Kalpit Parajuli

The celebration took place on Saturday in the streets of Kathmandu. Christians, but also many Hindus and Buddhists, marched carrying candles, pictures of the pope and Jesus.

The results are preliminary, but exit polls point to third place for the Unified Communist Party of Nepal ( UCPN -M ). Victory for Congress Party (Socialist and Democrat) , followed by the Communist Party. Prachanda , Maoist leader, announces they “do not accept the vote".

Thousands of Catholics and Protestants took part in prayer vigils for peace defying the general strike imposed by the Maoist extremist wing . Many people walked for hours to reach the places of worship. The appeal of Christian leaders to dialogue and peace ahead of tomorrow's elections .

The aim is to ensure security ahead of elections in Nepal. From 17 to 19 November (election day) no one can cross the border. The border with China remains open.

Assaults, arson and bombings are reported across the country. Two buses are bombed in the capital, critically injuring three passengers. On 19 November, Nepalis are called to elect a new Constituent Assembly. Ahead in the polls, Nepal's Maoist party is embroiled in a scandal over leader Prachanda's passion for luxury and excess.

As winter sets in, hundreds of people are poisoned by home-made alcoholic beverages. In the southern part of the country, six people recently died from drinking methyl alcohol used against the cold. For many people, the deaths were caused Hindu evil spirits.

Mgr Anthony Sharma, bishop of Kathmandu, stresses the importance of a new constitution to give voice to religious minorities. The 134 parties vying for votes on 19 November are too many and do not guarantee stability. Fears follow a wave of attacks by extremist groups opposed to a renewed Constituent Assembly.

Chhath celebrations got underway today until Sunday. The festival, which is dedicated to Surya the sun god, is celebrated by a Hindu minority and some Muslims. According to tradition, it focuses on strength and power to resist oppression. However, immersion in polluted rivers and other bodies of water can cause illnesses.

As Hinduism's main celebration, the 'festival of lights' is a magnificent event but costs too much. Neither India nor Nepal are self-sufficient in energy. India imports from Bhutan whilst Nepal imports it from India. On the fifth day, love brothers and sisters is celebrated.

Jesuit Father William Robins has lived in Nepal for 36 years: "The situation in the country has improved, but we have to work even harder to transform our example into a seed that will lead to vocations and interreligious respect. Experiencing Christian joy is the key to transforming society, still too rooted in superstition and discrimination. "

Extended to public schools in the country's north and west, the ban touches teachers as well. Those who refuse to comply risk expulsion from their villages. For Hindu leader Chintamani Yogi, the practice is phony and "is not part of Hindu tradition."

Police arrested the men during a raid against a mosque in Bara (southern Nepal). For the authorities, they were not involved in religious activities, but in "illegal work". For the country's Muslim community, the government violated 'religious freedom'.