After 5 months in Goa, 3 weeks under the banyan tree, I took the train and bus with Bikash and a couple Nepalese back up to Kathmandu.
3 wonderful weeks, riding the city on back of the bike, visited Hetauda, got soaked and colored during Holi festival, enjoying Nepale treats, and hanging out with the boys at Grasshopper tattoo shop.
Here are some pictures of Maya, a word which means at the same time Illusion, Love and Money. Maya, also the name of Sakyamuni Buddha’s mother.
Pictures of a Newarien wedding, Newars being the majority caste of Kathmandu.
Here, marriage is not a few years story. Here, union between 2 people will last for 7 reincarnations. Couples are chosen by family and priests.
Arranged marriage is the most practiced, "love marriage" still being a rarity.
“Love” after marriage is the rule, no love before marriage.
As I ask Bikash’s sister if one day she will marry like this, she looks at me from the top of her 19 years and replies:
”It is my duty”.
Here family is a reflection of the cosmic order. It is serious matter, as one doesn’t play with the Gods’ will.
The day was an auspicious day, so the temple was filled with 2 other couples getting married. The women in their best clothes shimmer in the light. Offerings of gifts, exchanges of money and seeds are made to the bride and groom, food is served as people sit on the floor mattes. The best man sits next to the groom, the groom will be the next one to wed.
Everything is arranged according to the gods.
As to me, I am back in Normandie, France. Sign some papers, enjoy time with family, eat some cheese, bread and drink some wine, and chello back to Buddha land.
As long as Bhairav is happy...
