The Ordinary Story

 In a world obsessed with perfection, being ordinary often feels like a rebellion. We are surrounded by curated Instagram feeds, movies about superheroes, and stories of people achieving extraordinary success. The message is loud and clear: to matter, you must be exceptional. But what if I told you it’s perfectly okay to be ordinary? It’s okay to have a regular 9-to-5 job, to not have millions of followers, or to simply be an introvert with a small circle of friends. It’s okay to be shy, to blend into the background, and to have moments where you feel uncertain or awkward. Despite what social media and pop culture tell us, life isn’t a competition for fame, beauty, or brilliance. Yet, there’s an invisible pressure that pushes us to be someone else. Deep down, many of us carry the quiet yearning to be more: more attractive, more talented, more interesting, more liked. We scroll through social media, and it seems like everyone is living the life of our dreams. They’re traveling to ex...

Introduction  On a lazy Sunday morning, when the rain was pouring outside and the thought of going to college seemed unappealing, an unexpected message lit up my Instagram inbox. It was from a classmate, kusum suggesting a spontaneous trip to Dakhinkali Temple. The allure of escaping college and embarking on an impromptu adventure proved irresistible. Little did I know that this rainy day would turn out to be an unforgettable experience, where spirituality, nature, and cultural immersion merged seamlessly. Journey to Dakhinkali Temple: With our minds made up, we set off on a bus from Chovar Gate to Dakhinkali. The bus ride itself was an enchanting half-hour journey, offering glimpses of Pharping village and its stunning Buddhist monasteries.  Pharping is famous for  oriental pear or sand pear called Naspati in Nepali. The raindrops on the windowpane evoked a sense of nostalgia, taking me back to carefree childhood memories. If you prefer a direct route, buses from Balkhu ...

Nepal, the land of the Himalayas, is known for its stunning mountains, diverse culture, and beautiful landscapes. The country is home to many hidden gems, and one such gem is the Bhasmashur Mandir Hiking trail. One of the most memorable hikes that I've been on recently was to Bhasmashur Mandir, a temple that is located on a hill near the city of Kathmandu. The hike was both challenging and rewarding, and it offered plenty of surprises along the way. The journey to Bhasmashur Mandir started on a previous hike to Champadevi Mandir. At one point during that hike, we reached a fork in the road that led to Champadevi and Bhasmashur Mandir respectively. We were advised by a guide not to attempt both hikes on the same day, so we chose to visit Champadevi on that occasion. However, one of our friends made a promise to visit Bhasmashur if he received his offer letter from a university in Finland. According to Hindu tradition, breaking a promise to a god is frowned upon, so we knew we had to...