Embrace Nepal: Discover Authentic Nepali Culture

Nepal is a home to 142 castes and ethnicities, 123 different languages. The national anthem of Nepal reflects the nation to be a 'garland of hundred flowers'. Some even quote it to be 'the melting pot of culture'. The diversity this nation has to offer stands true to both these epithets. Home to 142 castes and ethnicities, each of these diverse communities have their distinct cuisine, music, dance, art and culture. These scrumptious cuisine, melodious music, diverse dialects, pleasant hymns and dances, are just the right way to experience the beauty of Nepal.

Festivals 

Festivals are the central part of the Nepalese culture. Almost every city around the country celebrates its history, religion, deities in the form of festivals. The key factor about festivals within Nepal is that they unravel the joy amongst families and communities which is bound to unnerve joy and happiness amongst visitors. Prime festival celebrated during the month of September/October are; Dashain and Tihar. A spectator is welcomed by Mangal Dhun, hymns and flutes being whistled across the streets of the country. Kites soaring in the sky, children swaying in the bamboo swings, and bells dangling in almost all the temples is truly a sight one must witness during Dashain Festival. On the other hand, Tihar also known as the 'festival of lights', offers tranquility to spectators. As one can see, every doorstep of each of the houses around the country decorated with beautiful arch and shapes of varied colors, oil lanterns decorated in the doors and windows of houses, fire crackers crackling, young boys and girls playing deusi-bhailo (form of singing and dancing done during the festival) in the streets. A larger taste of the culture, religion and faith of Nepalese society can be garnered best during these festivals. The firm climatic condition of the switch from summer to winter offers a rather suitable environment for tourists during this season.

Kathmandu Valley in particular is home to numerous other festivals celebrated around varied months of the calendar. Indra Jatra celebrated during the month of September harnesses the valley worshipping living goddess Kumari, having her holy procession around the capital city in a well decorated chariot, the Pulu kishi and Lakhey dance being observed during the festival is truly an essential experience to closely witness and understand the affluent history of the Malla rulers and local Newa community. Similarly, Machhindranth chariot being pulled in Kathmandu and Lalitpur, Bhairav nath chariot being pulled during Bisket Jatra festival marking the new year of Nepal, is other lively experience to witness the magic Nepal has to offer in the form of festivals.

Similarly, the people from the Terai region celebrate Chhath, a festival dedicated to worshiping the sun and expressing gratitude for its role in sustaining life on Earth. In the mountain region, the Tibetan New Year, known as Losar, is observed three times a year by different ethnic groups. A few words would not do justice to the exhilarating experience festivals in Nepal has to offer.

Dances

If you find yourself walking in the street of Lalitpur during the month of Kartik (October or November), you would be able to witness dance and drama being observed in front of Krishna Mandir with deities dressed as Lord Vishnu and Hiranya Kashyap. This is just one of the peculiar dances observed within Nepal. Other dance form includes the Lakhey dance observed during festivals across the Kathmandu Valley and outside. Distinctly, Navadurga dance (dance of the nine goddesses) is also a unique art expressing the plight of the holy goddesses. Festivals like gai jatra is a perfect opportunity to witnesses other dances like; goddess Kali, Kumari, Maha Laxmi, four Betals, two Bhuchas and two Khyaks. Among other celebrated local dances are; Monkey Dance (Maka Pyakhan), dancing girls (Natuwa), Lakhey Pyakhan (Demon Dance), Nagacha (duet between Shiva and Parvati).

Apart from festivals, certain communities also observe distinct dance forms and music accentuating the rich culture of Nepal. For instance, the classic Ghatu Naach observed by Gurung community in Gandaki, Soarthi dance performed by western community for 15 days during dashain and tihar, maruni dance observed in eastern and western Nepal. Deuda Nach, Dhaan Nach, Chandi Naach, Hanuman Nritya are other dance forms observed during several festivals and regions of Nepal.

Music

All the aforementioned dance forms are accompanied by distinct musical instruments of Nepal. Panche Baja which comprises of 5 distinct instruments a) Jhyamta, b) Nagara, c) Tyamko, d) Sanai, and e) Narsingha can be found playing during a local wedding ceremony, and certain national ceremony and events. Other musical instruments as Sarangi are often played by the locals and musicians to emanate their feelings through these traditional strings. Flute is another major musical instrument that is an essential part of the festivals and folklores of the country. Moreover, the thudding of Dholak and Jhyamta welcomes the guests during any form of Jatras and festivals. You will find yourself enchanted to the rhythms of strings, flutes, tablas, madals, played in the inns and streets across temples in the evening. Nepal literally has a melodious street stroll to offer.

Cuisine

Another stand out factor of the country is its mouth-watering diverse cuisine. Nepalese food is the culmination of Indian and Tibetan culinary. The traditional staple food is 'daal-bhat', But Nepal is also widely known for its juicy dumpling commonly known as mo:mo: Each community of the country have a distinct scrumptious cuisine. Mithila community of the terai region have a rich Mithila thaali, comprising a proportionate blend of sweet and savory food as rice, pickle, wheat, fish and sweet dishes in which use of various spices, herbs and natural edibles are attention seekers. Similarly, Thakali cuisine belonging to the gurung community of the country also comprises locally grown grains, meat, lentils, vegetables, and spices imported from lower regions to the south. Ju: Ju Dhau which translates to 'King curd', harnesses the richness garnered by Nepalese dessert. Several sweet dishes from Terai, noodle dishes from the Tibetan belt, Maari from the valley are other stand out dishes of the rich Nepalese cuisine.