#Nepalese beauty queens

[conandaily2022]

Jane Dipika Garrett biography: 13 things about Miss Universe Nepal 2023

Jane Dipika Garrett is a Nepalese beauty queen. Here are 13 more things about her:

[elizatungusnakur]

The May Queen at this year’s @beltanefiresociety’s Fire Festival has chosen a medieval science and solar theme to align with her interpretation of the goddess Brigid. So as a hinge-point of this year’s festivities, of course I couldn’t wait to join in! 🌞 With some bizarre luck though, I managed to source a small Nepalese-Italian business based in Paisley, Renfrewshire - just a mere 25 minutes away from where I live - that was selling the exact pendants I needed this week. Scroll to see how I turned these beauties into a pair of enchanting earrings. 🌞 Thank you @akuaduulza_art for sending these vibrant faces my way. 🙏🏻

[iiftnepal]

Empowering Elegance: List of Miss Nepal and the Shining Queens

Beauty pageants have always been more than just glittering crowns and stunning gowns. They are a celebration of the charisma, intellect, and talents of women who dare to dream and aspire to make a difference. In the picturesque land of Nepal, the List of Miss Nepal pageant embodies this spirit, showcasing the country’s brightest and most accomplished women on a global stage.

Ruby Rana: The Trailblazer

A name synonymous with grace and elegance, Ruby Rana, is widely acknowledged as the pioneer of beauty pageants in Nepal. In 1994, she made history by becoming the first Nepali beauty queen to represent the nation at the Miss World pageant. Her journey not only celebrated her beauty but also her intellect, as she was crowned “Miss Personality.” Beyond the pageant, Ruby Rana has cemented her legacy as a philanthropist and a prominent figure in the Nepalese entertainment industry.

Malvika Subba: Beauty with Substance

In the annals of Miss Nepal history, few names shine as brightly as Malvika Subba. Crowned in 2002, she is celebrated as one of the most successful Miss Nepal winners. Her reign marked the beginning of a transformative journey, as she ventured into television hosting, acting, and entrepreneurship. Malvika’s dedication to social causes has inspired countless Nepalese women, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s social fabric.

Shrinkhala Khatiwada: The Architect of Beauty

Shrinkhala Khatiwada, the embodiment of brains and beauty, won the Miss Nepal title in 2018. Her remarkable journey took her to the international stage at the Miss World competition, where she earned a spot in the Top 12. Shrinkhala’s background as an architect brought a unique perspective to her reign, which she used to raise awareness about crucial social issues. Her pursuit of higher education at Harvard University continues to inspire the youth of Nepal.

Asmi Shrestha: Beauty with Purpose

Asmi Shrestha, crowned Miss Nepal in 2016, carried the nation’s hopes to the global platform of Miss World. Her Top 20 finish and the title of Beauty with a Purpose highlighted her commitment to making a difference in society. Besides her pageant achievements, Asmi has actively contributed to various social causes, including education and healthcare.

Anushka Shrestha: A Beacon of Inspiration

The reign of Anushka Shrestha, Miss Nepal 2019, has been nothing short of inspiring. She has championed causes such as education, gender equality, and youth empowerment, becoming a notable social activist in her own right. Her representation at the Miss World 2019 pageant in London further solidified her position as an influencer and change-maker.

The legacy of Miss Nepal list extends beyond the tiara and sash. It represents a platform where women can shine, excel, and make a profound impact on society. These remarkable women, along with numerous other Miss Nepal titleholders, have used their platform to inspire, empower, and bring about positive change.

In conclusion, Miss Nepal is not just a beauty pageant; it’s a celebration of grace, intelligence, and the potential for transformation. The queens who have graced this platform have left a legacy that continues to inspire generations of Nepalese women. They serve as reminders that beauty is not just skin deep; it’s a combination of intelligence, compassion, and the power to make a difference in the world. Nepal’s shining queens have proven that beauty is indeed a force for good, and their stories continue to inspire women to reach for the stars.

Also Read: Kitchen Design In Nepal

Kitchen Design — Designing a kitchen in Nepal, like in any other location, should take into account both functional and aesthetic considerations.

[a-safe-and-quiet-place]

Garuda

Garuda is a bird creature from Hindu mythology that has a mix of eagle and human features. He is the vehicle (vahana) of Vishnu and appears on the god's banner. Garuda represents birth and heaven, and is the enemy of all snakes. In Indian art, Garuda gradually acquired more human form over the centuries and so maintained only his wings. In Cambodia, however, he retains even today the great talons and vicious-looking beak of a bird of prey.

Appearance & Associations

Garuda traditionally has the torso and arms of a man and the wings, head, beak and talons of an eagle or vulture. His body is gold in colour, his wings are red and his face is white. Garuda is also known as the 'king of the birds' (Khagesvara), as 'he who has beautiful feathers' (Suparna), as 'golden bodied' (Suvarnakaya) and 'the devourer' (Nagantaka). The latter name is in reference to his role as the enemy of all snakes which are symbolic of death and the underworld. In contrast, Garuda represents birth and heaven; in addition he is associated with the sun and fire.

Garuda's wife is Unnati (or Vinayaka in other versions) and his son is Sampati, another mythical bird and ally of Rama. Garuda is the offspring of Kasyapa and Vinata (or also Tarksya in other versions). It was following his mother's quarrel with her co-wife Kadru, the queen of serpents, that Garuda acquired his dislike of snakes

Mythological Adventures

In the Bhagavata Purana a legend is told where Garuda fights the fearsome many-headed snake Kaliya. Since long ago offerings were left for snakes during the first days of each month and a part of this offering was given by the snakes to Garuda. However, on one occasion Kaliya, thinking himself safe from Garuda because of his terrible poison, kept for himself all the offerings. Not best pleased at this impertinence, Garuda attacked Kaliya, hitting him so hard with his wings that Kaliya hid in a pool of the Kalindi River. Here Kaliya was safe because the sage Saubhari had once cursed Garuda for stealing one too many fish from the river, and if Garuda ever entered its waters again he would immediately expire. Kaliya would later get his comeuppance though as Krishna swam into the pool and chastised him by stamping on each of his many heads.

GARUDA SWALLOWED A BRAHMANA AND HIS WIFE BUT THE PRIEST BURNED GARUDA'S THROAT SO MUCH THAT HE WAS COMPELLED TO SPIT THE COUPLE OUT.

In the Mahabharata Garuda eats evil men. In one episode he swallowed a brahmana and his wife but the priest burned Garuda's throat so much that he was compelled to spit the couple out.

In perhaps the most famous episode from Hindu mythology involving Garuda, the giant bird attempted to steal from the gods the sacred amrta or 'water of life'. Indra soon found out and, unconvinced by Garuda's motive that he needed the amrta as a ransom to free his mother from the clutches of Kadru, fought the giant bird in an epic battle. Mighty Indra lost his famous thunderbolt in the clash but eventually managed to retrieve the amrta.

In another story, Garuda once came to the aid of a sparrow that had been taken advantage of by the Ocean. The sparrow had laid her eggs on the beach but Ocean carried them away with his waves. Begging to no avail to have the eggs returned, the sparrow pecked at the edge of the Ocean to encourage him to return what was not his. The determined sparrow became famous for her persistence and so caught the attention of Garuda who, as king of the birds, felt sympathy and threatened the Ocean that if the eggs were not given back then Garuda himself would incessantly attack the Ocean. Ocean relented and returned the eggs to the ever grateful sparrow.

Garuda in Art

Garuda often appears in sculptural representations of Vishnu (Garudasana Visnu), especially on columns such as the 5th century CE Eran column in Madhya Pradesh which has two figures of Garuda, unusually with human heads as opposed to the typical eagle ones. The 6.5 meter high sandstone column at Besnagar, which dates to at least the 1st century BCE, is also thought to have once been topped by a figure of Garuda.

In Nepalese art, Garuda usually has a youth's face and he often wears his wings like a cloak. The earliest complete example is from Cangu Narayana which dates to the 6th-7th century CE. In Cambodia, where Garuda is known as Kruth, he has a human torso and fearsome clawed feet. In each hand he clutches a snake and is a common figure in architectural sculpture, notably at Angkor, but also frequently as a wooden support at the corners of the roofs of  temple buildings.

[newsfromnewdelhi]

Summer break: adventures in Nainital and Kausani.

The three week mid-term summer break enabled me enough time to take another trip to the Himalyan foothills to visit Nainital and Kausani. Sadly, the trains were booked up due to it being peak time for Indians to visit the hill stations to escape the Delhi heat. From the advice I’d been given by indian friends, buses were a no no, so I decided to hire a car with driver to take me on the five day tour.

Friday 7th June

Left 5am and drove to Nainital which took about 9 hours - far longer than expected due to the long queues of traffic entering Nainital caused by numerous police checks. My Air bnb accommodation although ‘shabby’ was at least self contained and had a lovely view of the lake. Nainital itself was overcrowded and completely jammed full of traffic, so i avoided the town centre completely, taking just one trip to the lake where i sat upstairs in Cafe Coffee Day on the veranda, looking out over the lake.

The host (who was the Air bnb’s brother) was extremely friendly and took me to visit his mother and grandmother who’d come to stay for a few days. I took tea and some special Indian sweets with them and Abhishek’s brother was able to translate to allow us some basic conversation.

It was lovely to be in a much cooler climate with temperatures arpound the mid-late 20s as oppose to the mid-40s in Delhi. Their special, tranquil, wild flower garden was a joy to sit in, away from the crowded highstreet (shown in picture above).

Sunday 9th June

Left Nainital 5.30am to drive the long, windy route to Kausani which took about 6 hours. Kausani is a small, much quieter hillstation. Sadly, the view from my hotel balcony (which should have been the snowy peaks of the Himalayas) was shrouded by the smoke from forest fires. However, I did manage to get some good views on the morning i left.

During my stay, i visited the Kausani tea estate, a shawl factory where it was possible to watch the shawls being made using traditional methods, and the Anasakti Ashram which Ghandi visited in 1929.

View on route to Kausani

Sadly run down, like most of the British establishments from the time of the occupation in Utterakhand.

Hand picking the leaves.

Anasakti Ashram where Ghandi stayed in 1929. There was an exhibition in the temple which detailed Ghandi’s political and religious life. 

This is what the view should have been like from my hotel, but actually i downloaded this from the internet!

Tuesday 11th June

Left Kausani to drive to Rhaniket. On the way, i stopped at Someshwar to visit the Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva (every Hindu temple is dedicated to a different god). It was a magical place and i spent a good hour there, basking in the tranquility.

Rhaniket

Arrived in Rhaniket around 2pm to discover that the Air bnb was about 5 miles outside of the town centre. I wished i could have stayed longer, as it’s such a beautiful area.

What Wikipedia says:

Ranikhet is a hill station and cantonment town in Almora district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is the home for the Military Hospital, Kumaon Regiment (KRC) and  Naga Regiment and is maintained by the Indian Army. Ranikhet is at an altitude of 1,869 metres (6,132 ft) above sea level and within sight of the western peaks of the Himalayas.

Ranikhet, which means Queen's meadow in Hindi, gets its name from a local legend, which states that it was here, that Raja Sudhardev won the heart of his queen, Rani Padmini, who subsequently chose the area for her residence, giving it the name, Ranikhet, though no palace exists in the area.

In 1869, the British established the headquarters of the Kumaon Regiment here and used the station as a retreat from the heat of the Indian summer. At one time during British Raj, it was also proposed as the summer headquarters of Government of India, in lieu of Shimla. In 1900, it had a summer population of 7,705, and its corresponding winter population was measured in 1901 as 3,153.

Ranikhet had been under Nepalese rule, and the Kumaonese (people of Kumaon Region) won it under the leadership of their able General Kashi Nath Adhikari – after whom the small town of Kashipur was named.

Whilst not having enough time to visit the town, i was at least able to visit the Hindu temple dedicated to Hanuman.

In the evening, I went for a lovely to walk in the forest, finding the perfect spot to watch the sunset with my beer.

Wednesday 12th June

Left Rhaniket at 6am for the long, 9 hour journey back to Delhi. Some lovely mountain views on route.

[gauravrajput]

Know which 10 mountains are the highest

For those looking for something new, obsessive, crazy or tracking etc. every day, the world's highest peaks are a beautiful feeling in itself. Often we keep thinking that it is possible to reach such high peaks. Of course this work can be done by a man full of passion. In the same way, I will tell you about the highest peaks in the world, where reaching is obscure and very popular for those who specialize every day. The Himalayas are the highest mountain in the world. The world's top 10 peaks in height are in this vast mountain range. Take a look at these peaks... 1. Mount Everest

Mount Everest Mountain in Asia

Mount Everest is the highest mountain peak in the world. Whose height is 8,848 meters. Earlier it was known as XV. At that time Mount Everest's height was measured at 29,030 feet. In the scientific survey it is said that its height is growing at a rate of 2 centimeters per annum. In Nepal it is known by the name of the local people Sagarmatha (this means - the head of heaven). So in Tibet this is called 'Chomolungma' (meaning - Queen of Mountains). 2. K2

K2 Mountain in Asia

This peak is located in the Karakoram mountain range on the border of Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Xinjiang of China. The height of 8611 meters (28,250 feet) is the world's second highest mountain peak after Mount Everest. K2 is considered to be the most difficult and dangerous compared to Mount Everest. 246 people have climbed so far on K2, while 2238 people have climbed Mount Everest. 3. Kangchenjunga

Kangchenjunga Mountain in Asia

Kangchenjunga, situated on the Nepal border in the northwest part of Sikkim, is the world's third highest peak. Its height is 8,586 meters (8,586 metres). It is located 74 kilometers north west from Darjeeling. The name Kangchenjunga is derived from the four words of Tibetan origin, which are usually written as Kang-Chhen-Junga. In Sikkim it is considered to be the 5th largest amount of snow. In Nepal, this mountain is called Kumbhakarna Langur. 4. Lhotse

Lhotse Mountain in Asia

8516 meters 27,940 feet is the fourth highest peak in the world after Everest and after Kanchenjunga, which is linked to Everest from the South Valley. There are two more peaks next to this peak. 5. Makalu

Makalu Mountain in Asia

8485 meters, 27,838 feet, is the world's fifth highest peak in Maclean Everest. It is located 19 kilometers southeast of Everest. These are different peaks that look like four face pyramids. 6. Cho Oyu

Cho Oyu Mountain in Asia

8,188 meters above sea level (26,864 feet) is the world's sixth highest mountain. In Tibet, Cho Ou means 'Turak Devi'. This mountain is situated on the west side of the Tibet-Nepal border, 20 kilometers from the Khulumbud sub-section of the Mahalangur Himalayas of Mount Everest. 7. Dhaulagiri

Dhaulagiri Mountain in Nepal

Located in northwestern Nepal near the origin of the Kali river, this peak height is 8,167 meters (26,826 feet). There are many glaciers in this part. It is one of the four major peaks of the Himalayas and at some point it was considered to be the highest peak in the world. The meaning of Dhaulagiri mountain in Nepalese is (white, beautiful, mountain). It is the 7th tallest in the world. 8. Manaslu

Manaslu Mountain in Nepal

The world's eighth highest mountain is 8,163 meters (26,781 feet) from the sea. It is located in Nepalese Himalaya in the western central part of Nepal. Manaslu is derived from the Sanskrit word Manasa, which means 'wisdom or spirit' Manaslu means 'the spirit of the mountain'. 9. Nanga Mountains

Nanga Parbat Mountain in Asia

Its height is 8, 126 meters, or 26, 660 feet. It is also called the "Killer Mountain" of the world, because many people who have climbed to it have been known. The Nanga Parbat comes in the region of Gilgit-Baltistan controlled by Pakistan, which India considers its part too. It is the world's newest mountain. Nanga Parvat is situated in the western part of the Himalayan mountain range. 10. Annapurna

Annapurna Massif in Nepal

Annapurna is a massif in the Himalayas in north central Nepal is the tenth largest mountain in the world. Climbing it is equivalent to climbing the world's most dangerous peaks. It is 8091 meters (26,545 feet).

[tripdekho]

Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone starrer, Tamasha, blissfully captured the aesthetically beautiful Queen of Hills, Shimla. From the peaceful, tranquil valleys to the crowded Mall Road, Shimla has a unique charm like no other place on Earth.

Shimla came into being with the Sugauli Treaty in 1816 after the end of the Anglo-Nepalese War. It was declared as the summer capital of British India in 1864. The influence of British architecture can be seen on many buildings that Shimla houses, like the Viceroy Lodge and the Christ Church to name a few.

Home to the Kalka-Shimla railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shimla is a major tourist spot with many tourist attractions like the Jakhoo Temple, The Ridge, Chadwick Falls, and more.

The enchanting city of Shimla with its meandering roads and dreamy valleys is an experience not to be missed and a must add chapter to your travel stories!

[whenwelookedoutside]

10/16: We arrived safely in Patan, Nepal late last night, and took a pretty scary taxi ride to our hotel for where we would be staying the next two nights. The building is beautiful, traditional Nepalese style made of old wood with many staircases. We were happy to be in a nice comfy bed, and have a hot shower after a day of airports.

We got a late start to the day today, and found our way to Patan Durbar Square where we had a delicious lunch of traditonal dumplings called MoMos, and a set of curry dishes called Dal Bhat. I’m not sure if the food was that good or if we were just so glad to have something different than Thai food... but we really enjoyed it.

After lunch we met a tour guide named Jay in the square who offered to give us a tour of the nearby palaces and temples. He was a really cool guy, and actually had pictures from when he gave a tour to Prince Harry! It turns out that we arrived just in time for the big festival in Nepal known as Dashin— a Hindu holiday that celebrates the warrior goddess-Durga. Unfortunately during this festival lots of animals are sacrificed to the gods, which we were lucky not to have seen. Other celebrations include flying kites, music, playing cards... but mostly spending time with family. Usually many temples and the palace are closed to tourists, but during the holiday they are open... lucky us!

Patan is known as the “beautiful city,” one of great history, culture, and craftsmanship. The old buildings are built mainly of teak wood and bricks. The temples and palace all had incredible carvings of gods, warriors, etc.. perhaps the coolest thing we saw was the old queen’s bathtub— an incredibly ornate well with a golden spout. Some pieces of the buildings had been reconstructed, but we were blown away by the craftsmanship and preservation of the teak wood after 400 years. We walked on passed many Hindu temples to honor gods Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, and the warrior Arjuna. Again all intricate and marvelous to look at. Finally we visited one Buddhist temple which was same same but different than all the ones we visited in Thailand.

Jay then took us to an art school where students are trained to create famous Buddhist mandala paintings known as thangka. In this old Tibetan practice they make their own paints from ground precious stones, use one haired cat hair paint brushes, and then take 2-4 months to create one small piece of art. Above you can see a Buddha painting made of real liquid gold. The school shop was selling three levels of quality work: student, professional, and “master” pieces— created by monks living in the Himalayas. This artwork just blew us away...

Next we went to a fair trade market. Where all prices were fixed and all products were ethically produced without the use of child labor. First we met some ladies selling beautifully made pashmina products, and learned that the best quality of cashmere comes from the leg of the goat. Then we met the sister of a silversmith who sells her brother’s beautifully crafted mandala pendants and deity idols. After that we met a healer who is the fourth generation of healing bowl craftsmen, and learned all about singing bowls and how they are made. We even got to experience a short healing session! We finally ended our day at a cafe for dinner, and came back to the hotel for rest. Tomorrow we get picked up and begin our 2 week journey touring/trekking through Nepal! Very excited for what’s to come :) 🙏🏻🙏🏽

[conandaily2022]

5 most beautiful Miss Universe Nepal 2023 candidates

There are 30 women competing for the Miss Universe Nepal 2023 crown. If facial beauty is the only criterion, these will be my Top 5 candidates: #5. Sarosy Neupane View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Nepal Official (@mun_missuniversenepal) 4. Puja Paudel View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Nepal Official (@mun_missuniversenepal) #3. Prema…

[iiftnepal]

Miss Nepal List: Celebrating the Icons of Beauty and Grace

Beauty pageants have long been a source of intrigue, fascination, and debate around the world. In the heart of the Himalayas, Nepal, the Miss Nepal pageant stands as a shining example of beauty with a purpose. This prestigious competition celebrates not just the physical allure but also the intellect, talent, and social impact of young Nepalese women.

The First Miss Nepal pageant distinguishes itself by placing a significant emphasis on the contestants' personality, intelligence, and social contributions alongside their physical beauty. It comprises various rounds, encompassing talent, beauty, and personality, where contestants are judged for their multifaceted skills and abilities. The winner of this esteemed pageant becomes Nepal's representative on the global stage, competing in international beauty pageants such as Miss Universe and Miss World.

Pioneering Beauty: Ruby Rana When we delve into the archives of Miss Nepal history, you may be interested to find out who is the first miss Nepal? Right? we encounter the trailblazing Ruby Rana. In 1994, she etched her name in the annals of Nepali beauty as the very First Miss Nepal of Nepal to represent the nation in the Miss World pageant. Her remarkable journey was further embellished with the title of Miss Personality in the same competition. Beyond her reign, Ruby Rana has continued to shine, emerging as a prominent figure in Nepal's entertainment industry and establishing herself as a philanthropist with a heart of gold.

Malvika Subba: A Beacon of Success In 2002, Malvika Subba assumed the coveted title of Miss Nepal and went on to become one of the most successful Miss Nepals in the country's history. Her journey led her to excel as a television host, actress, and entrepreneur. Furthermore, her commitment to various social and charitable causes has inspired countless Nepalese women to strive for success and make a difference in their communities.

Shrinkhala Khatiwada: The Architect of Change In 2018, Shrinkhala Khatiwada took the Miss Nepal stage by storm and emerged as the reigning queen. Her reign extended to the global platform, where she represented Nepal in the Miss World pageant, achieving a remarkable Top 12 finish. Beyond her beauty, Ms. Khatiwada is a talented architect and a beacon of social change. Currently, she is pursuing her master's degree in urban planning at the prestigious Harvard University.

Asmi Shrestha: Beauty with a Purpose Asmi Shrestha, also known as Asmee, claimed the title of Miss Nepal in 2016 and subsequently represented Nepal in the Miss World pageant. There, she not only achieved a Top 20 finish but also secured the coveted title of Beauty with a Purpose. Alongside her television presenting career, Asmi Shrestha has dedicated herself to various social causes, particularly education and health.

Anushka Shrestha: A Catalyst for Change In 2019, Anushka Shrestha assumed the title of Miss Nepal and embraced it as a platform for change. Her advocacy spans crucial areas such as education, gender equality, and youth empowerment, solidifying her status as a notable social activist. Representing Nepal at the Miss World 2019 pageant in London, Anushka also co-founded "Makkusé," a brand revolutionizing the world's perception of Nepali desserts.

These five remarkable women represent just a glimpse of the multitude of talented and inspirational individuals who have held the prestigious title of Miss Nepal over the years. Their achievements and contributions to society serve as powerful reminders that beauty pageants can be a platform for women to showcase their talents and effect positive change on a global scale.

In conclusion, the Miss Nepal list is a testament to the celebration of beauty, talent, and intelligence. It is a tribute to the icons of Nepal who have graced the world stage with grace and purpose. These remarkable women not only represented Nepal on the international platform but also left an indelible mark on society. They continue to inspire and serve as role models for countless young Nepalese women, igniting their aspirations to follow in the footsteps of these extraordinary Miss Nepal winners.

Stay tuned to our blogs for the latest updates and events related to Miss Nepal, as we continue to celebrate the beauty and brilliance of these iconic queens.

[marinela-nac-nac]

A Story of Karma by Michael Schauch

Book Summary:

In 2012, Michael Schauch and his wife, Chantal, undertook an expedition deep in the Himalaya of northern Nepal, into a remote valley that had been closed off to outsiders for decades. They led a team of artists (a photographer, a musician, and a painter), with the objective of capturing a moment in time through their unique lenses. As a mountaineering fanatic, Michael had a second (and less conspicuous) goal to climb an unknown mountain he had only identified through a photograph. What unfolded in the mountains forced him to question his values and his own identity, and eventually resulted in meeting a little girl, which was the most profound encounter of his life. Little did either know that from that moment they would completely change the trajectory of each other’s life.

A Story of Karma recounts this journey, and the years that follow as Karma (the little girl), and Michael and Chantal grow their lives together amidst the confusing dichotomies and backdrop of Karma’s 17th-century Himalayan village; the impoverished and polluted Kathmandu; and the modern world of Vancouver, Canada.

Amazon Link - https://amzn.to/3l1KS2F

San Francisco Book Review – 4 Stars

For Michael Schauch, the most influential journey of his life began with a photograph shown to him by a friend while in a restaurant in Vancouver. It was a photograph of a mountain. In Schauch’s mind, it was the mountain: “A perfect pyramid from its southwest aspect, with sheer faces and a striking ridgeline that snaked its way to a spear-tipped summit piercing both cloud and sky.” He had always enjoyed mountain climbing, but this one was different: it won his heart and drew him to it. He was desperate to conquer the mountain and so, accompanied by his wife, Chantal, and a group of friends, he undertook a trip to the Lugula, a sub-range of the Nepalese Himalayas. Unfortunately for Schauch, the weather was against him and he had to abandon the ascent of his dream mountain.

However, that was far from being the end of the story. While staying in the village of Nar, after abandoning his attempt to climb the mountain, Schauch and his group became acquainted with a teacher who told them about the local school and introduced them to its seventeen pupils. One of those pupils was a seven-year-old girl named Karma, who seemed to deputize as the teacher when he could not be bothered to teach. Karma quickly became attached to Schauch and Chantal, and they to her. Recognizing that Karma would never receive the education she both wanted and deserved if she remained in Nar, they offered to fund her education at a boarding school with a Buddhist ethos. And so began a relationship between the Schauchs and Karma and her family that would last for years to come

A Story of Karma is the perfect book for an armchair traveler with an interest in mountaineering and Buddhist philosophy. The first part of the book details Schauch’s discovery of his mountain and then his group’s long, arduous trek through Nepal. From the sights, sounds, and smells of Kathmandu, to the friendly and welcoming resting places they find along the way, to the tragically decaying remote village of Phu, to the mystery and melancholy of long-abandoned Tibetan settlements, Schauch does a great job of bringing the scenery to life and introducing the diverse people he encountered on his journey. His love for the region really shines through.

The second part of the book focuses on the Schauchs’ relationship with Karma and her younger sister Pemba, and on their attempts to ensure that the girls received the education they desired. At first, this involved securing them places at the boarding school, but later, it meant securing visas so that the sisters (with the full approval of their parents) could move to Canada with the Schauchs and continue their education there. There is some interesting information here, and it’s particularly informative to note the differences between approaches to life and education in Nepal and those in Canada, although it is likely of more significance to Schauch than it is to the general reader. Schauch and Chantal clearly had the girls’ best interests at heart, and with that in mind, it would have been nice to know more about the decision that Karma and Pemba should return home and what has happened to them since then.

A Story of Karma is an engaging travel book and an interesting tale of people finding each other in the most unexpected of places. It will prompt readers to consider issues such as tradition vs. modernity, preservation vs. change, and fate vs. destiny. The book also includes a selection of photographs, including some impressive mountain vistas, which serve to enhance the reading experience.

Reviewed By: Erin Britton https://sanfranciscobookreview.com/product/a-story-of-karma-finding-love-and-truth-in-the-lost-valley-of-the-himalaya/

About the Author:

Michael Schauch is a mountaineer, entrepreneur and storyteller who lives to explore remote places around the world and to share the depth and beauty of human connection he discovers along the way.

With early success as an entrepreneur at age 15, and over 20 years of global financial investment experience, Schauch brings his business acumen and altruistic heart to lead and support local and international mentorship, fundraising and educational initiatives. These include the education of girls and student mentorship in Nepal, outdoor youth leadership for those facing barriers to access nature and holistic Indigenous leadership development in British Columbia. He holds an MBA from Queen’s University and is a member of the Explorers Club.

He and his partner in adventure Chantal make their base camp in Squamish, nestled in BC’s rugged Coast Mountains and temperate rainforests.

https://www.michaelschauch.com/astoryofkarma

[headquartersforlievmuses]

► Bruce Wayne

Batman is the superhero protector of Gotham City, a man dressed like a bat who fights against evil and strikes terror into the hearts of criminals everywhere. In his secret identity he is Bruce Wayne, billionaire industrialist and notorious playboy. Although he has no superhuman powers, he is one of the world's smartest men and greatest fighters. His physical prowess and technical ingenuity make him an incredibly dangerous opponent. He is also a founding member of the Justice League and the Outsiders.

As a young child, Bruce Wayne watched his parents murdered before his eyes. Thomas and Martha Wayne were walking home from the Monarch Theater one night with their son, when they were held up at gunpoint by a mugger who demanded the pearl necklace that Martha was wearing. When Dr. Wayne refused to surrender it, both he and Martha were shot dead in the streets. The killer was a criminal known as Joe Chill. Fortunately, physician and social worker Leslie Thompkins was making a house call that night, and arrived to give loving comfort to the traumatized Bruce. He was then raised on the Wayne Manor estate, with help from the wise and loyal butler, Alfred Pennyworth. Bruce had very few friends during his childhood.

Bruce Wayne swore an oath to rid the city of the evil that had taken his parents' lives. He spent his youth traveling the world, training himself to intellectual and physical perfection and learning a variety of crime-fighting skills, including chemistry, criminology, forensics, martial arts, gymnastics, disguise, and escape artistry.

At age 14, Bruce Wayne began his global sojourn, attending courses at Cambridge, the Sorbonne, and other European universities. However, he never stayed long and would often drop out after one semester. Beyond academia, Wayne successfully acquired various "practical" skills. While abroad, he studied and received training in multiple martial arts under various instructors and in different countries, man-hunting under Frenchman Henri Ducard,[4] stealth and reconnaissance under the Japanese ninja Kirigi and other certified shinobi, hunting under the African Bushman (the Ghost Tribes of the Ten-Eyed Brotherhood, among others), hand-to hand combat under the tutelage of Ted Grant, a World Champion Boxer and David Cain, one of the world's premier assassins; traditional healing disciplines under Nepalese monks and even ventriloquism under skilled practitioners [8]. Bruce was also trained in archery by Oliver Queen. At the age of 17, Bruce was trained by detective Harvey Harris to improve his detective skills. At age 20, he attempted to join the FBI, but after learning about its regulations and conduct, Wayne deducted that he would never be able to completely oppose crime while working within the legal system.

Bruce Wayne returned to Gotham City after many years of study and training with his body and mind developed to perfection. Despite having all of the skills and methods to fight crime, he still felt that there was something missing in the completion of his physical and mental arsenal. Wayne discovered the answer late one night while sitting in his manor. He recalled his fear of bats as a child after a large one crashed through one of the windows; he ultimately decided to make his appearance resemble a bat's. Wayne designed himself a costume equipped with experimental technology and set out against the crime and corruption that thrived in Gotham City.

Wayne's tactics to oppose crime as a vigilante at night proved successful leading him to become an urban legend in Gotham City. He revealed himself at a dinner of the most influential and corrupt figures in Gotham City and promised them all that their reigns on the city would eventually end. Wayne's first ally was assistant district attorney Harvey Dent. Most of the Gotham City Police Department was sent in force to capture him. He gained his most powerful ally when he met police lieutenant James Gordon, one of the few honest cops on the force. The two developed a working relationship operating outside of the law when they needed to.

There are several stories of the first time Batman met Superman, the greatest of his friends and allies. In the first version, Superman came to Gotham viewing Batman as a dangerous criminal and attempted to arrest him for his vigilante tactics. They were forced to work together tracking down the dangerous psychopath Magpie, and Superman realized that although his own style of crime-fighting was suitable for his environment, the Bat-Man did what he needed to do to protect his city. They both gained respect for each other, although they doubted they would ever work together again. In another version, they both met as Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent while they were forced to share a room on a cruise ship. They are made aware of each other's secret identities when both are called upon to fight threats including Deathstroke and the Crime Syndicate.[36] Superman later introduced him to Wonder Woman when they teamed up against Ra's al Ghul and Bizarro, and she disliked Batman at first for his methods. She later gained respect for him after they fought together as a team for the first time. There was a great team-up between many heroes to fight the alien Appellaxian invaders, including these three along with Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter. Eventually they would decide that they could better protect the planet if they permanently joined forces... and they became the Justice League of America.

Bruce Wayne was on an excursion to the circus when he witnessed another tragedy that would shape his life. The parents of a young acrobat named Dick Grayson were murdered by the gangster Tony Zucco. He saw both great potential and something of himself in the boy that night. Although Bruce knew he could never replace Dick's father, he adopted Grayson as his legal ward to help him and provide guidance where he didn't have any when he was that age. He eventually revealed his secret identity as Batman. Dick wanted justice for his parents, and he agreed to a regiment of rigorous physical and mental training so that he could become Batman's partner. After several months Dick was finally ready to take to the streets as Robin, fighting crime alongside his mentor. They swore an oath late one night that they would fight together against crime and corruption, never swerving from the path of righteousness. Batman had realized for the first time that he did not have to be alone in his crusade.

When Bruce was invited to the Million Dollar Masquerade Ball, Commissioner Gordon's daughter, Barbara crashed the party in a female version of Batman's costume to surprise her father, who was also attending the event. At the party, before she revealed herself to Gordon, Killer Moth and his henchmen crashed the party, gunning for Bruce Wayne. James Gordon was taken out quickly so Barbara decided to step in. Bruce Wayne was previously shoved out of the way by Barbara so that she could protect him and her unconscious adoptive father, thinking that Bruce was but a helpless bystander. She defeated Killer Moth, breaking a heel in the process. She was later named Batgirl by Killer Moth, which stuck, even though she stated that she would have preferred Batwoman. Directly after the confrontation with Killer Moth, Batgirl met Batman and Robin. Batgirl's first encounter with Batman and Robin proved to be unpleasant. While she was angry with Batman's automatic dismissal of her capabilities, she was repulsed by Robin having a romantic interest in her. Soon after that, Batgirl attempted to swing from rooftops, being saved by Robin, who told her that regular rope is not good for diving from forty feet in the air. Later, Robin sent Batgirl equipment, pretending that he believed in her and Batman didn't. In reality, Robin was sending them on the orders of Batman. She was later captured by Batman and Robin to be tested, an examination she failed in Batman's eyes, not being able to save the innocents in a holographic containment chamber. Batgirl later teamed up with Black Canary, her idol, and she finally gained some respect from Batman, while Robin still harbored a crush on her. She was introduced to James Gordon as Batgirl, one of Batman's protégés.

Struggling against the League of Assassins, Batman met the beautiful Talia al Ghul when he rescued her from Doctor Darrk. Ra's al Ghul determined his secret identity through logical deduction and confronted him after Talia had been kidnapped again alongside Robin. Realizing that Ra's was behind this as a personal test, Batman confronted him and fought his bodyguard Ubu. Ra's explained that he was making sure he had found a worthy successor in the detective, as Talia had fallen in love with him. Batman eventually came to the conclusion that Ra's is a dangerous criminal who must be stopped at all costs, and declared war on him.

Legends saw a new group of heroes form to fight against G. Gordon Godfrey after Justice League Detroit was disbanded, and they decided to form a new League together. Batman gathered Black Canary, Blue Beetle, Captain Marvel, Doctor Fate, Doctor Light, Guy Gardner, Martian Manhunter and Mister Miracle in the Secret Sanctuary to take leadership of them as a team. Maxwell Lord convinced the United Nations to grant them an international charter and they become Justice League International.

When Dick Grayson reached maturity, Bruce forced him to retire from the Robin persona. Shortly after this decision, Batman came across a young boy called Jason Todd, who had turned to crime out of necessity. Batman tried to help him by placing him at Ma Gunn's school, which was in fact a criminal hideout. Investigating Jason's background, Batman learned that the boy was an orphan. When Batman checked upon Jason, he realized the truth about the school and stopped the criminals with help from Jason, after which Batman took him under his wing and allowed him to become his new Robin.

Over time, Batman realized Jason was behaving more aggressive towards criminals and this violence wound up being the cause of the death of a criminal. When Jason became an inconvenience while fighting crime, Batman restricted him from going out as Robin. In the meantime, Joker had escaped from Arkham and Batman followed the trail of the madman to the Middle East, where he also found Jason. Batman learned that Jason was looking for his real mother and when their missions crossed, they worked together to foil Joker's plans. Although they couldn't capture the Joker, Jason was reunited with his mother, Sheila Haywood. Unfortunately, she was being blackmailed by the Joker and the Dynamic Duo had to separate to deal with a double threat by the madman. While Batman went on to stop a deadly cargo of Joker Venom, Robin tried to save his mother, but he was captured and beaten by the Joker.

After the death of Jason, Batman mourned his loss and became a loner for quite a while; stopping threats like the alien invasion, Mr. Freeze,[98] the League of Assassins, the Bonecrusher, Two-Face, and solving other minor cases. Batman also faced other strange incidents like the mysterious “Batman Killings”, the mystery of Tulpa, an ancient, dark and mystic ritual with help from the Demon, Etrigan, the threat of the Mud Pack, which resulted in the creation of the Ultimate Clayface, and finally he stopped the misguided vigilante Anarky. During one of his last acts as a loner, Batman was forced to take back Arkham Asylum from the many maniacs who had taken over the institution.

Following the death of Jason Todd, Batman became much more violent and aggressive while coping with the tragedy without someone to balance him out. A young man named Tim Drake figured out his secret identity using detective work, and determined that he needed a Robin to keep his darkness in check, just as Two-Face reappeared with new plans to kill the Dark Knight. Drake begged Dick Grayson to go back to his identity as Robin again when he was needed most. After explaining that he had deduced their identities by following Grayson's acrobatic career to Dick and Alfred Pennyworth, Tim was taken into the Batcave where it was suggested that he become the new Robin. Batman and Nightwing tracked down Two-Face, and he caught them in his underground death-trap. Tim took the Robin costume to rescue them and succeeded, although Batman argueed that he no longer needed a side-kick. Begrudgingly, as he proved himself and helped them defeat Two-Face, Bruce agreed to start training Tim Drake and take him on as his new crime-fighting partner.

Batman (at the onset of a personal psychological mid-life crisis) was forced to deal, in rapid succession, with the returning villain Black Mask and his gang (who targeted Bruce Wayne and Lucius Fox), a crazed killer called Metalhead,, and a sharpshooter assassin hired by Vincent Morelli to murder Commissioner Gordon. Batman began to feel he had lost his edge, especially after his failure to capture Black Mask. He found himself unable to meditate or even focus. As Bruce Wayne, he contacted holistic therapist Shondra Kinsolving for treatment. He also assigned Tim Drake to train Jean-Paul Valley in detective work to aid them as an ally, hoping he could prevent him from becoming a villainous threat. Despite the advice of everyone in his life, including Dr. Kinsolving, Bruce refused to rest, and continued to pursue his self-imposed duty despite his worsening condition. Bruce's condition was worsened by The General usurping power in Gotham's underworld and assaulting a police station, Cypher attacking companies' CEOs and The Riddler creating chaos in Gotham. Meanwhile, Robin found it difficult to work with Jean-Paul, due to the man's violent subconscious training and lack of social skills, and also found himself being shut out from working alongside Batman.

Bane, a brilliant tactical mastermind who had trained his body to physical perfection, came to Gotham City and dedicated himself to destroying Batman and taking over his territory. This villain was more driven and powerful than anyone he had ever faced before, and wanted to prove himself by defeating and breaking Batman. At their first meeting, Bane did not introduce himself but said that his name would eventually make him beg for mercy. Batman suggested that if he was threatening him, he should get in line behind everyone else.

Bane began his assault by organizing a massive break-out at Arkham Asylum with the help of his henchmen Bird, Trogg and Zombie. Aware that he would lose in a direct assault against Batman, Bane's plan consisted of weakening Batman by forcing him to deal with the deadly villains simultaneously. Among the freed inmates, there were numerous high-profile villains, which Batman took down one by one. Batman faced against great criminals like Poison Ivy, the Joker and the Scarecrow, as well as many lesser known villains, such as the Mad Hatter, The Ventriloquist, Amygdala, Firefly, Cavalier, and Mr. Zsasz. The scenario created a rift in the relationship between Robin and Batman, as Batman irrationally sought to face the outbreak alone -- Robin later asked Batman if he was even needed as his sidekick anymore.

Batman became weaker and weaker as each criminal was put away. The rescue of Mayor Krol from the combination of the Joker and Scarecrow took Batman to his mental and physical limit: a dose of Scarecrow's fear gas made him relive the murder of Jason Todd, which he considered to be his greatest failure. After saving the Mayor, Batman was confronted by Trogg, Zombie and Bird and he took them out with the last amount of energy left in him. Bane finally confronted him by breaking into Wayne Manor when Batman was at his weakest, beating him nearly to death in his weakened state and breaking his spine. Bane took his body downtown to Gotham Square and threw it from a rooftop to demonstrate his superiority to the populace. With Batman incapacitated, Bane assumed control of Gotham City's underworld and took over several illegal operations within it.

Bruce investigated the evidence left behind by the kidnappers and with Oracle's help, he tracked them to the island of Santa Prisca. It was then that Bruce and Alfred started their quest to find Dr. Kinsolving and Jack Drake and upon arriving at Santa Prisca, Bruce acknowledged his love for Shondra.

Bruce reaffirmed his partnership with Tim, resolving the tension caused by Bruce's unwillingness to accept help during the Arkham prison break. Bruce passed the mantle of Batman to Dick Grayson so he could re-evaluate what it would take to restore his perceived aura of invincibility.

Because of previous events, considerable time passed before Commissioner Gordon restored his trust in the idea of a Batman working for good. Gordon could tell that he was not looking at the original Batman (based on Jean-Paul's costume and Dick's height, and the fact that Jean-Paul was more than ready to kill people), and he refused to place blind trust in a costume after spending so long learning to trust the man. Numerous loose ends were tied up during this time, with Killer Croc, the Ventriloquist, Ratcatcher and Two-Face, along with many other, less notorious released inmates being returned to prison. During his time as Batman, Dick avenged his worst mistake from his days as Robin, when a mistake in a confrontation with Two-Face caused a man to die and nearly killed Bruce. He also came to appreciate the incredible physical and mental burden Bruce placed on himself in donning the Batsuit. During this time, a firm bond arose between Dick and Tim as they shared Wayne Manor together in Bruce and Alfred's absence.

Bruce Wayne was called upon as Gotham's top citizen to speak on their behalf in front of the United States Congress in Washington, applying for federal assistance. His main competition was the ruthless and corrupt Senator Barclay Means. Nicholas Scratch also launched a smear campaign, attempting to convince America that the city wasn't worth saving. Bruce's testimony was a great speech delivered from the heart about the spirit of Gotham, its importance and the strong will of its people in dealing with adversity and helping to make the nation great. However, the negative sentiment was too great. There was not enough money in the federal budget, and they arrived at the conclusion that the negative elements would have to be isolated. Right before the ending of the trial, Mayor Grange was gunned down by an assassin. Everyone still living within city limits was given 48 hours to leave, excluding anyone with known connections to the criminal element. After that the bridges leading inside were destroyed, and the national guard was stationed to make sure that no one else got in or got out. Jeremiah Arkham was forced to release all the dangerously insane patients from Arkham Asylum into the streets.

In response, the U.S government declared Gotham a "no man's land," destroyed all bridges leading to Gotham and forbade people from entering or exiting. The city was swiftly carved up by gangs and various supervillains Batman had battled over the years. Jim Gordon and several members of the Gotham police department stayed behind to protect civilians. Oracle and Huntress also ended up on the inside. Bruce Wayne left the city to lobby the government not to cut Gotham off, but failed. Gordon and his men waited for Batman's return, but by the time he returned more than three months later, they believed he had abandoned Gotham.

Red Hood began terrorizing the Gotham underworld to enlist Black Mask's soldiers into his own organization, allowing the drug trade to continue under his control with stricter restrictions. Batman and Nightwing met him for the first time when he blew up a shipment of weapons on a boat they had taken down, chasing him until he released a stolen Amazo prototype to fight them. Together they improvised and destroyed the android by taking out his individual components, while Red Hood used the distraction to steal another shipment containing several hundred pounds of Kryptonite. Mister Freeze was sent to reclaim the merchandise and all four of them fought it out until the Red Hood left, saying this had been a ploy to get his lay of the land. Batman began investigating the possibility that he was Jason in disguise, talking to his friends with knowledge of resurrection including Green Arrow, Jason Blood and Zatanna. Superman helped him confirm that it realistically could have happened. Red Hood teamed up with Onyx, although he betrayed her when she tried to stop the murder of several criminals.

Having virtually eliminated all super-crime in Gotham with the energy from his recent vacation, Bruce went abroad. Alfred explained that he had become so consumed by Batman he forgot how to act as Bruce Wayne, and needed to relearn. At a charity function in London he met Jezebel Jet, an intelligent fashion model and ruler of an impoverished African nation whom he falls in love with immediately. The League of Assassins attacked Batman using a legion of ninjas transformed into Man-Bats by a serum stolen from Kirk Langstrom. Talia al Ghul took him prisoner and revealed that they had a son together she never told him about, introducing him to Damian Wayne. Bruce needed to take care of the child and teach him respect while he figured out Talia's plans, as Damian proved to be spoiled and petulant. Raised by the League, he was a master martial artist and proved extremely difficult to control, beating up Tim Drake and beheading the Spook to prove he could be Robin. Batman agreed to let Damian fight at his side rather than leave him alone, with the understanding that he would follow their no killing rules and obey orders. Talia was in Gibraltar, and they took the Bat-Rocket to get there before she could follow through with her terrorist attack. This turned out to have been an elaborate ploy to bring them together as a family, in the hopes that Bruce would return to her so they could put an end to all crime by ruling the planet together. Batman refused, so she declared war on him and they both disappeared during an explosion.

During a dinner date where she considered breaking up with him, Jezebel Jet was captured by a terrorist named the Fiend with Nine Eyes and discovered that Bruce was Batman when he rescued her.

The Black Glove invited Batman and Jezebel Jet to a dance of death called the Danse Macabre, having clearly discovered his secret identity. Doctor Hurt had organized villains and madmen from across the world including the Joker, Le Bossu and the Club of Villains to finally put an end to Batman. Robin believed that Bruce was slowly starting to lose his grip on reality, although Alfred insisted that there was no stronger mind in the world. Hurt announced to his team that they would be creating a work of art in the complete and utter ruination of a noble human spirit; Thomas and Martha Wayne were discredited through slander published in the Gotham Gazette and the Club was sent out to attack his allies. Bruce finally collapsed into a mental break-down when he heard the trigger phrase Zur-En-Arrh spoken aloud, and villains stormed the Batcave The attack completely destroyed his mind; he was injected with weapons grade crystal meth and street heroin and then woke up as an amnesiac derelict on the streets.

A homeless man named Honor Jackson took him in and gave him a small radio he believed to be the Bat-Radia, although this was a hallucination and Jackson had died of a drug overdose the previous day. Nightwing was captured by Scorpiana and taken to Arkham Asylum where Bossu planned to lobotomize him. Pierrot Lunaire and Swagman went after Robin. Bruce stitched a new costume called the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh with Bat-Mite as a spiritual guide. This was a contingency plan he had prepared in case there was ever a direct attack on his mind, a stream-lined back-up personality that existed as Batman without Bruce Wayne. Taking out criminals across the city at unheard-of speed, he defeated King Kraken and interrogated Charlie Caligula. Hurt began wearing Thomas Wayne's Batman Costume and claimed that he was the real Thomas Wayne, having faked his own death years ago. Jeremiah Arkham was beaten and the Black Gloves took over his asylum. Commissioner Gordon came to investigate Wayne Manor personally and found himself caught in one of El Sombrero's death traps.

Naturally, following the events of the Final Crisis that left the Batman Family without their leader, Batman's allies were in disarray, Gotham criminals took advantage of his absence, and the question stood, "Is Batman gone?" Feeling a combination of obligation and hesitation, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake-Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, and Damian Wayne debated as to what the future of the Dark Knight should be, until an estranged Jason Todd turned up, having taken a twisted cowl (reminiscent of Jean-Paul Valley's) for himself. Todd decommissioned an arrogant Damian, making Dick, Tim, and Alfred feel an even greater sense of urgency to send the Caped Crusader back on the streets. However, Dick still refused, prompting Tim to hijack an old Batsuit himself and seek out Jason and his twisted Batcave. Jason managed to defeat Tim and severely injure him, leaving only Dick and Jason as the heir to the cowl. As Alfred provided medical care for Damian and Tim was barely escaping with his life, Dick and Jason fought long and hard until Jason, vowing that he would see Dick "much sooner than you think," plummeted off of a moving train into the depths of the river below. The conclusion of this struggle found Dick accepting his role as the new Batman, with the darkest Robin yet, Damian, by his side. Tim, however, was far away from Gotham, believing that Bruce was not actually dead. He took the mantle of the Red Robin, and explored the globe for clues as to where his adoptive father was.

Trapped in the past with no memory, Bruce was forced to fight his way through time back to the present day. Darkseid used the Hyper-Adapter monster to aim him like a doomsday weapon through history, picking up Omega Energy until he reached the modern era and exploded. Rip Hunter and his Time Masters, including Booster Gold, Green Lantern and Superman became a time traveling search party to stop him from ending the world. Starting in the Prehistoric Era, he was given the name Man-of-Bats and defeated Vandal Savage's Blood Tribe in combat. This inspiration drove Anthro's people to call themselves the Bat Tribe.

Batman, in most of his incarnations, is a dark and grim hero with a personal vendetta against criminals. Traumatized by the death of his parents, Batman has sworn to rid Gotham from the criminal elements that took his parents from him. He is very paranoid and obsessive, which often makes it difficult for him to trust other people that aren't Alfred, the Robins, or the Batgirls.

Despite this, Batman has proved to have a great love for humanity, which was instilled by his parents. His father was a doctor, while his mother was a crusader against child abuse. Indeed, Batman's oath of vengeance is tempered with the greater ideal of justice. He refrains from killing, as he feels this would not make him any better than the criminals he fights. He is also a very prominent member of the Justice League and the founder of the Outsiders.

To protect his secret identity, Batman has constructed a fake persona he can use in his civilian identity. To the world at large, Bruce Wayne is a self-absorbed, superficial, irresponsible playboy and philanthropist. Only his closest allies know that this attitude is just an act.

Wayne guards his secret identity well, but several individuals know of his superhero alter-ego, including Superman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Lois Lane, The Flash (Jay Garrick, Barry Allen & Wally West), Green Lantern (Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Kyle Rayner & Alan Scott), Aquaman (Arthur Curry), The Martian Manhunter (J'onn J'onzz), Plastic Man (Patrick "Eel" O'Brien), Starman (Thom Kallor), Vixen (Mari McCabe), Zatanna Zatara, Black Lightning (Jefferson Pierce), Black Canary (Dinah Laurel Lance), Green Arrow (Oliver Queen), Arsenal (Roy Harper), Nightwing (Dick Grayson), Catwoman (Selina Kyle), Red Hood (Jason Todd), Red Robin (Tim Drake), Oracle (Barbara Gordon), Black Bat (Cassandra Cain), Robin IV (Damian Wayne), his butler Alfred Pennyworth, and the kindly doctor Leslie Thompkins.

Several villains have discovered his true identity over the years, most notably Ra's al Ghul, Hugo Strange, the Riddler, the Scarecrow, and Bane. Powers 

Indomitable Will: Although he has no superhuman powers, Batman's unstoppable determination and strength of will make him an extremely formidable opponent. This makes him able to function while tolerating massive amounts of physical pain, and also allows him to resist telepathy or mind control. His willpower is strong enough to operate a Green Lantern Ring when necessary.

Intimidation: It is widely known that Batman has the ability to instill fear in others, to the extent that even the people that know him best are intimidated by him. Batman regularly forces common criminals to flee in terror despite there being no evidence that he would actually kill anyone. Even those who aren't afraid of the likes of Superman fear Batman. His ability to inspire great fear made him eligible for induction into the Sinestro Corps, although he was able to fight off the power ring's control.

Interrogation: Batman is adept in interrogation techniques, often using law enforcement methods as well as torture. Several methods seen include hanging a person over the edge of a building by one leg or chaining a person upside down and beating them. He usually just uses his frightening appearance to get answers. Bruce summarized his methods with the statement: "Fear is an excellent motivator."

Peak Human Condition: Through intense training, a specialized diet, and biofeedback treatments, Batman represents the pinnacle of human physical prowess. His physical attributes exceeded that of an Olympic level athlete. His strength, speed, stamina, agility, reflexes and coordination are at peak human perfection. Batman began his physical and mental conditioning when he was 11 and then intense physical training and weight lifting at age 12. He had mastered full body control by the time he was 18. Bruce Wayne, since the age of 15, has followed a strict diet to enable his body to develop and operate at its most proficient, along with biofeedback treatments (using portable/non portable machines to stimulate muscles to contraction). Batman has performed amazing physical feats due to his superior physique. He engages in an intensive regular regimen of rigorous exercise (including aerobics, weight lifting, gymnastics, and simulated combat) to keep himself in peak condition, and has often defeated opponents whose size, strength, or other powers greatly exceeded his own. He has spent his entire life in pursuit of physical perfection and has attained it through constant intensive training and determination.

Peak Human Strength: Batman regularly bench-presses at least 1000 lbs. during his exercise routine. This allows him to be capable of amazing feats such as punching a SWAT officer through a brick wall. He's able to break thin steel handcuffs with his bare hands.

Peak Human Reflexes: Bruce's reflexes were honed to such a degree that he has caught one of Green Arrow's arrows in mid flight when he tried to shoot him. He has also been able to dodge point blank gunfire.

Peak Human Speed: He can run at speeds comparable to the finest competing athletes.

Peak Human Endurance: His endurance is comparable to that of the finest Olympic Decathlon participant. His lung capacity is so great that he could hold his breath underwater for 3 minutes and 15 seconds. He can survive in the airless vacuum of space for exactly 27 seconds.

Peak Human Stamina: At peak capacity, Batman can physically exert himself for only approximately an hour before the build up of fatigue toxins began to impair him.

Peak Human Agility: His agility is above than that of a Chinese acrobat and an Olympic gold medalist gymnast. His main phase of movement was Parkour which he learned in France and used to scale the city's rooftops or on widow buildings in an acrobatic manner.

Acrobatics: He is proficient in gymnastics and acrobatics.

Martial Arts: Bruce is well trained in multiple martial arts; he is known as the man who has mastered many forms of martial arts. His primary form of combat is an idiosyncratic admixture of Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Muay Thai, Dragon Style Kung Fu, Boxing, Jujitsu, Ninjitsu and Capoeira.

Weaponry: Through his martial arts training, he has become an expert on all melee weaponry. Wayne has displayed exceptional sword fighting capability and proficiency with knives, sticks[354] and various other weapons. He practices during his combat sessions to keep his skills intact, but he prefers unarmed combat.

Stealth: His Ninjutsu training has made him a master at stealth and capable of breaching high security facilities without being detected.

Marksmanship: Wayne is an expert marksman. He is skilled with throwing projectile weapons, archery and firearms. He has been practicing such skills since the early days of his training and is almost on par with the Green Arrow in terms of accuracy.

Genius Level Intellect: Batman is a brilliant, virtually peerless, detective, strategist, scientist, tactician, and commander; he is widely regarded as one of the keenest analytical minds on the planet. Given his lack of superpowers, he often uses cunning and planning to outwit his foes, rather than simply "out-fighting" them.

Polymath: He has studied Biology, Technology, Mathematics, Physics, Mythology, Geography and History. Bruce gained degrees in Criminal Science, Forensic Sciences, Computer Sciences, Chemistry and Engineering by the time he was 21. He had mastered Diverse Environmental Training, Security Systems, and illusion/sleight of hand by the time he was 23. He gained even more degrees in Biology, Physics, Advanced Chemistry, and Technology by the time he was 25. He has also learned Medical Sciences and Expanded Computer and Engineering Sciences.

Eidetic Memory: Batman has total recall and can remember anything in great detail.

Investigation: He is widely considered the World's Greatest Detective, capable of observation, forensic investigation, and inductive and deductive reasoning of the highest caliber. Human intuition is an unlearnable trait and one of Batman's most effective tools. Given any mystery, he can arrive at the correct conclusions with a fraction of the data.

Multilingualism: He is able to speak Spanish, French, Latin, German, Japanese, English, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Greek, Portuguese, Arabic, Sanskrit, Hindi, Thai, Farsi,[94] and possibly more.

Tactical Analysis: He commonly utilizes cunning tactics to outwit his foes, relying on his plans and experience to outmanoeuvre many of his superhuman friends and adversaries. Batman is known as one of the greatest strategists and tacticians in the universe.

Leadership: He is known for having great leadership. He is leader of the Outsiders, the Batman Family and Batman Incorporated. He is also in charge of his company, Wayne Enterprises.

Escapology: He has been described as second only to Mister Miracle as an escape artist. He has been seen escaping from a Posey straitjacket in less than 52 seconds, and remarked afterwards that the time was way too slow for his usual standards.

Driving: Bruce is proficient at driving many vehicles like cars, motor bikes and trucks, and he is also skillful at driving jets, helicopters, auto boats and small ships.

Tracking: Trained in hunting techniques by African Bushmen (the Ghost Tribes of the Ten-eyed Brotherhood, among others).

Disguise: Had mastered the art of disguise by the time he was 23.[citation needed] Had further learned expanded disguise techniques by the time he was 26, through various instructions from Alfred.[citation needed] Batman has many aliases he uses to infiltrate the underworld or just to go undercover in public situations. Among his various aliases are: Matches Malone, Thomas Quigley, Ragman, Detective Hawke, Sir Hemingford Grey, Frank Dixon, Gordon Selkirk, and Mr. Fledermaus.

Mechanical Aptitude: Proficient at combat driving. Has learned improved vehicle designs. Was trained and proficient in basic vehicles operations.

Mechanical Engineering: Capable of designing and creating suits of armor capable of outracing missiles and protecting the wearer from its detonation at point blank range. Also, designed and created a highly powerful suit of armor known as the Hellbat armor, the latest version of which was used by Lois Lane to gain the upper hand in a fight against a powered-up Eradicator, who had just defeated Superman.

Business Management: Bruce Wayne has extensive skills and experience in business management, has thorough understanding of financial marketing and management and is often seen as a example of a successful industrialist and businessman on a par with Lex Luthor.

Single-Mindedness: Batman's drive to protect Gotham has been used against him on several occasions, most notably when Bane decided to confront Batman only after wearing him down by destroying Arkham Asylum, knowing that his foe would try and capture all the escaped inmates himself and thus push himself to the brink of exhaustion.

Bruce Wayne rarely drinks alcohol. Dick Grayson has mentioned that he's seen Bruce drink less times than he can count on one hand. When Stephanie Brown died, he drank Purcell's 12-year-old bourbon.

Batman's online screenname is JonDoe297.

Bruce Wayne's favorite meal is Mulligatawny soup.

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tba

[theprice7]

Two distinctly different buildings so close together. The first is a hand-carved Nepalese temple I ran (gag) by this morning in Southbank Parklands. The second is the treasury building in Brisbane that we walk by on the way to Queen Street mall. Both beautiful in their own way.

[distribuidoramaga10]

#Repost @sussexroyal • • • • • • The Duke of Sussex has had a longstanding connection to The Ghurkas and the people of Nepal beginning at a very young age. Today His Royal Highness held an audience with Nepal's Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen. This is the first visit to the UK by a Nepali Prime Minister in 19 years. The Duke has previously met KP Sharma Oli, on his first official visit to Nepal in March 2016, a country he had always longed to visit. At the time, Nepal was recovering from a major earthquake - rural villages had been torn apart leaving many families displaced, with heritage sites in Kathmandu severely damaged. Despite this tragedy, The Duke was moved by the remarkable spirit, resilience and warmth of the Nepalese, as seen in the photos from his visit. The Duke explored Nepal’s stunning natural beauty, trekking through a National Park, experiencing the Hindu Festival of Colour in the Himalayan village of Okhari and staying with a local family in Leorani village. During the visit, HRH also met The Royal Gurkha Rifles at the British Gurkha Camp in Pokhara, whom are a unique unit of soldiers in the British Army recruited from Nepal. The Duke has a particularly close bond to The Gurkha’s, having served with The 1st Battalion in Afghanistan in 2007/2008. The Gurkha’s have taken part in operations in Kosovo, Bosnia, East Timor, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Australia and Iraq and share a 203 year relationship with the UK. At the end of his 2016 visit, The Duke joined Team Rubicon volunteers to help a remote village whose community had been destroyed in the earthquake. @TeamRubicon unites the skills and expertise of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams in the aftermath of natural disasters. The Duke helped with the rebuild of the local school, giving children a safe space to go to school and study before the monsoon season arrived. (em São Paulo, Brazil) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bykhp4JnWGOuMk7LomFxZS1ComZefmO3LIMIjo0/?igshid=u6rw5z1qmh3z

[conandaily2022]

Miss Universe Nepal 2023 results: Sophiya Bhujel crowns successor in Kathmandu

beauty pageant: Miss Universe Nepal edition: 4th date: September 8, 2023 venue: Kathmandu, Nepal international membership: Miss Universe national director: Nagma Shrestha broadcasters: host: performers: judges: candidates: 30 FINALISTS PLACEMENTNAME, AGE, HOMETOWN Top 30Anu Shruti Bogati, 24, KathmanduGajal Karn, 25, JanakpurOjaswi Joshi, 29, Sano ThimiPurneshwari Gurung, 23,…

[guptapriya-us]

Places to visit in Nepal in 4Night-5Days trip

Located at a mere 28-kilometer drive away from Kathmandu, Nagarkot offers one of the best views of the Himalayas in the entire region. This is an ideal place to relax, unwind, refresh and rejuvenate. At a whopping altitude of 7000 feet (2000 meters), Nagarkot is the perfect vantage point to gaze at the Himalayas in all its glory. One great advantage of this viewpoint is that it is very close to the capital, which means that you can easily access Nagarkot without spending too much time and money on travel Pokhara is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal. Pokhara is a metropolitan city - it is even called the "Tourist Capital of Nepal". This city offers a myriad of options for travelers of all kinds - from thrilling adventures and unforgettable journeys into the wild, to tranquil contemplation and peaceful meditation. Examine the magic of this hilly city, for a truly memorable vacation. Pokhara is popular for adventure tours and the base for the most popular Annapurna Circuit trek. If you planning a trip to Nepal then you must have to know about the places you will visit in Nepal. Nepal is a landlocked country located in South Asia. Nepal is officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. Kathmandu is the nation's capital and largest city in Nepal. The climate and the biological diversity of Nepal make it the most favorite tourist destination in Asia. The birthplace of The Lord Buddha, holy Hindu sites, beautiful temples, stupas, mosques and churches, a number UNESCO heritage sites and the most mesmerizing scenery you could ever feast your eyes on, all bring people flocking to the warm and welcoming republic of Nepal.

How to Reach Nepal

It is an important part of every trip that will be the convenient, most sustained and budget-friendly way to reach our destination. Reaching in Nepal isn't as easy when compared to other countries. The roads are in a permanently wretched condition. Public buses are inexpensive but uncomfortable and extremely unreliable. It will be convenient that you can rent a car for your trip it will be a good option. The driver will be aware of the roads and the area of Nepal. In places like Kathmandu and Pokhara, taxis can be hailed easily but the drivers usually refuse to go by a meter in that condition it will be a good thought to book a car or book a tour package of Nepal.

f you are looking for a Nepal Tour Package you can try Musafircab. They offer a customizable Nepal Tour Packages. Gorakhpur is the nearest city to the Nepal border in India. You can also book a Gorakhpur to Nepal Tour package.

Places to visit in Nepal

Day 1 

Lumbini is a city located in the Rupandehi district of Province No. 5 in Nepal. It is a pilgrimage site for Buddhists. In 1997, UNESCO declared Lumbini as a World Heritage site. According to the Buddhist scripture, it is believed that it is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. It is a place where Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth to Siddharta Gautama in around 563BC. Starting your journey from Gorakhpur you can reach a Nepal Border i.e., Sunauli Border in an approx 1hr 30min(90km). On Day 01 you can explore Lumbini. It is about 210km from Gorakhpur.

Places to explore in Lumbini

1. Mayadevi Temple

2. Ashoka Pillar

3. World Peace Pagoda

4. Myanmar Golden Temple

5. Lumbini Museum

6. China Temple

Day 2 

 Pokhara is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal. Pokhara is a metropolitan city - it is even called the "Tourist Capital of Nepal". This city offers a myriad of options for travelers of all kinds - from thrilling adventures and unforgettable journeys into the wild, to tranquil contemplation and peaceful meditation. Examine the magic of this hilly city, for a truly memorable vacation. Pokhara is popular for adventure tours and the base for the most popular Annapurna Circuit trek.

Day 3

Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and it is the only metropolitan city of Nepal. This city is also known as the “The city of Temple”. The city was the royal capital of the Kingdom of Nepal and hosts palaces, mansions and gardens of the Nepalese aristocracy. There are many places where you can visit. Tourism is an important source of revenue in Nepal and Kathmandu is ranked high among the popular cities in Nepal.

Day 4

Located at a mere 28-kilometer drive away from Kathmandu, Nagarkot offers one of the best views of the Himalayas in the entire region. This is an ideal place to relax, unwind, refresh and rejuvenate. At a whopping altitude of 7000 feet (2000 meters), Nagarkot is the perfect vantage point to gaze at the Himalayas in all its glory. One great advantage of this viewpoint is that it is very close to the capital, which means that you can easily access Nagarkot without spending too much time and money on travel.

Day 5

Chitwan District is located in the southwestern part of Nepal. It is the fourth largest city in Nepal. Chitwan is very popular for tasty Taas, a spicy fried goat meat dish served with bhuja or cheura available in many restaurants. Momo, Sukuti Khaja Set and other Newa cuisine and Tharu food are also popular. Dal Bhat is the staple food of the area, meat, and dairy products are also widely consumed. For centuries, traditional fermented foods and beverages have constituted about 20% of the local diet. Chitwan National Park is the first national park in Nepal. It was established in 1973 and granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984.