How does one of the world’s poorest nations manage to find harmony with itself and with the rest of the world? Perhaps this is the result of the absence of bloody revolutions and wars.
Or perhaps it is due to the country’s geographical location in the heart of the Himalayas, the home of the snow. Or perhaps the lord of the kingdom of Swarga, the thousand-eyed Indra himself, guards his people from generally accepted “values” – greed, thirst for gain, the desire to get rich by any means.
Religious Practices and Traditions of Nepal
There are almost no atheists among the Nepalese. Most are Hindus, the oldest religion on earth. According to Hinduism, every object in the world – animals, wind, trees, mountains have a consciousness and a soul. Also, Nepalis believe that the gods are reincarnated on earth, taking human form.
Religious Rites and Traditions of Nepal
Legend has it that the goddess Taleju comes to earth in the form of a little girl. Vajracharya – Buddhist clerics and astrologers find and choose Kumari – the incarnation of the goddess among the representatives of the jewelry caste. The prerequisite is the presence of all teeth and the absence of menarche, that is, the girl must not shed a drop of blood.
The list of requirements consists of thirty-two points relating to external data and character traits and also assumes compliance with the astrological horoscope. For example, the horoscope should include the sign of the peacock, the voice should resemble the quack of a duck, and the skin should be clean and golden in color.
Religion and Traditions of Nepal
Girls used to be put to the test – locked up for the night among statues of deities and monsters, illuminated by candlelight. Then the scary performances began, the purpose of which was to frighten the little girls. Only the one who remained impassive throughout deserved the right to be called the incarnation of the goddess.
The chosen contender is seated in a palanquin – she must not walk. She is dressed in red robes, her eyes are lined up to her temples and a third eye is painted on her forehead as a symbol of her special abilities. Kumari’s duties include participating in religious rituals and observing a way of life according to certain canons.
Religious Festivals
There are lots of festivals in Nepal, and often they last for several days. All of them are as bright as games at NationalCasino New Zealand and dedicated to some kind of deity and the events associated with them.
In January, Magh Sankranti and Swastani Bata Katha are celebrated. In February, Sri Panchami or Saraswati Puja, the beginning of spring and the celebration of the goddess of wisdom and arts, and Losar, the Tibetan New Year.
Religious festivals of the people of Nepal March, numerous pilgrims perform ablutions in the waters of the Bagmati River during the celebration of Shiva’s night, Shivaratri.
Machhchindra Jatra is celebrated in April. The festival is dedicated to the guardian deity of Nepal.
Buddha Jayanti is the main festival of Buddhists, the day of birth, enlightenment and immersion into nirvana of the Buddha.
On Nag Panchami Day, snakes are fed as a sign of reverence for the snake-like gods of the Nagas.
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Festivals and Traditions of Nepal
Tihar or Diwali is a festival lasting five days, each of which is alternately dedicated to crows and dogs, servants of the god of death, and cows and oxen as symbols of prosperity. On the last, fifth day, the sisters and brothers pay their respects to one another. Gambling is allowed during this time, according to Nepali tradition.
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Bala Chaturdashi is a festival dedicated to the memory of the ancestors. It is customary in Nepal on this day to sow the seeds of seven plants in sacred places in order to earn for the ancestors a better place in the other world. The worshippers gather at the huge Pashupatinath temple complex for ceremonies.
Nepali Domestic Practices
The people of Nepal are unpretentious – many still live in shacks heated only by a pot of charcoal. Most of them are vegetarians. Nepalis eat with their right hands, as the left hand is considered unclean, and drink without touching the container with their lips. There is a very large number of smokers (almost 40% of the population).
The Nepali Way of Life and Customs
Till recently it was not customary to educate girls. It was believed that their main task was to be the heart of the home, to take care of children and the elderly, and to perform religious rituals. The decision to marry was made by the parents, and the wedding was mostly paid for by the bride’s parents. Back in the last century, it was believed that the best age for a bride was 7-8 years old.
Legends of Nepal
The Himalayas for the Nepalese are sacred, and for a long time, foreigners were forbidden to climb them. Until now, the mountain Machapuchare remains closed to tourists, because according to legend it is home to the deity Shiva. According to the epic, the god of abundance lives on top of Mount Kanchenjunga. There is access to all five riches of the world – gold and turquoise, grain, salt, weapons, and sacred books. It is also where the entrance to the mysterious Shambhala is said to be located.
Many believe that the caves of the Himalayas contain material that constitutes the gene pool of mankind, including the Lemurians and Atlanteans.
There is a belief that Bigfoot lives in the Himalayas. Locals say they often hear his long voice. Although many expeditions have been sent in search of Bigfoot, his presence has not yet been proven.
Thousands of tourists flock to Nepal these days. They are attracted by the colourful culture of the Nepalese, the famous octogenarian mountains and architectural monuments untouched by barbarians. Pilgrims go to Lumbini, the settlement where Buddha was born. One can only hope that the purity and sanctity of these places will be preserved for mankind by the great ancient gods of Nepal.
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