Religions of Nepal

Nepal is a beautiful blend of religions and cultures that has coexisted for hundreds of years. According to the country’s 2011 census, more than 80% of the country follows Hinduism, followed by Buddhism, Islam, Kirat, and other religions. Although these religions have unique identities, they have helped create a serene harmony in Nepal. This is especially obvious in Kathmandu Valley, where people from different cultural and social backgrounds can observe and enjoy other beautiful traditions.

Hindu Religion in Nepal

Pashupatinath temple

As the most followed religion in the country, Hinduism significantly influences the social practices of the country. This influence can be seen through the abundance of temples, religious shrines, and festivities. Nepal's most famous Hindu festivals – Dashain, Tihar, Chhath, and Mahashivaratri – are national holidays. Dashain commemorates the majesty of Goddess Durga, whereas Tihar is a 5-day festival that worships the bond between brothers and sisters. As for the Hindu pilgrimage sites, Pashupatinath is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus worldwide. Another such site is Changunarayan, considered the oldest temple in the country. Similarly, Muktinath, Halesi Mahadev, Taleju, and Krishna Temple are some of the country's most famous Hindu religious hubs. Hinduism has continued to flourish in this country since time immemorial.

Visit Temples in Kathmandu:

Buddhism in Nepal

Bouddhanath Stupa

Nepal is the birthplace of the founder of Buddhism, Lord Gautam Buddha. The son of a king in Lumbini, he grew up surrounded by material wealth but gave it all up to pursue and find enlightenment. Buddhism has spread throughout Nepal and the rest of Asia and has become a significant world religion. Many ethnic groups following Buddhism have helped preserve Buddhist culture through artwork and rituals.

In Nepal, the UNESCO world heritage sites of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath are some of the holy Buddhist sites in the Kathmandu Valley. Lumbini is another UNESCO world heritage site outside Kathmandu. Similarly, Muktinath, Tengboche, Braga, and Pung Gyen monasteries are esteemed Buddhist sites outside Kathmandu.

Buddhist Sites:

Islam Religion

Nepal's third most practiced religion is Islam, with around 4.4% of the total population. Most of them live in Terai, the southern region of Nepal. Ramadan is one of the main parts of Islam, a month of fasting that is observed every year. They break this fast at the end of the month by celebrating Eid al-Fitr, when family and friends get together to eat delicious traditional delicacies. Many invite non-Muslim neighbors and friends to partake in the food and culture, and mosques give food and clothes to the needy. This shows that despite a smaller population, Muslim people positively impact Nepali society and are an essential part of our overall national identity.

Kirat in Nepal

Kirat is the fourth most-practiced religion in Nepal. It is an ancient religion followed by the Limbu and Rai ethnic communities, the natives of Nepal. Their ancient religious text, called the Mundhum, consists of worshipping nature and shamanistic practices. Their year is divided into Ubhauli (summer or upward) and Udhauli (winter or downward) halves. Their main festival is Sakela which is celebrated once in each half, first to pray to mother nature for a good harvest and then to give thanks for it. Wearing beautiful traditional attires, people of all ages participate in the Sakala ritual dance after a Kirat priest has conducted the prayers and worship.

Christian in Nepal

Even though Christianity is the most popular religion in the world, it is only the fifth most-followed religion in Nepal. The 2011 census shows that 1.4% of the population, or 375,699 people are adherents of the belief in Nepal. Nepal is said to be one of the fastest-growing populations of Christians in the world. Christmas and English New Year sure are two of the trendiest festivals in Nepal. On the eves of these festivities, major streets of Kathmandu are lined with lights, and people go out to celebrate and enjoy the holiday.

Other Religions

Other religions in Nepal consist of Sikhism, Jainism, and Bön religions. And while they are not as common as the different religions, their adherents generally practice openly and without unwanted interference from other communities. Regardless of the festivals, it is inevitable that Nepal offers a harmonious environment for all religions to thrive in Nepal.

Conclusion

Nepal is an example of how being ethnically, religiously, and culturally diverse adds to the colorfulness and beauty of a place. Moreover, such diversity also helps people to be more open and curious – elevating our views, expanding our hearts, and spreading harmony. Several religions and millions of followers, yet Nepal welcomes everyone with open arms and a bright smile.