Hinduism in Nepal
Encyclopedia
Hinduism
is the major religion of Nepal
. In the 2001 census, approximately 80.6 percent of the Nepalese people identified themselves as Hindus. Buddhists
constitute 10.7%. The remainder followed other religions. The national calendar of Nepal, Bikram Sambat (B.S.), is a solar Hindu calendar
essentially the same to that widespread in North India as a religious calendar, and is based on Vedic
principles of time-keeping.
The geographical distribution of religious groups revealed a preponderance of Hindus, accounting for at least 87 percent of the population in every region. Among the Tibeto
-Nepalese, those most influenced by Hinduism were the Magar, Sunwar, and Rai peoples.
named "Ne" established himself in the valley of Kathmandu during prehistoric times, and that the word "Nepal" means the place protected ("pala" in Sanskrit
) by the sage Ne. He performed religious ceremonies at Teku, the confluence of the Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers. According to legend he selected a pious cowherd to be the first of the many kings of the Gopala Dynasty. These rulers are said to have ruled Nepal for over 500 years. He selected Bhuktaman to be the first king in the line of the Gopal (Cowherd) Dynasty. The Silncan Gopal dynasty ruled for 621 years. Yakshya Gupta was the last king of this dynasty.
According to Skanda Purana
, a rishi called "Ne" or "Nemuni" used to live in Himalaya. In the Pashupati Purana, he is mentioned as a saint and a protector. He is said to have practiced penance at the Bagmati and Kesavati rivers and to have taught his doctrines there too.
It is believed that Lord Vishnu
had organized the Nepali people
and given them their flag, with the sun and moon as emblems on it. In a Hindu
Purana, it is written that it was Lord Shiva who handed the flag to Lord Vishnu, and then Lord Vishnu to Lord Indra, for the purpose for battling demons.
beliefs. Many of the people regarded as Hindus in the 1981 census could also in some senses be called Buddhists. Hindus long have worshipped at Buddhist temples and Buddhists at Hindu temples. The reason for this is that both Hinduism and Buddhism have common roots as dharmic
religions, and over most of their history have not been seen as separate communions, but rather rival tendencies within a shared religious tradition. Because of such dual faith practices (or mutual respect), the differences between Hindus and Buddhists have been very subtle and academic in nature; Hindus and Buddhists have never engaged in any religious conflicts for past millennia.
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
is the major religion of Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
. In the 2001 census, approximately 80.6 percent of the Nepalese people identified themselves as Hindus. Buddhists
Buddhism in Nepal
Buddha was born in Shakya kingdom which lies in Rupandehi district, Lumbini zone of Nepal.10.74% of Nepal's population practice Buddhism, consisting mainly of groups of Tibeto-Burman origin.-Overview:...
constitute 10.7%. The remainder followed other religions. The national calendar of Nepal, Bikram Sambat (B.S.), is a solar Hindu calendar
Hindu calendar
The hindu calendar used in ancient times has undergone many changes in the process of regionalization, and today there are several regional Indian calendars, as well as an Indian national calendar. Nepali calendar, Bengali calendar, Malayalam calendar, Tamil calendar, Telugu calendar, Kannada...
essentially the same to that widespread in North India as a religious calendar, and is based on Vedic
Vedas
The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
principles of time-keeping.
The geographical distribution of religious groups revealed a preponderance of Hindus, accounting for at least 87 percent of the population in every region. Among the Tibeto
Tibetan people
The Tibetan people are an ethnic group that is native to Tibet, which is mostly in the People's Republic of China. They number 5.4 million and are the 10th largest ethnic group in the country. Significant Tibetan minorities also live in India, Nepal, and Bhutan...
-Nepalese, those most influenced by Hinduism were the Magar, Sunwar, and Rai peoples.
Hindu Foundation of the Kingdom of Nepal
Historians and local traditions say that a Hindu sageHindu saints
Saints are recognized in Hinduism although it does not require canonization or similar formal process to acknowledge a person as one. Generally a holy or saintly person is referred to as a mahatma, paramahamsa, or swami, or given the prefix Sri or Srila before their name.The term "Sant" is derived...
named "Ne" established himself in the valley of Kathmandu during prehistoric times, and that the word "Nepal" means the place protected ("pala" in Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
) by the sage Ne. He performed religious ceremonies at Teku, the confluence of the Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers. According to legend he selected a pious cowherd to be the first of the many kings of the Gopala Dynasty. These rulers are said to have ruled Nepal for over 500 years. He selected Bhuktaman to be the first king in the line of the Gopal (Cowherd) Dynasty. The Silncan Gopal dynasty ruled for 621 years. Yakshya Gupta was the last king of this dynasty.
According to Skanda Purana
Skanda Purana
The Skanda Purana is the largest Mahapurana, a genre of eighteen Hindu religious texts. The text is devoted mainly to the lilas of Kartikeya , a son of Shiva and Parvati. It also contains a number of legends about Shiva, and the holy places associated with him...
, a rishi called "Ne" or "Nemuni" used to live in Himalaya. In the Pashupati Purana, he is mentioned as a saint and a protector. He is said to have practiced penance at the Bagmati and Kesavati rivers and to have taught his doctrines there too.
Hindu Symbolism of Nepal
The pennant is an important Hindu flag that is help atop Hindu temples.It is believed that Lord Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
had organized the Nepali people
Nepali people
Nepali people can refer to:*People of Nepal*Ethnic Nepalis of Indian citizenry residing in Gorkhaland area of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and other parts of India.* Indian Gorkhas*Lhotshampas of Bhutan.*Nepali diaspora the world over....
and given them their flag, with the sun and moon as emblems on it. In a Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Purana, it is written that it was Lord Shiva who handed the flag to Lord Vishnu, and then Lord Vishnu to Lord Indra, for the purpose for battling demons.
List of Festivals in Nepal
- Mata Tirtha Snan (Mother's Day)
- Buddha Jayanti
- Ghanta Karna Chaturdasi
- Janai Purnima,Rakshya Bandhan,Khumbeshwor Mela Patan
- GaijatraGaijatraGaijatra, the festival of cows, is celebrated in Nepal, England, U.S.A. and Austria, mainly in Kathmandu valley by the Newar community....
- Shree Krishna Janmastami
- Gokarna AunsiGokarna AunsiGokarna Aunsi literally translated as cow eared and no moon night and is a late August or early September celebration in Nepal where the Hindu population worships cow eared incarnation of lord Shiva and their fathers...
("Father's Day") - Teej Ko Darkhane Din
- Indrajatra(Holiday Only in Kathmandu)
- Dashain Holidays
- Tihar Holidays
- Maghe Sankranti
- Shree Panchami
- Maha Shiva Ratri
- Fagun Purnima (Holi)
- Ghode Jatra
- Shree Ram Nawami
- Bagh Jatra
- Bhairav Kumari Jatra
- Chaite Dasain
- Gaura Parva
- Gunla
- Guru Purnima
- Rato Macchendranath Jatra
- Mani Rimdu
- Mata-yaa
- Neel Barahi Pyakhan
- Rath Yatra
- Sita Vivaha PanchamiVivaha PanchamiVivah Panchami is a Hindu festival celebrating the marriage of Ram and Sita. It is observed on the fifth day of the Shukla paksha or waxing phase of moon in the Margashirsha month as per Hindu calendar....
- Tamu Dhee
- Tansen Jatra
- Taya Macha
- Yomari Punhi
Hindu-Buddhist Syncretism
However, there has traditionally been a great deal of intermingling of Hindu and BuddhistBuddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
beliefs. Many of the people regarded as Hindus in the 1981 census could also in some senses be called Buddhists. Hindus long have worshipped at Buddhist temples and Buddhists at Hindu temples. The reason for this is that both Hinduism and Buddhism have common roots as dharmic
Dharma
Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
religions, and over most of their history have not been seen as separate communions, but rather rival tendencies within a shared religious tradition. Because of such dual faith practices (or mutual respect), the differences between Hindus and Buddhists have been very subtle and academic in nature; Hindus and Buddhists have never engaged in any religious conflicts for past millennia.
Hindu population for various ethnic groups
| Nepal | Total | Hindus | Hindu% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chhetri | 3,593,496 | 3,574,976 | 99.48% |
| Bhahman-Hill | 2,896,477 | 2,887,317 | 99.68% |
| Magar | 1,622,421 | 1,210,276 | 74.60% |
| Tharu | 1,533,879 | 1,497,516 | 97.63% |
| Tamang | 1,282,304 | 98,593 | 7.69% |
| Newar | 1,245,232 | 1,047,561 | 84.13% |
| Muslim | 971,056 | 21,265 | 2.19% |
| Kami | 895,954 | 866,296 | 96.69% |
| Yadav | 895,423 | 893,427 | 99.78% |
| Rai | 635,151 | 158,803 | 25.00% |
| Gurung | 543,571 | 156,263 | 28.75% |
| Damai/Dholi | 390,305 | 381,739 | 97.81% |
| Limbu | 359,379 | 40,675 | 11.32% |
| Thakuri | 334,120 | 332,107 | 99.40% |
| Sarki | 318,989 | 312,277 | 97.90% |
| Teli | 304,536 | 302,056 | 99.19% |
| Harijan | 269,661 | 266,568 | 98.85% |
| Koiri | 251,274 | 250,705 | 99.77% |
| Kurmi | 212,842 | 212,493 | 99.84% |
| Sanyasi | 199,127 | 197,554 | 99.21% |
| Dhanuk | 188,150 | 187,680 | 99.75% |
| Musahar | 172,434 | 169,884 | 98.52% |
| Dusadh | 158,525 | 157,682 | 99.47% |
| Sherpa | 154,622 | 9,683 | 6.26% |
| Sonar | 145,088 | 142,482 | 98.20% |
| Kewat | 136,953 | 136,371 | 99.58% |
| Brahmantarai | 134,496 | 133,932 | 99.58% |
| Baniya | 126,971 | 126,108 | 99.32% |
| Gharti/Bhujel | 117,568 | 113,458 | 96.50% |
| Mallah | 115,986 | 114,980 | 99.13% |
| Kalwar | 115,606 | 115,252 | 99.69% |
| Kumal | 99,389 | 97,818 | 98.42% |
| Hajam/Thakur | 98,169 | 97,768 | 99.59% |
| Kanu | 95,826 | 95,718 | 99.89% |
| Rajbansi | 95,812 | 81,580 | 85.15% |
| Sunuwar | 95,254 | 75,726 | 79.50% |
| Sudhi | 89,846 | 89,554 | 99.67% |
| Lohar | 82,637 | 82,454 | 99.78% |
| Tatma | 76,512 | 76,351 | 99.79% |
| Khatwe | 74,972 | 74,561 | 99.45% |
| Dhobi | 73,413 | 73,011 | 99.45% |
| Mahji | 72,614 | 59,302 | 81.67% |
| Nuniya | 66,873 | 66,433 | 99.34% |
| Kumhar | 54,413 | 53,972 | 99.19% |
| Danuwar | 53,229 | 52,833 | 99.26% |
| Chepang | 52,237 | 36,685 | 70.23% |
| Haluwai | 50,583 | 50,268 | 99.38% |
| Rajput | 48,454 | 48,126 | 99.32% |
| Kayastha | 46,071 | 45,556 | 98.88% |
| Badhae | 45,975 | 45,756 | 99.52% |
| Marwadi | 43,971 | 41,718 | 94.88% |
| Santhal/Sattar | 42,698 | 35,463 | 83.06% |
| Jhagar/Dhagar | 41,764 | 38,752 | 92.79% |
| Bantar | 35,839 | 35,069 | 97.85% |
| Barae | 35,434 | 35,398 | 99.90% |
| Kahar | 34,531 | 34,491 | 99.88% |
| Gangai | 31,318 | 30,830 | 98.44% |
| Lodha | 24,738 | 24,693 | 99.82% |
| Rajbhar | 24,263 | 24,119 | 99.41% |
| Thami | 22,999 | 12,819 | 55.74% |
| Dhimal | 19,537 | 11,216 | 57.41% |
| Bhote | 19,261 | 7,300 | 37.90% |
| Bing/Binda | 18,720 | 18,697 | 99.88% |
| Bhediyar/Gaderi | 17,729 | 17,675 | 99.70% |
| Nurang | 17,522 | 17,267 | 98.54% |
| Yakkha | 17,003 | 2,410 | 14.17% |
| Darai | 14,859 | 14,546 | 97.89% |
| Tajpuriya | 13,250 | 8,500 | 64.15% |
| Thakali | 12,973 | 4,389 | 33.83% |
| Chidimar | 12,296 | 12,209 | 99.29% |
| Pahari | 11,505 | 9,077 | 78.90% |
| Mali | 11,390 | 11,365 | 99.78% |
| Bangali | 9,860 | 9,566 | 97.02% |
| Chantel | 9,814 | 3,021 | 30.78% |
| Dom | 8,931 | 8,863 | 99.24% |
| Kamar | 8,761 | 8,586 | 98.00% |
| Bote | 7,969 | 7,855 | 98.57% |
| Brahmu | 7,383 | 5,319 | 72.04% |
| Gaine | 5,887 | 5,711 | 97.01% |
| Jirel | 5,316 | 561 | 10.55% |
| Adibasi | 5,259 | 5,056 | 96.14% |
| Dura | 5,169 | 979 | 18.94% |
| Churaute | 4,893 | 292 | 5.97% |
| Badi | 4,442 | 4,390 | 98.83% |
| Meche | 3,763 | 3,021 | 80.28% |
| Lepcha | 3,660 | 279 | 7.62% |
| Halkhor | 3,621 | 3,597 | 99.34% |
| Punjabi/Sikh | 3,054 | 2,464 | 80.68% |
| Kisan | 2,876 | 2,750 | 95.62% |
| Raji | 2,399 | 2,119 | 88.33% |
| Byangsi | 2,103 | 2,062 | 98.05% |
| Yayu | 1,821 | 1,280 | 70.29% |
| Koche | 1,429 | 1,397 | 97.76% |
| Dhunia | 1,231 | 1,146 | 93.10% |
| Walung | 1,148 | 946 | 82.40% |
| Jaine | 1,015 | 357 | 35.17% |
| Munda | 660 | 521 | 78.94% |
| Raute | 658 | 548 | 83.28% |
| Yehlmo | 579 | 9 | 1.55% |
| Patharkatta | 552 | 551 | 99.82% |
| Kusunda | 164 | 160 | 97.56% |
| Other Dalit | 173,401 | 169,662 | 97.84% |
| Other Caste | 231,641 | 209,499 | 90.44% |
| Total | 22,736,934 | 18,330,121 | 80.62% |
Hindu population for each district
| District | % Hindu |
|---|---|
| Jajarkot | 99.85% |
| Baitadi | 99.85% |
| Bajhang | 99.83% |
| Kalikot | 99.78% |
| Dadeldhura | 99.78% |
| Bajura | 99.77% |
| Kanchanpur | 99.15% |
| Achham | 98.78% |
| Darchula | 98.72% |
| Dailekh | 98.32% |
| Rukum | 98.29% |
| Jumla | 97.90% |
| Kailali | 97.56% |
| Doti | 97.49% |
| Arghakhanchi | 96.95% |
| Pyuthan | 96.71% |
| Dang | 96.48% |
| Gulmi | 96.10% |
| Bardiya | 95.17% |
| Salyan | 94.43% |
| Surkhet | 91.20% |
| Siraha | 90.88% |
| Dhanusa | 90.08% |
| Bhaktapur | 89.87% |
| Saptari | 88.44% |
| Palpa | 88.02% |
| Parbat | 87.77% |
| Nawalparasi | 87.23% |
| Sarlahi | 86.74% |
| Mugu | 86.44% |
| Syangja | 86.07% |
| Rupandehi | 85.34% |
| Humla | 84.40% |
| Mahottari | 84.39% |
| Baglung | 83.30% |
| Tanahu | 83.16% |
| Chitawan | 82.75% |
| Parsa | 82.37% |
| Bara | 81.94% |
| Kaski | 81.72% |
| Kapilbastu | 81.06% |
| Morang | 80.12% |
| Jhapa | 79.37% |
| Rautahat | 78.96% |
| Banke | 78.49% |
| Sunsari | 77.09% |
| Rolpa | 75.49% |
| Kathmandu | 75.49% |
| Udayapur | 75.43% |
| Myagdi | 74.88% |
| Dhading | 73.89% |
| Okhaldhunga | 73.86% |
| Gorkha | 72.79% |
| Dolakha | 72.43% |
| Lalitpur | 70.43% |
| Sindhuli | 68.56% |
| Ramechhap | 68.06% |
| Kavrepalanchok | 64.77% |
| Sindhupalchok | 62.53% |
| Nuwakot | 61.32% |
| Khotang | 60.54% |
| Dolpa | 60.35% |
| Lamjung | 58.47% |
| Bhojpur | 53.77% |
| Terhathum | 51.27% |
| Dhankuta | 49.52% |
| Makwanpur | 49.36% |
| Ilam | 47.28% |
| Sankhuwasabha | 46.95% |
| Solukhumbu | 42.91% |
| Taplejung | 36.52% |
| Panchthar | 34.20% |
| Rasuwa | 33.10% |
| Manang | 25.35% |
| Mustang | 25.28% |
Nepali Priests
Nepali Organization
- Shree Krishna Pranami Youth Council Nepal
- Shree Radha Madhava Samiti Nepal
- Sri Aurobindo Yoga Mandir Nepal
Nepali Temples
- Pashupatinath Temple Pashupatinath TemplePashupatinath templePashupatinath Temple is one of the most significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The temple served as the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath, Nepal is a secular country...
- Janaki Temple Birthplace of Shri Seeta Devi
- Maharshi Sant Sevi Temples in Nepal
- Shiva Kailash Kala Mandir