My Journey Last Week

The places of Syangja district that keeps their name in history are Sataoun chandi,Manakamana,  Bhirkot durbar, Alamdevi, Nuwakot durbar, Chhangchhangdi, Ridi, Godhagodhi taal, Mirmi etc. Chhangchhangdi (Chaya-kshetra) is mentioned in Swasthani as the place where the last organ of dead Satyawati fell when she was carried by Lord Shiva. Kali-Gandaki A hydro electricity in Mirmi is the largest hydro electricity project in Nepal producing 144 MW of electricity.  Putalibazaar municipality is in eastern and central Syangja. Waling is a municipality in western Syangja. It is a longitudinal valley along the beautiful Adhikhola river(it is claimed to be tears of Shrawan Kumar). Biggest valley in Syangja is Bayarghari. 

As a resident of  Syangja District last week I got the chance to travel the local areas nearby and I decided to have a look about the scenerio with the friends,we walked beside the Adhikholo and reached Tikaja ,nearby village to the temple where we spent night at our relatives home.We reached around noon and they prepared the meal,it was steamed rice,lentil  and pharsee ko munta.Pumpkin Shoots are the young, uppermost tender shoots, tendrils, leaves, and delicate stems from pumpkin plants. They are considered a delicacy in Nepal. The shoots are harvested from the growing end of the vine (the top 3 to 4 inches) by pinching off the tender ends. The plants will put out a new shoot or growth after the vine has been harvested. Pumpkin shoots have a distinct light flavor that can be described as a cross between squash and spinach. They should be cooked within a day of picking or they will lose their freshness and flavor. Like any leafy green, the volume of this vegetable reduces by half after cooking.Removing fuzzy outer covering and fibers from all sides.Washed and drained,Frying the whole spices until fully fragrant before adding pumpkin shoots using spices used - dried red chili, fenugreek seeds, ground turmeric, minced fresh ginger and garlic, cumin, and salt. They are so delicious sauteed in fenugreek scented oil with fresh ginger paste and smashed garlic pod and other spices.I just love the way aunt cooked it and served to us .

Evening time we spent around other relatives home too,they have planted various green vegetables around home and shed were full of buffaloes and goats .Some had invested in chicken poultry farm and the environment was really wonderful,the rural life is base to our lifestyle and these homes and scenerio are part our happiness too.They are very close-knit communities. Everybody knows everybody else, their family, and their ancestors. Often the communities are interlinked by marriage too.Houses in the village are usually constructed from local materials according to the weather; in the south where it is hotter houses are made from mud and straw to cool the inhabitants, and in the colder north houses are constructed with stone and tiled roofs.Grown up in village area I was familiar to the lifestyle from the early age and love the surrounding.We  returned  to home .

The dinner was ready .Aunt had made rice,lentil and beans sbji,when the seeds splutter, adding the ginger and sauté till slightly brown,adding the tomatoes and stir-fry till the fat separates,adding the coriander powder, salt, turmeric, chilli powder and garam masala ,adding the beans and potatoes and saute over high heat till they look glossy.I noticed her interest in cooking and taste was owesome.

Next day we began our journey to Sataumn on foot ,we reached to temple and worship the goddess and clicked the pictures .After which we had a meal there and came back to home in local bus to Syangja bajar via Tikaja area.It was really wonderful journey in the area. I was narrated by my friend about local attractions of Syangja speically Gahate Manakamna. Every year Manakamana Mela is being observed on the Purnima (15th day of Shukla Paksha) of Chaite Dashain and Thulo Dashain at Gahate Manakamana. This particular 'Manakamana Temple' is situated at Ward number one of the Manakamana VDC, Syangja. It is around 14 Km north-east from Waling and 20 Km south from Syangja.Other tourists areas were also our interest but we planned for next trip.