Maitidevi Temple : A Hindu Temple in Kathmandu

 

Community Research Work

 

Maitidevi Temple : A Hindu Temple in Kathmandu

Introduction

Nepal is county of diverse ethnicity, language and religion. Among many different religions, Hindu religion is in its majority. In Nepal there are numerous temples and small shrines. These temples and shrines play an important role in the culture and religion of the citizens of the country. One popular temple in central Kathmandu is the Maitidevi temple – which is also known popularly as the Pancha Kumari temple. This is one of the “Shakti-peeth” meaning temple of goddess durga having divine power. This temple is situated in the heart of Kathmandu, near Gyaneshwore, in Ward No. 30 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City and on the side of the main road between Gyaneshwore and Maitidevi chowk.

Structure of the Temple

The Maitidevi temple is believed to be re-built to its present state during the reign of Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher Rana in the 20th century.

This temple is a one storied temple with pagoda-style roof. The temple is square in shape with one side is approximately 7m. The roof of the temple is brass metal roof, supported by 20 several wooden tudals. Each tudal has a different god or goddess carved into it.  In pagoda-styled temples, tudals are one the main components that bear different carvings. Over time these tudals get worn out and needs polishing. 

A noticeable feature of the temple is brass metal roof.  The four corners of the roof has a sculptured brass bird with its open wings. The eves of the roof has metal plates, all around the four sides, which bear the carved writing in devanagari script, about the who and when the temple was built and renovated. Like other temples, this temple also had a long, bright red coloured frills, hanging from the roof’s eves, and also bears a series of small wind-bells, that enhance the beauty and environment of the temple area.

One of the main character of every Nepali temple is the Gajur, also known as the pinnacle – the top center-most structure on the roof. The pinnacle is made from pure golden brass metal. The gajur is elongated dome-shaped and may be additional smaller gajurs next to the main gajur.  The pinnacle is covered by a small metal umbrella-like structure called chatari, and some small religious flags are also kept.

Guarding animal sculptures is another attractive feature of hindu temples. In Maitidevi temple also, sculptures of lions guarding the temple can be seen. There are two stone lions are in front of the main entrance. Two pairs of brass metal lions are also in front of the two side entrances. Additionally there are four brass metal lions, standing on stone pedestals at four corners of the temple, with its mouths open and raising its paws, are very attractive sculptures. Worshippers are seen touching the lion’s paws in an action of receiving power from the lions. Altogether there are 13 metal lion sculptures and two stone lion sculptures.

Bells are another important feature of the hindu temples. At Maitidevi temple, on either sides the front entrance, there are two main bells hung from stone stands. There are smaller bells in front of the side entrances also. In total there are 9 bells.

In front of the main entrance, there is metal sculpture of lord Vishnu lying on the ground, which is very unique. Opposite to the main entrance, there are three stone pillars, with a metal lion’s sculpture on the first pillar, a metal peacock sculpture on the middle pillar and a smaller lion’s sculpture on the third pillar. There is a metal bell besides the three pillars.

In this temple, there is one main entrance and two side entrances. The door frames are covered with brass metal sheets which have many artistically carved images of deities. The entrance doors of the temple always have a triangular wooden or metal carvings called tympanums. The carving are very artistic with details of different deities and guarding animals and designs. These metal tympanums are above each two side entrances also. In front of the main entrance, there are two metal flag poles with brass metal flags shaped in Nepali flag style. From the gajur, there is a long metal belt that hangs up to the entrance – they are known as pataka. On this temple, there are 4 different patakas – which are known to be donated by certain families or clans, at different periods.

Inside of the Temple

As we enter the temple from the main entrance, we can see the main place where the goddess is enshrined. Only a small stone deity only about 7 inches tall and is heavily decorated with various silver ornaments, is seen at the center which is believed to be the goddess durga, and no sculptured idol of durga can be seen. The stone idol is decorated by many silver decorative and protective sculptures – the main one is the silver sculpture of 9 goddess, situated above the main stone idol. There are also two sets of nags – or 9 snakes that protect the goddess. In addition, there are two small idols of protecting lions, two metal flag poles, trishul poles, many small bells and diya stands. Inside the temple, besides the main goddess, there are lined other 9 gods and goddesses, namely, small statues of Ganesh, Manakamana goddess and Bagulamikhi. These idols were also decorated with different brass ornaments. The place is also decorated with red frill cloths. Inside the temple, on the center ground we can see a silver circular mandap, of diameter 25 inches, where materials of worship and offerings are kept, prior to making the offering to the goddess.

Outside of the Temple

Outside the temple, in front of the temple’s main entrance’s right corner, there are one very old and large pipal tree, whose trunk circumference is approximately 10m and is considered very holy. People worship the tree as a symbol of lord Bishnu. This pipal tree is about a hundred years old and gives a harmonious green environment.

On the road-side courtyard of the temple, there are four small Buddhist stone stupas – exhibiting harmonious co-existence of both Buddhist and Hindu culture. At the back side of the temple, there is a small pagoda-style roofed pati used as Bhanjan-ghar. Also recently constructed is another pagoda-style roofed pati for people to take a rest. There is a small pond within the premises of the temple known as mayur-kunda or peacock pond, but at present it is dismantled and will be renovated soon.

In the surrounding courtyard of the temple, there are small shrines established by different people, that enshrine many gods and goddess, such as Shiva-Parbati, Bishnu, Radha-Krishna, Ganesh, Sharswoti. Also there are stone shila-patras or stone tables where the details of the deeds undertaken with dates and names are carved.

Worshipping in the Temple

According to the temple’s main pujari – Mr. Raj Bhai Bajracharya, every morning there about 300 devotees that visit the temple for worshipping and on special days such as each Saturdays, Ekadashi, Purnina, Aunsi, Teej, and other holy religious day, the numbers of devotees are more than double. The temple is most visited by devotees on the main three days during Dashain and also Tihar.

Conclusion

In Nepal there are many such temples that hold strong cultural meanings and beliefs for the hindu people. As a citizen, we should be able to preserve these cultures as they are our country’s wealth. Presently there is a lot of consciousness among citizens that we should preserve our holy places and cultures for many coming generations.

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Shuvanjali Manandhar

Class 8 B

St. Mary’s High School, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur

Plum Jam Making

 Plum Jam

1. Wash and clean the plums that are red and ripe. Discard the green ones.

2. Use about two thirds full of your pressure cooker.

3. Add half a cup of water. Boil the plums for 3 or 4 whistles. It should give a sweet cooked smell.

Let the cooker rest and cool down for a night.

4. Next day, drain all the water out. Using hands, peel off the skins. Also squeeze tout all the seeds.

With hands squeeze the pulps to make it a smooth paste.

5. Heat a thick deep pot and transfer the plum paste and start cooking it. Add 1 and half cups of sugar, and 4 table spoons of vinegar and half teaspoon of salt. (careful not to put too much salt)

6. Cook by constantly mixing in medium heat. Care should be taken not to burn your fingers or hand from the splashing of the boiling mixture. After the water slowly evaporates the mixture becomes thick in consistency. Take a spoonful of it and taste it. If sugar needs to be added, add some and also check vinegar. 

7. After about 30 minutes slow cooking the mixture should be thick. Remove from heat and let it cool completely before filling it in glass jars. Put it in freeze to last long. 

8. If the jam did not taste like it should, don't worry, find out what went wrong, and improve it next time. 

You can also check some Youtube videos, if you want !!

Good Luck !!

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Q. What is the most important thing that you learn in your school ?

A. The most important thing that you learn in school is that, the most important thing cannot be learnt at school.

                ― Haruki Murakami,

__________________

Misuse of Smartphones by youngsters

 

Some children spend a long time each day on their smartphones. 

Why is this ? Is this a positive or negative development ?

Some young kids or juveniles spend a long time each day on their mobile phones. This is because gaming apps and video streaming apps are so entertaining or engrossing, but this can have negative consequences because they can distract children from family life.

Minors love using mobile devices because streaming services have many entertaining videos. This means they have endless opportunities to enjoy themselves, and they can spend their entire day watching new video shows or playing games, without thinking. For example, many videos on Netflix or Youtubes, are aimed at children, some of which design their title and thumbnails to entice children to click on one more video.  As a result, they spend their free time in front of a screen instead of being outside doing some physical activities, such as bike riding or playing sports.

Despite them being hugely enjoyable for the kids, I believe that they should be viewed negatively because of the impact it has on time with parents and other kids. Being around one’s nuclear family teaches children many important things such as values, manners and how to treat others. If a kid misses these opportunities,  they could grow up to have impaired social skills and take their values from Youtubers rather than their parents. For instance, one of the most popular personalities on Youtube is Logan Paul, who is well known for promoting drug use, gambling and violence.

In conclusion, videos on mobile may be irresistible to those under 18. However, parents should restrict screen time as much as possible to limit the harmful effects influencers can have on their sons or daughters’ upbringing.

(250 words)

नबिर्सौ हामी - कविता

 

नबिर्सौ हामी

७२ साल, बैशाख १२, दिनको १२ बजे शनिबार

रमाइलो खेलमा साथीसंग भुलेका हामी

जमिनको कम्पन, नथामिने गरि, महाभूकम्पको त्यो क्षण

जताततै ढलेका घर, मठ र मन्दिर, भत्केको सडक र बाटाहरु

 

के भयो ? किन भयो ? के हुने हो अब ? पाएनौ थाहा केही पनि

सबको मनमा, मात्र त्रास र भय, छैन मुहारमा हाँसो पनि

भोलीको भयले, हल्लिएको मुटु, सब मानिस हारेको त्यो दिन |

 

सबै तिर मृत्युको खबर, घाइतेको पिडाको आवाज,

खुल्ला आकाश, हावा र पानीले, बिक्षिप्त बनाएको त्यो मन

बालकको रुवाई, मानिसको पिडाले, अशान्त भएको त्यो मन

 

बुवा र आमा, अन्न र पानी, खोजीमा हिडेका

दाई र दिदी, बालक नानी, काखमा च्यापेका

पालो र पैचो, लिनु र दिनु, नेपालीको धर्म नै

दुखका दिन, कठिन रात, बिताउन सिकेका |

 

महिनाको दिन, सम्मको कम्पन, कसरी बिते छन्  ?

बर्षको दिन, कठिन जीबन, कसरी बिते छन्  ?

 

प्रकृतिले पाठ, सिकाएर गए, दैबले परिक्षा लिए

नेपाली जन, एक ढिका भइ, बिपतिको सामना सिके

भविष्य देखेको, कसैले छैन, नबिर्सौ यसको पाठ

संकट पर्दा, बिपतिको बेला, पाउछौ बिजयले साथ |

 

 

 

फेसबुक जमाना

सतीश चापागाईं

कति सुन्दर जमाना यो, सबैको आआफ्नो फेसबुक

जति टाढा कुरा गरे नि, चलाउनू पर्दैन यो मुख ।

 

मनमै हाँस्यो, मनमै रमायो, मनमै सबै पचायो

कलम कापी केहि चाहिन्दैन, खाली औली नचायो ।

 

यही सजिलो, यही रसिलो, यसकै छ मिठो जमाना

इतिहास लेख्ने हातहरूमा, लाग्छ कि हो निशाना ?

 

चाहे सम्धी मित किन नहोस् ? सबै छन् यसमै साथी

कसैको वास्ता कसैलाई छैन, भरोसा कसको माथी ?

 

कति सौखीन जमाना यो, मन र औली कलामी

टक्र्याउँछु म फेसबुकलाई अझ छुट्टै सलामी ।

Mom Birthday

Dear Mom,

Today is your Birthday

So I wish you health

Tomorrow will be love

And rest will be filled with happiness.

Don’t worry about your greying hair,

Your smile is always bright as day

Don’t worry about any lines of  wrinkles 

For each grey hair and a fold on the skin

Means God is making you wiser and kind

Don’t worry about your adding aging

What matters more

Is your love that never fades

Don’t worry about gaining some pounds

You are fit, that matters most.

Don’t worry about my nutrition

You've taught me good food habits

Which I will forever remember

Don’t worry about me getting taller

For me, I will always be below your eyes !

Birthdays are special, and so are you,

May God be happy for all you do.

Shuvanjali Manandhar 

February 12, 2024

Newar Community’s Food Culture

Among many different communities that exit in Nepal, the newar community is the major inhabitants of Kathmandu valley from time immemorial. The newar community have a rich culture in arts, music, religous ceromonies, entertainment and eating culture as well, which is different and distinct from other communities. The food culture of the newars have been handed down by several generations, and is still popular among the present day modern newars. In the present time, the inter mixing of people of different communities, have also resulted in the consumption of newars food by non-newars also. The newar food has a multi dimension and variety, and thus is liked by a vast majority of people, especially the Kathmandu dweller.

Here under are some food items that are popular among newars.

Momo, Bara and Chatamari are the three most commonly eaten newari food, that are eaten as afternoon snack or a full dinner meal. For Momo, minched meat (either buff or chicken) and fine-wheat flour are the two main ingredients. For Bara, grounded pulse (Black pulse or green pulse) is the only one ingredient need. For Chatamari, the base must be the rice flour base, with pulse paste and minched meat are the three main ingredients.

Let us start with the simplest one – the Bara (or known as Woo, in Newari). Every kitchen has a variety of pulses or lentils. The most common is the black pulse (or  Kalo dal) and green pulse (or Moong ko dal).

It is good to decide first which pulse to use and how much dry pulse needs to be soaked. For 4 persons, then for having 4 pieces of Bara per person, it will be enough if 3.5 to 4 cups of pulse is soaked. If you are planning to have the Bara in the afternoon, it will be a good idea to soak the pulse after lunchtime. Within 3 to 4 hours the pulse will be fully soaked. To quicken the soaking process, luke-warm water can be used instead of cold water.

If a single person is preparing, the whole process of making Bara for 4 people should not take more than an hour. If a helping hand is available, it will both be fun and works can be divided.

After the pulses are fully soaked, clean the pulse with water and let the pulse’s skins be removed - but it is not necessary that you need to remove all the skins. Strain water and prepare to grind it in a mixie. In one batch, put about a cup of soaked pulse and start to grind it – taking care to stop the grinder every 30 to 40 seconds. If the pulses are finding difficult to grind, add a little water. When the grinding forms a thick paste, add a little water to make it easier to flow out of the grinding cup. Continue with the remaining pulse. If you have a helping hand, s/he can prepare the necessary masala.

The main masala needed for Bara is the ginger. For 4 cups of pulse, it will be good to use a good size of about 2 inches of ginger. Clean the ginger’s skin and cut into small pieces and add it into the grinding cup, while grinding the pulse. This way, it will not be necessary to separately make ginger paste, which is a difficult job.

After all the pulse is nicely ground, other masala needs to be added. Add salt, turmeric, and cumin powder into the mixture. If you are not certain about the required quantity, then asking your mom will be the best way.

For Black Dal Bara, you do not need to add other items. Just mix the mixture thoroughly and start making patty size on frying pan, by adding small amounts of oil. Turn other side, when one side is brownish. Do not use high heat, and allow to cook in medium heat and frequent over turn the patties.

For Green Dal Bara, you can add some minched dry onion and green chillies too. Mix them thoroughly and fry them not making them more than 1 cm thick. You can use a spatula or wet fingers to spread and shape the patties.

After its cooked, serve it with the remains of the Tomato Achar, or Dhaniya Achar, or any other sauce type achars that might be available from lunchtime.

Bara making is very simple, and not so time consuming either – except for grinding the pulses. Nowadays, we can also find Black Dal powder available in the market. However, the market’s dal power will be very fine, so the extra-fine texture will not be good while eating the Bara. A little rough texture makes the Bara more chewy. So all newars, do not use dal flour available in the market for preparing Bara and prefer to grind the pulse at home.

Chatamari : a Newar's favorite 

Chatamari is another popular snacks or whole meal for Newars. Most newars prepare this dish, especially during cold weather. It is more complete meal than Bara, and thus can be a dinner substitute. 

For preparing Chatamari, mainly three ingredients must be prepared. One of them is the same mixture as for Bara, that is, mixture of black or green pulse paste. Another important mixture is the meat keema mixture. Buff meat is most suitable and preferred, but chicken can be equally good. Only the chunk lean meat must be used for making meat keema or minced meat. For 1 person, about 150 gms or 1 cup meat can be more than enough. For 4 people, about four cups of chopped meat can be munched in the grinder. In the minched meat, 1 whole garlic (about ten big cloves) and 2 inch ginger must be ground and made into paste. To this meat mixture, salt, cumin, chili, turmeric must be added. Two large spoon of mustard oil must be added and thoroughly mixed. It is best to add green garlic leaves finely chopped, which is available during winter season. This meat mixture is very similar to mixture for the momo.

Lastly, for the base batter, rice flour is needed. The quantity of rice batter should be approximately equal to the meat mixture. So, 4 cups of rice flour can be made into a thick batter - similar to batter for pancakes - in consistency. A thorough mixing is required to break all lumps and make the batter smooth.

It is now time for cooking the Chatamari. The tawa for making roti is best, but must also have a fitting lid to cover it during cooking. On a hot tawa, a spoon of oil is spread. First the rice batter , approximately, half a cup is speared on the tawa, evenly by a paddle, or by slowly rotating the tawa by hand. After laying the rice batter, the pulse batter is also spread on top of the rice batter, with the help of a spoon. But spreading by hand is also easy. On top of the pulse batter, the meat mixture is also spread evenly, by hand. Lastly, an egg can be cracked on top, at the center, but to avoid spilling, the center is little pressed so that the egg yolk remains of it. Some salt is sprinkled and some pepper powder can also be sprinkled. Mustard oil must also be sprinkled on top. After applying all the ingredients, the tawa must be covered by a tight lid, and the heat must be medium to avoid being burnt. After about five minutes, it is better to check the Chatamari if it well cooked. To make the outer crust crispy, additional few minutes can be cooked. Once you are sure that the meat is well cooked, then you can take it out to serve it.

Chatamari can be eaten with some achar. But it must be served steaming hot.

Tara’s Story – Part I and II

TARA’S STORY – Part I

 

Radha Thapa was a single woman, of age about 35 years and ran a small tea shop. She really wanted a daughter who could take care and help her business when she got old enough.

 

One day Radha’s friend told her that there was an ‘Orphanage’ from where she could adopt a child. Excitedly she went to that orphanage and was able to adopt a small baby girl. At first she used to take good care of the child but later on, as the child grew older, Radha didi didn’t care much for her, thinking that it was not her own child. Radha did not give her proper education, neither did she send her to school. She did not give the baby a proper name, and just called her “Kanchi”.

 

 

Scene 1        6 years later…..

 

Kanchi is now a girl of 6 years, and 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’sokay 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.

 

“Miss….. 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, my dear Tara.”

 

“ 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.

 

Tara’s Story – Part II

 

Scene 4          5 years later, one day …..

 

Life of Tara Miss was continuing as usual in her Orphanage School. All the children of the school were very fond of her too. One day an incident happened…

 

While Tara Miss was teaching her class, one of the boy students came dashing inside the class, looking very overexcited. He was known to be a mischievous boy in the school and also loved to play pranks on other children.

 

He breathlessly cried, “ Miss…. there is carton box laying outside our gate……and there a living creature inside it !”

 

All the children laughed and giggled, including Tara Miss, not believing what they just heard.

 

“No.., there is something there…. I am not lying… go and check yourself…” he said, feeling a little hurt because no one believed him.

 

“Of course you’re lying, - that’s what you are good at,” a girl from back replied.

 

“It must be puppies,” another girl giggled.

 

“Might be kittens, too” a small girl added.

 

But Tara Miss could read the boy’s face, and knew that he was serious and telling the truth. So, she let one of her elder students to go and check. A few moments later, the girl ran back and announced that the box contained human babies !! and not ONE, but TWO babies !!!

 

Miss Tara, hearing her, hurriedly ran out and all the children followed her.

 

Everyone got excited and started cheering, and digged in their heads to get a glimpse of the two babies, but Tara Miss was worried. “Who would have left these babies inside a box like this?” she wondered. There was a small piece of paper, which she quickly kept inside her pocket before anyone saw it. Soon they took the box inside the Orphanage. They were all excited, as if they had received a box with ‘a pet’. The two babies were wrapped in a thin cloth, and were all wet – and were crying profusely.

 

“Maybe the babies are hungry,” one of the children said.

 

“Yes. Please, someone get a cup of milk and a spoon from the kitchen – quick ! ,” Tara Miss instructed.

 

“Miss, how old are they ?” one boy asked.

 

“Maybe just 2 or 3 weeks,” she replied.

 

Everyone gasped.

 

“Are they boys or girls ?” another asked.

 

Tara Miss checked and said, “One boy and another girl !”

 

Again everyone gasped.

 

Soon the milk arrived, but the babies could not drink from a spoon. So, Tara Miss again instructed the children to bring a feeding bottle. As soon as she held the bottle’s nipple to their mouth, both babies sucked the milk very hungrily.

 

The children wanted to feed the babies. Everyone wanted to go first. “I get to feed the babies first, because I found them first,” said the boy who found the babies outside the orphanage gate. Tara Miss let him feed the babies first, and told others to take turn. She instructed the eldest girl to change the nappies after she taught her how to change them.

 

Later in the afternoon, when it was afternoon napping time, Tara Miss quietly read the note that was inside the box and that she had put inside her pocket. The note said :

 

Dear Miss,

I am very sorry and ashamed to abandon my children like this…. You know, my husband had died on the very day my children were born, due to a terrible accident. After that, all my in-laws and relatives blamed of being “a witch” who took the life of my own husband !! I could not fight with them, and did not want to abandon my own children. I have no other option. I have no money and place to live. So I am compelled to take this step. May God forgive my sins.

The babies are the twins – boy is elder one named Lucky and the girl is Luna. Their birth certificates and the photo of their parents are under the mattress.

I am going abroad to work and forget my sorrows. So, please take good care of them. Please become their mom. I have trust in you.

An unlucky mother.

 

This note brought tears in the soft heart of Tara Miss’s eyes. She quickly wiped them before anyone noticed. She took out the birth certificates and saw the picture of their parents. She thought to herself. “The babies looked exactly like their parents. From now on, I vow to myself to take good care of these twin babies – and I commit to give them the world these two innocent souls deserve. So help me God.”

 

 

Scene 5        10 years later, one day …..

 

After Tara Miss adopted the twins, she always supported them and treated them like her own children. In a few months, she actually realized how hard was it to raise two children – and it reminded her of her childhood days when, her foster mother - Radha didi's – had raised her – some thirty years ago !

 

Among the twins, Luna, the girl was an easy going child and had an inquisitive mind, while Lucky her twin brother, was more of an adventures child and was carefree of his problems.

 

One day when the three of them where shopping for groceries, Tara Miss, had left the two children to wait for her, while she did her groceries. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a woman, same age as Tara Miss, approached the children, holding a box of apples.

 

" Here you go my children, have an apple," she generously offered them each an apple.

 

The women seemed very sweet and the smile on her face was very charming.

 

Luna gladly accepted the offering and sweetly thanked the kind lady.

 

She and the lady did some talking and found out that the lady worked in an Arabic country and had lost her husband a long time ago. While talking, Luna felt very comfortable and also started to bond with her. Before the lady left, Luna offered to take a selfie with her. While taking the photo, she lovingly hugged them. This gesture was strange but it was also very sweet.

 

Few minutes later Tara Miss came back with her groceries and asked them if anyone came to talk to them.

 

"Yes, a very sweet lady came and gave us apples. We also took a selfie with her." Luna said showing her the picture to Tara Miss. At first, Tara Miss did not recognize the woman but later she remembered the letter and the picture she got 10 years ago, when she received the children inside a carton box, in front of the gate.

 

“Poor innocent children,” she thought to herself, “how am I supposed to break the news to them, they will be heart broken and will feel betrayed, I will tell them when they are older but for now they will not have to think about their mother.”

 

 

Scene 6       5 years later, one day …..

 

Days passed quickly. Days turned into weeks, weeks to months, and months to years. 15 years have passed and both Lucky and Luna are now teenagers.

 

" Hey….Lucky, wake up you’re going to make us late." Luna said to her brother, pulling away Lucky’s blanket.

. 

“Oh god, its just 6:30, wake me at 7,” he said, pulling back the blanket.

 

"No!  hurry! I don't want to Miss the bus because of you..." cried Luna feeling frustrated and went off to the kitchen to grab some breakfast. 

 

After Tara Miss adopted the abandoned twins, she took great care of them. Luna the girl, was very sweet, smart and helpful while the boy Lucky had more interest in fun and games and loved sports. Even though Tara Miss loved and supported both of their dreams, she still wanted Lucky to be more responsible. 

 

That day at school, Lucky and his friends planned to visit Phulchowki hill by bunking their classes.

 

"I don't think we should go, it will be snowing and we don't know how much time it will take us to reach there." Lucky said re-thinking about the idea. “Seriously, I don't think we should be going, it's going to be extremely difficult for us because of the cold weather," he added.

 

But his classmates just ignored him and teased him for being a “scaredy-cat”.

 

So when it was the first period, they made the excuse of going to the bathroom and all sneaked out of the school premises, one-by-one, right under the guard’s nose. They carried some money for buying food and their tickets in Sajha bus up to Godavari. From Godavari they started to hike uphill. Lucky, from the beginning had a bad feeling about this trip for not getting their parent’s permission and also planning well. His friends noticed his not-very-happy face, and tried to cheered him up.

 

“Come on, cheer up buddy. We are boys, and boys must have some adventure.”

 

“It’s not like we will get lost there - a lot of people going too. If we need help, we can approach them” another friend added.

 

“Yeah, it’s snow we're going to see it for the first time. It’ll be hell of a fun…snowball fight…..Light up a bit,” the third friend said, patting his back.

 

Lucky gradually put his nervous thoughts away and started talking and joking with his friends like he always did. 

 

After an hour or so, they had finished their snack and were very tired too. One of them suggested, “Hey, this windy road is taking way too long than we anticipated, I say we’ll take a short cut by going through the forest and it will save us an hour.” They all agreed and without thinking twice, they took the path through the dense forest.  

 

After hiking for a few hours, they were exhausted from walking up hill. It was getting dark and the cold breezes gave them chills down their spines. They met no one along the forest path. And the fog was getting thicker and was hard to see their path. Now all four realized that they were lost !!

 

“I warned you guys, it’s a bad idea to come here. Now we are lost and nobody will find us…we will probably rot to our deaths, in this forest…..if not attacked by leopards….” Lucky said half crying.

 

“I know and don’t blame us, we are also terrified right now,” one of them said.

 

“No food, no water, no phone service……how are we going survive!” Lucky thought.

 

************

 

Back at home, Luna did not see Lucky. She had heard that Lucky and his friends had sneaked out of the school.

 

“ Mom, where is Lucky? Is he not at home yet ?” Luna asked Tara Miss. It was already 5 o’clock and she had just returned from school, after finishing her flute classes. 

 

"No, he is not here, why?” 

 

“I didn't see him at school too. There was a rumor that four boys sneaked out of school”.

 

“Did he bunk his classes again? Oh no! when will he get serious?" Tara Miss said in despair. 

 

“I hope he will be back soon, please don’t worry,” replied Luna, but she herself was worried.

 

************

 

At this point, the boys could barely walk. It was cold, dark and wet, and they had no energy to walk.

 

“We’ll freeze to death, it’s snowing, Oh, my god… please save us !”

 

“Maybe our parents will come looking for us,  but we can only hope.”

 

“I should have told Luna that I am going to Phulchowki. Now, here we are stranded and nobody knows we are in this forest……God knows if anyone will come looking for us. Mom will be so really disappointed,” Lucky thought to himself. 

 

************

“It's 9 o’clock, where is he?” Luna cried frantically. “Let me call his friend’s parents.” 

 

“Let’s go to the police, I am extremely worried,” Tara Miss said.

 

Soon, at the police station, there were already other parents too, who had come to report that their sons were Missing .

 

Tara Miss was now in tears and praying to god. 

 

After some time, a police officer came with some news, “We have come to know that four boys had gone to Phulchowki hill and they are probably lost in the woods. Please don’t worry, our search team has already been mobilized.” 

 

At the Phulchowki hills, there were about 30 people searching for these boys in the pitch-dark forest. They were going through different possible routes, calling out this names and blowing whistles, but the boys could not hear them. Tara Miss urged the Policemen to take the parents up to Godavari. 

 

Soon it was midnight, and Tara Miss was about to faint. And then a phone call came saying, “ We’ve found the boys !! We are bringing them down. But they are not in good shape. We will take them to the hospital, so please be at the hospital.”  Tara Miss and Luna gave a sigh of relief and Luna hugged her mom.

 

At the hospital, Tara Miss gave Lucky a big hug but Lucky fell on her feet and started crying.

 

“Mom, aren’t you disappointed?” Lucky said feeling ashamed.

 

“No my son, I am never as happier to see you again, please don’t feel ashamed, we all make mistakes, sometimes !!”

 

These words Lucky remembers for the rest of his life.  

 

 

Scene 7        3 years later, one day …..

 

Lucky and Luna are in collage now. They finished their first year and now they were in their second year. One day, when they had already left for college, a lady came to their front door and knocked while Tara miss was doing her chores.

 

“Yes?” Tara miss asked.

 

“You are Miss Tara Nepal, right?”

 

“Yes, yes I am, why?”

 

“You might have forgotten me but I have not.”

 

“I’m sorry but who are you?” Tara miss asked feeling surprised.

 

She sighed. “I am the biological mother of Lucky and Luna, my husband died a long time ago and I abandoned my children at your orphanage gates. Now that I have some money and a place to stay, I would like the children to be back with me.”

 

Hearing this Tara miss was stunned,

 

“After all these years you want them now?” she answered. “Sorry, but I raised them, I am like their mother.”

 

Tara Miss invited the lady inside her room and they both sat down.

 

“I understand but I have become lonely and I really need company.” She replied.

 

Tara miss was dumbfounded, but she understood how she felt, “Well, the children have become adults now. I cannot decide for them. Their birthday is in a few days. I will ask them about it then. They have the full rights to make their decision.”

 

With that, they exchanged their phone numbers and the lady also gave her address, and then she left in not very happy mood.

 

Scene 8          A Few Days Later …..

 

Lucky and Luna were going to be 18 years old. Today was the twin’s birth day. To celebrate, Tara Miss invited the children in the orphanage she worked at. Everyone was enjoying themselves but Tara Miss was feeling very uneasy, today she decided to tell the twins about their real parents. When all the children left, she called the twins to the living room. With tears in her eyes she said, “Please forgive me, but I have something to say”

 

“Mom, what happened, why are you so sad?”

 

“I have been lying to you two for 18 years, please do forgive me,” Tara Miss started crying.

 

“Mom tell us, what are you lying about?” Lucky asked

 

“On this very day I was teaching my orphan children when a child came to me saying that there was a carton box outside, I did not know what it was inside it,” Tara Miss paused and took a deep breath.

 

“What was inside the box?” they asked eagerly.

 

“Inside the box were two babies and they were you two. So you see, you are not my own children. You were abandoned by your real mother because her husband died in an accident and from then onwards, I vowed to raise you both like my own children,” saying this Tara Miss started to sobbed harder and cursed herself.

 

“Now I want to introduce you to your real mother,” she nervously said pulling herself together.

The twins were lost for words, astonished, and not believing what they just heard. Luna said to her Tara Miss, “Mom, why are you telling us now and who is our real mother?”

 

“I thought it was a good time because you two are matured,” Tara Miss said sobbing.

 

“But mom, they say, your real mother is the person who raised you. It is more important than the person who gave you birth, isn’t it?” Luna asked.

 

Tara Miss also told the twins about the lady offering the apples a few years ago and the picture. Luna rushed to get the old phone in which she clicked the selfie and vividly remembered that day.

 

“On our birthday, you completely ruined it… mom…. Oh wait you’re not my mother, …. I have no REAL mother…. I can’t believe this is happening ! You betrayed us !” Lucky was fuming with rage and stormed out from the room.

 

“Why is he behaving like this?” Luna thought to herself. “ Mom has an orphanage so, why did she adopt us?”

 

Seeing Lucky’s reaction, Tara Miss was also in total despair. Luna comforted her but she was in shock too.

 

A few minutes later, their real mother arrived. Luna saw her for the second time and she was overjoyed, they had a good bond the last time she saw her. They both
hugged and tears of happiness was falling from the woman’s cheeks.

“Where is your brother?” the lady asked.

“He became a little angry with mom so he is in his own room now,” Luna replied.

Both Tara Miss and the lady told Luna that it is their own decision to either stay with Tara miss or with their real mother. Luna was perplexed.

 

So she said, “Me and my brother will think about it will let you know. But for now,” she looked at Tara miss and asked, “can she stay with us in the guest room?”

 

“Sure, she is your real mother anyway,” Tara Miss replied.

Luna went to her brother's room to tell him about the decision that they need to take.

“I don’t want to stay here anymore,” Lucky said feeling grumpy, “I will go to our new mom’s place and you stay here,” he said.

“Don’t say that about mom, always remember she raised us. But your idea is very good, you stay at our new mom and I will stay here for about a month? How does that sound?” she eagerly asked.

“Sure, that sounds good and we will do that until we know each other well,” Lucky added.

They excitedly went to tell their decision and both the mothers liked the idea. Especially they saw a sign of relief in their new mom’s face.

 

For the night, they let their real mom stay with them and did a lot of talking. Her name was Bina Thapa. She told her how she found them through their social media after a long search.

 

Scene 8       7 years later, one day …..

 

Days turned into months and months into years, the twins were one 25 and had finished their university too. One day some amazing thing happened.

 

Luna hurriedly came to Tara Miss with a huge smile on her face, “Mom , you’re not going to believe this …..I got accepted to Australia’s prestigious college of University of Sydney with a full scholarship !! My dream to become a doctor is going to be true !!”

 

Luna was jumping up and down with happiness. Tara Miss was also overjoyed but the thought of Luna leaving made her a little nervous.

 

Lucky saw his sister feeling very happy and soon found out the reason behind it. Then he thought, “I can also work and earn money then I will move out and live my own life.”

 

So after a few days and thinking about working he made a decision go to a UAE country and work as cashier in a restaurant. When Tara Miss heard the news of Lucky going abroad to work, she became desperate. And before she knew it both the twins were packing their things and also made their passport. She pleaded Lucky so stay and work in Nepal, but he would not listen.

 

Luna went to Australia for studies and told Tara Miss and Lucky that she will come during the holidays. Tara Miss became lonely and felt like she betrayed her children. Lucky was still not warming up to her either, he kept ignoring her and Tara Miss later became busy with her work.

 

The house was very quiet after Luna left. Lucky had been secretly planning to go to UAE to work, with some of his friends. On the departure day Lucky had packed up his suitcase and was about to leave when Tara Miss stood I front of the door and started crying.

 

“Mom, what are you doing? Move out the way. You’re going to make me late for my flight.”

 

“Lucky, please, don’t go ….you are all I have after your sister left….. please change your mind and stay with me,” Tara Miss was crying in vain.

 

“It’s too late to turn back…. you have raised me and loved to me …. But I am not going to loose my job all because of you.”  He forced his way without saying a proper goodbye… which he regretted later.

 

Tara Miss cried for days and her health was degrading, all she could think about was Luna’s sweet smile and Lucky’s jolly laughter.

 

Scene 9         A Few Months After, One day …..

 

Lucky, who had reached to his destination, had a lot of problems, it was very hot and he had to work for long hours and got very less money than his contract. Soon he became homesick and really wanted to return but he had already signed the contract to stay for a year. His friends gave no help too, neither could they even talk to their parents through phone. Lucky felt ashamed that he did not listen to her mom’s pleading and could not talk to Tara Miss at all. They had a very small room to stay and Lucky had a hard time to learn the language in a very short time. It was truly a miserable life for him.

 

Luna, on the other hand was having a good time studying there. She made a lot of friends and the teachers there had a lot of experience. At first, Luna was also homesick because of the change of weather and appetite but she go use to it.

 

Tara Miss was more miserable than ever, ever since the incident she had nightmares, her students saw her face being a bit pale and asked her “Tara Miss, are you okay ? You look a bit pale, is everything ok?” one of them asked her.

 

“Yes dear, everything is fine” she lied, she hated lying to children.

 

And that day she got a phone call from Luna, “Hello? Mom it’s me.”

 

“Luna, is that you, dear?”

 

“Yes it’s me. How have you been? Is everything ok?

 

“Not really my child, a few days ago your real mom came to our house, and she was sadder than me, that you two are not here” Tara Miss said.

 

“OK, I will talk to her. Please comfort her from my side also.”

 

This made Tara Miss very emotional but she held back her tears.

 

Scene 10      A Year later …..

 

“I want to go home, I don’t want to work here,” Lucky said dejectedly.

 

“We can’t do anything because we have signed the contract and if we leave we will go to jail,” his friend replied.

 

Lucky remembered all the good times he spent back at home with Tara Miss and Luna so the next day, he went to his boss and demanded to leave. After arguing with is boss, for some time, finally the boss gave him the permission to leave.

 

The same day Luna was returning home for Dashain vacation. Tara Miss was over the moon when she heard this news. But she dearly missed Lucky too.

 

The next day Lucky packed his things and left to the airport and boarded the plane after reaching to Delhi airport his flight got delayed and he to wait in the airport for 8 hours! He was walking around when suddenly he saw a face in the crowd, he recognized that face immediately and ran at this person.

 

It was Luna! They hugged each other and Lucky talked about all his hardships at UAE. They also found out they were travelling in the same plane too from Delhi to Kathmandu. They kept this news a surprise to Tara Miss.

 

-----------

 

Tara’s mobile phone rings. “Its me Mom, I have landed in Kathmandu and I’m waiting for my luggage. See you in half an hour.” Tara sighed a relief and sat on a metal chair nearby. She was waiting to receive Luna, with her orphanage children.

 

Finally after about a quarter of an hour, Tara Miss catches a glimpse of Luna, pushing her baggage trolley, coming through the Arrival lounge. Both wave at each other. Finally Luna walked out.

 

They embrace and Tara was happy to see Luna, and Luna was happy to be back home.

 

“How was your trip ? Was it too tiring ? You look exhausted ? And….

 

“Yes, I am tired, but I have lot of things to tell you…”

 

“Hi ! Hello !!”

 

“Who is it ? At the back ? Think I heard …. Lucky’s voice….but can’t be…he is in UAE… just my illusion…..”

 

“Hi ! You don’t remember me, Mom ?”,

 

“What ? Why ?? How ??? Oh.. it is ….Lucky…. Oh, my dear …!!!  Somebody pinch me, is this my dream ……..How come you are here ???”

 

The three of them hug as tightly as they could….. Tara’s tears flowing like two streams…… One whole minute they stood hugging each other…..

 

Until, a policeman said, “Excuse me, could you move away from the walkway ?? you are blocking other passenger’s’ way….”

 

“Give me water…. I need to sit……. Why did you play such a prank with me…….. Lucky ! you are never going away from me again……you heard me ?? ……

 

Mom….mom….. Lucky’s voice chocked.

 

All the children clapped and cheered and went back home and shared some sweets that Luna didi gave them.

 

“Sorry I am late…. Have Luna arrived? Oh, how come? Lucky is here too… Oh, its so…. beautiful… I can’t believe this….Oh God, thank you!!........ I am so glad to see all three of you here ….!! Thank you Lucky for coming back!!” their real mom had also come to receive Luna, but was overjoyed to see Lucky also.

-------------------

 

“Don’t you go back …stay here and please forgive me, talk to me” she told to Lucky, as they rode back to their home.

 

“Don’t be sorry mom, I was the one who should be asking for forgiveness, I acted like an idiot and I am sorry that I left you. I will stay here and do some business.”

 

After Dashain vacation, Luna went back to Australia for her studies and Lucky started a clothes’ outlet and settled down.

 

---------------

 

Tara Miss is now 45 years old. Luna finished her studies and became a doctor and work in Nepal. Lucky was doing good in his clothes shop and everything was going back to normal.

To be continued….