Nepal Archives - Nepal Hiking Adventure

Nepal, a former mountain monarchy, has now become a nation of democratic republics. This Himalayan country is considered as one of the world’s best trekking and mountaineering destinations. It's probably the only country in the world that draws thousands of trekkers and mountaineers to discover and experience the hidden treasures of nature every year. Wedged between India and Tibet (China), this low, mountainous country is home to half of the 8000 m peaks worldwide including Mount Everest. This small country provides an amazing habitat diversity, dense tropical forests full of flora and fauna, thundering rivers, ice-blue lakes, wooded hills, arid deserts and frozen valleys all within a distance of 147,181 sq. Km with a number of topographies and climates, from the freezing high Himalayas to the hot and humid southern plains.

The temples and ancient palaces packed with architectural values give a glimpse of the people's craftsmanship and artistic creativity then and now. Numerous religious and social festivals are held throughout the year, as these festivals are the unavoidable and beautiful part of people's religious and cultural heritage from time immemorial. The people's smiling and welcoming attributes add more meaning to the hospitality to give the guests the feeling that a homely atmosphere awaits them in this beautiful and enchanting land of legends and myths.

People of Nepal

Nepal is a melting pot of people from many castes and ethnic groups. All these diverse casts and ethnic groups of people, with a population of twenty-five million, live in different regions, following different costumes and speaking different dialects. But Nepali is their common language.

Each region is represented by specific ethnic groups whose farming and lifestyles are adapted to suit their environment's physical constraints. People are monologs of Tibetan descent in the Himalayan region. In Nepali they are known as bhote. We find Kirati people known as Rai, Limbu ethnic groups in the east of the midlands region. Tibetan-Burman language is spoken. We find Hindu-born Tharus, Muslim and many other ethnic groups of people in the Terai region.

Anthropologists divide the Nepalese people into around 90 ethnic or caste groups with their own culture and traditions. Each ethnic group prides itself on its heritage. A lot of people use their ethnic group, caste, or clan name as their surname. The caste system is based on occupational works such as Brahmins (Hindu Priests), Chhetris (hill farmers and soldiers), Newars (Kathmandu Valley's original inhabitants), Thakalis, Gurungs, Rais, Limbus, Tamangs, Magars, Potters, butchers, blacksmiths, cobblers, goldsmiths, washers of clothing, etc.

Culture

Customs and traditions vary from one region of Nepal to the next. A conglomeration exists in Kathmandu, the capital city, where cultures combine to create a national identity. Since the unification of Nepal in the 18th Century, Kathmandu Valley has served as the cultural metropolis of the world. Religion is a dominant factor in daily life in a Nepali. Adding spice to Nepalis life are year-round festivals that they celebrate with great pomp and joy. Meat plays an important role in these festivals.

Religion

Parliament proclaimed Nepal a secular country on 18 May 2006. The following are classified as religions practiced in Nepal: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism, Bon, ancestor worship and animism. Nepal's majority are either Hinduism, or Buddhism. Through the ages the two co-existed in peace.

Buddha is commonly adorned by both the Buddhists and Nepalese Hindus. The five Buddha’s of Dhyani; Vairochana, Akshobhaya, Rathasambhava, Amitabha, and Amoghasiddhi represent the five fundamental elements: earth, fire, water, air, and ether. Such deities are described by Buddhist philosophy as the embodiments of Sunya, or total void.

Hindu Nepal's adoration of the Vedic gods of antiquity. The Creator Brahma, the Preserver Vishnu and the Destroyer Shiva are worshiped as the Holy Hindu Trinity. Men in most Shiva temples pray to the Shiva Lingaa, or Lord Shiva's phallic symbol. Shakti, the complex dimension within Shiva's female counterpart, is highly respected and feared. Some of the names given include Mahadevi, Mahankali, Bhagabati, Ishwari. Kumari, the Goddess of the Sun, represents Shakti too. Ganesh for luck, Sarasvati for wisdom, Lakshmi for prosperity and Hanuman for protection are other common deities. Krishna thought to be Lord Vishnu's human incarnation is also commonly worshipped. Hindu holy scripts Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana and Mahabharata are widely read in Nepal. Vedas, Upanishads and other holy scriptures are read by well learned Brahmin Pundits during special occasions.

Customs

The diversity in Nepal again makes room for different sets of customs in terms of ethnicity. Most of these rituals return to Hindu, Buddhist or other religious traditions. Of particular interest are the laws of marriage, among them. Traditional marriages allow for parent-arranged agreements after the boy or girl has come of age.

Nepalese aren't eating beef. This has many explanations, one being that the Hindus worship the cow. Nepal's national animal is likewise a donkey. Another interesting concept between Nepalese is a division between pure and impure. "Jutho," referring directly or indirectly to food or substance touched by another's mouth, is deemed impure by Nepalese. Nepalese considers cow dung pure for cleaning purposes. Women are considered impure during menstruation, and are thus kept in solitary confinement until their fourth day purification bath. Nepal reflects a patriarchal society. Men tend to go to work while women are homemakers. Roles can vary in cities, however. Most Nepalese stand by the caste system in living habits and marriage. Rural Nepal is mostly agrarian, while some facets of municipal life carry glamor and glamour of the ultra-modern world.