Introduction of Nepal

Nestled in the laps of the Himalayas between India and China, Nepal is the land of mountains that offers a panorama of unparalleled beauty and geographical diversity. Though small in size, Nepal proffers a wide range of diversity both geographically and ethnically in its flora & fauna, ethnic groups and various colorful festivals. Only in Nepal can adventure-seeking travelers raft through white waters of the valley’s swift rivers, trek along snowy, mountainous trails, or ride through lush foliage on the backs of immense jungle elephants.

Officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, Nepal has eight of the world’s 10 highest peaks including Mount Everest, the worlds tallest and Lumbini, the birth place of Gautama Buddha is yet another attraction.

The living goddess Kumari, yeti the abominable snowman and the home of the Gurkhas are some of the highlighting key points of Nepal where every day Nepal enriches its presence with the silence of abstractness and colors. To be precise Nepal is the kaleidoscope of culture and tradition that transcends from centuries where you can re-live history with in the temples and monuments.

History

Nepal was unified and envisioned by King Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1786, prior to that Nepal was divided in secular states and provinces ruled by various Kirats, Lichchavis, Thakuris and Mallas.
According to history, Nepal was ruled by the Kirats during the 7th century BC followed by the Lichhavi dynasty from the 2nd to 9th century AD. With the aftermath of power and culture the Thakuris took control of the country where their prominence was followed by the Malla kings. During the Malla regime the country went through a huge social cultural change where art culture and tradition flourishes and different form of social standards were set.

Another chapter in history marks the rise of the Rana’s. Junga Bahadur Rana, the then prime Minister started his own regime that lasted 105 years and witnessed various events and revolution.  The Rana took absolute power but continued to maintain the Shah family in the palace. The regime of Ranas came to an end due to their autocratic rules.  Ending the Rana regime in 1950 King Tribhuvan restored democracy. During this period the country went through bloodshed and killings. The shah dynasty was considered as one of the pivotal pillars of the country till 2001 when the entire family of King Birendra was massacred in June 2001. The Royal Massacre is considered as one of the black listed events in the history of Nepal. After the Massacre the prince Dipendra was crowned as King while he was on coma stage, later he died in hospital bed. After the death of Diepndra, Gyanendra Shah late King Birendra’s brother succeeded  as the King of Nepal.

King Gyanendra Shah was dethroned in 2006 by a decade long People’s revolution led by communist party of Nepal (Maoist) and which also established Nepal as a Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

People and religion: Eighty-one percent of Nepalese follow Hinduism, while nine percent follow Buddhism and four percent follow Islam. The population comprises various groups of different races which are further divided into different castes. The distinction in caste and ethnicity is understood more easily with a view of customary layout of the population. Nepal has 123 languages, which are being in used and spoken in different parts of the country. Majorly influencing the languages of Nepal closely resonate to the Indo-Aryan, Sino-Tibetan, Austroasiatic and Dravidian language families. The major languages that are spoken in Nepal are Nepali which is the leading language being spoken by a little less than 50% of the people as a mother tongue.

The different ethnic, tribal, and social standards of Nepalese people living in the different districts helped to expand languages, literature, and religion among themselves. Nepalese people also have many festivals that celebrate the deities the Nepalese believe in further showing the strength of the culture.

Economy:  Nepal is a developing country with an agricultural economy. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for three-fourths of the population and accounting for about one-third of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural products, including pulses, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. With an estimated 42,000 MW of feasible capacity, Nepal has considerable scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower but political instability hampers foreign investment. Additional challenges to Nepal’s growth include its landlocked geographic location, civil strife and labor unrest, and its susceptibility to natural disaster.

Investment opportunity: Nepal has huge potential investment opportunities.  Due to bad political condition and lack of stability, Nepal has not been able to use it resources.
Hydropower: It is estimates that Nepal has approximately 42,000 MW of economically feasible hydropower potential. However, the present situation is that Nepal has developed only approximately 600 MW of hydropower.
Tourism:  Rated one of the top ten holiday destination by Lonely Planet in 2013, Nepal is considered as one of the most friendly and naturally beautiful country in the world. Possessing 8 of the 10 highest mountains in the world, Nepal is a hotspot destination for mountaineers, rock climbers and people seeking adventures.
Transit Point: Landlocked in between China and India, Nepal has huge potent to exploit its location. Its location at times is its weakness but with diplomatic relationship there is a scope of   business opportunity if it could established itself as a Transit point in between the two super powers
Human Resource: Due to low cost human resource in Nepal is very cost effective. In the current trend  Nepal has been receiving a lot of outsourcing businesses in IT sector and technology field.

Spirituality: Nepal is considered as one of the epicenter of Spirituality, from the great gurus to the temples of the gods, Nepal has everything. This is the land that marks the birth of Gautam Buddha and this is the same land that holds the pride of Pashupatinath, Swyambhu , Boudhanath, and Muktinath. Nepal holds the key to meditation where different ancient forms of yoga are practiced and taught here.  One can gain control over compassion and selflessness, altruism, and the experience of inner peace through different ways of spiritual practices.

-Yoga
– Bipashana Meditation

Things to do in Nepal
Nepal is an adventurous holiday destination that has more things to do then to think about. You can enjoy and relax according to your will and interest from a wide variety activities.

Mountaineering: Mountaineering is an adventurous treat for adventure enthusiasts. Nepal has 8 highest mountains of the world out of 14 above 8000m offers the world highest mountain expedition. Mountain expedition in Nepal was opened in 1949 and since then it has become one of the popular destination for mountain expedition in the world.

Trekking: Nepal is known to be the best destination for trekkers in the world. Nepal has some of the most spectacular, exciting and breathtaking trekking routes that nowhere can be found in the world, therefore, Trekking in Nepal is the special for mountain lovers, to those who would like to discover the diverse range of flora and fauna, varieties of the culture or simply to have special holidays in the majestic mountains. Nepal’s prolific trekking routes are one of the main tourist attractions, offering breathtaking scenery and exotic wildlife.

Rafting : Best known around the world for white water rafting, Nepal’s thundering waters, are rated simply the best.  Major rivers of Nepal are sourced from Himalayas where Rafting is one of the most important tourism activities. Nepal is ranked 2nd largest country for water resources and has 1310 rivers among them more than 12 rivers are very popular for river rafting in Nepal. Some of the popular rivers for rafting are Like Trishuli River, Seti River, Bhote Koshi River, Kali Gandaki River, Marsyandi River, Sun Koshi River, Arun River, Karnali River ,Tamur River are major river for Rafting.

Jungle safari:  Jungle safari to view wild animals and birds of unique exposure is one of the thrilling experiences you ever have.  The tropical jungles of the Terai preserve some of the best wildlife habitat in Asia, while the high Himalayas makes up Nepal’s northern region, the southern flatland known as the Terai is covered with dense tropical jungle. Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Bardia National Park, Chitwan National Park and the Shukla Phanta wildlife reserve, offer jungle safari on elephant back or jeep rides.

Bungy: Located close to the Nepal-Tibet border, Nepal’s bungy jumping site is situated 160m over the Bhote Kosi River following into a gorge over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) from the river. It is a three-hour bus ride from Kathmandu. Bungy jumping at the Last Resort is one of the longest in the world. It is higher than the highest bungy in the New Zealand

Paragliding: Paragliding in the Himalayan region is a truly wonderful and fulfilling experience for the adventure seeker. Experience the unparalleled scenic grandeur as you soar over villages, monasteries, temples, lakes and jungle, while sharing airspace with Himalayan griffins, eagles, and kites. Paragliding is a seasonal sport; the flying season in Nepal commences in November, and runs through to February, the best months being November and December.

Zipline:  Zipline is one of the most popular adventures sport that ascending from top of the Sarangkot. With a vertical fall of 600 Mts the flyer speed reach upto 140kms per hour. It’s an exciting adventure sport that not only makes you feel different but has developed as a new passion for adventure enthusiasts.

Tips (Dos and Don’ts)

1. Greeting and showing respect, using both of your hands is considered a gesture of  friendship
2. Never point fingers at others, its considered ill mannered
3. Among Hindus, avoid touching women and holy men. press
4. Don’t eat with your left hand.
5. Never eat beef in front of Hindus & Buddhist because beef is strictly prohibited among both Hindus and Buddhists. Cows are sacred in Nepal.
6. Remove your shoes when entering a home , temple or monastery
7. Avoid eating from another person’s plate
8. Do walk around stupas clockwise, so that the outer walls are always on your right. If you encounter a stone wall covered with Tibetan inscriptions, do the same: Walk past with the wall on your right (and don’t take any of the stones).
9. Don’t lose your cool. Raising your voice or shouting is seen as extremely bad manners in Nepal too and will only make any problem worse.
10. Do get a receipt of in authenticity when purchasing an antique replica? Antique more than 100 years is considered illegal.
11. Don’t take photographs of locals, holy shrines & temples unless they have clearly given their consent.

Patan: Patan is a one of the largest cities in Nepal and is located just across the Bagmati River from Kathmandu. Also known as Manigal, it is best known for its rich cultural heritage, particularly its tradition of arts and crafts. It is called city of festival and feast, fine ancient art, making of metallic and stone carving statue. Patan Durbar Square boasts its status with temples, statues, and palaces and, in addition, has the must-see attraction of Patan Museum. As a traditional center of handicrafts, Patan is a great place to purchase jewelry, Buddha statues and masks.

 Bhaktapur: A 15 centaury Newari towns, Bhaktapur hold the life and presence of a cultural heritage and presence.  The third largest city in Kathmandu valley was once the capital of Nepal during the great Malla Kingdom until the second half of the 15th century. Bhaktapur is listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artwork.

Buddhism in Nepal: Beliefs and practices of Buddhism in Nepal date back to the time of its founder, Siddhartha Gautam who was born in about 543 B.C in Lumbini. For any Buddhist tourist, a journey to Nepal enhances their appreciation for its principles, beliefs and philosophies. Buddha journeyed from place to place, teaching and converting hundreds of followers and died at the age of eighty. His teaching and principles lives in the tradition and culture that has been passed. With the idea of generosity and the bliss of renunciation; the need for unity, simplicity and equality; the message of peace, compassion, wisdom and devotion and the need of the humanitarian services, Buddhism lauds its presence. Considering his great teachings, Buddhism is more in need and relevant today in this turbulent world than ever before in the history of mankind.

Some of the most memorable Buddhist sojourn in Nepal are Kapilvastu, Lumbini, Soyambhunath, Boudanath , Kopan Gompa and Seto Gompa. Approximate 26% of the population practices Buddhism, especially Tibetan form of Buddhism.

Swayambhunath: Swayambhu, meaning Self-Created or Self-Existent, the holy shrine is one of the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Symbolically marked with the two eyes, Swayambhu is believed to be god’s eyes seeing all perspective.

Bouddhanath:  Located about 11 km towards the northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the bouddha nath stupa is a massive mandala. The ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world and is recognized as a world heritage. It is believe that the Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters Kathmandu Valley. Built during the Lichhavi period, it has been renovated time and again and the present form of stupa was renovated in the 17th century.

Mt Everest: Located in the Himalayan region, with a peak elevation of 29,035 feet (8850 meters), Mt Everest is the world’s highest point above sea level. Often referred to as the “roof of the world”, Mt Everest’s location straddles the borders of Nepal and China. Mt Everest is also called Chomolangma, meaning “Goddess Mother of Snows” in Tibetan and Sagarmatha, meaning “Mother of the Universe” in Nepalese and is sacred to the native people. There are a total of about 15 recognized routes for climbing Mount Everest, but only two main ones. Out of the 5,500 people who have climbed Mt. Everest, 235 people have died on their attempt.

Lumbini: Recognized as the birth place of Lord Gautam Buddha, Lumbini is a world heritage site located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal. A major attraction of the place is the inscription on the pillar erected by the Mauryan Emperor Asoka in 249 BC which testifies the birth of Gautam Buddha in Nepal.

Lumbini is one of the holiest places of one of the world’s great religions, and its remains contain important evidence about the nature of Buddhist pilgrimage centers from as early as the 3rd century BC.  Currently established as a business city Lumbini hold the secrets of Buddhism which are yet to be discovered.

Contemporary Nepal:  Contemporary Nepal is an aspiration of the fresh blood who believes in making the country move towards the path of development. Looking at the current pretext development process in Nepal was never a challenge but the administration was always a problem.  Bad politics, corruption, manipulation etc are some of the hindrance where things are slowly and gradually changing.

The contemporary Nepal believes in the young and fresh energy and leaders who have envisioned and promised to lead Nepal to the next phase of development and prosperity. Contemporary Nepal is not just about problems but it’s about looking at the opportunities to strive back against poverty, hunger, corruption and bad politics. Contemporary Nepal is about you, me everyone associated with Nepal who believes to be lawful citizens of Nepal- in the making of good governance……..