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CHAUTAARA |
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A uniquely Nepali institution, the chautaara is more than just a
resting place - it serves important social and religious functions as
well. Every hill village has its chautaara, and you'll find them at
appropriate intervals along any reasonably busy trail. The standard
design consists of a rectangular flagstoned platform, built at just the
right height for porters easily to set down their doko, and sometimes a
smaller platform atop that. Two trees planted in the earthen centre
provide shade for all who gather underneath: passing strangers, old
friends, couples, village assemblies.
Chautaara are erected and maintained by individuals as an act of public
service, often to earn religious merit or in memory of a deceased parent.
Commonly they'll be found on sites associated with animist deities,
indicated by sindur -coloured stones. The trees, too, are considered
sacred. Invariably, one will be a pipal , whose Latin name ( Ficus
religiosa) recalls its role as the bodhi tree under which the Buddha
attained enlightenment. Nepalis regard the pipal, with its heart-shaped
leaves, as a female symbol, and women will sometimes fast and pray
before one for children, or for success for the children they already
have. Its male counterpart is the banyan ( bar in Nepali), another
member of the fig genus that sends down Tarzan-vine-like aerial roots
which, if not pruned, will eventually take root and establish satellite
trunks. A chautaara is incomplete without the pair; occasionally you'll
see one with a single tree, but sooner or later someone will get around
to planting the other.
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