Yatra Magazine August 2016 | Buddha Air

BUD

D

Story behind the Bhoto

HA

Issue # 25 August 2016

w w w . b u d d h a a i r . c o m

Twelve hours work behind 1 hour's flight

Get to know what it takes for the ground control to prepare for a domestic flight

Spotting the Silver Lining Interview with Deepak Raj Joshi CEO of Nepal Tourism Board

STORY BEHIND MOUNTAIN FLIGHT

s p i T l e v a Tr facebook.com/buddhaair

@airbuddha

@buddhaairnepal

Welcome Onboard!

We welcome you back to 'Yatra' – an exclusive in-flight magazine of Buddha Air. Yatra is a quarterly magazine focused on providing you content and photo features to complement your flight. Besides company related news and information, the content published here are informative and engaging.

In this issue, read on about all the careful preparations that Buddha Air takes to ensure a safe domestic flight in our cover story, "12 Hours work behind 1 Hour's Flight"; learn about Pokhara's tourism destinations, get to know more about the CEO of Nepal Tourism Board – Deepak Raj Joshi in an interview, and enjoy a photo feature of the rain God Rato Machhindranath & The Bhoto Jatra.

As Yatra is customer-oriented, we want to hear from you too! Send us your feedback and suggestions to make your journey even better. You can also send us your articles to publish in our next issue of Yatra. We will be happy to receive stories and testimonials from our readers.

Thank you for choosing to fly with us. We hope you have a pleasant flight.

Birendra Bahadur Basnet Managing Director Buddha Air

In-flight magazine Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, Nepal, e-mail: yatra@buddhaair.com

contents

Issue August 2016

c o v er story 1 6

Twelve hours work behind 1 hour's flight

Keeping up with the Newsfeed so c ial media 3 4

Evolution of Buddha Air’s Reservation & Ticketing System CALL CENTER 10

Lo Manthang

The Forbidden Kingdom

tre k k ing 6

Story of the Bhoto JATRA 22

Spotting the Silver Lining

inter v ie w 1 2

3

Buddha Air

www.buddhaair.com

dhangadhi

Fishtail & Annapurna Flight

Pokha

ra

nepalgunj rah

i bha

Dhanagadhi Chauraha Godawari Road Just opposite the RBB Bank Branch office Dhangadhi Upstairs the Suzuki bike showroom Ph: 091-417445 / 446 Airport: 091-575288 Email Id: dhanagadhi@buddhaair.com

Nepalgunj Surkhet Road, opposite SBI Bank Ph: 081-520745, 081-525745 Airport: 081-565077 Email Id: nepalgunj@buddhaair.com

awa

KATHMANDU

varanasi India

Pokhara Mustang Chowk, Pokhara Ph: 061-465997 / 998 Airport: 061-464997 Email Id: pkrstation@buddhaair.com

Bhairahawa Devkota Chowk , Bhairahawa Ph: 071-526893, 071-523893 Airport: 071- 522893 Email Id: bhairahawa@buddhaair.com

4

Bharatpur Airport Chowk Just Opposite Bharatpur Airport Ph: 056- 528790, 056 -524975 Airport: 056 -520581 Email Id: bhrstation@buddhaair.com

pur

bharat

Simara Adarsha Nagar, Alkhiya Road Hari Khetan Multiple Campus Just Opposite Ph: 051-533229 /230 Airport: 053-521562 Email Id: simara@buddhaair.com

Everest Experience Flight PARO Bhutan

tumlingtar simara

ur janakp

agar

n birat

pur

ra bhad

Chartered Flights

Biratnagar Janaandolan Chowk,Himalaya Road ward no. 14 opposite Lumbini Bank Ph: 021-526901, 021- 530866 Airport: 021-460478 Email Id: biratnagar@buddhaair.com

Janakpur KadamChowk, Janakpur Ph: 041- 525022, 041-525894 Airport: 041-525021 Email Id: janakpur@buddhaair.com

Tumlingtar Khadbari nagarpalika ward no.13 Sankhuwasabha District Ph: 029-575115, 029-575135 Airport: 029-575225 Email Id: tumlingtar@buddhaair.com

Bhadrapur Chandragadhi Chauwk, Bhadrapur Municipality, Ward no-15, Jhapa Ph: 023-455218 / 219 Airport: 023 -455180 Email Id: bhadrapur@buddhaair.com

5

T R E KK I N G

Lo Manthang

Photos: Sramanendra (Subu) Shrestha

The Forbidden Kingdom The

morning flight from Pokhara to Jomsom was

advised to go on the bus as we could then make our first halt

critical. I knew how unpredictable it could be.

at Chele from Kagbeni.

Only an hour’s delay later and a rocking and rolling flight between Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri peaks, we landed at Jomsom.

Kagbeni – Chele

After lunch in Jomsom, we set out. The first leg of the day

A few minutes into the trek and out came the cameras.

was a bus ride between Jomsom and Kagbeni. We were

We could not resist taking shots of the Kali Gandaki gorge

6

Chorten Tsarang and the amazing barren mountains along the route. And so it was till lunch at a very quaint village called Tangbe. It was amazing from every angle! Stark white walls with red embellishments, dried firewood on rooftops and extremely narrow lanes with the winds whistling through.

Crossing the Kali Gandaki on a solid truss bridge and we

7

T R E KK I N G climbed up to the village of Chele. As we walked

for bringing it along.

up, the scenery took on a different form. As you climb, you start seeing beyond the immediate

Ghiling – Tsarang

hills and into the distant mountains and layers of

A slow but steady climb greets us on our way

massive hills. The warm dining cum kitchen area

out of Ghiling – a straight up 4000-meter monster.

was very welcome indeed. A few pegs of Khukuri

During slow climbs like these, the beauty of the

rum with hot water felt even better. Later, hot Daal

scenery does not register on our oxygen-starved

Bhat and chit chat with a few foreigners and guides

brains.

with interesting stories are a typical part of teahouse treks.

A very steep incline leads us tumbling into Ghami and our lunch stop for the day. It’s a village of closely packed white mud walled houses. It’s a

Chele – Ghiling Straightaway we start trekking uphill. From my research I know today will be a tough day. We have to cross three passes of about 4000 meters each.

little green oasis amongst the stark brown hills and rocky mountains.

After lunch, we head out to a lovely wooded slope that leads us down to a mountain stream.

We hit the side of a cliff and traverse sideways

We cross a suspension bridge and climb up a small

and upwards. The drop below is unimaginable.

incline. We are greeted by the longest mani wall in

Sometimes the path is just a couple of feet wide. I

the entire region of Mustang. A rock and stone wall

was thankful for not meeting a horse caravan here.

stretching to probably over half a kilometer.

We trudge into Samar village which is usually the

Approaching the village of Tsarang or Charang

lunch place, but since we were early, we decide

as the locals seem to call it, is a huge chorten.

to walk on for a few more hours to Syangboche.

Typically this picturesque chorten is the one you see

We climb up to 4000-meter passes only to go all the

adorned on most book covers, posters and maps

way down to low 3000 meters and climb again. This

about Mustang.

part of the trek has a bit more greenery.

On reaching Tsarang, headed out to the

We reach Syangboche. The village has just four/

great monastery of Tsarang. It is indeed imposing

five houses. A couple of hours after Syangboche

and ruggedly photogenic. Built on a small hillock

we reach Ghiling, our stop for the day. As opposed

overlooking the village of Tsarang, it completely

to the normal tight-knit houses we’ve seen, Ghiling

dominates the skyline.

is spread across a wide plateau. A huge red monastery hugs the cliffside across the village. I

8

Tsarang – Lo Manthang

settle down to take photos using my telephone lens

Finally we would get to Lo Manthang today

on my DSLR camera congratulating myself silently

– my dream 15 years in the making. So it was

gigantic thankas painted on the walls. I am no thanka expert but these thankas were painted very intricately and seemed to be from centuries. Unfortunately photography was Chele

prohibited inside the monastery and thus the painting only remained in my memory. We go across town to Thubchen

just a 4 hour trek today. The trail today is mostly just following

Gompa, among the most revered monasteries in the region.

the motorable road to Lo Manthang. After a hot lunch, I

This gompa is on an even bigger scale than the one we had

did not want to waste any time and we head towards the

just visited. If the other monastery had fantastic painting,

walled town of Lo Manthang. A two-minute walk from our

Thubchen monastery had masterpieces. Huge thangkas

hotel leads us to an imposing gate of the walled city. The

adorned the walls telling dramatic tales of old.

town is arranged within high walls around two huge gompas

As the sun began to set, I clicked as many photos as I

and an even bigger king’s palace. I explore the small alleys

could and from as many angles as humanly possible. Among

and passages that somehow link to each other going

all the treks I have done, this had been a journey I had pined

through houses and across private courtyards.

for and I was not about to let a mere sunset end it so easily.

We visit the Monasteries and I could make out absolutely

n

Sramanendra (Subu) Shrestha

Thubchen Gompa

Ornate Door Lo Manthang

CALL CENTER

Evolution of Buddha Air’s Reservation & Ticketing System The

beginning of our airline

the development and implementation

reservation systems started

of web based reservation and ticketing

on 1 September 1997, a month before

system. Under this system, ticketing was

we flew our first flight. Our sales and

still manual. We finally implemented a

reservation division, located at Hattisar

full-fledged computerized reservation

(Kathmandu) handled reservations

and ticketing system, which eliminated

and ticketing. During this time, flight

manual ticketing.

bookings were done through phone calls or reservation request forms sent

The introduction and use of our

by travel agents. People had to walk

computerized reservation and ticketing

to the office if they wanted to buy

system has many benefits:

tickets.

• Information regarding flight details,

During the 1990s, domestic airlines

passenger details, flight schedule,

in Nepal relied on paper based

fares, booking and ticketing are

reservation systems – which were

found on a consolidated and synced

inefficient and prone to human

system.

error. Realizing the importance,

•

efficiency and pace of technological

booking and ticketing

development in Nepal, we developed

•

our own reservation software. In 1999,

team working 365 days who help

we are the pioneers of using our own

you with your flight booking.

reservation software in the domestic market. The in-house system was only based in Kathmandu, but it was an incremental development from relying on paper based reservation system.

The number of passengers and destinations increased since we started flying in 1997. We were also set to launch flights on our larger capacity ATR aircrafts. There was a necessity to integrate our outstations with the central reservation system. This led to

Fast, reliable and user friendly Our dedicated reservation

• The power of booking and ticketing

The booking and ticketing scenario in

shifted from us to the travel agencies

Nepal has truly changed its landscape

and the public. People can book

from what it was in the 1990s. Gone

and pay for their tickets from the

are the days of hand written tickets

convenience of their home or offices.

and visiting offices to purchase tickets.

• Online booking and ticketing facility on our website.

• SMS booking facility

With our computerized system, anyone can book and pay for their tickets – anytime, anywhere!

Call Center 01-5542494

• Booking and paying for tickets on our Android and iOS apps.

reservation team working 365 days who help you with your flight booking

11

inter v ie w

Spotting the Silver Lining

Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board is an optimistiwho sees the bright side of tourism in Nepal despite the major setbacks from last year. Mr. Joshi talks to Buddha Air about the current state of the tourism sector and what his plans are for the next few years.

The country faced a lot of crisis last year, with the

‘Nepal Now’ campaign that ran digitally and the

earthquake and then the border strike. How was the

#IaminNepalNow campaign which received a lot of

tourism sector affected?

support. Testimonials from tourists brought authenticity

During the earthquake, the international media

to the campaign’s efforts. Last year we had a 35 per

portrayed Nepal as a completely devastated country.

cent decline in the number of incoming tourists but this

So, people thought that Nepal was a “no go” zone. But

year we hope to recover up to 90 per cent. Visits made

the reality was completely different. Only 10 out of the

by well known social icons like Prince Harry, David

75 districts were affected and one out of 16 national

Beckham and Jackie Chan also helped to get the

parks and conservation areas sustained damage. We

word out about Nepal. It was a heartwarming gesture

did a survey on hotels after the earthquake and found

from them, I must say.

that 90% of the hotels were unaffected and were running to their full capacity. The tourist destinations

Now that the crises are over and things are getting back

outside Kathmandu like Chitwan and Lumbini were

to normal, what does the Nepal Tourism Board have in

completely safe to travel too.

mind to take the tourism sector to the next level?

However, the number of tourists arriving to Nepal

We have learnt a lot from those two crises. As for

decreased significantly and it struck the tourism industry

the tourism sector, it helped us realize that domestic

hard. Due to the strike called at the borders, the arrival

tourists are as valuable as international groups. That is

of Indian travelers decreased as well. But within a year,

why we wanted to promote this Bikram Sambat as a

the numbers have gone up and we have been able to

Domestic Tourism year. It’s the first time that a domestic

turn things around quite well.

tourism year was announced. Thanks to this, people have also begun to realize that only foreigners don’t

How did this sector cope during the crises?

Despite all the setbacks it is a miracle that the industry was able to sustain without necessary

12

need to be considered as tourists. Anyone travelling to a place for leisure or adventure is a tourist and they all require the best services.

resources. I believe that these crises have a bright side.

We have also started plans to celebrate 2018 as

We were able to stay resilient despite all the problems

Nepal Tourism Year where we hope to receive 10 lakh

and it proved to the world that Nepal is still moving

tourists. We hope to receive tourists from South Asian

strong. During the crises, surprisingly, the number of

countries like Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Thailand for

domestic tourists also increased. This encouraged us to

religious tourism, apart from India and China, the US

declare 2073 as “Gopya Barsa 2073”.

and European countries.

We also ran a lot of campaigns to encourage

We have also begun digital marketing through

international tourists to visit Nepal. There was the

social media with accounts on Twitter, Instagram and

inter v ie w

even a Youtube channel to help grow the reach and

only sector that can get long-term, sustainable returns

market Nepal better.

for the country. The establishment of the international

Nepal has a lot of places that are yet to see major

airports at Pokhara and Lumbini will definitely help

tourist footfall. Are there any specific plans for such

in the process. After all, Nepal has always relied on

regions?

tourism for economic growth.

We plan to promote the Eastern Development

All Nepalese also need to realize that travelling is

Region and the Mid- Western and Far-Western

good for us. We need to build a culture of travelling. It

Development regions as the next

is a great opportunity to explore new

tourist

places and learn new things while

destinations.

Places

like

Suklaphanta and Bardia have a lot of natural resources and resorts but these areas are often ignored. These regions can be targeted for leisure activities

and

vacations.

People

Tourism is the only sector that can get long-term, sustainable returns for the country

have a notion that Nepal is a haven only for adventure junkies but we want to change that.

helping to build the nation’s economy at the same time. People come from all over the world to experience Nepal so shouldn’t we grab the opportunity to travel the country as well? Boost in domestic tourism is necessary for the

tourism sector. They say that the local tourists create a genuine attraction for foreign visitors. And since

Finally, what are your thoughts on the current situation

this year is being celebrated as “Gopya Barsa 2073”

of tourism in Nepal?

I encourage the readers to make the most of it and

The recovery from the earthquake is certain but our infrastructure needs to be developed too. Tourism is the

14

travel to new destinations within the country.

The Power to Fly Now In Your Hands

Flying with us just got easier with our official app available for download on Android and iOS devices including smartphones and tablets. The app is free to download. The small file size of the app will not take up storage on your devices. With the app, there is no hassle of queuing for tickets. Your time is saved booking and paying for tickets right on the app.

Easy to use layout : With a simple user interface, the app displays important information for flight booking, current flight status, and reserved flight right on the homescreen of the

the moment, payment option is only available for eSewa account holders.

Check Reserved Flight: Information regarding the flights you’ve booked is accessible from

app.

Search & Book Flights: Hassle free

the app. If you wish to pay for the

way of booking your flights. Just a

ticket, you need to do so within 30

few taps on your screen allows you to

minutes of booking your ticket.

Check current flight status:

book your tickets to the destination you want to fly to. Flight booking

Want to know if there changes

options are open to all current

in the schedule of your flight or

destinations we fly to, including our Everest Experience

if your flight has been delayed or canceled, you can do so

mountain flight.

in the app. Tap on the flight status box and you’ll receive

Pay for flights: If you have booked your tickets, you are also prompted to pay for your flight. Please note, at

current updates of the day for your requested flight.

Royal Club: If you are a member of our frequent flyer program – Royal Club, then you can check your mileage points easily on our app. Login to your Royal Club ID, and get to see your mileage points from the app.

Download Yatra Magazine: You also have the option to download and read our in-flight magazine – Yatra. The latest as well as previous editions are available for download from the app.

Wherever your journey takes you, make it easier and enjoyable with our app. With a wide range of features and services available, the power to fly is now at your fingertips!

Pk pknAw 5g\ lgMz'Ns

c o v er story

Twelve hours work behind 1 hour's flight Buddha Air believes in providing the best service at every flight and those who strive for perfection do not leave any stone unturned. We ensure extensive maintenance to keep aircraft and its component condition ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

16

Tickets: Check, Luggage: Check, Identification Card: Check, Reporting to the airport on time: Check.

These are most probably the basic list of things you need to check before you travel on an aircraft, but for the aircraft that carries you, the inspection and preparation checklist is much longer and meticulous, which has to be carried out diligently. It is neither easy nor to be taken lightly.

W

hile carrying the passenger from

facility where the detail process takes

one destination to another, the

place. The closed door hangar can

airline’s technical department carefully

accommodate one ATR72or ATR42 and

inspects the aircraft after every flight to

one Beech 1900D together. The hanger

ensure safe and comfortable journey in

is equipped with adequate lighting and

the air. The responsibility of the Technical

fire warning system backed up by fire

Department is to ensure that the aircraft

fighting equipments.

is always in an airworthy condition.

As per the current Civil Aviation

Buddha Air's Technical Department

Regulation, Buddha Air’s Technical

has all the resources to comply with the

Department has two main functions,

requirement in order to have the aircraft

Approved Maintenance Organisation

in airworthiness condition.

(NCAR-145)

Manager

of

Technical

Support

and

Airworthiness

Continuing

Department

(CAD).

Division, Sr. Engineer Santosh Kr. Khati

Together these departments make

says “Just before any flight, the aircraft

sure that the aircraft you are travelling

maintenance statement has to be

on is fit to fly. The two departments are

checked / verified if any maintenance

further divided into Sub Divisions to

/components are due for inspection

handle every part and functions of the

/ change. The next step would be to

aircraft before it takes off. “We have

check if any defect has been reported

to follow the standard documents.

from the previous flight and corrective

The

actions has been taken. Then the

preventive maintenance where we

aircraft has to be inspected as per the

do not wait for a problem and fix it,

preflight checklist which includes a walk

it’s not like other vehicles where you

around inspection to see if any oblivious

have a problem and you fix

damage exist in the airframe and a

it. No, we have to follow

general visual inspection of the wing

the instructions given

and fuselage area, propeller blades,

by

signs of fuel leaks, hydraulic leaks, Brake

The

and Tyre conditions, Landing Gear

maintenance

Extensions, presence of emergency

that we have developed

and safety equipments.

are

The pilot

scheduled

the

maintenance

manufacturer. customized

based

program on

the

the

manufactures data and is

revised manual, reviews the technical

approved by Civil Aviation

documents, studies the weather report

Authority Nepal and the

of the route and prepares for the flight."

schedule

in

command

religiously

reads

Buddha Air Hanger which is located across

the

runway

at

Tribhuvan

International Airport is the state of the art hangar with the cutting edge

are by

is

then

inspections carried

experienced,

out skilled

Certified staff,” he states.

The

Approved

17

c o v er story

Maintenance Organisation (NCAR-145) has 4 different divisions with a total of 132 technical staff working together.

Line Maintenance Office: This is the on hand Division having adequate certifying staffs who are on the go to make sure the aircraft is operating on time. Any defect

Technical Supplies and Store Division: This division looks after the logistic of aircraft

operation of the aircraft is handled by the Line

spares, materials and tooling required for

Maintenance Division. They carry out Daily

aircraft maintenance. This division controls the

Inspection, Preflight Inspection, and Weekly

inventory management and also looks after

Inspection at the line station Kathmandu. Out

the bonded stores, tools stores and receiving

of Phase Inspection / Component Changes

& dispatch of aircraft spares. The Office of

which are controlled by Maintenance Planning

Technical Supplies and Store Division and the

section is also forwarded to Line Maintenance

stores are located within the hangar facility.

for its timely execution.

Base Maintenance and Workshop:

Ground Support:

This is the division that covers the MAJOR

This Division looks after the ground support

maintenance of the aircraft. The scheduled

equipments which are required for aircraft

maintenance such as A Checks, C Checks,

maintenance and operation.

2 yearly, 4 yearly and others major works

The other functions Continuing Airworthiness

are carried within the Hangar Premises. The

Department has Technical Support Division

premises has well-stocked and updated

(TSD) and Technical Supplies and Stores, which

support shops such as Wheel and Brake Shop,

is under the Dy. Director (Nominated Post

Battery Shop, Sheet Metal Shop, Composite

Holder- CA).

Repair/ Wing Leading Edge Repair Shop

The Technical Support Division has four

as required for aircraft during the base

section and 16 staff who are given the

maintenance work or during the operation of

following responsibilities.

the aircraft.

18

arisal (Pilot Reported Defect –Prep) during

Just before any flight, the aircraft maintenance statement has to be checked / verified if any maintenance /components are due for inspection / change Santosh Kr. Khati, Manager of Technical Support Division, Sr. Engineer

19

c o v er story

Technical Records:

maintains records of Technical Publications of the

This section is responsible for keeping the records

aircraft and major components issued by the OEMs.

up-to-date and these records hold the data of Aircraft

Technical Library ensures that the latest publications

Hours and Cycles, Status of Major Components

are in effect and the server are updated accordingly.

(Engine / Propeller/ Landing Gears), Component

Technical Documents for continuation airworthiness

(Line Replaceable Units) status / History, Maintaining

are regularly revised and the information is passed to

the Electronic Log Book of Airframe/ Engine, Service

all concerned.

Bulletins,

Airworthiness

Directive

current

status,

Schedule Inspection status. A computerized system and allocated server in different places ensures there is no leak or loss of any data.

Quality Assurance Department: This Department assures the quality issues of various functional/operational areas of CAAN 145 Approved Maintenance Organization [Technical

Engineering (Maintenance / Material) Planning:

Department]

and

Continuing

Airworthiness

This section closely monitors the Inspection (Routine

Department by performing the scheduled audits

/ Out of Phase) due list, component change list,

as per Approved Annual Audit Program to ensure

issuance of task cards for inspection and component

the required compliances withthe maintenance

change and for its timely compliance. Planning also

standards, continuing airworthiness of aircraft and

prepares work package (Major Maintenance) for

the regulatory requirements as well as Buddha Air

aircraft to be carried out at Base Maintenance and

Standards. Apart from the scheduled audits, it also

coordinates within Technical Supplies for timely spare

performs the Random Inspection, Spot Checks and

management and with Line Maintenance for timely

Aircraft Surveillance Inspections to strengthen the

compliance of the job.

Audit Program. This Department also involves in the assessing the competencies of Maintenance

Engineering Services: This Section prepares and updates the Customized Maintenance Program, Evaluates Service Bulletins/

Certifying Engineers/ other personnel and authorizing them accordingly to work for the maintenance activities of aircraft.

Airworthiness Directives, and communicates with

The other Divisions under Technical Department

OEM on Technical Issues. Their job is to produce the

are Human Resource and Technical Training, General

Reliability Report on a regular basis. Most importantly,

Service Division, Finance Unit, and Airside Vehicle

they monitor and analyse the Engine’s health through

Control Section.

Engine Condition Trend Monitoring (ECTM) system

Buddha Air believes in providing the best service

provided by Designated Analysis Center (DAC)

at every flight and those who strive for perfection do

nominated by Pratt and Whitney Canada.

not leave any stone unturned. We ensure extensive maintenance to keep aircraft and its component

Technical Library: This section manages the technical library and

20

condition ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

Customer First n

Sovit Basnet

Buddha air is dedicated to provide

external training classes for its customer service staffs

safe, dependable and comfortable

that encourages grooming to maintain the level of the

air transportation service to its

service, as on professional manner. Our first priority is to

customers along with numerous

attract our customers with the best quality of service

related services. We are focused in

and focus to retain the existing one. Our trained staffs

making every flight better than the

are dedicated to deliver in every aspect of the service

other, which, to accomplish, takes

courteously and attentively.

something special. Passengers’ safety, comfort and convenience are our most important concerns.

Our goal is to provide our customers, with quality experiences when dealing with our services, meeting or exceeding their expectations, at each and every visit. We want the customers’ experience with us to be so pleasant that they are eager to refer us to others. Truth built trust; our

Monitoring

and

measurement

are

effective

techniques to balance customer service and satisfaction.

Our internal auditors are regularly mobilized to audit the functions to up hold the performance in a professional track.

Our goal is to provide our customers, with quality experiences when dealing with our services

Buddha Air is working hard on adopting customer friendly culture. By customer friendly, it means, viewing the customers

priority is to deliver an exceptional customer service,

as the most important part of our job. The problems of

ensuring adequate, accurate, and reasonable service

the customers are listened carefully and tried to be

with consistency. Buddha Air is always dedicated to

solved as immediately as possible. We believe that

make the customers feel happy and satisfied with a

the valuable feedbacks of the passengers always

sense of being respected, served and cared according

encourage and guide us towards good path. In this

to the expectations & standards, which start from the first

regard we have provided an access to our passengers

contact to the whole relationship.

to forwards any comments, feedbacks and complaints

Buddha air has planned to provide internal and

directly through care@buddhaair.com

21

FESTIVITIES

Story of the Bhoto The

chariot of the God of Rain and Harvest, Rato Machhindranath or Bunga Dyo,

graces the old streets of Patan every year. He brings with him the much awaited festivities, along with music and celebration. The significance of the festivities this year is much more important, because it was during this time last year that the country was shaken by the historic earthquake.The obliteration of the Bunga Dyo temple in Bungamati was just one of the many aftermaths of the quake. However, people were resilient. Reconstruction of the ruins are already underway, including the rebuilding of the Bungamati temple.

This year, the jatra, was celebrated with much excitement as it signified that the people are ready to move on, leaving behind the desolation from last year.

The month-long Bunga Dyo festival sees the Bunga Dyo chariot being pulled around the city of Patan, along with the chariot of Patan’s own Minnath or Chuka Dyo. The celebration of the festival at the end of the month, namely Bhoto Jatra in Jawalakhel signifies the end of the festival. The name “Bhoto Jatra” literally translates to “Vest Festival”, but aside from this pecularity the festival has an interesting origin.

As the legend goes, long ago, during the time of

23

FESTIVITIES

Priests prepare the idol of Rato Machhindranath for the bathing ritual

Priests carry the idol

Devotees ask for the offerings from the priest on the 9th day of Rato Machhindranath chariot-pulling Festival at Lagankhel, Lalitpur

Devotees play traditional "Deme" during the Rato Machhindranath chariot-pulling festival at Lagankhel

24

Living Goddess Kumari of Patan during Rato Machhindranath bathing ceremony at Lagankhel

on the way to the bathing ritual at Bungamati

A priest painter's hand is seen while he paints the statue of Rato Machhindranath at Karnamaya Temple,Lalitpur

Gurju Paltan fires the gun as devotees pull the chariot of Rato Machhendranath on the occassion of Rato Machhindranath chariot-pulling festival at Pulchowk gods and demons, a Naga raja or Serpent king named Kartotaka came down with an unknown illness. While on his search for a physician, he came across a farmer. The serpent king took the farmer back to his palace in Kartotaka Daha, a pond, and asked him for a cure. The farmer, while thinking of a way to escape the hellish place, began to sweat out of fear. He finally came up with an idea. He tricked the Naga into believing that his sweat was a powerful potion and that it could help cure his ailment.

Miraculously, the serpent king was healed and as a reward, the farmer received a diamond studded vest.

The farmer went back to his usual life on the field. One day, while he was working, a giant stole the studded vest. Enraged, the farmer chased the giant all the way to Jawalakhel, the place where the chariot of Bunga Dyo was kept. The farmer and the

25

FESTIVITIES

A woman sits beside the newly-made mask of Lord Bhairab at Karnamaya temple,Lalitpur. The mask of Lord Bhairab is placed infront of the chariot of Rato Machhindranath

26

Devotees pull the chariot of Rato Machhindranath

Female devotees are seen pulling the chariot of Rato Machhindranath

A priest throws a coconut as part of the ritual on the 8th day of Rato Machhindranath chariot-pulling festival at Lagankhel, Lalitpur giant argued for hours on who

This is how Bhoto Jatra came

the rightful owner of the ‘Bhoto’

to be. Even today, along with

was but neither could bring

certain rituals of worship, the

enough evidence to claim their

Bhoto is displayed from all four

right. As a last resort, the priest

corners of the chariot to the

of the chariot decided that the

audience in hopes that someone

‘Bhoto’ would be displayed from

will finally claim it as their own. Of

the chariot every year and only

course, no one has ever come

someone with enough evidence

forth to claim the valuable Bhoto,

would be able to claim the

so it is taken back by the priest to

prized ‘Bhoto’ as their own.

be kept safe until the next jatra.

Devotees pull the chariot of Rato Machhendranth as they cross the Nakhu river, Lalitpur, during the 12-barse Rato Machhendranath Festival

A Hindu priest displays a traditional ornamented vest (BHOTO) on the last day of Machhindranath chariot festival, also known as Bhoto Jatra, at Jwalakhel

HOLIDAY

Pokhara - the lakeside city that offers plenty Follow our itinerary, or make your own. Either way Pokhara will leave you with wonderful memories and an itch to return for more.

Early Bird - Taking the 8.30 am Buddha

Booking / Ticketing

Air flight from Kathmandu should get

l

Tel 01-5542494 /

l

Tel 01-5521015, Ext: 119

you to Pokhara by 9.00am.

l

Online www.buddhaair.com

l

www.buddhaholidays.co

10 AM – Arrival at the airport and

l

Mobile App

checking in to the hotel.

l

Nearest travel agency

28

Holiday Package

Most

tourists prefer to put

to go rent a mountain bike. With most

cave across the street. A nice park with

up at the numerous

of the travel attractions within a small

a section of 3D clay structures without

hotels and resorts that dot the lake

perimeter, renting a bicycle is a great

heads is a fun addition where one can

side, a mere 15 minutes’ drive from

way to save on expensive taxi fare and

click photos in different Nepali attires.

the airport. The relaxed traffic and

also get a bit of weekend workout.

Across the street, one can also find a new Buddhist robot museum. The ultra-

cleaner-than-Kathmandu environment will already be a welcome change for

With a number of options ranging

modern museum, the only of its kind

everyone travelling out of the capital.

from advanced mountain bikes to

in Nepal, is a robot-guided tour of the

ordinary regular bicycles, one can

story of young Siddhartha and Lord

If one prefers to stay on the Lake Side

rent according to the distance/terrain

Gautam Buddha.

street, Hotel Fewa is a great option.

one wants to cover. Good quality

Just by the lake, one can enjoy the

mountain bikes, which can be used

If you are a biking enthusiast, cycling

uninterrupted expanse of the lake from

to cycle rugged tracks, might cost up

up the World Peace Pagoda would

the hotel room. However, if you prefer

to Rs.1,000 for a day. Simple bicycles

be a refreshing challenge. The

a hotel with a swimming pool, Temple

can be had for as little as Rs.300 for the

Buddhist pagoda-styled monument

Tree Resort and Spa is another great

entire day. Bicycles can also be rented

is an amazing viewpoint on the top

option. It might not have the lake side

on an hourly basis, if needed.

of Ananda hill. Depending on your experience and form, it may take

view, but has a fantastic swimming pool. Another option for a more

11 AM - 2 PM – Davis Fall or World

between 2 to 3 hours. The roads

relaxed and quieter environment is the

Peace Pagoda

leading up to the viewpoint are not

Waterfront Hotel. A five minutes’ drive

About a half hour ride from the Lake

very steep and blacktopped most of

from the hustle and bustle of the Lake

Side, Davis Fall is a fairly popular tourist

the way. After enjoying the panoramic

Side Street, the guests of the fairly new

attraction. The waterfall is at times

view of Pokhara, the ride down is

Waterfront can enjoy a view of the

raging and with a nicely built viewing

something everyone who put in the

entire Fewa Lake from the swimming

area, one can enjoy getting close to

effort to get to the top will relish.

pool itself.

the wild stream without much danger.

During the drier seasons, the waterfall

3 PM - Thakali Lunch

11 AM – Rent a Bicycle

can be seen descending

Probably one of the first things to do

through arches and

wholesome Nepali meal

after checking in and getting your

tunnels as it makes

should be a treat

phones logged onto the hotel Wi-Fi, is

its way to the

After the tedious ride, a

to the tastebuds.

29

And nothing is more satisfying than a

can recite fascinating lores, can also

is not just enjoyable but also good

typical Thakali lunch. Most of the Nepali

be hired to help paddle if one is in

to help you pick out the bar for your

cuisine restaurants will offer Thakali

the mood to just enjoy the ride. Some

evening. One can also book and

meals and honestly, all of them are

Pokhara cheese and a bottle of wine

reserve spots for next day’s paragliding

tasty. Some of the popular options are

can add to the evening.

flight during the walk.

Bhanchha Ghar, among a host of

6 PM - Lake Side Street Walk

7 until you are done drinking - Dinner

others.

By the time you are done with the boat

with Music

ride, the nightlife at the Lake Side will

Busy Bee is a common favorite

4 PM - Swim or Spa, or both

be kick-starting. Live music can be

for good live music but there are

After a satisfying meal relaxation could

heard from inside the restaurants. A

numerous other bars which offer the

be on the cards for many. Making use

short walk along the Lake Side Street

same. It just depends on the bands that

Pokhara Thakali Kitchen, Fewa Thakali

of the pool at the hotel or enjoying

are playing on the day. Most bars

a massage and spa treatment is a

have a good selection of beer

soothing and tranquil option.

and liquor which can really get flowing with the good food and

5 PM - Fewa Lake Boat Ride

snack options they offer. There

A Pokhara trip is incomplete without a

is just one advice, please go to

boat ride on the Fewa Lake. For thrill-

bed early because believe us, no

seekers paddling the boats on hire can

drink is worth missing the sunrise

be an option. A guide, some of whom

view from Sarangkot.

30

Following Day

Sudoku

6 AM – Or earlier depending on the season – Sunrise from Sarangkot Most hotels offer van rides to the Sarangkot view point for the sunrise.

Vans can also be rented for cheap. It is advisable to take a few warm clothes

5

even during the summer seasons.

With most van drivers well informed about the exact timing of the sunrise, the wait should never be too long for the majestic view of the Annapurna

2

2

6

9

mountain range. Unexpected cloud

5

cover or overcrowding at the viewpoint

4

3

1

may require some patience.

8 AM – Breakfast at Mike’s Breakfast

6

2

7

Presuming, all tourists have yet not got

8

bored of the lakeside, Mike’s Breakfast is a great place. Not just does it offer a front-row view of the Fewa Lake, but also has the best breakfast/brunch

7

3

6

3

9

4

5

menu around town. If one is not patient to wait for the meal to arrive, a nice

6

walk by the path built right along the

4

7

9

lake is a good way to kill time.

2

10 AM – Paragliding time

4

After checking out of the hotel, one can leave the luggage at the reception to be collected just before leaving for the

7

9

8

airport. Most paragliding companies

2

8

1

3

8

8

4

6

9

7

6

2

3

1

6 9 7 2 5 8 4

4 2 1 8 6 7 5

SOLUTION

7 6 3 5 4 9 8

6 5 7 4 9 3 1 2

2 8 9 4 6 3 1 5 7

5 7 3 8 9 1 2 4 6

6 4 1 5 2 7 8 3 9

sumptuous meal and prepare for the 3

n each of the 3 x 3 boxes has all nine numerals, none repeated.

8

flights, plenty of time can be had for a

2

whether you have taken the early

1

experience, and depending on

3

After the life-changing paragliding

n every horizontal row and vertical column contains all nine numerals (1-9) without repeating any ot them;

9

getting to the airport on time.

1

flight without having to worry about

3

You have to put a number from 1 to 9 in each square so that:

5

to take the earliest flight to enjoy a long

7

vary from 30 minutes to 1 hour. It is best

To Solve This Puzzle...

9

10:30 AM, 12 PM and 2 PM. Flight times

4

offer 3 flights a day, 7 days a week:

PM flight back to Kathmandu.

31

STORY BEHIND MOUNTAIN FLIGHT

Among the Clouds & Himalayas Mountain flights in Nepal began only three decades ago, yet today, it guarantees the best experiences to all its passengers.

The

Jiri

story of how the first mountain flight started in Nepal is an interesting one. It takes us to Jiri, situated to the east

of Kathmandu that lies on the way to Namche Bazar, the route to Mt. Everest. In 1977, a group of trekkers had to cancel their trek due to bad weather. But, they would not give up their hopes of catching a glimpse of the highest peak in the world. They wanted to see Mt. Everest really bad, after all, what was the point of travelling to Nepal if you couldn’t even get close to the world famous landmark? Back in Kathmandu, J L Khanna, managing director at Yeti Travels, got into a dilemma. His clients wished to see the Everest but the weather was playing spoilsport. So Khanna decided to answer their call with an

Mt. Everest

idea that had never been tried in Nepal before, by offering mountain flights. That is how mountain flights came to be a must-do list when visiting Nepal.

The first mountain flight flew from Kathmandu to the Everest region. The seats were assigned by the airlines, and passengers got the window seats that promised a clear view of the snow-capped mountains only if they were lucky. But even so, people demanded for mountain flights because it was the fastest and easiest way to get close to the Himalayas.

Over time, many domestic airlines began catering to the growing demand. NECON air and Everest Air were some of the earliest providers of the service. However, it was only in 1993 that Everest Air came up with the idea of one passenger, one window seat. Then, all passengers would get a chance to watch the spectacular views without disturbance. This idea helped to make the mountain flights

Kanchanjungha

Cho-Rolpa Lake

even more popular. But the flights could only take passengers up to a certain distance. The planes wouldn’t get close enough to view the mountains up close.

But then in 1997, came Buddha Air. It was the first company that flew its plane up to 25000 ft. above sea level and provided the tillthen nearest possible view of the mountains. Before that, one could only expect to see the mountains from afar. Today, one can get as close as 20 miles.

Today, mountain flights are a popular pick for tourists. September to April, especially the winter months, are the best times to catch a glimpse of the sparkling peaks. This is the time when the white snow sparkles brightly upon the mountains, with lakes and glaciers equally

Buddha Air, was the first company that flew its plane up to 25000 ft. above sea level and provided the till-then nearest possible view of the mountains

beaming with clear water flowing down from the Himalayas. The flight usually lasts from 50 minutes up to an hour. The planes take off either from Kathmandu or Pokhara. During the flight, one can catch a glimpse of 20 of the highest peaks to the East of Nepal starting from the Langtang Lirung peak which is the closest peak to Kathmandu, then move towards Mt. Everest in the East and finally fly to Makalu peak that lies in the border between Nepal and China. From there, the plane takes a turn and the passengers get a second look at the view while they make their way back to Kathmandu.

Special flights are carried out to the west to view the Annapurna range consisting of Machhapuchre, Annapurna and Ganesh Himal ranges, on request of the passengers. The flight can even extend all the way to Kanchenjunga at the Nepal-India border that lies toward the end of the Himalayan range in Nepal. These aerial views are a spectacular way to enjoy the Himalayas from the comfort of a cabin seat while flying high up in the air. The passengers also get to view the Sherpa villages up in the mountains. The mountain flight does not only allow the passengers to enjoy good views but also allows them to understand the geography of the country.

Although mountain flights do not have a long history, it has gained much popularity among tourists for the beauty that it promises. It never disappoints. Buddha Air provides daily mountain flight services for up to a maximum of 30 flights on a good day. So if you’re in Nepal and wondering how to get close to the breathtaking view of the highest peak on earth, book yourself a mountain flight and get ready to go on a mystical trip high up in the clouds among the gleaming glaciers, lakes, and one the highest mountain ranges in the world.

33

so c ial media

Keeping up with the Newsfeed

Nepalis are using the power of social media in creative, compassionate ways.

The

fuel crisis and the days of hitchhiking to work,

that Nepalis were amazingly getting accustomed to, seem like a distant past.

If you stuck out your thumb and waved to ask a passing vehicle for a ride now, you would probably get a queer stare instead of an acknowledging response. However, members of ‘Carpool Kathmandu’, a Facebook group that was used as a platform to offer and request rides during those difficult times; have not decreased but just crossed the 100 thousand mark.

Though the number of carpooling arrangements have vastly reduced, the members use the group to find blood donors, to put out public notices about their lost pets, lost documents, and recently, one poor kid’s favorite tiger blanket.

Sumana Shrestha, the founder and group admin of Carpool Kathmandu, states, “I was always confident that this group would be a success but was surprised at the rate at which people responded. It proves that the saying ‘happiness multiples when shared’ is right and in the case of ‘Carpool Kathmandu’, it did exponentially!” ‘Carpool Kathmandu’ embodies

the kindness and compassion of Nepalis

curriculum activities like Design Thinking,

that added the power of Facebook to get a

Critical Thinking and Creative Practices. The

limping workforce stand back strong when

Facebook and Twitter pages for both these

times were tough.

programs have stuck to representing the

Now, when it comes to shopping we all

principles of Karkhana of making learning

have a habit of haggling for the best deals.

fun. Being primarily an education company,

The recent surge in online shopping portals

Karkhana makes sure that their Facebook

which are increasingly using social media is a

posts or tweets incorprate a learning value

welcome relief. Without having to incur costs

either for students, teachers, or parents. And

for renting physical locations, ThreadPaints,

by sometimes picking out a brilliant student

Kaymu, Koko KTM, SnSKtm and many other

or an extraordinary effort, young students are

similar online shopping options are providing

motivated with special recognition.

quality products at very competitive rates

It isn’t just Karkhana that is helping young

even with the option of free delivery. Some

Nepali students follow their dreams from a

of these stores are operating only through

young age. Lex Limbu, the UK based popular

Facebook and Instragram profiles. The social

Nepali blogger, pointed out that “social

media pages of the shopping websites

media has led to many young Nepalis being

are also noticeably active, with not just

interested in Nepali arts, music and films.”

information about their latest products, but

Nepali celebrities are increasingly resorting

also the latest viral internet trends. This not

to social media to get socially recognized

just helps make the pages a significant part

and increase their fan following. He added

of our newsfeed but also helps them come

that “Individuals from the entertainment

up with ideas for new products. There were

sector have the advantage of closer

‘Pokemon Go’ printed t-shirts selling even

communication with users

before the online gaming app officially

through social media and they

released in Nepal. And with customers

can identify what’s trending,

sharing their experiences about the purchase

what is working well overseas

and products via comments, those interested

and at home.” Lex feels that

in buying can get reviews to help make

even without a designated

better purchase decisions.

social media manager, Nepali

Another organization creatively utilizing

celebrities are doing a good

social media, are the educators of Karkhana.

job of using social media in the

Unexpectedly, the education company

right manner. A perfect example

that offers an innovative co-curricular after-

would be Nagma Shrestha,

school program, have a few rules for their

Miss Earth Nepal 2014 and TV

teachers. Each day the teachers have to

presenter. She believes that

observe their students and try to perceive

models and beauty pageant

the viewpoint that various students come up

contestants have been able to

with. Using the photos clicked and videos

change the social perspective

recorded during the classes, the teachers,

about such careers by sharing with their

along with the help of the Karkhana Social

followers the journey and hard work that they

Media team, come up with an interesting

are involved in. Both these social celebrities

student-based photo story. They also

are confident Nepal is ready to come up

have started the ‘Bee Creative’ program

with a global viral Internet trend of its own.

which visits various schools to organize co-

35

l;=g+=÷btf{ g+= !@÷@$# . @)^(÷)%÷!$

facebook.com/buddhaair

@airbuddha

tips

@buddhaairnepal

Travel Before the Flight l When

you book your flight, please ensure

that the name you give is the same as the one in your valid Photo ID. l Check

that you have brought a valid photo

ID. l Your

hand carry luggage should not exceed

5kg. l You

are not allowed to bring restricted items

(as said by CAAN) on our aircraft.

At the Airport l Listen

to announcements and look at the

monitors for information regarding your flight. l If you

are a member of our frequent flyer

program – Royal Club, be sure to show your mileage ID at the check-in counter.

While Boarding l Board

& alight the aircraft one step at a

time. l Ensure

that your hand carry baggage is

securely placed in the overhead cabin or underneath your seat.

During the Flight l Listen

to the cabin crew when she is making

an announcement and giving a safety demonstration. l Be

sure to carefully read the safety card.

l Switch

off your mobile, or turn on your

airplane mode. l Ensure

you are buckled in safely

After the Flight l Check

that you have not left anything

behind in the aircraft.

Published by: Buddha Air Pvt. Ltd., Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, Nepal