About Nepal
Nepal Introduction
Nepal is a landlocked country with India in the southern, eastern, western sides and China in northern sides. Nepal has a great variation in languages (70 spoken), religions, ethnic groups (more than 61), geographic structures, occupation, culture and traditions - but a strong unity among these variations. Hence, we can find unity in diversity in Nepal.
The country has many ever flowing rivers, thick tropical jungles, greatest mountain ranges and different climatic conditions. Owing to its diversity, we find a special eco-system here. Various species of animals, rare in the world such as the one horned, rhino are also found here. Nepal has an astonishing collection of sightseeing and adventurous opportunities. The country is home to different kinds of butterflies & of birds also.
Nepal has a rich culture, tradition and numerous festivals. Different kinds of festivals are celebrated through out the year, based on the customs & beliefs in a particular area. The country is 1, 47,181sq. km in area and the capital city is Kathmandu. According census of 2001, the population of Nepal was calculated at 2, 31,51,423.
Agriculture is the primary economic backbone of Nepal. Farming is the occupation of more than 70% people in Nepal. Nepal has four major seasons, namely:
Winter (December-February),
Spring(March-May),
Summer(June-august),
Autumn(September November).
Light weight clothes are recommended for May-October. Warm garments are required during November-March.
Nepal History
It’s been claimed that when a great lake filled Kathmandu valley, it was exhausted by the patriarch Manjushree as he wanted to get a closer look of Swayambhu (adhi-buddha), the beautiful lotus flower blossoming on the lake. Similarly in another saying, there is a saint named ‘NE’ , thus named as "Nepal". Yet another claim says; 'Ne 'means wool &'pal' means' home'. Maximum wool was produced in Nepal during that era, so in the sense of 'home of wool', it was named Nepal.
However, the recorded history of Nepal started from around 800BC with the beginning of ‘Kirat period’, though this period developed after the Gopal & Mahispal periods. The history of Nepal started from the ‘Gopal period’. The Gopals were the first rulers according to the historical facts. Essentially, they entered Nepal from India. Their main occupation was rearing cows. They developed the concept of ownership very slowly. After them, ‘Mahispal period’ entered Nepal & ruled. Their main occupation was ‘Buffalo rearing’. Their concept of ownership is little bit advanced than the Gopals.
Kirat period (800B.C-300A.D)
After the downfall of ‘Mahispal period’, comes ‘Kirat period’ (800B.C-300A.D). Yalamber was the first Kirat king. During the Kirat period, there were 28 kings who ruled for another 1000 years. The significant event of that period is the birth of Gautama Buddha at the time of the seventh king. According to some accounts, Gautama Buddha spent time in Patan, where he bestowed the name of his own clan, Sakya, upon eminent blacksmiths and goldsmiths. the great emperor of India, Ashoka, came to Kathmandu during this period. Ashoka also visited Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, as a follower of Buddhism. Daughter of Ashoka married a local prince and spread the religion even further. As the Kirat dynasty came to an end in the valley, some parts still remained in the eastern mountains, where it is considered to be the forefathers of today's Rai and Limbu castes. The last king of Kirat period was Gasti.
Lhichivi period (300-1200A.D)
Lhichivi entered Nepal from India. After coming to Nepal, they were attracted by its monarchial system. They were probably the Rajputs of today's Bihar & Uttar Pradesh of India. Lhichivi period is also known as a golden era of Nepal. The first great historical figure, Manadev was also from the Lhichivi period, who introduced the first coin in Nepal. Amsu Verma was not a Lichhavi but he became the actual ruler in 602 A.D because he had married the daughter of a Lichhavi king Shivadev.
Amsuvarma was a far-sighted ruler. Due to his fine diplomacy in family connections, it helped to established and continue good relations with great countries like China & India. He gave and married his sister to an Indian prince and his daughter Bhirkuti to a powerful king of Tibet, Tsrong-Tsong Gampo.
Malla period (1200-1769A.D.)
The Malla period was a glorious era in the history of Nepal when trade & commerce, industry, religion & culture, art & architecture flourished and developed. The Malla rulers are also known as the incarnation of God Vishnu. They were Hindus but accepted Buddhism, shaivism etc. as well which shows a religious tolerance during that period. At that time, an aristocratic elites dominate the administrative feudal by their supremacy. By dividing society into 64(sixty-four) occupational caste, they had their own monopoly.
The most popular king of that period was ‘Jayasthiti Malla’. He codified the the Nepalese society in a mainstream of Hindu frame. Jayasthiti Malla built many temples and facilitated the development of art & literature. He was also an economic reformer and introduced a system of measuring land and houses. He ruled from 1354 to1395.
Another famous Malla king was Pratap Malla. He was influenced by religion, music, and the art of warfare. He was a Hindu, but he accepted other religions-Buddhism etc. He reconstructed the Buddhist shrine of Swayambunath. He built Krishna Mandir, the Shrine of Taleju, Rani Pokhari as well as Guheswari temple.
Jaya Prakash Malla was the last King of Kantipur, today known as Kathmandu. During his rule, Kantipur was attacked by Gorkha. He tried to save the valley from the assault by Gorkha, calling for unity among the three states around Kathmandu, but could not successed. Calling the army from the East India Company was also not fruitful and ultimately the war was lost to Gorkha. Fighting within his family was also partly to blame. Another king from the Malla period was ‘Ranjit Malla’, who was the last king of Bhaktapur. As a lover of rare and precious things, he added many courtyards at his palace. And to improve economic conditions in his kingdom, he imported silver exporting it as coins. ‘Aridev Malla’, ‘Yaksha Malla’ etc. are other kings from the Malla period.
Shah Period (1769 to date)
During the middle of the 18th Century, there were about 50 states in Nepal. The British Empire was colonizing India. King Prithvi Narayan Shah (from the state of Gorkha) believed that unless Nepal is unified, it is in danger of going into the hands of British India. He started the process by unifying the small states. In 1768, after ten years of preparation, siege and attack, Kathmandu fell to Gorkha on the day of the festival of Indra and the Virgin Goddess. Hence, Prithivi Narayan Shah is known as the creator of Nepal. He died in 1775 and was later succeeded by his son Bahadur Shah.
The new Shah rulers transferred their seats of power to Kathmandu. Altercation led to a two-year war with the British in between 1814 & 1816. Nepal was defeated and the Sugauli Treaty was signed in 1816, under which Nepal lost one-third of its territory. Another stipulation had it that British citizens would reside in Kathmandu which brought great resentment among Nepalese. The borders were subsequently closed to foreigners not to be reopened until 1951.
The then prime minister Bhimsen Thapa had to bear mortification from the defeat and he was arrested, locked up and subsequently he committed suicide in 1839. The period between1836-1846 is marked with confusion and intrigues. During that time Pandays, Basnyats, and Kunwars were fighting each other for power. In 1846, Jung Bahadur Rana declared himself as the prime minister and later "Maharajah" with powers (superior to those of the king). Then began the Rana period in Nepal which lasted up to 104 years. During this period, the country was kept in isolation and the people were deprived of political and social rights. The power structure and state money were expended for the self interest of the Ranas. The King was present but was kept under complete control of the Ranas. In 1850, Jung Bahadur visited England and France to seek foreign support for their system.
A "liberal" Rana prime minister proposed a new constitution offering a people's participation through an administrative system known as ‘Panchayat’. Village elders would solve problems locally with leaders elected to a national Panchayat. But this new idea was soon discouraged by a successor. The Nepali Congress Party under the leadership of B.P. Koirala began the movement against the Rana rule.
The rightful monarch King ‘Tribhuvan, defenseless in his palace, escapes to India under the simulation of pursuing in November 1950. The King returned from India and soon thereafter, the Ranas went to live in India. The period in between 1951 & 1959 passed with uncertainty as the King did not comply with his promise of holding elections for the constituent assembly. Finally, only under pressure from the parties, King Mahendra declared elections for the parliament in 1959.
The Nepali Congress unexpectedly got a majority in the new parliament. This led the King into doubt that he would be reduced to a ceremonial role and thus on 15 December 1960, banned the Nepali Congress and began a direct rule. Mahendra’s son King Birendra reinstated multipart after the movemenmt in 1989.
When the late King ‘Birendra’ and his entire family were killed on 2001, his brother, Gyanendra Shah became the king of Nepal. Gyanendra reinstated the parliament aftewr popolar struggle in 2006. In 2008, the newly elected constitution assembly declared the country a republic.
Nepal Religions
Nepal is a multi religious country. Different religious aspects exist here and a strong tolerance between all of them. For instance, Hindu people are often seen praying at the Buddhist shrines as well as Buddhists at the Hindu temples. At one time, Nepal was worldwide known as the Hindu kingdom. Hindu religion is based around a trinity of three deities- Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver) and Shiva (the Destroyer). Although Hindus in Nepal may pay an equal respect to all of these three gods as part of their religion, some may profess to follow either Vishnu or Shiva.
Nepal was a Hindu Kingdom until 2008 reflecting the predominant influence of Hinduism in Nepal. However, the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautam, was also born in Kapilvastu of Nepal – thus molding the culture of Nepal in its own unique Hindu-Buddhist blend. Muslims constitute the second largest population by faith. Then come the Christians and others like Sikhs, Roman Catholics, & the followers of new religions like Baha’i, etc. Thus, Nepal is a diverse country from religion’s point of view as well.
The regions and monuments like the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, the Pashupatinath, & the Buddhist monasteries Swoyambhu & Bouddhanath of Kathmandu have also been declared world heritage sites by the UNESCO.
Religion Quick Facts:
| Hindu | | 80.6% | |
| Buddhist | | 10.7% | |
| Muslim | | 4.2% | |
| Kirat | | 4% | |
| Christian | | 0.4% | |
| Jains, Sikhs, Bahais | | 0.1% | |
| Not related to religion | | 0.6% | |
Nepal Geography
Nepal is a multi-geographic country. It is located in the southern Asia, between the two large countries, China and India. Hence called 'Nepal is a yam caught between two rocks'. The total area of Nepal is 1, 47,181sq.km, where 92.94% is covered by land and the rest 7.06% is covered by water. It has 2, 926km total land border, where China touches1,236 km and India touches 1,690km. The climate varies from cool summers and severe winters in the north, to subtropical summers and mild winters in the south.
Topographically, it is Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north. The lowest point of Nepal is Kanchan Kalan measuring 70m and the highest point is Mt Everest, which is 8848m.The land used for permanent crops is 0.64%, arable land is 21.68% and others 77.68% according to the record of 2001. The irrigative land of Nepal is 11,350 sq km (1998 est.)Natural hazards of Nepal are severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, famine depending on the timing, intensity duration of the summer monsoons.
Nepal is divided into three main physiographic regions-Hilly region, mountainous region and Terai regions. The Terai region supports about 48.4% of Nepal’s population and a lot of the country’s cultivable land and covers 17% of the total area of Nepal. The Terai also includes the big cities: Nepalgunj, Birgunj, Janakpur, Bhairahawa, and Biratnagar. The hilly region covers 68% of the total area of the country and it supports 44.3% of the populations. This region includes Kathmandu, Pokhara, Patan, Gorkha and Jumla. The mountain region covers 15% area of the country. This region supports 7.3% of the populations and the region includes some of the world’s most famous mountains such as Mt. Everest, Annapurna, Gaurishankar, and Machhapuchre.
Topographically, it is Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north. The lowest point of Nepal is Kanchan Kalan measuring 70m and the highest point is Mt Everest, which is 8848m.The land used for permanent crops is 0.64%, arable land is 21.68% and others 77.68% according to the record of 2001. The irrigative land of Nepal is 11,350 sq km (1998 est.)Natural hazards of Nepal are severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, famine depending on the timing, intensity duration of the summer monsoons.
Nepal is divided into three main physiographic regions-Hilly region, mountainous region and Terai regions. The Terai region supports about 48.4% of Nepal’s population and a lot of the country’s cultivable land and covers 17% of the total area of Nepal. The Terai also includes the big cities: Nepalgunj, Birgunj, Janakpur, Bhairahawa, and Biratnagar. The hilly region covers 68% of the total area of the country and it supports 44.3% of the populations. This region includes Kathmandu, Pokhara, Patan, Gorkha and Jumla. The mountain region covers 15% area of the country. This region supports 7.3% of the populations and the region includes some of the world’s most famous mountains such as Mt. Everest, Annapurna, Gaurishankar, and Machhapuchre.
Nepal is divided into 5 development regions geographically which are-eastern region, central region, mid-western region, western region, far-western region. The Eastern region has a damp climate; on the contrary the far western region has quite a dry climate even during the monsoon seasons. The influence of the monsoon is less in the west and the climate is moderate in the central region. Nepal’s geographical outline is rectangular about 800km long and about 200km wide. Most of the rivers flow southward from the glaciers of Nepal to join up the Ganges in India; several rivers flow from Tibet through deep gorges in the main Himalayan range. There is vast diversity of forests, animals as well as people in this Himalayan kingdom. The Karnali is the longest river of Nepal. Similarly the largest lake is the Rara Lake. The geographic coordinates of Nepal are 28°00N and 84°00E.
Nepalese People
Nepal is a multi-ethnic society with more than 40 types of different races, tribes, & ethnicity constituting a population of more than 26 millions. A promising Nepali social researcher Dipesh Upadhyay calls Nepal a land of refugees. Dr. Stephen Bezruchka in his seminal travel book Trekking in Nepal also agrees that Nepal’s terrain was, “settled by peoples fleeing invaders from all directions” (p140). Nepal’s remote & inaccessible landscape has offered shelter to the victims of invasions & social turmoil not only from India in the south, & China & Tibet in the north, but from Bhutan & Burma as well. Thus people in Nepal can be variously categorized according to altitude, religion, and ethnicity.
The Hindus constitute the famous four caste people, but they take somewhat different names & forms in Nepal than India. These people carry a surname according their profession. Although Buddhists do not have systematic caste systems, some Buddhist Newars of Kathmandu have been carrying their surnames like Bajracharya, Gurubacharya, Tamrakar, Tuladhar which denoted their professions during medieval Nepal.
Brahmins (or Bahun in Nepali): These are the uppermost caste in the Hindu hierarchical caste system. Brahmins are mostly teachers, priests, & government officials.
Chetris: The Hindu people of the warrior Aryan caste. The Shah Kings, the Ranas, & the high-profile army postions are still occupied by the Chetris in Nepal.
Newars: The ethnic people from the Kathmandu valley. Most are the Hindus, but some are also Buddhist by generations.
Sherpas: Shrepa people are the original inhabitants of the Nepal’s side of Himalaya – different from Tibetans.
Magar, Gurung, Tamang, Rai, Limbu: These are the original inhabitants of mountain region.
Madhesis: The people of the Terai regions constituting both Hindus & Muslims of Aryan descent.
Tharu, Rajbansi, Danuwar, Majhi: These people consider themselves to be original inhabitants of the Terai.
Manangi & Dolpo: These are tribal people living in the isolated pockets in the valleys beyond Himalaya but inside Nepal.
The Hindus constitute the famous four caste people, but they take somewhat different names & forms in Nepal than India. These people carry a surname according their profession. Although Buddhists do not have systematic caste systems, some Buddhist Newars of Kathmandu have been carrying their surnames like Bajracharya, Gurubacharya, Tamrakar, Tuladhar which denoted their professions during medieval Nepal.
Brahmins (or Bahun in Nepali): These are the uppermost caste in the Hindu hierarchical caste system. Brahmins are mostly teachers, priests, & government officials.
Chetris: The Hindu people of the warrior Aryan caste. The Shah Kings, the Ranas, & the high-profile army postions are still occupied by the Chetris in Nepal.
Newars: The ethnic people from the Kathmandu valley. Most are the Hindus, but some are also Buddhist by generations.
Sherpas: Shrepa people are the original inhabitants of the Nepal’s side of Himalaya – different from Tibetans.
Magar, Gurung, Tamang, Rai, Limbu: These are the original inhabitants of mountain region.
Madhesis: The people of the Terai regions constituting both Hindus & Muslims of Aryan descent.
Tharu, Rajbansi, Danuwar, Majhi: These people consider themselves to be original inhabitants of the Terai.
Manangi & Dolpo: These are tribal people living in the isolated pockets in the valleys beyond Himalaya but inside Nepal.
Culture and Custom
Nepalis are highly cultural people – with systematic & organzined calendar for the rituals, ceremonies, festivals. Especially the Kathamandu Valley is famous for its own unique way of celebrating different Jatras or Festivals since the earliest history. The distinct festivals of Nepal give a new dimension to Hindu & Buddhist religions.
Nepalis are still deeply religious people – often to the extent of superstitions. A prominent Nepali anthropologist even blames the religious attitude of accepting all difficulties as divine will as the real cause behind Nepal’s underdevelopment. Whatever, Nepalis would like to see their culture respected by the foreigners who visit Nepal.
Marriage between two people is also a ritual affair. Most of the marriages are arranged & conducted during November & December, the harvest time in Nepal. It takes chanting of sacred mantras for whole the day to ritualize the marriage. Still, many foreigners find it romantic to wed in the Nepalese style.
Greetings: People fold both palms in front of their face, and say “Namaskar” or “Namaste” to formally greet others. The juniors by relation, age, or status are supposed to do a “Namaste” first to their seniors, & the seniors respond in the same manner. You also do the “Namaste” while saying bidding goodbye. However, these days the western or international custom of handshaking is getting increasingly popular especially among the younger generation.
Being vegetarian is not a problem as they are also well catered. In the big towns and cities, you can get virtually any kind of food you like in one of many restaurants, though western food is more expensive than local food.
The diversity in everything makes Nepalis are generally tolerant of others’ ways. However, sex is still a taboo subject in all cultures in Nepal. Baring one’s body in the public especially by the women is considered indecent behavior. Similarly, one’s expected to put off the shoes before entering the room. Public display of affection like kissing & hugging is also avoided.
Nepalis are still deeply religious people – often to the extent of superstitions. A prominent Nepali anthropologist even blames the religious attitude of accepting all difficulties as divine will as the real cause behind Nepal’s underdevelopment. Whatever, Nepalis would like to see their culture respected by the foreigners who visit Nepal.
Marriage between two people is also a ritual affair. Most of the marriages are arranged & conducted during November & December, the harvest time in Nepal. It takes chanting of sacred mantras for whole the day to ritualize the marriage. Still, many foreigners find it romantic to wed in the Nepalese style.
Greetings: People fold both palms in front of their face, and say “Namaskar” or “Namaste” to formally greet others. The juniors by relation, age, or status are supposed to do a “Namaste” first to their seniors, & the seniors respond in the same manner. You also do the “Namaste” while saying bidding goodbye. However, these days the western or international custom of handshaking is getting increasingly popular especially among the younger generation.
Being vegetarian is not a problem as they are also well catered. In the big towns and cities, you can get virtually any kind of food you like in one of many restaurants, though western food is more expensive than local food.
The diversity in everything makes Nepalis are generally tolerant of others’ ways. However, sex is still a taboo subject in all cultures in Nepal. Baring one’s body in the public especially by the women is considered indecent behavior. Similarly, one’s expected to put off the shoes before entering the room. Public display of affection like kissing & hugging is also avoided.
Nepalese Festivals
Besides, Buddha Jayanti (the celebration of the birth of Buddha); Maha Shivaratri (a festival of Lord Shiva, during Maha Shivaratri festivities, some people consume excessive drinks and smoke charas), ShreePanchami; NagPanchami; Teej; Maghe Sankrati, JanaiPurnima; Krishnaastami; Chaite Dashain; Kuse Aunsi; Guru Purnima; Mother's day; Father's day; Indra jatra; Ghode jatra; Buddha Jayanti, Holi etc. are major festivals of the country.
A short description of some festivals:
Dashain:
Dashain is the greatest festival of Nepal. It is also known as Bijaya Dashami. Nepalese celebrate this festival for quite an extended period of time during the month of late September & early October. The Dashain, is essentially celebrated for the ‘Victory over Evil’ and Nepalis worship the goddess Durga . Thousands of animals are scarified for the ritual holy bathing drenching the goddess in blood for days.
Tihar:
Tihar is the second biggest festival of Nepal. It is the festival of lights (also known as ‘Dipawali’), celebrated between October/November and goes around for five days, people worship Laxmi – the Goddess of Wealth during this festival. Every household is cleaned and decorated with a belief that Goddess Laxmi will enter the house, thus bringing more prosperity and wealth. People lit candles, oil lamps and these days other electric lights. The entire city brightens up with illuminating lights of different colours and it transfers into a vivid city of glowing lights. Fire crackers are also the integral part of Tihar when a numerous amount of crackers are lightened/used. During the five days of this festival’s, crows, dogs and cows are worshipped as well and honored with vermilion, garland and delicious food.
New Year:
It is known as “Navavarsha” in Nepal and usually falls in the second week of April. Nepal has its official calendar that begins from the first day of the first month Baisakh. This very first day is observed as Nepali New Year. People organize picnics, get-togethers and celebrate the day socializing in various ways and this day is also a national holiday.
Lhosar:
This is the New Year for Sherpas in Nepal and falls in February. Buddhist monasteries in Kathmandu especially in Boudhanath and Swayambunath are decorated with eye catching colorful prayer flags and people flock to these stupas/monasteries performing their traditional dances. They welcome their New Year organizing feasts and family gatherings, wearing new clothes and finest jewelries as well as exchanging gifts.
Weather and Climate
Nepal’s topographical boundary governs the climatic condition of this Himalayan Kingdom. Tropical, Temperate and tundra natures of climate are correspondingly encountered in its Terai belts, midland hills and the alpine regions.
Nepal has respectively four seasons in a year - winter, spring, monsoon and autumn. The most excellent time for nature aficionados to visit the country is during spring when flowers are in full blossom and mountain slopes are covered with beautiful and colorful flowers. This amazing spring season begins from early March and continues till late May. The days are clear; and sometimes clouds may disturb or heighten the mountain views.
Then the monsoon begins in late May and continues till late August.
The autumn season starts from September. It continues till late November. With temperate climate, clear blue skies and extraordinary mountain views, it is another finest season to visit the country when the trekking season will also be in full swing.
Winter begins in late November then continues till late February.
Nepali Seasons Months
Spring April-May
Summer June-July
Monsoon End June-Mid September
Autumn September-November
Winter December-January
Sisir(Windy) February-March
Nepal has respectively four seasons in a year - winter, spring, monsoon and autumn. The most excellent time for nature aficionados to visit the country is during spring when flowers are in full blossom and mountain slopes are covered with beautiful and colorful flowers. This amazing spring season begins from early March and continues till late May. The days are clear; and sometimes clouds may disturb or heighten the mountain views.
Then the monsoon begins in late May and continues till late August.
The autumn season starts from September. It continues till late November. With temperate climate, clear blue skies and extraordinary mountain views, it is another finest season to visit the country when the trekking season will also be in full swing.
Winter begins in late November then continues till late February.
Nepali Seasons Months
Spring April-May
Summer June-July
Monsoon End June-Mid September
Autumn September-November
Winter December-January
Sisir(Windy) February-March
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