CULTURAL PRESENTATION OF NEPAL

Culture of Nepal

Nepal is a country filled with people of unique religions and 125 ethnic groups
which results in very diverse cultures where mainly culture is expressed through;
 Tradition
 Music and Dance
 Art and Craft
 Folklore
 Language and Literature
 Foods and Drinks.
Religion and Philosophy
Festivals and Celebrations
 Tradition
 The Nepalese tradition is a bright mix of its ethnicity and religion; every culture has its significance. The
Nepalese greet each other by joining two of their hands and slightly bowing down; this is called a
Namaste. Along with the Namaste comes warm greeting to guests who are regarded as gods and are
treated with great respect.
Following are the traditions done from birth till death:
 Nwaran or name giving ceremony which is done after the child is 5-6 months old.
 Pasni is the ceremony conducted when the child eats rice for the first time.
 Bratabandha is the ceremony done to to declare a boy as a man and Bel Bibaha is done for girls.
 Marriage Ceremony
 When a person reaches a certain age, Janku is performed. Jankhu is done when a person reaches the age of
77, 1000 months, 88, 99 and 110 years to celebrate his/her survival.
 After death, a ritual call Shraddha is done in which death is mourned the dead person's relatives for 13 days
by wearing white clothes and remaining pure.
Pasni Ceremony Bratabandha Ceremony

Wedding Ceremony Janku Ceremony

 MUSIC AND DANCE
 Various dances and music's are performed by people of various cultural groups. Each
performance signifies a particular reason to be performed. Some performances and their
significances are listed below:

Music Dance
Tamang Selo Dhaan Dance
Jhyaurey Geet Lakhey Dance
Purweli songs Deuda Dance
Maruni Dance
Holi song Jhijhiya Dance
Dhan Dance Lakhey Dance

Jhijhiya Dance

Deuda Dance Maruni Dance

 Language and Literature
Nepal and only in few parts is it not spoken. Because of the multi-ethnic
background of Nepal, The national language of Nepal is Nepalese or as the locals
say Nepali. Nepali is spoken throughout ere are about 123 languages at present, and
many remain unexplored! Likewise Nepal is rich in its literature.

Common Language Literary Figures

 Nepali  Bhanubhakta Acharya
 Maithili  Parijat
 Bhojpuri  Laxmi Prasad Devkota
 Tharu  B.P Koirala
Nepali script Newari

Maithili Bhojpuri
RELIGION
Since the declaration of secularism, Nepal has been very tolerant in the
matters of religion. Nepal welcomes new religions as it enhances the diversity
of culture in Nepal. Since ancient times Hinduism is established as the
dominant religion in the Nation. Following are the religions and the
percentage of people of that religion:
● Hinduism - 81.3%
● Buddhism - 9%
● Islam - 4.4%
● Kiratism - 3%
● Christianity - 1.5%
● Others - 0.6%
Nepalese Cuisine

The traditional staple food is Daal-Bhaat. This cuisine includes white rice with gravy
of lentils. Along with Daal-Bhaat, vegetable curry, also known as tarkari and meat
items are also served. The food, however, varies in different regions according to the
climate. Some of the common foods found in Nepal are listed below:
Dal Bhat
Yomari
Gundruk
Dhindo
Dal Bhat Yomari

Gundruk Dhindo
Festivals and Celebrations
Nepal is a country of festivals and celebrations. Some of the major festivals of
Nepal are listed below :
 Dashain
Tihar
 Chhath
Buddha Jayanti
Maha Shivaratri
 Christmas
Dashain Tihar

EID UL
FITR

Chhath
Loshar
 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
SITES
The UN governing body UNESCO identified World Heritage Sites as places that
belong to all the people in the world. Nepal also has few monuments inscribed on
the UNESCO World Heritage sites lists. These world heritage sites are amazing
man-made wonders. Some of these are over 2500 years old. Since many of these
sites inside Kathmandu valley are in close proximity, therefore, this helps you to
view them during a single day. Only three of the sites from Nepal listed in the
UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located outside the capital city.
PASHUPATI NATH

LOCATION : KATHMANDU

The Pashupatinath Temple is considered one of the holiest places for the
Hindus. It is located 6 km east of Kathmandu. The structure is a two-story
building and is built in pagoda style. The site is a collection of temples,
ashrams, images and inscriptions. The structures in this perimeter were raised
over the centuries and lies right beside the banks of the holy Bagmati river.
The temple has been on the UNESCO World Heritage sites list since 1979.
SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA

LOCATION : KATHMANDU

Syayambhunath Stupa is believed to be around 2500 years old and because

of this, it is considered probably one of the oldest monuments making its
name on the list. The structure represents the four elements of earth, fire,
wind, and water. The 13 rings of the spire symbolizes the 13 steps of the
ladder leading to Nirvana. There are 365 steps passing through which you
will reach the holy site of Swayambhunath stupa. The temple is listed in
UNESCO world heritage sites in1979.
 BOUDHANATH STUPA

LOCATION : KATHMANDU

This Baudhanath Stupa is one of the oldest and biggest

monuments enlisted in the UNESCO world heritage sites. The
structure was built around the 5th century A.D. It is a 36 m high
unique three-level mandala style structure. People following
Buddhist religion flock in thousands during the Buddhist festivities.
This monument is more or less similar to the Swayambhunath
Stupa
 KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE

LOCATION : KATHMANDU
This is an ancient royal courtyard which lies in the heart of the capital city,
Kathmandu. Another name for Kathmandu Durbar Square is Hanuman
Dhoka Palace. The latter is more of a popular name these days. This is the
ancient royal courtyard of the Nepalese royalty. There are many temples
which are dedicated to different Hindu deities. Most of the buildings here
were constructed from the 15th – 18th centuries. The palace is named after the
Hindu god Hanuman, who is regarded as the protector of the entire palace.
PATAN DURBAR SQUARE
LOCATION : LALITPUR

The Patan Durbar Square is situated only 8 km south-east of Kathm

city. This city is one of the oldest cities in Kathmandu valley. The cit
founded in the 3rd century. It is an open museum of the finest Newar
craftsmanship. The Hindu and Buddhist monuments are scattered ar
this ancient royal courtyard.
 BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE

LOCATION : BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE

The Bhaktapur Durbar square, also known as Bhadgaon, is a unique city

located 13 km east of Kathmandu. The complex consists of at least four distinct
squares. They are namely Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square,
and Pottery Square. The collective distinct squares is known as the Bhaktapur
Durbar square.