Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka Photo scholarship 2011 entry https://journals.worldnomads.com/thaipusam/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:32:16 GMT World Nomads Adventures My name is Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka. My deepest passion is photography. There is one saying; to learn how to swim you have to dive into water. There is no other way. Self-growth is directly connected with the degree of drive, motivation and sincerity with which interest is pursued and managed. I don’t have formal education background in photography however I have learned photography through Internet and by watching loads of photographs. Why do I want to be a winner? As I heard about the WorldNomads scholarship my feeling is like “WOW”. That’s a terrific initiative by WorldNomads.com. I don’t want to miss a chance to learn about new culture and get a life time experience. My Future Plans: For me photography is a journey, a journey that has to be lived with passion. My future plan is to be the best photographer with a good spirit. I want my family, friends and my country to be proud of me. I am a dreamer. And my dream is to make a photography book about the people of Nepal and their culture and lifestyle. About the submitted photographs: This is a place where dreams are made or broke? In Nepal every year many young girls come to city from village as for to find better job to get a better life. But because of the poverty and noneducational they land into some of the worst job and this is one of them and the place where they work is like a hell but they have no choice. This place is full of bad smell, bugs and cockroach. They only work here because to fulfill there dreams. https://journals.worldnomads.com/thaipusam/photos/31882/Nepal/My-Photo-scholarship-2011-entry Travel Nepal thaipusam https://journals.worldnomads.com/thaipusam/photos/31882/Nepal/My-Photo-scholarship-2011-entry#comments https://journals.worldnomads.com/thaipusam/photos/31882/Nepal/My-Photo-scholarship-2011-entry Tue, 8 Nov 2011 05:18:00 GMT 0 Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February). The word Thaipusam is derived from the month name Thai and Pusam, which refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a spear so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. As a form of penance or sacrifice, many of them carry Kavadis (literally, "burden," such as a pitcher or jug). These are large, brightly decorated frameworks, usually combined with various metal hooks and skewers which are used to pierce the skin, cheeks and tongue. By doing this penance they expect some favors from their Gods. The Kavadis is placed on the shoulders of the devotee. The Kavadis represents a miniature shrine. Women carry a silver jug full of milk on their heads, some are pierced through their cheeks and tongues and others not. Chains are dropped from the central body of the Kavadis and hooked onto the flesh of the bearer. The length of the spears had to be limited to a meter in consideration for other devotees. Others hook limes, oranges or coconuts onto their bodies. They are always accompanied by an entourage of relatives and friends to make them enthusiastic with dance parades, songs, musicians playing the drums and the flutes. As they arrive at the shrine at the Batu Caves, the Swami removes the hooks, spears etc. The vow is finally fulfilled. Why should I be chosen? Because I want to explore things, not just explore but do keep a record of my experience to share with others and I have passion about photography too. https://journals.worldnomads.com/thaipusam/photos/25756/Malaysia/My-Photo-scholarship-2010-entry Travel Malaysia thaipusam https://journals.worldnomads.com/thaipusam/photos/25756/Malaysia/My-Photo-scholarship-2010-entry#comments https://journals.worldnomads.com/thaipusam/photos/25756/Malaysia/My-Photo-scholarship-2010-entry Sun, 17 Oct 2010 07:07:00 GMT 0