Custom and Religion

Nepal is a secular and a democratic country with diverse people, culture and religions living in harmony with one another. Buddhism and Hinduism are the major religions co-existing with Muslims, Christians and Jains. You will find numerous Buddhist monasteries, shrines and Hindu temples in Kathamndu valley and elsewhere where devotees perform rituals and prayers forming a colorful and interesting cultural landscape. The people from lowland Terai mostly follow Hinduism and the hill and mountains have a combination of Hindu and Buddhists where the high Himalayas are inhabited by people following Tibetan Buddhism. Although Nepalse people are very friendly to visitors, it is advisable to be respectful to the local customs and traditions. Cow is a sacred animal to Hindus, and no articles of leather may be worn inside their temples. Shoes are taken off before entering temples and monasteries. Buddhists are known for their tolerance, but it is advised to look-out for any particular code of conduct being observed by the local visitors at a given temple, shrine or monastery. Generally, the Nepalis consider the fireplace as the heart of their home, hence you should not throw rubbish or garbage on the fire inside houses although this does not apply to the local tourist lodges.

Nepali is the main and official language although people speak dialects of Tibetan and Sherpas in the high Himalayas and dialects of Hindi in the lower Terai region. In the capital city, especially the tourist town of Thamel, you will see every manner of dress. However you should remember that Nepalis in the other areas do not wear revealing clothes.

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