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Festivals Kathmandu
8 Reviews What a great time I had in Kathmandu with the Holi Festival. It is a public holiday and people are just enjoying themselves with water and coloured powders! You will be a mess if you join them on the...
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There are many Tibetan Refugees throughout Nepal, as well as Sherpa and various other Tibetan Buddhist groups. It is important to always and only walk clockwise around stupas, large prayer wheels, mani stones (stones with Tibetan writing on them - Om Mani Padme Hum "hail to the jewel in the lotus" the essential 6-sylable mantra), and when spinning prayer wheels always spin them clockwise and walk around them clockwise. Thus following the Tibetan "flow of life".
For both Hindus and Buddhists the head is regarded as the most holy part of the body and is sacred (as opposed to the feet, which are considered to be the least sacred). Do not touch children on the head, and do not touch anyone on the head for that matter.
Although the caste system is illegal in theory it is still widely practiced throughout just about all of Hindu Nepal. The caste system, or better coined as the 'local caste system', is a traditional Hindu system of social class structure without any social mobility. That means that upon birth one is placed in a social class, or caste, and cannot ever move up or down socially from that caste. There are many different castes and variations of castes throughout Hindu Nepal, but four main caste groups are clearly present in Brahmin: This caste is the highest caste. It is composed of priests. They were looked upon as the holiest class.Kshatriyas: This caste is made up of the nobility and the solders. The rulers of India/Nepal were born into these castes.Vaishya: This caste is made up of the commoners. The majority of the people belong to this caste. (the caste that I lived with)Shudras: This...
Nepali society for the most part is predominantly dominated by agriculture. Agriculture allows Nepali culture to remain original and beautiful, and this can be easily seen by examining the growing filth (pollution and corruption) in Kathmandu. Agriculture lies at the root of survival in rural Nepal and allows family values and traditional culture and society to flourish. In many ways agriculture and culture are intertwined and form a nice balance within the lines drawn by society. Roles of men women and children are both shared as a family unit, and divided by more traditional gender roles. Farm animals also play an important role in agriculture and society. Caste values are often determined by how much land and animals a family has. Cows, or 'gai', are never eaten, as they are sacred, but their milk (dhud) provides an essential part of the Nepali diet. Water buffalo, or 'bhaishi', are...
Photography is a very sensitive issue in most of the world, and Nepal is no exception. Always ask people before you take a photo of them and always make sure that you look around for signs restricting photography. As a photographer, it may seem tempting to get that perfect prize winning photo by not asking, but is it really worth possibly offending your host? NO! Nepali words/phrases pertaining to photography:Can I take a photo (of you)? - (Tapaain) tasbir kichnuhunchha?Photograph - tasbir/poto
Nepali society is truly dominated with tradition, mostly pertaining to strong Hindu (90%) and or Buddhist (8%) beliefs. Therefore, dress and affection is society is more formal and conservative than in the "west". Therefore, kissing or any other types of public affection is strongly discouraged, even touching between men and women (although men touching men i.e. holding hands, and women touching women, is more acceptable). In fact, in rural Nepal, it is considered inappropriate for unmarried men and women to be walking with each other privately. Public "dress codes" are also conservative. Sleeveless shirts for both men and women are completely inappropriate, and women should avoid showing skin. Shorts are acceptable for men, but not so much for women. The Nepalese understand that you are foreign and that your customs are different, but remember that you are guests in their nation and you...
Walking by Kathmandu's Royal Palace does not seem like much of a cultural tip, and it was not until the 2001 massacre of the royal family. Now, ever since the horrid massacre committed by Crown Prince Dipendra, who was at odds with his family over his choice of bride, the Nepalese walk by the palace either covering their eyes or just looking away.
One if the most interesting cultural aspects of life in rural Nepal is the local attitude towards people with mental disabilities. By mental disabilities, I do not mean to connotation mental retardation, but rather 'baulaahaa' or 'craziness'. In Nepal a psychiatrist is unheard of, but of course mental 'craziness' does still exist. From what I've seen and understood, there is actually a strange moonshine liquor that in fact makes people go a bit crazy from drinking it, and can cause serious mental problems. From the examples in my village in the Nuwakot District, victims to this strong moonshine have some serious long-term mental problems, and fall victim to many culturally harming shunning: as in the case of Bilbo, a 19 year old man who appeared as if he was 12 and only ate tobacco leaves (yes this case is true, I witnessed it). Although this may seem a bit eccentric and poignant in many...
The popular slang word for marijuana 'ganja' is in fact Nepali. Marijuana in Nepal is more cultural than its European/American punk counterpart. I found that outside of the 'backpacker' cities (Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, and Pokhara) marijuana is a religious and caste device. For the most part local marijuana use is what I refer to as "Cultural Marijuana" (as opposed to "Stoner marijuana" or murmured under my breath "Amsterdam Marijuana"). I noticed from living in rural Nepal that the Chetri Caste were the smokers of it, as well as the sadhus. Note that marijuana and hashish are completely illegal in and throughout Nepal, and this is especially enforced towards foreigners. It is true that the chances of a foreigner being caught, nonetheless being thrown in jail, for a marijuana offence are slight. However, for the sake of Nepal, remember that you are a visitor in another land and that...
Maauri is the Nepali word for bee, and a maauri-fest is what I like to call it when a bee's nest is found. Maauri mito chha?'Are bees delicious?' - well you'll have to decide that for yourself if you get to take part in a maauri-fest. I was surprised at what a big deal it was when my neighbors found a bee's nest, there must have been fifteen people (out of a village of 70) running frantically. At first I through they were scared of getting stung or something, until my host-brother told me "maauri meeeeeeeeeto chha!" (bees are delicious). They ended up lighting the bee?s nest on fire and picking out the larva and eating it. I tried a few times hoping that it wouold taste like honey, which it didn't, and I just couldn?t develop a taste for bee, o well.
Dwarika's Hotel Kathmandu Kathmandu
5 Reviews and 230 Opinions Dwarika's is close to the airport, safe and very good, gives excellent service, has good food and a...
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Fishtail Lodge Pokhara
7 Reviews and 111 Opinions Fishtail Lodge is the most beautiful hotel we ever stayed. Even though it is small in size but its...
Club Himalaya Hotel Bhaktapur
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Reviews and photos of Nepal attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Nepal sightseeing.
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Q: I am planning trekking in Nepal during October/November 2012 (first trip to Nepal). My time is flexible - about 20 - 30 days. I am...
A: People like you *DO* inspire us! Imagine 68 years old, done Mount Blanc and now enroute Everest. All the best to u and may God give you many more years!
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