While talking about religion in Nepal, most of the people in Nepal are Hindu. There is a huge population that belongs to the Hindu religion in Nepal.

Facts about Religion in Nepal

Geography in Nepal was for long a neglected discipline. People had very limited knowledge of the geographic aspects of the country. What to talk of the common people? Before 1960, even the so-called elites of the country knew very little about the geographic environments of their own country even though they knew much about another far-off countries of the world. Such a fantastic situation was due primarily to the then defective educational curriculum prevalent in the country. As a result, the geographic personalities of Nepal had to be exposed by various distinguished foreigners like Hagen, Karan, Medlicot, Kropotkin, and so on. It was only after 1960 that Nepal’s geography books written by nationals began to appear in the local markets. It is just the beginning —much has yet to be done in this direction.

Nepali Female is worshiping Lord Gautama Buddha — Female is worshiping Lord Gautama Buddha Statue

The Dawn of Nepal — The Everest Kingdom of Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the land of temples, the abode of Yak and mysterious Yeti, and the residence of brave Gorkhas. With its ancient Aryan and Tibeto-Aryan culture and civilization coupled with varied natural and artistic beauties, Nepal is the only Hindu Kingdom having a happy harmony of Hinduism and Buddhism.

Before 1950, Nepal under the rigid rule of the Ranas was a little-known forbidden land for outsiders; for in those days, foreigners seeking entry into it had to secure permission from the then-ruling authorities. It was for them a hard and humiliating task, indeed. Being isolated till 1950 from the external world, its age-old culture until recent years was unaffected by external elements.

The census of 1952/54 and 1961 found difficulty in distinguishing the Hindus and the Buddhists in the hill and the mountain regions for they worshipped deities of both religions. Nepal has also other religious groups like Muslims, Jains, Sikhs, Christians, and animists. According to the census of 1981,89.5percent of the total population of Nepal are Hindus.

Hindus include castes like Brahman (also called Bahun-priestly class), Chettris, occupational cast groups of the Terai, and sections of the Newar ethnic group of the Kathmandu valley, and outside. Hindus amongst other groups only respect the Brahmin and reverse cow. Aboriginal ethnic Hindus, except the Newars, are five-storied.do not fall under any Hindu caste hierarchy. Hindus highly respect the temple of Pashupati | Nath (Hindu god Shiva) in Kathmandu, the temple of Changu Nar-, Ryan, the idol at the Hanuman Dhoka (Hanuman gate) in Kathmandu, the temple of Krishna at Passive-storied pagoda type tempi* ‘Nyatopola’ at Bhadgaon(Bhaktapur). Hindus regard cows as sacred, as such cow slaughter is a criminal offense in Nepal. Some Buddhists Muslims and Christians take the meat from cows i.e. beef.

In the valley, religion is interwoven in the lives of people. Temples and shrines reflect this attitude. Devotees are constantly coming and going to various temples.

Besides, other activities are going on in the temples and shrines. Animal life is prolific. Sacred cows at the temples, stupas, dogs, guardians, and roaming monkeys husking about the eves and from pagoda roofs.

Originally the ancient valley dwellers were animists.

Animism

Animists worship the sun, moon, mountains, forests, rivers, trees, and springs. Natural things were worshipped for the sustenance of human beings. They also are abodes of natural spirits. Fertility worship and devotion to ancestors were intertwined with early religion and several magical arts and skills needed to ensure health, prolong life, produce children, exercise evil spirits, and destroy one’s enemies, which evolved in prehistoric times.

Buddhism

It is believed that Buddhism was the first religion practiced in the Kathmandu valley. Archeology also proves this historical fact.

Hinduism

Tantrism or teachings followed by certain left-hand sects of Hindus and Buddhists also reached Nepal. The origin of Tantrism is unknown. However, it is an old faith and has left its mark as a major sect.

Tantrism is found among Buddhist followers of Asanga and Nagarjuna, Shaivites (Sect like Saktas, Siddhas, Naths, Kapalikas, etc), Vaishnavites (Sahajiyas, Panchratas), etc.

The data of Kirant or Kirat was not taken into consideration in the 1981 census. In the 2001 census, the data under the new head of Kirantis or Kirat is 1.72 (1991). It increased to 1.60 (2001). Kirantis are followers of animism, a religion something different limns Hinduism and Buddhism.

Christians have increased from 0.168 (1991) to 0.45 (2001). In 1981 data on Crin Christians were included in others.

Sikhs were not enumerated in 1991. In 2001, their percentage is 0.03. Another religion, Bahaism has also appeared in data from 2001. Their percentage is 0.01. Bahais are adherents of a religion that originated in Iran in the 19th century. It emphasizes the spiritual unity of mankind.

Some scholars say that there are some conflicting remarks about the percentage of religions.

Facts about religion in Nepal according to Census 2011