10 Facts about Nepal

Nepal is a mountainous country located in South Asia. It is a small landlocked country between two giant countries: India and China. The Country is rich in natural resources and culture. I have compiled a list of interesting facts about Nepal, some of which are well known and others are downright bizarre!

1. A country with a unique flag

Nepal is the only country in the world with a non-rectangular flag. Nepal's flag comprises two triangles with a crescent moon on the top and a sun on the bottom. It has a spectacular crimson-red color and blue outline. The two triangles symbolize the Mountains, and the celestial bodies moon and the sun symbolize the permanence of the nation signifying that she will remain untouched till the moon and the sun remain in the sky. The crimson color represents the nation's national color or the color of her national flower: the rhododendron and the blue represents peace as it is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.

2. Land of the living goddess; Kumari

Nepal, despite being a small country located between two giant countries, India and China is prosperous in cultures and traditions. Among all those cultures, Nepal has one of the unique cultures of worshipping young girls as “Kumari,” which means “Virgin goddess.” The Hindu tradition of worshiping virgin girls is approximately 2000 years old. The tradition is supposed to have been started by the King of the Malla dynasty. The King was worried about his success, and one day he dreamt about Goddess Taleju asking him to worship young virgin girls, whose blessings are supposed to protect his regime. So, he built the palace for Kumaris in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. The Newars pride themselves on preserving one of the age-long cornerstones of worshipping young girls as a goddess. Not all the girls are eligible to be Kumari. The girls are only selected from the Shakya caste of Buddhist Newari people. The qualified girls are then examined for the thirty-two bodily perfections i.e. 32 lakshen, which includes the complete absence of scars, or bodily marks, the body like that of a banyan tree, which symbolizes immortality, the heart of a lion, which symbolizes boldness and pride, and so on, based on her horoscope. The girl thus selected as Kumari should live in the Royal Palace, which she is not supposed to leave until she has reached puberty. She is always dressed in red and has a symbolic fire eye painted on her forehead. She could meet her family members once a week, but most of the time her days are filled with ritual ceremonies. She could only leave the palace during the ceremonial events where her attendance is required in a golden palanquin because her feet must never touch the ground during the tenure. She is supposed to act as a powerful goddess, and should not cry or smile. Although Kumari is selected from the Buddhist Newari people, the institution is mainly a Hindu one and thus Kumari serves as a most significant symbol of unity in a country of such diverse cultures as every people from the nation despite their religious and ethnic background worships Kumari as a sacred goddess

3. Birth Place of Gautam Buddha

Siddhartha Gautam, known widely around the world by the name "Gautam Buddha" was born in 623 B.C. in Lumbini, Nepal. The commemorative pillar erected by the Indian emperor Ashoka, and the archaeological remains of stupas recording back to the 3rd century BC to the 15th century AD are evidence to prove the testimony. Lumbini is considered to be one of the holiest and most significant places in the world. Despite Nepal being a predominantly Hindu nation, Buddhism has a very special place in the country and many people practice both.

4. Home to Eight of the world's tallest mountains

Nepal contains some of the most difficult mountain terrains in the world. Nepal is home to almost 1320 mountains. Approximately 75% of Nepal is covered by the Himalayas. Nepal is home to fourteen peaks higher than 7000m, and 8 of the world's tallest mountains above 8000m including Mount Everest, which is the world’s highest mountain. Mt. Everest is the English name given to the mountain. The Nepalese people call the mountain by its original and native name "Sagarmatha" which translates to "Forehead of the Sky".

5. Highest altitude lake in the world

Nepal not only has the highest mountain, and deepest canyon but also has the highest-altitude lake in the world. Like common, leave something for other countries? Anyway, lake Tilicho located in the Manang district of Nepal is currently the highest-altitude lake in the world with an elevation of 4,919 m.

6. Deepest Canyon on earth

People mostly think about mountains, and altitudes when they hear about Nepal. Interestingly, Nepal also has one of the deepest canyons on earth. The Kali Gandaki Gorge in Nepal is one of the world's deepest canyon at a height of 5,571 m formed by the Kali Gandaki River. The gorge divides two massive mountains; Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. This gorge is a popular place among locals to find sacred stones called "Saligrams" which are valued more than gold for their unique properties.

7. Nepali calendar

Nepal is one of the few countries in the world which have not adopted the Gorgein calendar. Nepal uses two different calendars: Nepal Sambat and Bikram Sambat. Nepal Sambat is the lunisolar calendar used by the Newari people of Nepal. It is believed that the Nepal Sambat calendar started during the rule of Lichchhavi King Raghavdev in 880 AD and the current year 2023 corresponds to the year 1143 on Nepal Sambat.

Bikram/ Vikram Sambat on the other hand is an ancient calendar of the Hindu tradition and the legal calendar of the country. The Hindu New Year Vikram Samvat begins with the new moon of the month of Chaitra which falls around Mid- April. Nepal recently celebrated its New Year 2080. The calendar is approximately 56 years and 8 months ahead. Way to go ahead!!

8. Never colonized

Nepal is the oldest sovereign country in South Asia. Unlike its neighbor India which was under British colonization for the longest time, Nepal has no history of colonization. The forests of the Terai, and mountains made it difficult for the British to try and navigate the place. Nepal did have a war with the East India Company known as the "Battle of Nalapani". Despite considerable odds, the warriors of Nepal held out against the British troops for over a month. So the British changed their approach and decided to cut off the only water supply of the fort. However, the unwavering loyalty and fighting spirits of Gurkhas fought their way through the siege.

9. Fearsome Gurkhas

The Gurkhas also pronounced as Gorkhali in Nepali are soldiers from Nepal. The British first encountered Gurkhas during the Anglo-Nepalese war and were fascinated by their honorable tactics, loyalty, and military abilities despite the lack of resources. The Sugauli treaty ended the war between the East India Company and Nepal in 1816 enabling the British to officially recruit Gurkhas. They are still renowned for their bravery, loyalty, and professionalism earning numerous Victoria crosses.

10. Elephant polo

Polo but with elephants sounds pretty cool to me. Elephant polo is one of the rare and adventurous games that originated in Nepal. This game is similar to horse polo but just as the name says it uses elephants instead of horses. The elephants are driven by the caretakers of elephants also known as "mahouts" as they have already formed a connection with elephants for several years and elephants respond to their mahouts' signals quickly.

Well, these are the 10 facts about Nepal. Which ones were new to you, and which ones did you already know? Please let me know in the comments below.

************

If you liked what you read, please leave a like. Click here to read more about the "Kumari tradition" in Nepal. Any tips and comments are appreciated.😊

Thank you!!

Happy writing!!