Nepal is a tiny nation wedged in between China and India. Its culture is a blend of spiritual practices and customary traditions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and some other native beliefs. It has an impressive, proud history that still remains to this day.

Nepal’s architecture has been greatly affected by the intricate caste system of the nation. A social structure known as the caste system exists in Nepal and classifies people into many groups according to their occupation and social standing. The architecture of the nation has been substantially impacted by this system, which has been in place for centuries.

Caste System

In Nepal, the caste system has really shaped its culture, especially when it comes to religious buildings. The Brahmins, who are seen as the most righteous and pure people in Hinduism, often get exclusive access to these places that are decorated with beautiful carvings and designs. People consider them sacred.

In Nepal, the caste system has had a major impact on home architecture. Typically, homes of the upper classes are larger and more elaborate, often with multiple floors, big yards, and fancy decorations made with more expensive materials. Meanwhile, the homes of people in lower castes are much simpler and have basic furnishings; these homes tend to be smaller and less flashy.

Basically, the caste system has had a big influence on Nepalese architecture. It helped shape religious buildings and the look and features of private homes. Even though the caste system is no longer in place in Nepal, its effects can still be seen in the architecture.

Cultural Heritage

Religion is a major factor in Nepalese culture – Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam all have their own individual impacts on the country’s customs and traditions. It’s awesome how these three different religions all work together.

There are a ton of temples, monasteries, and other religious buildings in Nepal. Check out the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu; it’s amazing with its carvings and golden roof. And while you’re in Kathmandu, be sure to visit the Boudhanath Stupa, which has an incredible dome. An excellent method to connect with your spiritual side and learn about traditional values is to visit these locations.

Religion has been a huge factor in forming the cultural identity of Nepal. Building religious sites and celebrating festivals and rituals are all part of the country’s culture. It’s an essential element of Nepali life, even to this day.

Music

The madal is frequently used with religious tunes and hymns, as well as being played solo during special ceremonies and rituals. It’s said that the sound of the madal has a soothing, peaceful effect, and helps bring people closer to the spiritual side.

The bansuri is a big deal in Nepal, especially during religious rituals and ceremonies. People think the sound of the bansuri brings calm and serenity, so it’s common to hear it at yoga and meditation sessions.

In addition to the medal and bansuri, other traditional instruments that are used in religious ceremonies and rituals in Nepal include the sitar, a stringed instrument, and the harmonium, a keyboard instrument. These instruments are used to accompany devotional songs and hymns and are believed to bring people closer to the divine through their soothing sounds. Overall, musical instruments play a vital role in Nepal’s spiritual practices and rituals and are integral to the country’s cultural and religious traditions.

Nepal is jam-packed with ancient culture and religious belief systems, so it’s no surprise that festivals and rituals are such an important part of life there. It’s like a way of life for Nepalese people to express their values, beliefs, and traditions through these events.

Festivals

Nepal is jam-packed with ancient culture and religious belief systems, so it’s no surprise that festivals and rituals are such an important part of life there. It’s like a way of life for Nepalese people to express their values, beliefs, and traditions through these events.

In Nepal, Dashain is the most significant festival. It’s a ten-day event honoring the goddess Durga, where people worship her, carry out rituals, and exchange gifts. Tihar is the other big one; it’s a five-day celebration to reverence the goddess Laxmi, where oil lamps are lit and sweets are shared.

In Nepal, there’s so much going on all year round! From religious celebrations to cultural festivals – people come together to take part in activities like rituals, giving gifts and having a good time.

In Nepalese culture and religion, gathering together and honoring traditions are extremely significant. They have a wonderful chance to display their principles and ideas. Additionally, it’s a terrific opportunity for individuals to socialize and have a good time while still honoring their beliefs and traditions.

Architecture

Religion has had a big influence on architecture in Nepal. Hinduism and Buddhism have been the main drivers for the design and purpose of the buildings and structures in the country.

Religion has had a huge impact on architecture in Nepal, particularly when it comes to building temples and shrines. They’re usually very detailed, with lots of ornate decoration and intricate carvings and sculptures – a reflection of how important religion is to the Nepalese people. Temples are also built with specific gods in mind and are used for praying to them and offering them spiritual gifts.

Religion has a big influence on Nepal’s architecture, like the use of stupas. These Buddhist structures are meant to hold artifacts with spiritual importance. People also use them as spots to meditate or reflect in beautiful surroundings.

Religion has had an influence on the design of Nepalese homes and other buildings. You’ll find a lot of them with a little shrine or altar where people can say prayers and make spiritual offerings, which just goes to show how big of a role religion plays in everyday life in Nepal.

Religion has had a big influence on the architecture of Nepal – from creating temples and shrines to including small altars in homes, it’s impacted the design and purpose of buildings there. It’s clear that religion has been important in shaping the architecture of this beautiful country.

Ultimately, Nepal’s culture has been shaped by Hinduism, Buddhism, and other ancient beliefs, blending different practices and customs. Nepal’s culture is an amazing blend of different customs, from its caste system to the festivals, rituals, art, music, literature and ancient architecture. All these aspects together reflect the country’s past and its current way of life.

If you really wish to visit the locations mentioned above, we have got you covered.

Cost includes:

• Arrival & Departure transport via private Car/Van/Bus.
• Three meals per day throughout the Trip(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
• Accommodation during the trek.
• Nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu with B/B.
• Guide and a porter with Insurance, food, and accommodations.
• Sightseeing in Kathmandu or Pokhara valley with a car and tour guide
• First Aid kit.
• Trekking permit (Conservation fee).
• TIMS card (Trekking information management system) is like a permit.
• All needed government tax/vat.

Cost excludes:

• International Airfare.
• Your travel insurance.
• Sightseeing entrance fees
• Nepal Visa fee (US$ 50 for 30 days and US$ 30 for 15 days; you should get a visa open your arrival)
• Any kind of drinks, items of personal expenses like hot shower, battery charge, telephone, missing meal, WIFI Porters, etc.
• Tips for Guide and Porters

After you’ve enjoyed the thrilling and joyful experience, you can choose whether to visit other beautiful places in Nepal or head back home. No matter what you choose, we hope you have a fantastic time.

We can accommodate group tours for this trip; however, you may also opt for a private tour according to your liking. We can arrange private trips at any time of the year at any date of your choosing. Please let us know what your preferred travel dates are so that we can accommodate you.

 

 

 

Nepal is known as a land of vivid, colorful festivals. The Nepali culture has always been geared toward religion; thus, a festival begins with respect and prayers to a god, resulting in a family event everyone enjoys. 

If you’re oblivious to Nepali festivals, get ready for some of the most enjoyable times celebrating joyful Hindu festivity by traveling to Nepal. As a foreigner, you’ll surely enjoy most aspects of these festivals.

Nepal’s festivals often have a religious significance, and some of them commemorate mythological or epic events. Nepal is a country characterized by a variegated climate, abundant wildlife, and people who follow different cultures and religions.

Nepal has countless cultures and ethnicities, with people happy in their own communities. Each community in Nepal has its own distinct culture and traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation for centuries. Nepal celebrates more than 100 festivals a year, and each one has its own set of beliefs. In spite of these facts, they all come together to celebrate important festivals of the year. Dashain and Tihar are two of the most important Hindu holidays celebrated by the entire country without any religious issues.  

Major Festivals of Nepal

Dashain

Dashain, Nepal’s greatest festival, is the occasion for reunions with family, gifts, blessings, and sacrifices of farm animals. People honour goddess Durga, whose hor was crafted by other gods using weapons from all of them in Dashain. As a symbol of bravery and strength, animal sacrifices are made to Lord Durga for the happiness of the devotees.

The Dashain festival consists of several main days, including Ghatasthapan, Phool Pati, Mahaastami, Navami, Vijaya Dasami, and finally, the tenth day, on which the elder of the house gives everyone a Tika. Following this, people visit other elderly homes and get tikas and blessings. On the last day, which is the day of the full moon, people celebrate Kojagrat Purnima. Among Nepal’s major highlights of the Dashain festival are grand feasts, family gatherings, kite flying, and swinging.

Dashain usually falls on Ashok or Kartik, which equates to October or November. Dashain signifies the victory of good over evil.

Tihar

The festival of Tihar is also known as Diwali or Dipawali, which lasts for five days after Dashain. The first two days of Tihar are spent worshipping crows and cats, while the third day is devoted to cow worship. The fourth day is dedicated to worshipping Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, in the house with candles and lights. Oxen are worshipped on that day, and Govardhan puja is performed. On the other hand, the Newars celebrate the New Year on the fourth day of Tihar and practice Mha Puja. On the very last day of Tihar, a celebration of siblings takes place; Bhai Tika.

Along with the puja of various birds and animals, this festival is also known as the festival of light and happiness. Tihar usually lies in the month of Kartik or October/November.

Mha Puja

Mha Puja is observed by the Newar people on the fourth day of Tihar. According to Nepali Sambhat, this day is New Year. Newars observe Mha Puja in order to cleanse and strengthen the body and soul during ceremonial puja. Mandalas are painted on the floor in front of each family member. They follow different rituals in Mandalas and praise the body in which they reside.

Mha Puja signifies worshipping oneself to purify and strengthen one’s body and soul. Mha Puja falls on one of the days during Tihar that falls in the month of Kartik.

Nepali New Year 

Nepal is a country with a unique calendar that marks the beginning of the year from the first day of Baisakh. Baisakh usually falls in the second week of April, or it can change depending on the position of the stars. A special feature of Baisakh’s month is the availability of many seasonal fruits, especially jackfruits and mangoes. Accordingly, Baisakh’s name derives from the sun’s celestial position near the Bishakha star. Most south Asian countries use lunisolar calendars, starting the year in spring, unlike the Gregorian calendar, which starts in January. In addition to Nepal, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar use lunisolar calendars as well.

Mata Tirtha (Mother’s Day)

On this day, Mata Tirtha holds a special Mela in Thankot, Kathmandu, Nepal, which symbolizes the mother’s pure love, living mother’s devotion, and dying mother’s remembrance. The main objective of this festival is to pray for the long life of one’s mother. In Mata Tirtha, there are two bathing points, the lower one being bigger and suitable for swimming, and the upper one referred to as “Observing mother’s face” because it is believed that one could see one’s departed mother’s head in the reflection of the water. Nepal also celebrates this festival in the first month of its calendar.

The day is celebrated in honor of and in remembrance of a mother, wishing her a long and productive life.

Nag Panchami

Nag Panchami honors the Nagas, the snake gods responsible for Nepal’s rain. The festival celebrates the victory of an ancient king, who was also a Tantric teacher, over the nags responsible for stopping the hurricane. The Nags were pressurized into obedience by the king’s magic spells. As such, this day is regarded explicitly as the Nags’ adoration, a concession graciously granted by the conqueror. Nepalese purchase Nag portraits from the street stall the day before and display these on their windows and doors. Nepalese then perform a little puja and leave food offerings for the snakes in their yards and paddies. Nag Panchami usually occurs in July.

As per the Hindu calendar, the festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shravana.

Janai Purnima

Janai Purnima marks the switching of the Janai, the holy thread worn by Hindus on their chests. On a full moon day, thousands of Brahmins (Hindu priests) reside near the river to perform puja. It is called Gunhi Punhi festival by Newars from the Kathmandu Valley, where a soup made from different sprouted beans called kwati is served as the day’s special menu.

A sister ties a Rakhi around her brother’s wrist on this day, praying for his long and prosperous life.

Teej

Teej festival is celebrated by Hindu women by dancing to folk songs and wearing red and green sarees. It is a festival of Brahmins, but when Lord Parbati married Shiva after fasting and meditation, the festival became popular among women. A day before the beginning of the festival, women gather to feast. From midnight on, they begin their fasting rituals. A few days later, the bride’s mother sends food and sarees to her daughter’s house.

On the second day or the main day, many women visit the sacred Pashupati temple and worship Lord Shiva. Married women pray for a prosperous and happy life for their spouse, while single women seek a perfect partner like Lord Shiva. Normally, Teej falls on the third day of Bhadra Shukla Paksha, which is the third day of Bhadra according to the Nepali calendar or early September.  We provide packages that include treks, tours and festival package as well.

Cost includes:

• Arrival & Departure transport via private Car/Van/Bus.
• Three meals per day throughout the Trip(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
• Accommodation during the trek.
• Nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu with B/B.
• Guide and a porter with Insurance, food, and accommodations.
• Sightseeing in Kathmandu or Pokhara valley with a car and tour guide
• First Aid kit.
• Trekking permit (Conservation fee).
• TIMS card (Trekking information management system) is like a permit.
• All needed government tax/vat.

Cost excludes:

• International Airfare.
• Your travel insurance.
• Sightseeing entrance fees
• Nepal Visa fee (US$ 50 for 30 days and US$ 30 for 15 days; you should get a visa open your arrival)
• Any kind of drinks, items of personal expenses like hot shower, battery charge, telephone, missing meal, WIFI Porters, etc.
• Tips for Guide and Porters

After you’ve enjoyed the thrilling and joyful experience, you can choose whether to visit other beautiful places in Nepal or head back home. No matter what you choose, we hope you have a fantastic time.

We can accommodate group tours for this trip; however, you may also opt for a private tour according to your liking. We can arrange private trips at any time of the year at any date of your choosing. Please let us know what your preferred travel dates are so that we can accommodate you.

Finally, A festival is celebrated in Nepal with a mythological significance. Most festivals celebrate victory over evils. This is what provides religious belief for people in this generation. In general, a festival is a time off from a hectic daily routine. During the festival, people tend to get together and celebrate it together. For instance, elderly people give younger people Tika during Dashain, which brings about a sense of community.