Ten interesting facts about Nepal

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Nepal’s local name for Mt. Everest is Sagarmatha, or “goddess of the sky.”

2. The flag ofNepalis the only national flag that is not quadrilateral in shape.

3. Eight of the world’s highest peaks can be found in Nepal.

4. Kathmandu was once known as Kantipur, which means the “City of Glory.”

5. Touching anything with your feet is considered offensive in Nepal.

6. In the 1700s, Gorkha king Prithvi Narayan conquered Kathmandu valley without any bloodshed, by attacking while the people were celebrating the Indra Jatra festival.

7. There is a famous street inKathmandunamedFreak Street, where hippies lived in the 1960s and 1970s.

8. The abominable snowman, also known as the yeti, is a legendary apelike creature that is believed to frequent the high valleys ofNepal.

9. Greetings inNepalare similar to the greetings inIndia– people put their palms together and then bow their forehead, saying “Namaste,” which directly translates to “I salute the God in you.”

10. Sherpas, an ethnic group from the eastern mountainous part of Nepal, are usually employed as porters for mountain expeditions because, on account of their genetics and upbringing, they do not suffer the effect of altitude as adversely as other people do.

Nepal

Nepal

Nepal serves as the crossroads between the icy peaks of the Himalayas and the steaming hot plains of India. It is a melting pot of unique cultures, from yetis to yaks, Sherpas to stupas – all coming together to form a country that is filled with mystery and elegance.

The country boasts of three mini-kingdoms that once flourished in the Himalayas, right inKathmanduValley. The heritages of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur are preserved to this day, as tourists can observe in the art and architecture of the area.

Nepal is a magnet for mountaineers and trekkers from all over the world. A near-limitless number of mountain-climbing and trekking destinations, including the world-famous Mt. Everest, are available to anyone who wishes to indulge in these activities.

The Nepali are a wonderful and interesting people, and they are as diverse as their culture. The three ethnic groups that make up most of the population are the Chhetri (15.5%), the Brahman-Hill (12.5%), and the Magar (7%).

Hinduism is the most prevalent religion in Nepal, with 80.6% of the population as Hindus.

The official language of the country is also called Nepali. Almost half (47.8%) of the population are fluent Nepali speakers. Most people in business and government are also fluent in English.

Electricity inNepalis at 230V and 50 Hz. There are two types of plugs used in the country: type C (two round pins) and type D (three round pins in a triangle). If you plan on bringing electronic gadgets, keep this information in mind and don’t forget to bring the necessary adapters and voltage converters.

Quick Facts

Capital	Kathmandu
Languages	Nepali
Currency	Nepalese rupee (NPR)
Time	NPT (UTC+5:45)
Seasons	Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter
Ctry Code	977
Area	147 181 km2 / 56 827 sq mi
Voltage	230 V Frequency 50 Hz
Where to go in Nepal Kathmandu Kathmandu is the largest city in Nepal and the political and cultural center of the country. It is nestled within a large valley, providing a pleasant climate to residents and guests. There has been rapid expansion inKathmandufor the past few decades, mainly fueled by tourism. The hustle and bustle is typical of the city, but locals remain hospitable to tourists; do not be afraid to approach people and ask for directions whenever necessary. Remnants of Nepal’s golden age of architecture – found in the form of majestic palaces, crafty pagodas, and towering stupas – are all present in the capital city. The older part of Kathmandu, centered in Asan, is a maze of narrow backstreets where you can see a temple every 50 meters or so. In Kathmandu, ancient traditions of Nepal live on, co-existing with technological advancements driven by economic progress.Kathmanduoffers a unique blend of the past and present, brought together in a city that has its doors always open to tourists. Pokhara Valley Pokhara Valley, “the Jewel of the Midwest,” is one of the favorite destinations of tourists in Nepal because it offers the ultimate relaxation experience in the country. Pokhara serves as the gateway to the Annapurna mountain range, an ideal mountain hiking destination. The majestic Annapurna mountain range serves as a backdrop to the three serene lakes of Rupa, Phewa, and Begnas. The valley is also home to a slew of adventure sports that have caught on in recent years, including ultralight aircraft flights and paragliding. Bird watching, boating, and mountain biking are available to tourists as well. Tourists in Pokhara City experience a different side of Pokhara – a side that is warm and friendly, which is opposite to the cold and solitude of the mountains in the valley. Restaurants and bars are always crowded, and tourists can get their fill of local stories from the hospitable and friendly Nepali. Chitwan National Park Chitwan National Park is one of Asia’s best-preserved conservation areas. The park is a half-hour flight away from the capital city ofKathmandu, in the Tarai region of Nepal. The park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The natural habitats of the animals are left intact, serving as home to interesting wildlife, including over 450 bird species and some endangered species such as the Royal Bengal tiger. VisitingChitwanNational Parkgives tourists a safari experience like no other. Resorts within the park can accommodate guests and offer park activities such as elephant rides, jungle walks, and dugout canoe rides down the river. A visit to Chitwan National Park will show you the true beauty of nature, protected from the destructive tendencies of man. Pashupatinath Pashupatinath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the holiest and most important shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in Asia. Pashupatinath was built in the 5th century, and then later renovated by the Malla kings. It is one of Nepal’s largest temple complexes, stretching through both sides of the Bagmati River, a sacred river for the Hindus. The pagoda-styled main temple has a gilded roof, silver-covered sides, and high-quality wood carvings. Surrounding the main temple are several smaller temples dedicated to other Buddhist and Hindu deities. During the Shivaratri festival, a springtime celebration, hundreds of thousands of Shiva devotees visit Pashupatinath to participate in the worship of Shiva. Tourists are more than welcome to visit the temple complex; however, only Hindus are allowed to enter the chambers of the main temple. Changu Narayan The Changu Narayan temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This temple is dedicated to Vishnu, the Preserver. It is perched on top of a hill, standing over the Bhaktapur rice fields, and is visible from miles away. Changu Narayan can be traced back to the 4th century. A stone inscription dating to the 5th century proclaims the temple as one of the oldest ones inKathmanduValley. The temple houses wood, stone, and metal crafts that have lasted through the centuries and remain of excellent quality. Newari architecture and art from the early centuries are also showcased here. Guests to the temple will be able to see the ten incarnations of Narayan on the struts of Changu Narayan. In the temple also rests a stone statue dating back to the 6th century, which shows Vishnu’s cosmic form. A life-size statue of the half-man and half-bird vehicle of Vishnu can be seen kneeling in front of the temple  Boudhanath Boudhanath, standing 36 meters high, is one of the largest stupas in the whole of South Asia. It has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Boudhanath is considered to be Nepal’s center of Tibetan Buddhism. There are several monasteries surrounding the stupa. Boudhanath is a replica of Tibet’s Gyangtse; it was built following the form of a mandala. The stupa has an interesting location – it stands on used to be the ancient trade route from Nepal to Tibet. Tibetan merchants rested and offered their prayers here for many centuries. On top of Boudhanath is a square platform, the four sides of which are all painted with Buddha’s all-seeing eyes, symbolizing awareness. At ground level, Boudhanath features a brick wall that has 147 niches and 108 images of Buddha. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve attracts a significant number of migratory birds, so it doesn’t come as surprise that it is a famous bird-watching spot. Bird watchers who visit the reserve can catch sight of the Bengal florican, the sarus cranes, and more than 440 other bird species, including migratory birds from Tibet and Siberia. The reserve is also one of the last habitats in the world of the wild water buffalo, the Arna. Other residents of the reserve include crocodiles, pythons, jackals, wild boars, and the endangered Gangetic dolphins, which can occasionally be seen in the river. Kathmandu Durbar Square Kathmandu Durbar Square is located at the heart of Kathmandu City in Basantapur. The rich history of the area and the intricacy of the wood carvings found here never fail to impress tourists. Tourists will appreciate how this historic complex has remained unfazed by the rapid development of the city that surrounds it. It used to be the residence of the royal family of Nepal, and all the coronation ceremonies took place here. Within the vicinity are 50 temples, one of which is the temple of Taleju Bhawani, the titular deity. The Durbar has two courtyards. In the outer courtyard are the Kasthamandap, Kumari Ghar, and the Shiva-Parvati Temple. The inner part consists of the Hanuman Dhoka and the complex’s main palace. Some floors of the palace are now museums, which are meant to honor three generations of Shah kings. Throughout the week, most parts of the palace are open to tourists. Lumbini Lumbini, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, has a significant religious and archaeological importance – it is believed that Prince Siddhartha Gautam, who would later on become Buddha, the Enlightened One, was born in one of its gardens in 623 BC. The main shrines of Lumbini are the newly restored Maya Devi Temple; the Ashokan Pillar, which is located behind the temple; and the Lake Shakya Puskarini, where Maya Devi is believed to have bathed before she delivered Buddha into the living world. The Maya Devi Temple was excavated several years ago and is dedicated to Maya Devi, the mother of Buddha. The sculptures and carvings in the temple are intricate and interesting – their designs and figures seem to be embedded into the stone. The Ashokan Pillar, erected by the Indian Emperor Ashoka in 245 BC, marks the Lumbini Garden. A stone specifying the exact birthplace of Buddha can be found here. Ilam The Ilam area has always been associated with tea. In fact, the mere mention of Ilam already makes some people think of the famous Nepali tea. But aside from producing this favorite beverage, Ilam is also a producer of superb cheese. It also provides a great view of Mt.Kanchenjunga, one of the highest mountains in the world. Ilam has topography of several rolling hills, with a fresh, misty weather. The region is covered in lush bushes of green tea, which are grown only three feet tall. Some of the tea estates in Ilam allow guests to go on a tour around their gardens. Guests can also visit the factories, where tea leaves are fermented, roasted, rolled, cut, and sorted.	C D M