

 

As we gained altitude, we were frequently checking the sky. The hills above us were hidden in the clouds and we could see the misty fog moving across the hills just close above us. We were not sure if it would start to rain. Some people were returning from the top, and they told us that it had not yet rained, but can rain at any time. We just could hope that it remained rainless until our trip.

 

The road was not too bad – at some places, the road had been maintained recently – especially the sharp turning bends were concreted pavements for easy turning – but rest of the lengths were only graveled road. Due to gravelling of the road, there were only few large putt holes and washed out section, or muddy areas. So the ride uphill was “smooth”.

 

Shradheya is a walking man than us. He had been insisting that we should walk up, than ride. I was not sure, if it would rain, the walking would be very difficult so could not allow him to walk. But at 3km ahead of the top, we all decided to walk. Shuvanjali also said she would like to walk. So we all three started walking, with our walking stick and advised Ganesh Dai to follow us. Even though the road was steep, it was not as steep as the short-cut walking trails with steps on them. We enjoyed walking by seeing the vegetation, and occasional view on the north-side of the below hills, settlements and the mountain ranges with Ganesh Himal, Lakpa Dorje and other peaks. But the Himalayan peaks were not fully visible due to sheets of clouds. Shradheya walked at double the speed than Shuvanjali and myself. He would walk ahead and take a rest and wait for us to catch him. We could, surprisingly not see any birds or animals nor their sounds. The forest is serenely quiet, cool, calm and tranquil. We  had only been away from home for an hour, and we have reached the peaceful place, away from the busy, noisy and polluted environment of the city. This is the best part of our trek.

 

We slowly ascended, savoring what nature has given us. The three kilometer uphill hike was just ideal for Shuvanjali and myself even though Shradheya would have been happier if he could have walked longer.

 

On Top of Phulchowki

We finally reached the top !! We were the luckiest people that day ! There was no rain, no fog, no cloud, no wind either. It was a perfect day. As if we were important people and the nature had welcomed us with its best possible weather !! We were so thankful to the mother nature. Even at the height of 2757m, there was no chilly winds, and only a cool, refreshing breeze. Oh, what a pleasant feeling to reach the top ! It a feeling like you have conquered your destiny. Even with this small hike, reaching a destination after expending our efforts is rewarding. We congratulated ourselves for making it to the top. Reaching to the top of a pinnacle gives a different feeling – there no other hills above you – there is only you and the sky above you - all the creation was is below you. Unknowingly I was humming to myself, “ I’m on the top of the world looking, down on creation…” I wondered, how would a mountaineer feel, who have risked their lives, after standing on the top of the world. Only the person who have gone through the hardships in their lives would understand the true meaning of the rewards from his/her efforts.  

 

We had reached the top at 1.30 pm after walking 3km in about an hour. The top of Phulchowki was a small place, with lots of Tibetan prayer flags hanging low. There is a small shrine with different idols of gods. The top had many protruding rocks and looked like a small rockery. There top had an army battalion stationed to protect the electrical communication antennae towers that are erected on the hind side of the top. The tower was about 50m in height and had many disk antennas that faced both Kathmandu side and the south side towards the terai. This was the tower that is clearly visible from the cities of Kathmandu.

 

At the top, we met students from a school, who had hiked half the length. Some people had hiked all the way from Godavari and they reported that it had taken them 7 hours to reach the top, and another 4 hours to descend. So an entire hiking for both ways will obviously be quite strenuous and should only be undertaken if you have a backup plan to be helped by a vehicle, in case of need. Every year young teenagers undertake the hike without knowing its details, especially during winter season, in wanting to enjoy and have fun in the snow. The incredible cold, slippery road, and losing the way, has led to many mishaps and large scale search operations, every year. There is no safety instructions to hikers given by any agency, or recording of details of entrants nor any means to report rescue calls, in case of emergency. The entire trip is a trip on your own, and it should be well planned, without overlooking possible hazards.

 

Downhill from Atop

After bidding a warm adieu to the magnificent Phulchowki top, be descended after spending a hour and having our lunch. Prior to reaching the foothill at Naudhara, there is foot trail. Shradheya and myself started downhill through this foot trail, which had fine concrete steps constructed. The downhill was easy, but the concrete steps ended abruptly and we had to walk on slippery, steep, mud tracks for about 15 minutes. Here our wooden walking sticks were a great support for trudging downhill. We were glad to reach Naudhara, the foot hills of Phulchowki hills. We cleaned and washed and got fresh in the cool waters of Naudhara. The continuous flow of water from hill springs were collected and avoided from being wasted and supplied to the people of Godavari. While trekking in the hills of Phulchowki, we were surprised not to find any streams or water falls anywhere, except a small muddy water pond at one location, unlike the Sundarijal area.

 

We had a plan to take a different route while returning. We wanted to take a trip through climbing another hill and reaching to Lakuri Bahanjang, which is on the eastern part of the valley, and finally reaching Lamatar, Lubhu area and then finally reaching the Ring Road at Gwarko Chowk. But as we were not sure of the quality of the road, and it was already 4pm, we decided to take this road another time. And by 4.30 pm we were comfortably at our apartment in Lagankhel. Tired as we were, we took a nice rest and savored the memories of our one day trip to Phulchowki.   

  

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Oct 14, 2022