About nepal
Nepal, officially Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is the world's youngest republic. Earlier, Nepal was a constitutional monarchy and it became a democratic republic on May 28, 2008. Locked within the rugged ranges of the Himalayas, Nepal is bounded by the Tibet region of China on the North and India on the South, East, and West. The Kingdom of Bhutan lies in its East whereas the Autonomous region of Tibet in Northeast. There are various entry points from the Indian side but the major ones are Nepalgunj, Mahendra Nagar and Birgunj. From the Chinese side there are couple of passes to enter Nepal. Some of the major ones are Renjo La at 5465 meters, Cho La at 5420 meters and Kongma La at 5535 meters. There is only one entry to Tibet and Bhutan and that is Lungu La pass.
It was cut off from the rest of the world until the early 1950s. A palace revolution and the subsequent overthrow of the autocratic Rana dynasty marked the beginning of Nepal's emergence into the modern world. Kathmandu is the capital and the largest city.
Longitude 27° 42' North
Latitude 85° 12' East Local
Time: 5:45 NST hours ahead of GMT
HISTORY:
Nepal has seen many rulers and ruling dynasties. The earliest rulers were the Kirantis who ruled from 9th century B.C. to 1st century A.D. Legends and chronicles mention that the Indian Emperor Ashoka had come to Nepal and visited Lumbini, the place where the Buddha was born, and where he erected a huge stone pillar to commemorate his visit to that spot.
The Kirants were replaced by Licchavis who, according to the earliest evidences in inscriptions of the 5th century A.D. found in the courtyard of Changunarayan temple which is about 15 km north east of Kathmandu, ruled this country from 1st century to 9th century A.D. This period is noted for the many temples and fine sculptures built around the Kathmandu valley.
The Licchavis were followed by the Thakuris, then came the Malla dynasty. The Mallas ruled focusing mainly on the Kathmandu Valley which has been the residence for most Nepali rulers from time immemorial. No other part of Nepal is as rich in cultural heritage as Kathmandu. Thanks to the exceptionally talented crafts-men, who dedicated themselves to construct the many temples and statues, we have seven world heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley itself.
In the 14th century A.D. King Jayasthiti Malla established a rigid social order. His grandson tried in every way to protect his country from suspected enemy states. Unfortunately, all his efforts were fruitless, everything went beyond his control and the country eventually divided up into 50 small feudal states including the three major ones in the valley.
Then came the Shah dynasty. King Prithvi Narayan Shah who annexed small principalities including three states in the Kathmandy Valley and unified Nepal in a single kingdom. Recognizing the threat of the British Raj in India, he dismissed European missionaries from the country and for more than a century, Nepal remained in isolation. During the mid-19th century Jung Bahadur Rana became Nepal's first prime minister to wield absolute power. The Ranas were overthrown in a democracy movement of the early 1950s.
Nepal was declared a Federal Democratic Republic state on May 28, 2008, during the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly. It was previously a multiparty democracy since 1990.
Top
NATURE OF NEPAL
Nepal covers a span of 147,181 sq. kilometers ranging from altitude of 70 meters to 8,848 meters. Mountains, mid hills, valleys and plains dominate the geography of landlocked Nepal that extends from the Himalayan range in the north to the Indo-Gangetic lowlands in south. Mt. Everest, the highest point of the Himalayas is in Nepal.
Physical features also include green paddy terraces, wind-swept deserts, dense forests and marshy grasslands. The country is well endowed with perennial rivers, lakes and glacial lakes that originate in the Himalayas. Twenty percent of the land in the country is used for agriculture, where 0.49 percent is used for permanent crops, mainly rice.
Climatic conditions of Nepal vary from one place to another in accordance with the geographical features. In the north summers are cool and winters severe, while in south summers are sub tropical and winters mild.
The variety in Nepal's topography provides home to wildlife like tigers, rhinos, monkeys, bears, yaks, leopards and different species of insects and birds. Nepal is a home to almost 10 percent of the world's bird species among which 500 species are found in the Kathmandu Valley.
The country has managed to preserve some endangered species of Asia in its extensive parks and protected natural habitats. The most abundant natural resource in Nepal is water. Other resources found here are quartz, timber, lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore and scenic beauty.
UNESCO World Heritage Natural Sites
» Chitwan National Park
» Sagarmatha National Park
Top
NEPAL CLIMATE
Nepal’s weather is generally predictable and pleasant. There are four climatic seasons:
Spring: March-May
Summer: June-August
Autumn: September-November
Winter: December-February.
The monsoon is approximately from the end of June to the middle of September. About 80 per cent of the rain falls during that period, so the remainder of the year is dry. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons; winter temperatures drop to freezing with a high level of snowfall in the mountains. Summer and late spring temperatures range from 28ºC (83ºF) in the hill regions to more than 40ºC (104ºF) in the Terai. In winter, average maximum and minimum temperatures in the Terai range from a brisk 7ºC (45ºF) to a mild 23ºC (74ºF). The central valleys experience a minimum temperature often falling bellow freezing point and a chilly 12ºC (54ºF) maximum. Much colder temperatures prevail at higher elevations. The Kathmandu Valley, at an altitude of 1310m (4297ft), has a mild climate, ranging from 19-27ºC (67-81ºF) in summer, and 2-20ºC (36-68ºF) in winter.
Top
MAJOR FESTIVALS OF NEPAL
Nepal is not only the land of mountains; it is also the land of festivals. There are more than 50 festivals celebrated in Nepal every year. While the national festivals have fixed dates, religious festivals are set by astrologers following the lunar calendar. The best part about the festivals in Nepal is that all the events are celebrated with the same enthusiasm and galore the way it used to be hundreds of years ago when people had no other means of entertainment.
NEW YEAR: It is known as “Navavarsha” in Nepal. Nepal has its official calendar that begins from the first day of the first month Baisakh. This very first day is observed as Nepali New Year which usually falls in the second week of April. People go for picnics, have get-togethers and celebrate the day socializing in various ways as this day is also a national holiday.
LHOSAR (TIBETAN NEW YEAR): This is the New Year of the Tibetans and Sherpas of Nepal which falls in February. The Buddhist monasteries in Kathmandu like Boudhanath and Swayambhunath are decorated with eye catching colorful prayer flags pulling the crowd. The people perform their traditional dances and welcome their New Year with feasts and family gatherings wearing all the new clothes and finest jewelries and exchanging gifts.
SHIVARATRI (MAHASHIVARATRI): Shivaratri or the night of Lord Shiva that falls sometime between February/March is one of the major festivals of Nepal. This day is dedicated to the Lord of the Lords – Lord Shiva or Mahadev who lived in Mt. Kailash in the Himalayas. Lord Shiva is the most worshipped God in the Hindu religion. More than 100,000 of Hindu devotees from India and Southeast Asia throng weeks ahead of the festival and gather in and around Pashupatinath temple – one of the holiest shrines of the Hindus in Kathmandu to pay their homage to Lord Shiva on his birthday. “Pashupatinath” literally means “the Lord of animals” as Lord Shiva is considered as the guardian and protector of everything that exists in the Himalayan Kingdom. On this holy day, worshippers take dip and bath in the holy river at early dawn and fast for the whole day and stay around fire to keep them warm as it is still winter in Nepal. The devotees also freely indulge in using marijuana and other intoxicating substances as these things are believed to please Lord Shiva and marijuana use is legal only on this sacred day. More ...
HOLI: This festival of water and colors that falls between February/March is also known as “Phagu” in Nepal. This day is observed to rejoice the extermination of female demon Holika who together with her King brother conspired to kill his son Pralhad, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. This day, playful people especially the young ones wander through the streets in groups on foot or vehicles with various colors smeared all over them and the people in houses make merry throwing colors and water balloons at each other and also to these people on the streets.
GHOJE JATRA (FESTIVAL OF HORSE): This festival takes place between March/April and a grand horse parade takes place at Tundikhel. Although this festival does not have much of religious aspects, a large number of people, even from outside Kathmandu flock around Kathmandu to witness the horse race and other exciting sports activities performed by the Army in the presence of the King and the Royal family.
BUDDHA JAYANTI: Buddha’s birth anniversary is celebrated every year during May in Nepal. On this day people swarm in Swayambhunath and Boudhanath to pay homage to Lord Buddha and also visit Buddha’s birth place in Lumbini and chant prayers and burn butter lamps. Lord Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautam but he abandoned his luxurious life when he realized the misery of mankind and went in search of enlightenment.
GAIJATRA (COW FESTIVAL): This festival of cow is celebrated every year in August/September. This is one of the most popular festivals in Nepal as it is full of humor, satire, comedy, mockery and shades of sadness too at the same time. And on this day satires and jokes on anybody is legal. As per the tradition, the family who has lost a relative during the past one year must take part in a procession by sending young boys in cow like attire and walk through the streets of Kathmandu lead by a cow. Cow is regarded as a Goddess and it is also the national animal of Nepal. This festival also purges many who have lost their loved ones as they get to console themselves as to they are not the only ones who have been bereaved and it also teaches to accept death as a part of life.
TEEJ: This is a Hindu married woman’s day for her man. This festival is celebrated in August/September. Women clad in beautiful red saris with shining potes (glass beads), singing and dancing is the sight almost everywhere in Nepal during the festival of Teej. On this day women observe a fast and pray Lord Shiva for the long, healthy and prosperous life of their husbands and their families. The unmarried women also observe this festival with unabated zeal with the hope that they will get to marry good husbands. From early dawn, women queue up in the multiple lines in Pashupatinath to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva.
DASHAIN (BIJAYA DASHAMI): During the month of Kartik (late September and early October), the Nepalese people indulge in the biggest festival of the year, Dashain. Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese of all caste and creed throughout the country. The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon. Thorough out the kingdom of Nepal the goddess Durga in all her manifestations are worshiped with innumerable pujas, abundant offerings and thousands of animal sacrifices for the ritual holy bathing, thus drenching the goddess for days in blood. Read more about Dashain festival...
TIHAR: This festival of lights that falls between October/November is the second biggest festival after Dashain. This festival lasts for five days and people worship Laxmi – the Goddess of Wealth. All the houses are cleaned and decorated with the belief that Goddess Laxmi will enter the house that is the cleanest and people lit candles, oil lamps and other lights and the whole place looks illuminating. During the five days, crows, dogs and cows are worshipped and honored with vermilion, garland and delicious food for what they have done in the lives of humans. Crows are regarded as the messenger that brought news even during the times when there were no postmen and no postal services. Dogs are the most obedient animals and they guard our house as true guardians. Cow is also a symbol of wealth in Hinduism and she is also the national animal of Nepal. During Tihar, the Newari community in Nepal also observes Mha puja – a ritual of worshipping one’s own body and life. On this very day, the Newari New Year which is also known as Nepal Sambat begins. The festival ends with Bhai Tika – brothers’ day when his sisters worship him for his long and healthy life to safeguard the lives of his sisters. This is also a gambling time in Nepal as gambling is not illegal during this festival.
Top
NEPAL VISA
1.Tourist Visa for Nepal
Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following immigration offices in Nepal:
» Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
» Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
» Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
» Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)
» Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
» Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
» Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
» Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)
2. Tourist Visa
Visa Facility Duration Fee
Multiple entry 15 days US$25 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 30 days US$40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 90 days US$100 or equivalent convertible currency
Tourist Visa Extension
Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US$30 or equivalent convertible currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$2 per day Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December).
Gratis (Free) Visa
Gratis visa for 30 days available only for tourists of SAARC countries. Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.
Transit Visa
Transit visa for one day can be obtained from Nepal's immigration offices at the entry points upon the production of departure flight ticket via Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal, by paying US$5 or equivalent convertible currency.
How can you enter Nepal ?
Nepal is a popular tourist destination in south Asia. Several airlines have direct and non-stop flights from Middle east and Asia to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu, and the only international airport in Nepal.
There is direct flights from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Doha, Osaka, Shanghi, Mascow, Bangkok, Singapore, Hongkong, Karachi, Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta, Paro, Dhaka, Lhasa, Varanasi.
Here, we are giving you in details name of airlines and schedule as follows:
International flight route to Kathmandu
Flight connection to Nepal : Nepal is linked with outside world by several international airlines. Countries in Pacific rim and west coast of America including Latin America are connected by major international airlines by flight that stops at Bangkok , Singapore and Hongkong. Airlines add and reschedule their flight or sometime discontinue their service due to the unforeseen conditions that continually develops.
Overland route to Nepal : Train and road network in India can be used to travel from north India to Nepal. In the east Kakarbhitta, across Silguri and Darjeeling of West Bengal and in the center Bhairawa ( Lumbini ) provides easy access to enter Nepal. Bhairawa entry-exit point provides suitable train and bus connections to Varanasi, Bodgaya, Patna and Agra. In Far West Nepal the entry point is Mahendranagar. It can be reached by road from Delhi. There are good network of road and train in India. Most recently Dacca in Bangladesh has also open up overland route to Nepal for tourist.
Top
DO AND DON'T
Nepal is here to change you not for you to change it.
The tourism boom in Nepal, as in other countries, has had a mixed blessing. It has generated a sizeable share of Nepali’s foreign currency revenue but few people in the tourist destinations have experienced an improvement in their standard of living.
In fact, for many communities, the influence of visitors has come at a considerable cost. In numerous places, trekking groups have left littered trails and degraded forest in their wake. Against this alarming backdrop, the practice of eco-tourism has been gaining increased momentum – both in Nepal and around the World. This alternative type of tourism seeks not only to preserve the environment and culture of a tourist destination but also to be of benefit to the local population…. By fostering environmental awareness, both among locals & visitors and by linking tourism to social and economic development, it is possible to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of an area through the promotion of sustainable tourism. This not only enhances the positive experience of those on holiday it also helps to increase the standard of living of the local residents.
Respect local traditions, customs, values and sentiments to help them protect local culture and maintain local pride.
» Respect privacy when taking photographs
» Respect holy places
» Refrain from giving money to children as it encourages begging
» Respect for the local etiquette earns you respect
» Let the Himalayas change you - Do not change them
» Protect the natural environment
» Leave the campsite cleaner than you found it
» Limit deforestation - make no open fires
» Burn dry paper and packets in a safe place
» Keep local water clean and avoid using pollutants
» Plants should be left to flourish in their natural environment
Top
WHAT TO DO IN NEPAL?
» Trekking
» Peak climbing
» Mountaineering
» White water Rfting
» Jungle Safari
» Tour & Sightseeing
