Nepal: Birthplace of the Buddha and Land of Mighty Mountain Peaks
Around the 6th century B.C the first civilization flourished in Nepal near by fertile Kathmandu Valley. Lumbini is the place in Nepal where Prince Siddhartha who later became the Buddha was born in 563 B.C. King Prithvi Narayan finally unified the kingdom of Nepal after series of turmoil’s in 1768. Between 1846 and 1951, the country was ruled by the Rana family, which has since held the office of prime minister till its transformation into a republic. In 1923, Britain recognized the absolute independence of Nepal. In 1951 the king took over all power and proclaimed a constitutional monarchy in the country. In 1990 a pro-democracy movement forced King Birendra to lift the ban on political parties. In 2007 the Seven Party Alliance overthrew the monarchy and proclaimed a republic in its place. Thus the world’s only surviving Hindu kingdom came to an end.
Nepal Profile: Overview of Facts and Figures
Geographical Information on Nepal:
Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is bordered by China from the north and by India from the south, east and west. The Himalayan mountain range runs across Nepal’s northern and western parts.
Nepal has five climatic zones that vary according to varying altitude. The Himalayas blocks cold winds from Central Asia in the winter and forms the northern limit of the country.
Nepal Culture, Cuisine and Tradition:
Nepal is blessed with one of the richest cultures in the world. The country features a rich amalgamation of Hindu, Buddhist, Tribal and other ethnic cultures. Hinduism has the largest following in the Himalayan kingdom.
The Nepalese meals include the mouth-watering dal-bhat, which is a kind of a lentil soup served with rice and vegetables. Snacks such as chura and tea are consumed between the main meals. Meat, eggs, and fish are also eaten mainly in the mountainous regions where the diet is richer in protein. Rakshi, which is a millet-based traditional alcoholic drink, is famous among the Nepalese.
Tourist Attractions of Nepal:
Nepal is one of the major tourist spots of the world. It is home to ten of the highest mountains peaks in the world including Mount Everest. Nepal’s breathtaking beauty with Himalayan snow capped peaks with lush green vegetation attracts tourist from across the globe to Nepal. It is a favorite destination for trekkers and mountaineers.
The Durbar Square: It is UNESCO world heritage site and famous for its intricate design that reflects architectural marvels built by kings of Nepal in the form of numerous temples, statues, palaces and shrines.
Phulchowki: Phulchowki is a major hiking spot in Nepal located at an altitude of 2578 meters. It is also famous for its serene Buddhist shrines.
Major Sight-seeing Places in Nepal include:
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