I walked up 470+ steps to the village of Chobhar and then another 100 or so exploring the village. It was quite a journey! Below are some of the sights and critters I encountered along the way.
Did I mention almost 600 steps!
Tree with 2 Shiva shrines. Trees are often homes to deities and are treated as shrines to which offerings are made.
Shiva Shrine at base of tree.
Cluck, cluck!
I thought these goats were there to greet me as I neared the top. I found out later that I was wrong.
Then, I thought this cute little boy was going to congratulate me for making it to the top. Again, I was wrong.
Lamps lined the upper stairs. I imagine during festivals and holy times these are lit. I also imagine they're quite beautiful against a mountainous night sky.
Yes - it's a goat protecting the laundry! Not really, I think he just found some good green stuff there.
View from the top? Nope!
Photo op! Still no congratulations. . .
Oh - I get it. I haven't made it to the top yet. What?! I just climbed 360 steps. I'm dripping with sweat and there are 110 or so more to go! Notice the sculptures in the lower left. Nepal has some of the most beautiful and historic sculptures. They're everywhere. There is a rich artisan's heritage in the this little country.
Lotus flower carved into stone steps. There are several of these as well as other images along the way.
Shrine with flower petal offerings.
Notice that the shrine is at the entrance to a home. It must be a house or protective deity.
Shiva Shrine next to the Buddha below. Nepal is unique for its religious pluralism. The Buddha is worshiped next to Shiva and
vice versa.
Look closely! You can see Swayambhunat in the distance. This picture doesn't do it justice. It's not hard to see/understand why the Swayambhunath stupa is steeped in legend.
Lady doing laundry. . .
Still not to the top, but I have a feeling I'm getting closer.
For those of you that like dogs. . .they're not dead. They're just sleeping.
Another lotus flower.
I made it to the village but now where do I go?? All the signs are in Nepali!
YES! Made it to my destination. . .a place to relax! Boy, was I ready to relax and cool off!
It's a quaint little resort with happy hosts!
At the cafe, I enjoyed a bottle of water, a cup of coffee, and yes, a grilled cheese (I've just been craving them lately). What a pleasant afternoon! Then, after a satisfied belly and cool brow (the breeze was pleasant) I did the only thing I could do. I walked back down!
Yes - it's a goat protecting the laundry! Not really, I think he just found some good green stuff there. 
Beautiful photos SRB! What a great outing...
ReplyDeleteWow it just takes my breath away and I'm not even there. thank you so much for sharing this journey. Again your amazing.
ReplyDeleteHi, I would love to share a few things about this place and my experience being there at Chobhar.
ReplyDeleteRight down the hills of Chobar, the steps that you have mentioned, there is a rehabilitation centre. I call it the school of my life. I am from a very good family living in London but I have spent more than a quarter of my life in Nepal. My father is an ex Gurkha so we moved to the UK when I was 22.
Drugs had always been a part in my life. I started smoking cigarettes, marijuana when I was 15 and was at school. By the time, I was at school my disease progressed, I was on heroin. My addiction was always there where ever I go. Even in the U.K. As soon as I arrived there were my old friends and heroin there for me. I've through the worst of my life, lost almost everything but my family never gave up on me when I almost gave up on myself. Rehabs here in the U.K. are very expensives so my family decided me to stay at the rehabilitation centre in Nepal so I found the Richmond fellowship right at the bottom of Chobhar hill.
I am writing this, because it has been such a coincidence. I am myself beginning to start a journey of recovery and I was searching for the pictures of the steps where i used to go for morning walks whilst I was in a rehabilitation programme. This is the place where I have found myself. I am so attached to it.