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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



WONDERFUL CARVED WINDOW IN TEMPLE OF SWAYAMBU HILL, WHERE THE EYE 



ALMOST TIRES OF THE INTRICATE DESIGN 



To the casual observer Newar architecture often may seem over-elaborate, tedious, need- 

 lessly ornate. To the student it is as expressive of this oldest Nepal civilization as a 

 Roman arch or a Greek temple. Every iota of the complicated design has a meaning — 

 generally a religious significance. Its very intricacy is expressive of a people of many races, 

 whose tongues todav are as those of ancient Babel. 



Some of the semi-military pageants 

 end in the massacre of hundreds of buf- 

 faloes and indescribable scenes of blood 

 and dead animals. In one such ceremony, 

 known as the blessing of the colors, the 

 commander-in-chief dips his hands in a 

 bowl of blood and clasps each banner in 

 turn, thus imprinting on each the mark 

 of bloody hands. The scene is somewhat 

 revolting, but probably has its use in 

 keeping up a martial spirit in the army. 



Other processions are very picturesque, 

 flowers, flags, and banners playing a 

 prominent part. 



FEMININE FASHIONS IN NEPAL 



The Xepalese women wear yards upon 

 yards — sometimes as many as a hun- 

 dred — of fine muslin plaited to form a 

 huge fan-shaned bunch in front, the back- 

 being quite tight. When a lady of rank- 

 drives in her barouche she completely 



