Kumthar China a An Lawm Danin

Chainiste tana kum khat chhunga hun pawi ber mai Spring Festival "Chinese New Year" tih a kan hriat thin lawm tur hian Chaina ram chhunga mi zawng zawng an phu suau suau thin a. Hetih hun lai hi zin vei vak tam ber hun lai a ni a, mihring maktaduai tam tak nitin maiin an chhung leh kua te bula he hun pawimawh hman loh hlau hian an pian leh murna khua, an hmangaihte awmna khaw lam pain an hawng sup sup thin a ni. Ringtuten Krismas kan hman ang hian, an hun pawimawh ber a nih avangin chhungte tel lova hman an hlau em em thin a ni. Chainis ni lo Chaina rama awmte tan pawh hetih hunah hi thiante tawngkam tha changin Spring Festival hmang tura min sawmtu kan lo chang ve ran thin, kan vanneih chuan student hlui te, thiante min sawmtu an awm ve neuh neuh thin. 2013 Spring Festival hi February 10 a ni a, keipawh ka student hlui leh thian Kareni chuan an inah an Kumthar hmang turin min sawm ve a lawm takin ka YES a, February ni 7 khan an khua "Sufang" lam pana kal turin ka inlum nuam tak ka chhuah ani. 

Sawi tawh angin zin vei vak tam ber hun lai a nih avangin Bus Station ka va thleng chu mi an lo tam hle mai a, ticket ka lei a, bus lawn tur a kan intlar chu Dragon sei tak ang mai hian kan kawi nuai mai a ni. Ka naute khaw bus hi Xian atangin a awm loh avangin Fuping khuaah ka tawp phawt a ngai a, (He khua hi Chaina ram President thar ni mai tur Xi Jinping pianna khua a ni) he khua a kal tur hi an lo tam em em mai a. Darkar hnih ka intlar hnuah busah ka chuang ve hram a ni. Tichuan, tlai dar 5:30 velah chhuakin Fuping khua tlai dar 6:30 ah ka thleng a, chu khuaah chuan ka nau nen an chhungte inah kan riak a. A tukah chuan ka nau nuteii chuan Sufang khuaah a motor in min thlah chho ta a. 

Khua kan thlen chuan an kawngpui pawimawh ber chu bazaar lian takah an lo chantir a, kawngsir velah an "kut" inbuatsaihna chi hrang hrang atan thil an lo zuar a. Keini pawh kawng thawl laiah motor dahthain bazaar te chu kan fang kual vel a.  Kan fankual hnuah ka naute in lamah kan thleng phei a, central heating an neih ve loh avangin a vawt tha hle. 

1. People selling "Duilian 对联” the couplet that they put up on their doors, on the streets in preparation for Spring Festival 2013

2. Firecrackers an item that is an essential part of the whole celebration on the streets of the village market. 

3. People buying and selling food items- pickled radish, tofu, vegetables, sprout beans, mantou (steamed bun), crackers, etc as a part of their preparation to celebrate the festival. 

Chainis Spring Festival/ New year hi "Thla Calender" (Lunar Calender) hmanga chhut a ni a. Kum 2013 atan hian February ni 10 a ni a. Dan tlangpuiin he kut atan hian an inbuatsaih nasa thei hle a, in leh a chhehvel te an tifai a, thawmhnaw thar an lei a, midang thilpek (present) tur an lei khawl a, an theih tawpin an in buatsaih thin a ni. Chuvangin an bazaar pawh a lun thei hle a ni. Tin, Spring Festival a hnaih hi chuan rukru pawh khawlaiah an pung nasa hle thin. 

Chainis hian Urlawk zan kan tih hi Chuxi “除夕” an ti a. Hemi niah hi chuan an buai thei hle thin, chawhma lamah kumthar lawmna atana an mamawh zawng zawng, ei leh in tur te, in cheina ang chi te leh halpuahte an lei fel vek a; in lam tihfai ngai an tifai vek bawk a. Tlai lam inlam hna an zoh fel hnu chuan "laltin" te, Duilian 对联 (couplet) te an kawngkharah an tar a. Khaw hrang hrangah hian an tihdan a in ang vek hran lova, ka zinna khuaah chuan Duilian an kawngkharah an tar zo chu halpuah an hal chur chur a, hmun thenkhatah erawh chuan halpuah an hal hran kher lo. 

Ka naute in khawngkharah hian "Duilian" hi an tar ve lova, a chhan ka zawh chuan a pu thihna kum thum a la tlin loh avanga bel lo an nih thu min hrilh a. 

5. People hanging lanterns and putting up the couplet (duilian 对联）on their doors.

Khua a lo thim chuan mahni in lamah an hawng, chhungkaw kimin chaw an theih ang anga tui leh tha an siam chu an eikhawm a, tihtur dang an zawh tawh avangin TV hmaah an thu a chhungkaw kimin CCTV New Year Gala programme an en khawm thin. He programme hi 700 million chuangin an en thin a, drama te, lam te, zai te, fiamthu te an lantir thin a, darkar 3 chuangte a awh thin a ni. 

Zan dar 12:00 a lo rik chuan, khua chu halpuah ri in a tuam vel a. Suangtuahna ransa (mythological animal)  tihbaiawm tak mai  "Nian shou 年兽 " an tih chuan mihhring a ei thin a an hlau em em mai a, mahse chu ransa chuan hlauhawm tak mai chuan  "ri" (sound), "eng" (light)  leh "rawng sen" a hlauva an hriat avangin in tin mai chuan an kawngkharah lehkha sen an bel bakah chuan zanlaiah chuan halpuah an hal chur chur mai a, chuvang chuan khawnawt chuan kan ri chuah chuah mai a ni. 

6. The mythological animal Nianshou 年兽 .（source: fr.guildwars.wikia.com)

7. Making lots of noise on the street because Nianshou 年兽 is believed to be terrified of loud noise. 

8. The remains of the firecrackers that was burned at night to protect themselves from the mythological animal "Nianshou 年兽”

Zing a lo nih chuan in tin mai kawtlai chu halpuah halna hnu chuan a sen nguai hlawm mai a ni. Chainis rin danah chuan Kumthar ni hian inchhung atang hian engmah paih chhuah leh phiah fai thianglo a ngaih a ni, "vanneihna" an paihchhuah emaw an phiah bo palh tak hlauvin. Chuvangin heng halpuah an halna hlui pawh hi Kumthar ni hian an tifai ngai lo a ni. Mi thenkhatten khawlaiah kuang leh rithei chi hrang hrang an siam a, an ransa hlauh Nianshou an tih chu hnawh bo nan an ti bawk a. 

Zing chaw kan ei kham chuan kan inti fai sawk sawk a, mi lo lenglut te lo lawm turin kan lo inbuatsaih a. Kumthar tuk hian chhungte leh thianthate inah thilpek kengin an tlawh kual a, kumthar chibai inbuk kualin induhsakna thutha tak tak an inhlan kual thin a, "Bainian 拜年" an ti bawk a. Khawlaiah thilpek kengin an intawk suau suau mai thin a ni.Hetianga kumthar chibai inbuknan hian tawngkam hman bik an nei thin a, 新年快乐 Xin nian kuaile, 过年好 Guo Nian Hao, 心想事成 Xin Xiang Shi Cheng tih te leh hetianga induhsakna thu hrang hrang hmang hian an in chibai kual thin a ni.  Kumthar ni hmasa berah hian an pate, an pasalte lama an chhungte inah an kal  tlangpui a, a ni hnihnaah hian an nute, an nupuite chhungte tlawhnan hun an hmang ve leh thin a ni. 

8. People visiting relatives to give their New Year greetings or Bainian 拜年。

Hetianga an chhugte an tlawh zawh chuan hunawl an neih veleh thenkhatten "mahjiang" (mahjong) te an khel a, thenkhatin card te, Chainis chess te an khel a an theih ang angin an intihlim thin a ni. Chawhnu lamah chhun chaw chhungte nen eirawng an bawl hova, eitur hun dang aia hnianghnar tha in an buatsaih bawk a, hlim takin an ei thin a ni. 

9. People playing mahjong with a deck of cards and enjoying the sunshine on a New Year's day.

Ka thlennate chhungkua hi pathum chauh an ni a, ka hrehawm an hlau hle maia an thiam ang angin min duat ve hle. Vanduai thlak tak maiin an tui kawng khawvawtin a hmet khawng a, inah tui hawng tur a awm loh avangin ka cham chhung ni 5 lai mai inbual lovin ka awm a, mahse Chainis thingtlangah chuan an inbual khat hle an ti a chuvang chuan ni 5 chhung chu lungawi takin ka tuarve a ni. 

In leh lo tha tak tak an nei hlawm a, mahse thil pakhat nuihzatthlak ang reng tak mai chu "ekin" lamah hian an thang vak lo a ang hle. Ka thlenna te pawh hian in zaupui ft. 130 dawn lai mai a thui an nei a, an in hnunglamah chuan ram awl tlem a awm a chumi kilah chuan lei hi tlem an laikhuar a, chutah chuan kan inthiar thin a, kan inthiar zawh a lei kan vur thin a ni. Mahse hengte hi ka tan chuan "experience" tha tak mai a ni ve a, hetiang tawng thei a awm hi a lawmawm hranpa ve hle in ka hria. Tichuan, Chaina ram hriatthiamna thar neiin February 12 khan Xi'an lamah mahni inlum nuam takah ka thleng leh ta a ni.

Sorkar Hriatpui Kohhranah Ka Inkhawm

Vawiin chu ka thiannu nen Sorkar Hriatpui Kohhranah kan va inkhawm ve a ka lawm hle. Kan inkhawmna kohhran hi Beijing Haidian Christian Church an ti a, Chawlhni chawhma hian inkhawm hun li an nei a ni. Zing dar 7:00 -8:00; 8:30 - 9:30; 10:00- 11:00, heng hunah hian Chainis tawnga inkhawm kaihruaina hun an nei a, a tawp ber 11:00 ah hian Saptawnga kaihhruaih inkhawm an nei bawka. Saptawnga kaihhruai inkhawm chhim chuan ka thiannu nen kan va kal ve a, nuam ka tiin, ka thil tawn zen zen loh a nih avangin ka lawm hle. 

Biakin kan thlen phei hian kan hmaa inkhawmte an la ban loh avangin biakin sirah kan in tlar a, inkhawm bang lo chhuah veleh lut mai thei turin min inthlar tir vek a. Usher intlar dan lo siam fel tur ringawt pawh an tam khawp mai. Inkhawm hi a indawt zatin zing dar 7 atangin a awm a, a inbanlek zung zung bawk a ni. Kan inkhawm hunah pawh hian inkhawm bangte nen kan in sul pel nuai nuai mai ani. 

Sorkar hriatpui kohhran a ni a, rilru ah hlauhthawnna engmah awm lova han inkhawm ve hrim hrim kha a nuam hle in ka hria. Kan inkhawm hruaitute thalai tak tak an ni a, an saptawng hriat a har deuh hlek thin tih lovah chuan an hruai tha ve hle. Worship Team in fakna hla a hruaiin inkhawm kan tan a, chumi hnuah chuan Thusawitu a rawn ding a. Thusawitu hian "Becoming the person God wants you to be" tih thupui a rawn thlang a. Baibul a mi larte, Mari leh Paula te nun atanga kan zir tur a rawn sawi chhuak a. Pathian tana bawih an nihna an inhriatna atangin Pathianin a ti tur a an tih te an tih thin zia leh chumi atanga Pathianin a siam chhan leh a dinchhan an nunpui zia te, Pathian an duhdan a an nun a hman avanga an chan te a rawn sawi chhuak a, ka rilru a hneh thar hle. Keima nun ka thlir a Pathian min kohna ah leh min din chhan hi ka nun chhuahpui lo hle in ka hria a, min cho thar hle. 

Kan inkhawm hun chhung hi darkar khat vel a ni a, ka kham lo hle. Amaherawh chu kan rama zalenna kan neih ang kha an neih ve loh avangin, an inkhawm theih ni ah chuan a tam thei ang ber inkhawm theih dan ngaihtuahin zing karah pawh vawi li inkhawm an huaihawt a ni tih kha hria a. Chainis ringtu te zinga Pathian faka zai leh chawimawi thei a ka awm avangin ka lawm a ni. 

A hnuaiah hian he kohhran link ka han dah e, hre chiang duhte kan awm takin:

http://english.hdchurch.org/

A glimse of the Yellow River in Lanzhou

Regarded as the Mother River by the Chinese, the Yellow river runs through the city of Lanzhou the capital city of Gansu province, our next destination.  We arrived at the city around 4:00 o’clock on the evening of October 2, 2008. This river is also popularly known as the cradle of the Chinese civilization. If it were to be in India it might be a Holy river where people take holy dip to cleanse themselves from their sins even though it’s dirty and so muddy.

We were taken to a place on the banks of the river where they erected a statue called the “Huang he muqing xiang” or the Yellow River Mother Sculpture.  The sculpture was placed at a very prominent place on the bank of the river. 

Not very far from the sculpture was the Water Wheel Park. The water wheel was an ancient device that uses flowing or falling water to generate power. We had a brief stop at the park and visited a shop that sells carved gourd of various shapes and sizes. They were finely carved with the landscapes, animals, portraits, calligraphy and poems. Some of the carved guard were priced 900 RMB. The price of the gourd pinched me a bit. 

Another striking attraction in Lanzhou was the Sheepskin Raft. At first I was a bit uncomfortable at the sight of it because it looks like a pig (hope I didn’t offend anyone). The sheepskin raft has a very long history in the Chinese culture.  It is an ancient mode of transportation used in the Yellow river. Today motor driven boats are mostly used  for transportation, but there are quite a few sheepskin rafts to be seen near the river. 

Our Last and final destination was The White Pagoda Mountain Park. We had to cross the famous bridge called Zhongshan Bridge in Lanzhou to go to the Bai Ta Shan (White Pagoda Mountain).  I was surprised to find that it cost only 6 ¥, while Ta er si cost 80¥.  Me and one of my colleague climbed up the mountain and we found that it functions like another business centre. We were not so impressed so we decided to go back and not walked all the way up.  From the side of the hill we watched the river smoothly running along the city and enjoyed the view of the city from above. 

We had dinner in one of the best restaurant (I assume) in Lanzhou.  We then went to the train station to board the Xi’an bound train that was supposed to leave at 9:58 pm. We were a bit early so we sat outside the entrance chatting away with my colleagues.  

That ends the story of my trips during the National Day Holiday.  It was a nice get away from the busyness of life in our city. 

Temple Experience - Ta er si (Kumbum Monastery)

The second day of our trip on October 2, 2008, was our ritual visits to a Buddhist temple. It's a bit like traveling in India visiting temples everywhere we go. We set of at 8:00 in the morning and rode to one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in China called "Ta'er Si" or Kumbum Monastery. It was about 25 km southeast from the capital city Xining.

Former home of the exiled Dalai Lama, the monastery is famous, for it was the birth place of the Tsong Khapa, founder of the Gelukpa Sect (Yellow hat). The Panchen Lama also lives in this monastery. It’s recognized as one of the most important monastery by the Budhhist community in China along with the Ganden, Sera and Drepung Monasteries in Lhasa, the Tashilhunpo in Shigatse and the Labrang Monastery in Xiahe.

The first temple open to the public was the Dharma Protector Temple. Photography was not allowed unless we sneak. The ornate on the roof was said to be made of a 40 kilo pure gold. On the second floor of the temple veranda were stuffed animals arranged in sequence. It is said that the Budhhist monks collected the animals that die of natural death and they would remove the inside organs then stuff them with leaves. The stuffed animals were said to be more than 200 years old. In the temple courtyard instead of burning the popular incense they burn the pine leaves which is said to be a special ritual of this temple.

The second temple that I visited was called Longevity Temple. People came to pay respect to the statues of the Budhha and they would stick money in every possible place with the hope that Budhha will give them long lives. I found the temple a bit spooky and unhealthy looking.

The third and the last one that we’ve visited was called Yak Butter Scripture temple. I went in alone and found the temple smells yakky so I decided to come out as soon as possible. I met my colleagues outside and thought I might have a second look. But at the entrance the electronic ticket machine would not accept my ticket for the second time so I had to give up the idea.

The Temple Facet

Photography not allowed: Inside the temple photography was not allowed and some of us tried taking our chances. One of our colleagues not realising that it was not allowed even outside the temple made a mistake of taking a shot. She was slapped by the monk who just happened to stand close by. Our tour guide and the monk confronted with each other because he was the one who was supposedly meant to be taking care of the foreigners and to see that they break no rules!! Apparently the monk confisticated our tour guide’s license and he had to spend sometime trying to convince them to give back his license.

We were a bit upset with the incident. You would think that a monk who was meant to be teaching and practicing non- violence and be an example to other people would do such a thing! Perhaps it spoils their business as most of these settings are cash-cows for the community’s economy. I felt so let down in a way with what I heard from my friend about this incident.

Yak Butter dough

Yak is the life giving animal for the Tibetans. They used the yak dung for firewood; eat yak meat, blood, butter and cheese. They used the yak skin for clothing and even shelter. Yak butter serves as oil for the lamps that’s lit inside the temple 24/7. The monks knead the yak butter dough for use in their daily activities.

The pilgrims

We met a few Tibetan pilgrims who came to this temple to pray in order to gain personal benefits in order to reincarnate as good human beings and to honour Buddha. They were praying very hard lying on top of a cushion made for this purpose and a hand cushion that will help them when they kowtow or lie prostrate for a hundreth times. They had their beads in front and at each round of prayer they counted the beads.

Vegetarians or not

There is a common believe that most Buddhist don’t eat meat. While were were outside standing at the temple compound, a black Ford V6 car came carrying a person who seemed to be a distinguished figure in the lamasery. He was followed by a group of monks carrying things that I have no clue of their uses. The last man was carrying the carcass of a headless lamb joining the queue of the other monks who went after the Panchen Lama (I think he is the one). One of our vegetarian colleagues was quite upset seeing them carrying the carcass.

The sad thing about this experience is that it’s the reality of life. We are all hypocrites by nature which is manifested in our lives even in the most religious places

A Stroll Along Qinghai Lake

(Picture source: Wikipedia.org)

Known for its size, beauty and fauna, Qinghai Lake is one of China's most famous tourist destinations. The lake not only attracted scientists and adventurers from across the globe but also people who find comfort in immersing themselves in nature’s beauty. The lake is an attraction to people of all races and classes. 

We arrived at the capital city Xining, in the morning of October 1, 2008 amidst the husle and busle of the city. People from every corner of the country flock to the city to find out what the city has to offer. We were herded to a restaurant to have our fill of the typical Chinese breakfast; mantou, rice soups, eggs and pickled vegetables. Soon after, we headed towards the Lake which was about 2 hours away from the city. 

I found myself strolling along the beautiful and majestic Qinghai Lake on the National Day Holiday 2008 along with a few of my colleagues. The lake was beautiful except for the usual touristic set up which sometimes spoiled the natural beauty. I felt rather disappointed that the entrance to the lake was too organized that it spoils the essence of beauty for a person who finds attraction in its original nature. I was also let down by the fact that all these tourists spots are always a haven for business enthusiasts that it almost provoked displeasure in seeing the activities along the side of the lake. 

On the brighter note, it was such a refreshing feeling to feel the cool breeze on the skin; seeing people having fun along the lake; looking at the lambs grazing along the lake; the blooming yellow flowers along the road; bargaining with the Zang minority in their traditional attire and to walk in the company of fun loving people.  

The few experiences that I had in the past traveling in these touristic places gave me the impression that the funness depends a lot on the company of friends. The trip was the first of its kind since we started the new semester. People were not yet familiar with each other and therefore found myself a bit lost.  I was able to find my share of fun on my own most of the time. 

I was able to take a few not so worthy shots in spite of the fact that my photographic mood was lost!

The train station at Xining. People from all walks of life flocked to this city for various reasons. 

Military personals getting ready to move. This is probably a regular drill around this area considering the issues of secession in the region. 

1. Tibetan yak butter tea. 2. Meat on a skewer, one of the favorite snacks in China. 3. The Zangs (Tibetan) set up their business tables at the side of the lake. 4.  The lady in the picture came with her lamb to start her business by taking money from people who are excited to see a lamb and a lady with her traditional ethnic dress.  

     

1. A tibetan lady with a prayer wheel. 2. We were warmly welcomed at a tibetan restaurant,  with their white cloth hung around our neck and a peg of their traditional wine! 3. The tibetan girls perform for us while we were eating our dinner. 4. One of our colleague's husband wearing the tibetan traditional costume for males. 

After dinner we were entertained by the tibetans with dances and shows.  A bonfire was set up for the customers at the end of the show and people danced around the fire enjoying the music and the flavor of their lifestyle.