One nation where the effects of modernity or globalization have not readily penetrated in Nepal. Nepal is a multiethnic country whose old religions, a vast natural environment, and enormous mountains have greatly influenced Nepali traditions. It is currently the leading tourist destination in the world.

An Extreme Territory among Giants

Geographically, the nation is a landlocked state because it shares borders with two enormous Asian nations: the People’s Republic of China in the north and India in the south. The nation is situated in the Himalayas. Nepal is a little country compared to its enormous neighbors, yet it has a vast variety of landscapes, from the Terai’s humid, forested plains to the planet’s highest and iciest mountain peaks, creating a unique extreme environment.

The Highest Mountains on Earth

The stunningly mountainous nature of Nepal is characterized by its eight of the ten highest peaks in the world—the “Eight-thousanders”—which are higher than 8000 meters (26,247 feet) above sea level. Mount Everest, the Earth’s highest mountain and the most famous mountain in the world, is at an elevation of 8848 meters above sea level.

Mount Everest – 8848 m
Kanchenjunga – 8586 m
Lhotse – 8516 m
Makalu – 8481 m
Cho Oyu – 8201 m
Dhaulagiri I – 8167 m
Manaslu – 8156 m
Annapurna I – 8091 m

The Deepest Canyon On Earth

Nepal is typically thought of as having extremely high heights, but few people are aware that the country also has extremely low points, as evidenced by the existence of the Kali Gandaki Canyon, the second-deepest canyon in the world at 4,375 meters. The Kali Gandaki River, which flows over the Himalayas between the world’s two highest summits, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, both over 8,000 meters high, forms this canyon.

Nepal’s Capital Was Once A Lake

Both their folklore and their geological research provide evidence that Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, was originally a lake. According to Nepalese folklore, Manjushri arrived in Kathmandu and, upon seeing the enormous lake, used his powerful sword to sever the Chobham’s crest and drain the waters, allowing civilization to flourish in the fertile sacred valley. The Kathmandu valley was once a lake, according to extensive geological evidence, but, in contradiction to mythology, experts believe the lake was not completely drained at once but rather in stages over 15,000 years.

Hinduism Is The Most Important Religion In The Land Of Buddha

Although the Nepali village named ‘Lumbini’ is the Buddha birthplace ‘Siddhartha Gautama’ and the Buddhist foundation, Today the beliefs and practices of Hinduism have had a major impact on Nepalese society. Until 2006, Nepal was the only state in the world with Hinduism as the official religion, where 80.6% of the inhabitants are Hindu, 10,7 % constitute Buddhists, 4.2% Muslims and 3.5% other religions according to the census carried out in 2001.

The Legend Of Yeti, The Abominable Snowman

Without discussing this creature, known as the “Yeti” or “Jigou” by the Himalayan Tibetans, which has been described as a bipedal creature that leans slightly forward, any discussion of intriguing facts about Nepal would be incomplete. Even though some monks claim to have the bones of this creature, many scientists do not believe these samples to be trustworthy. As a result, there are only reports and legends that describe the creature as a gigantic bipedal ape that is thought to be hiding in the Himalayan wooded areas.

Home of Endangered Animals

Chitwan National Park in Nepal, sometimes known as “the heart forest,” is home to a variety of fascinating creatures, including the red panda, elongated tortoise, marsh crocodile, gavial, snow leopard, Asian rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, Ganges dolphin, king cobra, and Indian python. As one of the few surviving refuges for Bengal tigers and one of the few populations of Asian one-horned rhinoceros, the park has taken preservation and relocation measures in response to the regular danger of poachers.

The Greatest Concentration Of Places Recognized By UNESCO

The greater concentration of UNESCO-recognized cultural treasures in the Kathmandu Valley—consisting of seven groups of monuments and structures that collectively symbolize all of Nepal’s historical and artistic endeavors—distinguishes the region. On the other hand, Nepal, whose land is so small, is thought to have the highest concentration of global heritage because it has four locations that have been designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.

The Fearsome Gurkhas At Service Of the United Kingdom

They stand out as ferocious fighters who serve in specialized divisions of the British and Indian armed services. These troops are from the village of Gurka. The British East India Company hired the Gurkhas with the approval of Prime Minister Shree Teen Maharaja Jung Bahadur Rana as mercenaries organized in regiments within its army after meeting with them twice, starting the Anglo-Gurkha War from 1814 to 1816, and then sparking the Gurkha rebellion and defeat in Makwanpur in 1816.

The British were impressed by the skills and bravery of these people. The Khukri, a weapon developed by the Gurkhas and used in the First and Second World Wars as well as the Anglo-Nepalese War, is another well-known weapon.

Nepales Eat Every Day Dal Bhat

A typical Nepalese dish made with rice and lentils (Dal) (Bhat). Since the Dal is prepared with tomatoes, onion, chilies, and ginger along with herbs and different spices like coriander, garam masala, and turmeric, the preparation of Dal Bhat is quite typical of this nation. Because it is an inexpensive, nutrient-dense meal, this dish is typically eaten both for breakfast and dinner.

The Calendar in Nepal

Because each lunar month has 29 or 30 days depending on the Moon’s movement, the Nepalese calendar, or Bikram Sambat, includes both elements of the lunar and solar calendars. As a result, every year the first date of the year varies but always occurs on the first day of April according to the Gregorian calendar, where each year has 354 days.

As a result, this calendar has an intercalary month every three years. Therefore, using the official Bikram Sambat calendar, the Gregorian year 2018 is equivalent to the year 2074.

Although the Nepalese calendar is the most widely used and the official one in the nation, it is not the only one because other castes and peoples also follow their customary calendars as a result of the country’s ethnic and religious diversity.

Tej Bahadur Gurung

With an experience of almost two decades, founder Mr. Tej Bahadur Gurung has established Nepal Alternative Treks as a widely recognized and reliable tourism operator. His degree in Tourism Studies and devotion to the sector has given him in-depth knowledge about trekking, climbing, cultural, and geological aspects of the country. He is a pioneer in introducing the concept of ‘off-beaten tracks’ and ‘alternative routes’ as well as treks and tour packages surrounding it.