Bhojpur District of Nepal

Country - Nepal
Region   - Eastern (Purbanchal)
Zone      - Koshi
Total Area - 1,507KM2 (581.9sq m)
Time Zone - NPT (UTC+5:45)

Bhojpur District is situated eastern part of Nepal Koshi Zone. The district, with Bhojpur as its district headquarters, to the northern part of this district lies the beautiful small city of Dingla. Various hill castes, Brahmin (Bahun in Nepali), Kshetriya (Chhetri in Nepali) and ethnic group like Rai reside within this beautiful area. This is the Place where Rudrakshya trees are grown naturally in the forest as well as individually on people's land.

Champe is the other small town where people from surrounding villages come and sell their products. This happens every 15 days and is called Hatiya. Balankha (Walangkha) is one of the growing towns in the southwest are of Bhojpur. Another town Ghoretar, southeast of Bhojpur, has been a center point of trade, education and administration for a long time. It is famous as Hatuwa Gadi "a powerful Fort of Kirat king Sunahang" in Kirant history.

Balankha borders with neighboring Khotang district's Bupung village. Balankha is slowly emerging as another hub of education, communication, health and trade. The most distinctive thing about Balankha is its famous Chhongkha Chandi celebration. It is the Kirat Rai festival when Rais go to 'Chandi Than' at Dammarkhu village of Khotang (across the river Buwa Khola), pray for good harvest and rain. Then they flock back to the open space of Chandi Bazzar to dance and celebrate whith great joy.

Bhojpur district have the 63 village development committee. There are as follows:

Amtep

Annapurna

Balankha

Basikhora

Basingtharpur

Basteem

Bhaisipankha

Bhubal

Bhulke

Bokhim

Bhojpur

Boya

Champe

Changre

Charambi

Chaukidada

Chhinamukh

Dalgaun

Deurali

Dewantar

Dhodalekhani

Dobhane

Dummana

Gogane

Gupteshwor

Hasanpur

Helauchha

Homtang

Jarayotar

Keemalung Keurepani

Khairang

Khartimchha

Khatamma

Khawa

Kota

Kudak Kaule

Kulunga

Lekharka

Mane Bhanjyang

Mulpani

Nagi

Nepaledada

Okhre

Pangcha

Patle Pani

Pranab Mukherjee visit to Nepal



Pranab Mukherjee will arrive here on November 27. Matters relating to strengthening of trade relations and expansion of bilateral economic cooperation will figure during Mukherjee's high-level talks with the Nepalese leadership. India and Nepal will sign the key Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) during Finance Minister Mukherjee's visit here next week which will create better investment climate for Indian businesses in this country. Nepal and India will sign the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) during Mukherjee's one-day visit to Nepal, according to Foreign Ministry sources here. The bill, which embodies modern trade principles, will enable Indian investors and traders to enjoy tax relaxation in India once they pay taxes in Nepal. During Nepalese Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai's recent visit to India, the two countries had signed the BIPPA (Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement) to attract more Indian investments in Nepal. During the visit the two sides were supposed to sign the DTAA, which was postponed due to some technical reasons. The agreement will boost the confidence of the investors and would help Nepal to attract more investments from India, according to experts. Nepal government has sorted out differences on the text of some of the articles of the agreement making it at par with that of India. The Nepalese cabinet this week endorsed the revised texts of the agreement.

NEPAL IS THE KINGDOM OF FESTIVALS

Nepal is a multicultural, caste, ethnicity, religion, language diversities in place, region natural resources, monsoon festival etc. Nepal is the smallest country surrounded by 0.03% of land of world. The topest land and fifty-nine meters from sea land in Nepal.


So many amazing things can be finding here. The temperature 00 to 480 celcious , plants, like half animal and half tree (YARSHA GUMBA) people civilized to route, festival, Loshar (Sherpa) to Chhath (Terai peopl) etc. Chhath is in edge of specially Terai people home. It's the biggest festival of Terai region people. The chhath pooja, dedicated to Chhatti Mai (Goddess of Power) is a festival held in high esteem, particularly, by the people of Nepal’s Eastern Terai region. The worshipping of the rising Sun in Knee-deep water of river and lake. Chat festival is festival of respect and devotion. On this festival, the devotee worship to Sun. So it is called worship of Sun.
According to religion, that people who celebrate Chhath, he / she get what they wish, harmony relation to their family, prosperity and happiness. Basically a women, worship to sun, for long life of her husband.

Scientifically, there are reasons for celebrating Chhath. On the day of Chhath, sun in the god to worship. Sun is source of energy. So every creation of world is due to sun rays. We are here because of sun rays. The sun made us so many things by which are living. In some cases, the sun rays protect from skin disease too. SO sun is the biggest thing to living things around the earth.

Now, Chhath festival not only celebrates in Terai region but also in hill region especially in Kingod. People are integrated by Chhath festival with to make good relation with different religion, caste ethnicity.

At last, it is characteristic of small country with different festivals. Because of this festival, people integrated with diversities.

ABOUT NEPAL

Nepal Key Fact

Official Name:           Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

Area:                         147,181 sq. km

Geography:                Situated between China and India (North in China and South, East and West in the India)

Location:                    South Asia (Latitude: 2612' to 3027' North Longitude: 804' to 8812' East)
Capital:                      Kathmandu
Population:                26,620,809 (Nepal Census 2011)
People:                      More than 103 ethnic groups and more than 93 spoken languages.  
Language:                 Official Language - Nepali
Currency:                  Nepalese Rupee
National Bird:            Impean Pheasant (Danfe)
National Flower:       Rhododendron (Lali Gurans)

National Animal:       Cow

Economy:                   GDP: 35.81 billion (2010 est); GDP Real Growth Rate: 4.6% (2010est)

Weather:                    Nepal has four major seasons, namely:-

·         Winter: December – February

·         Spring: March – May

·         Summer:    June – August

·         Autumn:    September – November

Per Capita GDP:       US 472$

Per Capita GNP:       US 786$

Time                           GMT + 5.45

Climate:          Sub-tropical in low lands to cold in higher altitudes Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and altitude variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 meters above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters, all within a distance of 150 kilometers resulting in climatic conditions from sub-tropical to cold. This wild variation fosters an incredible variety of ecosystems, the greatest mountain range on earth, thick tropical jungles packed with a wealth of wildlife, thundering rivers, forested hills and ice-covered valleys.

Within this impressive geography is also one of the richest cultural landscapes anywhere. The country is a collection of ethnic groups and sub-groups who speak over 93 languages. Nepal offers an astonishing diversity of sightseeing attractions and adventure opportunities found nowhere else on earth. And you can join in the numerous annual festivals that are celebrated throughout the year in traditional style highlighting enduring customs and beliefs.

Nepal has been depict by this precious places,  cultural and religious things:-

Ø  Roof of the World

Ø  Birth place of the Gautam Buddha

Ø  Country of Living Goddess

Ø  Land of Mysticism.

Ø  Pagodas and Parasols

Ø  Himalayan Pilgrimage

Ø  Melting pot of Hinduism and Buddhism

Ø  A tiny Kingdom of 103 ethnic groups and more than 93 spoken languages

Ø  Birth place of Sita

Ø  Land of non-stop festivals is explicit and self-explanatory. They tell the world about our incomparable & prosperous world cultural heritage.

TRAVELLING

We like to see new things and new places. We do not want to stay at the same place. We like to visit different places. Going from one place to another place to another is called travelling. We may travel in our own country or may go abroad. We may travel far or near.

People travel for various reasons. Some persons travel for the sake of pleasure. They go to see places interest. Some men travel for business. They go to buy and sell things. Some people travel for education. Some persons travel for health. They go to healthy places for change of air. Some person travel for pilgrimage. Some men go to visit their kith and kin.

There are different modes of travelling. The cheapest and easiest method of travelling is on foot. But we cannot travel to distant places on foot. Another mode of travelling is on a bicycle. The bicycle is the poor man’s vehicle. We travel to distant places by bus of train. We go to foreign countries by ship or airplane. The airplane is the swiftest means of travelling. In some places, people travel on horses, camels, elephants of by carts.

In ancient times, travelling was difficult and dangerous. There were few good roads. There were no trains, ships or buses. There was danger of being attacked on the way by robbers. People used to travel in groups. They had to walk long distance on foot. Travelling is easy nowadays. There are good roads and different modes of travelling. We can easily go from one place to another.

Travelling has many advantages. It gives us pleasure. When we see beautiful places and fine scenes, our minds are filled with joy. Travelling gives us knowledge. We see new places and meet new people. We learn many things about them. We can introduce some good things in our country. Travelling creates understanding and sympathy. When we come into contact with the people of other places, we understand their ways and manners. We begin to look upon them with respect. Travelling broadens our outlook and removes places should travel and meet one another. Then they will know one another better.

Travelling for the young is a sort of education and for the old a part of experience. In Europe and America people travel much. They go to other places on week-ends and other holidays. Students also are in the habit of travelling. Education is not considered complete without travelling. The students of our country also should emulate this example. They should travel far and near.

The people of our country do not travel much. One reason is that they are poor. Another reason is that travelling is difficult in our country. We do not have many good roads in our country. Travelling is especially difficult in the highly regions. There is hardly any means of travelling except walking on foot. In the Terai also, the roads are not good at many places. We have to travel in bullock-carts. In the rainy season, the roads are full of water and mud. Hence, we should try to build more roads in our country.

So I will request you please visit our country you can see more historical, mountain and many more places.

A Visit to a Historical Place of Nepal

We must be familiar with the history of our country. One of the best ways of learning history is to visit historical places. There are many historical places in our country. They are found in the valley of Kathmandu and outside. I have visited few historical places outside the valley. I have visited many such places in the valley.

            One of the famous historical places in the valley of Kathmandu is Bhaktapur. It is a very old town. It was founded by King Ananda dev. It was once a flourishing town. It was the capital of the Malla Kings. We traveled from Kathmandu by bus. It takes half an hour to reach here. There is a fine motor able road. The bus stopped neat Siddha Pokhari. It is a big pond, but not properly maintained.

            We went to the

Durbar Square

and visited the National Art Gallery. he Gallery contains many historical pictures of the Malla Kings. It has a great educational value for students. It is a small gallery but well-maintained.

            Near the gallery, we can see the Durbar (Palace) where the Malla Kings lived. This palace was built by King Bhupatindra Malla. This palace contains fifty-five windos. These wooden windows are artistic and of old design. Besides this main place, there are other palaces in the big compound. We saw built marks on the walls and windows of some of these places. These bullet marks were left in a battle fought between King Ranjit Malla of Bhaktapur and Prithvi Narayan Shah. Ranjit Malla fought bravely but was defeated.

            Next we visited the ancient temples. First, we visited the temple of Taleju Bhavani in the

Durbar Square

. Then, we went to the Nyatpol Temple. It has five stories. It is the highest and famous temple in the town. It occupies a central position in the town. We also visited the temple of Datttraya. This temple, they say, is made of the wood of a single tree. It is now partly dilapidated.

            After visiting these historical places, we went round the town. It is a small town. The streets and the lanes are not clean. Most of the people of the town are peasants. They are engaged in agriculture and dairy-farming. Bhkatapur is famous for curds and dried milk.

            There is a famous temple near Bhaktapur. It is the temple of Surya Vinayak. We visited the temple and enjoyed a picnic in the forest nearby. Surya Vinayak is a holy place and a picnic spot. It lies on the Araniko Rajmarg whichruns to Kodari on the Chinese border.

            Bhaktapur wa once a flourishing town. Nowadays, its importance has declined. There is no big industry in the town. Its only importance is that it is the centre of an agricultural region. It is also the headquarters of Bhaktapur District. Its historical importance attracts tourists. Those who come to visit Kathmandu hardly miss a visit to Bhaktapur.

            My visit to Bhaktapur was rewarding. I knew many historical and other facts about the town.

The Hospital

(Hospital)

A hospital is a place where sick or wounded people are treated. Our country has a shortage of hospitals. We have hospitals in towns but our villages are still without hospitals. Hospitals are not held in high esteem in our country. Some persons still do not like to go to a hospital for treatment. They would rather die at home than be admitted into a hospital. This is sheer prejudice and ignorance.

            A hospital has two departments: indoor and outdoor. In the indoor department, patients are kept in wards and treated in the hospital. This department has two wards: general and private. In the general ward, patients are treated freely; in the private ward, they have to pay for the bed and medicine, but they receive the free service of doctors and nurse. Rich persons prefer to stay in the private ward. In the outdoor department, patients are examined and advised treatment at home. Simple cases are examined in the outdoor department, while major cases are treated in the indoor department.

A big hospital is a huge establishment. There are two wards: medical and surgical. There are many doctors, nurses and other workers. All their activities have to be supervised and coordinated. Various kinds of medicines, equipment and cases of emergency have to be treated promptly. Patients have to be looked after carefully. Carelessness and neglect may result in suffering or death of patient.

The hospital is a very useful institution. Poor persons receive free treatment. In surgical and serious medical cases, even rich persons find it advantageous to be treated in a hospital. In a hospital, there are good doctors, nurses and other facilities. Patients are carefully treated and nursed. They are kept under strict medical rules. At home, Patients do not have such facilities.

In the western countries, people go to a hospital even for minor cases because the hospitals are well-equipped and well-organized. In our country, even the few existing hospitals are poorly equipped and ill-staffed. They are generally short of medical supplies and facilities. People have little faith in our other countries for treatment. This state of affairs should be improved. Hospitals involve the question of life and death. The patients should be well treated and carefully looked after.

Our villages are short of hospitals and medical facilities. Many villagers die for want of treatment. It is time that we give serious thought to the establishment of hospitals in villages. We cannot have a hospital for every village, but we should establish hospitals at important rural centers. A hospital at an important rural centre can serve the neighboring villages. We should also turn our attention to the shortage of doctors and nurses. There is only one medical college in our country. A few more colleges should be established.

(Hospital Bed)

Tourism in Nepal

(Mt. Makalu)

People like to travel abroad. They visit countries which have many places of interest. In Nepal we have the lofty Himalayans. These mountains are full of fine scenery. There are many beauty spots on the mountains. The snowcapped peaks, roaring falls, the tranquil lakes, the fine flora and fauna, the antique and artistic temples attract many people to our country. Every year thousands of foreign tourists come to our country.

(Inside Maya Devi Temple in Lumibini)

We should welcome tourists. Tourism is a source of earning foreign currency. The tourists who come to our country exchange foreign currency with our money. In this way, we get foreign currency. Foreign currency is useful to us for purchasing foreign goods. Tourists purchase some goods, curios and native articles in our country. The producers of these goods gain something from tourists. Tourists also help the hotel industry. They like to stay in good and well-furnished hotels. Some good hotels have been built in Kathmandu to accommodate foreign tourists. Tourists require guides. Some people earn a living as guides.

(Pokhara Phewa Lkae)

Tourists help some of our people to learn foreign customs and languages. The persons who work in hotels or serve as guides learn some foreign customs and languages from tourists. We can see some uneducated boys in Kathmandu speaking English and guiding foreign visitors. Those who come cultivated a broad outlook. They become cosmopolitan in manners and can easily mix with the people of other countries.

Tourists help to acquaint their countrymen with our country. They see many good things in our country and talk of them when they return to their country. Many people in foreign countries have prejudiced notions about our country. Tourists see many things with their own eyes and shed off many of prejudices. They see the progress made in our country and do not think that Nepal is only a land of forests, mountains and temples. They come to know that there are many fine things and fine people. What we cannot tell about our country by spending lots of money on publicity can be done without spending a penny with the help of tourists. So we should leave a good impression on tourists with our behavior and speech.

Nepal was a forbidden land to tourists before 1950. The autocratic Rana rulers hardly permitted foreigners to come to Nepal. With the advent of democracy Nepal has opened its doors to all.

Tourists from any country are free to visit our land. Many tourists come every year, but we should attract more. The Government should provide them with many facilities. They should have little visa and customs difficulties. They should feel secure and comfortable where they stay. They should have freedom of movement and should be able to see places they like. The people who come into contact with them should be polite and courteous. We should welcome tourists for they are good paying guests.

(Baudha)

The Himalayas

MT. Everest

            Nepal is known as the land of the Himalayas. These are the loftiest mountains in the world. The Himalayas extend all over northern Nepal and occupy nearly forty percent of the total area of our country. They consist of several parallel ranges, one higher than the other. The higher Himalayas are perpetually covered with snow, that’s why they are called the Himalayas. In Sanskrit, ‘Himalaya’ means the abode of snow. The higher Himalayas contain most of the highest peaks in the world. Some of the highest peaks Mt. Everest, Kanchanjungha, Lhotse and Cho Oyu. These peaks attract climbers every year. The high Himalayas contain several big glaciers and lakes. They are devoid of vegetation and human settlement.

            The lower Himalayas are forested. The forests contain pine trees and rhododendrons. The rhododendron is the national flower of our country. On the flower parts of these mountains we find valleys and lakes. The lower Himalayas are inhabited but the density of populations. People rear goats and sheep. Some cultivation is done on the hill-slopes and in the valleys.

            The Himalayas are a great hindrance to the development of our country. The cover a large part of our country. As they are unfit for cultivation, a big area of our country is a huge waste. Transport is difficult across the mountains and people cannot easily travel from one part of the country to another. Some parts of the Himalayas are inaccessible and inhospitable.

            Though the Himalayas are an obstacle to the development of our country, we derive many benefits from them. They stand as sentinels on our northern border. They form an insurmountable wall and protect us from enemy attacks. Because of the Himalayas, we don’t have to deploy a big army on our northern frontier. The Himalayas also protect us from the cold winds blowing from Central Asia. Were it not for the Himalayas, the climate of Nepal would have been awfully cold in winter. The Himalayas also give us plenty of rain. They stop the monsoons coming from the Bay of Bengal and cause a good deal of rainfall.

            The Himalayas supply our rivers with water. All our big rivers originate from the Himalayas. The rivers are full of water all the year round. They are useful for irrigation and generating electricity. The climate on the lower Himalayas is cool and conductive to health. A number of hill stations can be developed in these regions. The Himalayas are full of fine scenery and attract a large number of tourists and climbers. The influx of tourists is helping us to earn a large amount of foreign currency. The slopes of the lower Himalayas are rich in minerals, soft-wood tress, medicinal herbs and cash crops like tea and cardamom. Thus, the Himalayas are useful to us in many ways.

Rai

Nepal is multi cast, language, cultural, religious and class.  So we get multiple things in here. According to census 2058 we get 100 and 2 cast in Nepal. Rai is one cast which is known as indigenous cast of Nepal. Rai word is used by King Prithvi Narayan Shah on his brass plate and King Rana Bahadur Shah also used this word in Lal Mohar.

Rai word is used in incent time to recognized as King, great person and leader among Khambu people. Especially Rai cast originally find in eastern part of Nepal. Eastern part from Sunkoshi and western part from Koshi River is known as Khambuwan. So all the people cast named Khambu. Nowadays all Khambu are known as Rai. Rai have great history in the Nepal. They ruled in Nepal by their thirty two dynasties.

Rai have own culture, norm and characteristics. They have own language. According to language Rai cast have divided into thirty three types. Rai people are integrated by Kiranti religion.

They have their own clad and they celebrate Udhounly and Ubhounly twice a year. These are the most important festival of Rai people. Ubhounly celebrate in Baishakh full moon and in this festival all Rai people pray to god (Sumnima and Paruhang) for their good crops. Wish safe their crops from God. Udhounly celebrate in Mangshir full moon and pray to god for his kind help as well as thanks for good crops. Especially Rai people worship to nature and love nature.

Rai is indigenous cast and they have their own history in Nepal. Rai cast is renown in Nepal as well as in foreign country because of their honesty, loyalty, Bravery etc. 

Information in Nepal

(Maya Devi Temple: Lumbini)

(Phewa Lake: Pokhara)

 Nepal is a landlocked country. It is  the southern part of giant continent Asia there lies rectangular tiny Himalayan country squeezed between two huge populated countries - China on the north and India on the south, east and west is the country called Nepal - the world of its own.

The land of contrast is ostensibly the exact way to define the topography of Nepal for you. Here, you will find maximum world’s eight highest peaks soaring high up above the clouds striving for God’s abode. Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Manaslu and Mt. Annapurna and many other peaks are there for the mountain-lovers and adventurers.

No wonder after viewing the panoramic views of everlasting snow-covered mountain ranges if you find yourself not far below (within a day’s distance) busy taking close-up photos of Royal Bengal Tigress prowling in the dense tropical forest along with one-horn Rhinos, Gharials, Crocodiles, and many endangered vertebrate mammals and reptiles amidst the friendly people of natives belonging to different colorful 36 ethnic groups.

Thus, it is not unusual to bask round the snowy peaks in the early morning and take warm shower under tropical sun with distance covered by your own on-foot journey within a day. Also, the land is blessed with everlasting peace and tranquility. So, for the reason Lord Buddha was born here. According to Hindu relic (Ramayana) Sita (wife of Lord Ram) was also born in this particular place. These ancient and medieval relics are still well preserved and full of lives. When you witness, every wall speaks itself. That is why many visitors cannot help themselves gasping, and trying hard to retake a gulf of air to gulp down as the breathtaking views almost take their breath.

Nepal at a Glance

Continent:     Asia
Official Name:    Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
Capital :            Kathmandu
Location :         Situated between India in the south, east and west and Tibetan autonomous region of the People's Republic of China in the north.
Area :                 147,181 sq. km.
Length :             885 km. (East to West)
Width :              Non-uniform, mean width of 193 km. (North to South)
Political System: Democratic Republic
Population :   25 Million
Population Growth Rate: 2.2 %
People :             Nepal has more than 100 ethnic groups and 110 spoken languages.
Religion:       Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity.
National Flower:       Rhododendron – Arboreum (Lali Gurans)
National Bird :         Imphean Pheasant (Danfe)
Time Zone :     5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT
Unit of Currency : Nepalese Rupee (Re)

By Air

Getting there by air is the simplest and easiest way because the land access to Nepal is not recommended. By air, different international flights are connected with Kathmandu from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo- Japan and from Shanghai- China from the Asia-pacific. You can also enter from Indian states like Delhi, Mumbai, Banarashi, Calcutta as many flights has been operated by Indian Airlines and newly launched two private air companies - Jet Airways and Jet Lite. Getting here is also possible from Islamabad, Pakistan and Dhaka of Bangladesh. This is the access point from SAARC countries. Also, lot more tourists in Nepal arrive from the Middle East, Doha of Qatar via Qatar Airways and Abudhabi of UAE via Gulf Air, Air Arabia, Flight Dubai, Ethiad Airways. The access point from Europe, Amsterdam - Arke Fly, operates once in a week throughout the year. Nepal's only one International Airlines, NAC (Nepal Airlines Corporation) operates linked flights in different destinations.

By Land:

Getting there by land is very difficult. In fact, getting into Nepal from the autonomous region of Tibet is very difficult and if you are planning to make a trip to Lhasa or any other cities of mainland China, then you should first obtain your valid visa from Chinese Embassies around the world. If you're getting into Nepal via the borders of India, then the access points are Sunauli nearby Lumbini, and India has Railway access to some borders of Nepal such as Birgunj. It is also possible to have a bus ride from Delhi to Tanakpur, the far western part of the country, Mahendranagar as the access point.

Visa / Travel Information

Visa :

Tourist Visa Rules in Nepal (Effective from 16 July 2008 ). Tourists who visit Nepal must hold valid passport and visa.

Entry:

Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal Embassy / Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following immigration offices in Nepal:

Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)
Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)

Tourist Visa

Visa Facility             Duration         Fee     

Multiple entry          15 days          US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency

Multiple entry          30 days          US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency

Multiple entry          90 days          US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency

Tourist Visa Extension

Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 2 per day.

Accommodation 

Nepal has every category of accommodation facilities that range from the international standard star hotels to budget hotels and lodges. During spring and fall, the better hotels work at near full capacity and are booked well in advance. There are, however, plenty of less glamorous but decent hotels to suit everyone's fancies and finances. Most hotels offer choice of: bed and breakfast; bed, breakfast and one other meal; or room and full board. Rates vary as per facilities. Even in remote parts of Nepal, accommodation and meals for tourists are more easily available these days.

Shopping 

Nepal has many fine handicrafts to offer to visitors such as hand- knotted woolen carpets, jewellery, pashmina shawls, woolen - knit wears, embroidery, thangka paintings, mithila paintings, wood carving, metal works, ceramics and pottery, rice paper and stationery.

Credit Card 

Major credit cards such as MasterCard, American Express, Visa card are honored and accepted at major hotels, restaurants etc.

Tourist Security

A unit of Nepal Police known as the Tourist Police, trained specially to assist visitors regarding security and other travel related problems is available instantly upon request.

 

Foreign Exchange 

Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through the banks or authorized foreign exchange dealers. The receipt from such transaction is to be obtained and retained. Visitors can exchange money at the foreign exchange counter at the Airport upon arrival also.

Electricity

220 Volts AC at 50 hertz throughout the country.

Insurance:

Please ensure that you are adequately insured to cover up any unforeseen incidents such as accidental injuries, inability to continue at high altitude, deaths etc.

 

People In Nepal

Nepal has a population of more than 25 million consisting of more than 100 ethnic groups having different cultures and spoken languages. The distribution of the different ethnic groups reflects the geographical diversity of the country. The majority of Nepal's population is of indo-Aryan origin, the remaining are of Tibetan and Bhotia, inhabitants of northern Nepal and Mongoloid inhabitants of the central belt.

Some Major Ethnic Groups Of People

Newar

Kathmandu has been the homeland of Newar community. The Newars are inhabitants of a Tibeto-Burman origin who speak in Newari as well as Nepali. The Newars are among the largest indigenous groups of Nepal and make up the 7% of the total population. Several Newari families follow Buddhism as well as Hinduism. The people of this group usually inclines towards commerce, trade and farming. They excel in art, literature, sculpturing, casting bronze, silver and fascinating forms of architecture.

Brahmin

Brahmins are the priestly class of Indo-Aryan origin, also known as Bahuns, occupying the highest position in the Hindu hierarchy. They are said to have come to Nepal from different parts of India. Today, they are found in every part of Nepal and have taken up different occupations.

Chhetri

Chhetris, who look like the Brahmins also have an Indo-Aryan origin, have been traditionally classified as warriors and administrators. They are recognized for their bravery and administrative skills. Today, they are proportionately distributed in almost all the parts of Nepal. They have been working in different fields. They are said to have originally come from northern India during and after the time of Lord Buddha. The Khas are generally regarded as Bahuns and Chhetris who set up their own kingdoms in the past in the far-western parts of Nepal.

Gurung

They are originally belonging to the Tibet-Burman ethnic group, live mostly in the central region of Nepal in places like the foothills of western part. The Gurungs are good farmers as well as warriors. They look like the Rais, Limbus and Magars, have introduced themselves internationally as the brave Gurkha-soldiers.

Kiranti

The Kirantis are among the first group of people ruling over Nepal. Ancient Hindu texts like Himvat-Khanda and Mahabharat have mentioned their names. They basically come from eastern Nepal. These people are of Tibeto-Burman origin, worship their ancestors and at the same time follow Buddhism, Hinduism, Animism and so on. They are very good farmers and warriors. They are rich in culture and have several languages and scripts.

Magar

The Magars, having Tibeto-Burman origin, live in the western region of Nepal. They speak the Tibeto-Burman language and are Hindu by faith but they also follow Buddhism. The Magars are mostly farmers but their martial qualities and physical fitness have made them perfect soldiers.

Sherpa

They are said to have come from Tibet, speak the Tibeto-Burman language and live in the Himalayan region of Nepal. They are hardworking, friendly and reliable. The largest Sherpa settlements are in SoluKhumbu at the foothill of Mt. Everest. The Sherpas are known for adventurous mountaineers of international repute.

Tharu

They are the only people living in the forest of the Terai along the southern base of Nepal. Their age-old religion has been Animism that often reflects their mixed belief in Hinduism and Buddhism. They are said to be descendants of the Rajput (ruling class) of India, have spread from eastern to western part of Nepal.

Religion Of Nepal

Religious practice is an important part of the Nepalese way of life. Two main religions are dominant in Nepal: Hinduism and Buddhism. Hinduism is made up of thousand of gods and goddesses. Bramha, Vishnu and Shiva are three major Gods, but each has a complex tapestry of manifestations and incarnations. Each deity also has a vehicle, which is often seen kneeling faithfully outside the shrine. Buddhism is the second major religion in Nepal. Shakyamuni Buddha, who was born in Nepal around 6th century BC, is the founder of Buddhism. The great Buddhist Stupas of Swoyambhu and Bauddha in the Kathmandu Valley are among the oldest and most beautiful worship sites in Nepal. Nepali, like Hindi, is written in the Devnagari script. It is Nepal's national language, apart from being the lingua franca of the country's divergent communities that speak mutually unintelligible language and dialects. English is also widely spoken and understood in urban areas. In Tourism sector people speak English, Japanese, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and other foreign languages.

Climate of Nepal

Nepal has a typical monsoonal two - season a year. There is a dry season from October to May and there is the wet season, the monsoon, from June to September. September - November, the start of the dry season, is in many ways the best time of the year in Nepal. When monsoon just ends, the countryside is green and lush. Nepal is at its most beautiful and during this season there are plenty of colorful festivals to enjoy.

History Of Nepal

Nepal enjoys the glory of always being a sovereign and independent country. It has never been under foreign domination.
Ancient Nepal consisted of many small autonomous states. King Prithivi Narayan Shah unified Nepal by bringing these small states together into one nation in 1769. Since then, Kathmandu has been the capital of Nepal. After the Anglo-Nepali War (1814-1816), Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana greatly expanded his powers and established the Rana lineage of hereditary Prime Ministers who ruled Nepal until 1951, when the late King Tribhuvan led a popular revolution which put an end to the Rana autocracy. In 1959, the first general election was held and the parliamentary government was set up for a short period. Nepal experienced the liberal Panchayat system for three decades.

The popular people's movement welcomed the new era of democracy in 1990. A new constitution was written to secure the sovereignty of the people and a democratic political system with constitutional monarchy was established.

Geography of Nepal

The Himalaya: The Himalayan range makes up the northern border of the country and represents 15% of the total area of Nepal. Peaks like Mt. Everest (8848 m), Kanchenjunga (8586m), and Dhaulagiri (8167 m) are found here and sparse vegetation is found up to 4,500 m. Some of  Nepal's most beautiful animal and plant-life are also found here. Although rare, the snow leopard and Danphe bird are much talked-about sights among visitors. The people in this region produce and sell cheese besides working as mountain guides and porters. Many also trade with Tibet and across the border to sell their goods.

The Hills: This region covers 68% of the total land area of the country. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal is located here., Elevation ranges from 500 to 3,000m above sea level. During summer the temperature reaches an average of 32 degree Celsius. Winter are cold, temperature sometimes reaches minus 1 degree Celsius. Areas in the eastern hills receive more rainfall because of the monsoon clouds, which come from the Bay of Bengal. The rivers in the west, which do not receive much rainfall, are dependent upon the melted snow that flows down the Himalayas. Wild animals to be found here are the spotted leopard, barking deer and Himalayan black bear. The hilly region is also popular for different kinds of birds. Over four hundred species of birds are found here.

The Terai: Locally called Terai, lowland areas, covers 17% of the total land area of Nepal. It provides excellent farming land and the average elevation of lowlands is 100 to 300m above sea level. In the sub-tropical forest areas of Terai are found, marshes and wildlife, which include the Royal Bengal tiger, one horned rhino and the Gharial crocodile etc. About 48% of the country's population occupies this region. Flat farmlands and the region's flexible topography have given rise to many industries.

Festivals In Nepal

A festival is always a meaningful event in Nepal where the people find more joy in participation than just watching. In Nepal every festival has some good purpose to serve; such as to bring rain or to have good harvest, to honor a mother or father, to avert calamities or to nourish one’s soul with something spiritual. In fact, festivals are the best way to understand and appreciate the Nepalese way of life.

Navavarsha 

The Nepalese New Year’s Day usually falls in the second week of April i.e. the first day of Baisakh. The day is observed as a national holiday. The people celebrate it with a great pomp and show. On this occasion, Bisket Jatra is held in the City of Bhaktapur.

Baisakh Poornima 

 
As Nepal is birthplace of Lord Buddha, the Light of Asia, the triple anniversary of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death is observed with many colorful ceremonies on this day. People celebrate the occasion with great veneration paying homage to Buddha at places like Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath and Lumbini.

Red Machchhendranath Rath Jatra 

This festival is the biggest socio-cultural event of Patan. The wheeled chariot of a deity known as Bungdyo or Red Machchhendranath is made at Pulchowk and dragged through the city of Patan in several stages till it reaches the appointed destination Lagankhel. The grand finale of the festival is called the “Bhoto Dekhaune” or the “showing of the vest”. A similar kind of chariot festival White Machchhendranath is also held in Kathmandu City in the month of March/April.

Dumji 

 
It is celebrated in all the Sherpa settlements. The Sherpas of Kathmandu and Helambu regions participate in dancing on this day.

Mani Rimdu 

It is a Sherpa dance drama performed in the Khumbu Region. It is held annually at Tengboche and Chiwong monasteries and at Thami Gomba. The performers are monk and the occasion is highlighted by much gaiety and feasting.

Gaijatra 

 
Gaijatra, popularly known as Cow festival, is a carnival that lasts for eight days. Dancing, singing comedy and anything that causes mirth and laughter are its highlights.

Krishnastami 

 
It marks the birthday of Lord Krishna. On this day, impressive ceremonies are conducted at the Krishna temple in Patan and at Changu Narayan.

Teej 

 
Teej is a Hindu festival celebrated by Hindu women. Dancing, folk song and the red color of women’s wedding saris dominate the days of Teej. Women observe a fast flock to Shiva temples where married once pray for a happy conjugal life and unmarried ones for a good husband.

Indrajatra 

The festival of Indra, the god of rain, is observed with great enthusiasm in Kathmandu valley. The festival lasts for eight days. The chariot of Kumari, the Living Goddess, is taken out in procession through the main streets of Kathmandu. The festival is specially noted for the echoes of drums and dancing feet of the masked dancers.

Dashain / Durga Puja 

 
The Dashain festival is the most important festival of the Nepalese. The entire country is in enthusiastic holiday mood at the time of the festival.

Tihar 

Known as the “Festival of Lights”, Tihar is celebrated for five days. Houses are illuminated at night and special sweets of different varieties are prepared.

Vibhaha Panchami 

This is a famous festival of Janakpur in the eastern Terai. The occasion commemorates the marriage of Sita with Ram, one of the most venerated Hindu divinities. It attracts thousands of pilgrims from India to Janakpur.

Lhosar 

 
This festival is most impressively observed in the month of February by the Sherpas. They organize folk songs and dances on this occasion. These dances can be seen in Khumbu, Helambu and other northern regions of Nepal and also at Bouddhanath in Kathmandu.

Maha Shivaratri 

Shivaratri or the night of Lord Shiva is observed in February/March. It is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva. A great religious fair takes place in the Pasupatinath Temple and thousands of people from all over Nepal and India flock the Temple to worship Lord Shiva.

Ghodejatra

 
Known as the Festival Of Horses, it is one of the most exciting festivals of Kathmandu. Horse race and other sports take place at Tundikhel on this day. In other parts of the city, various deities are carried shoulder-high on palanquin (khat) to the accompaniment of traditional music.

Some Does & Don't In Nepal

With its diverse ethnic groups and traditional beliefs, Nepal has numerous cultural practices that may appear unusual to a person on his/her fist visit t the country. However, to enjoy your stay in this remarkable country of white Himalayas, it is important to take into consideration the different cultural aspects of the country. Here is a list of things which may be helpful to you.

1.       Before entering a Nepalese home, temple, and stupa remember to remove your shoes.

2. Be careful not to use your spoon, fork or hands being used for eating to touch other’s food, plate, cooking utensil or the serving dish. Do not eat from other people’s plate and do not drink from other people’s bottle or glass. It is considered impure by the Nepalese.

 
3. Never touch anything with your feet. This is considered and offence among Nepalese.
4. While traveling, dress appropriately. Women should especially avoid dressing in skimpy outfits.
5. Seek permission first before entering a Hindu temple. Many Hindu temples do not allow westerners to enter.

6. Leather articles are prohibited in most religious places.

7. Walking around temples or stupas is traditionally done clockwise.
8. Take photographs only after receiving permission for the object or person being photographed.
9. Remember, many times, when a person shakes his head from left to right, he may mean “Yes.”

10. Develop a genuine interest to meet and talk to Nepalese people and respect their local customs.

Health Guide

INSURANCE : Travel insurance policies that cover theft, loss, flight cancellation, emergency evacuation and medical treatment are highly recommended. Make sure the insurance also covers the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal such as trekking, river rafting, wildlife safaris, climbing and such other activities.

IMMUNIZATION : Nepal does not require any particular Immunization for the travelers. Vaccinations for Cholera, Meningitis, Tetanus & Diphtheria, Typhoid and Gamma Globulin should be considered necessary for your trip. Please consult your physician and get a complete check - up before your departure.

MEDICAL KIT : A simple but adequate Medical Kit can be most useful without taking much space in your baggage. The following is recommended as tried and true list of items.

- Aspirin of Panadol - for pain or fever
- Antihistamine - useful as a decongestant for colds, allergies, to ease the itch from insect bites       

 and stings or to help prevent motion sickness
- Antibiotics - useful if you are traveling off the beaten track but they must be prescribed
 - Kaolin preparation (Pepto-Bismol)
- Imodium or Lomotil - for stomach upsets
- Rehydration mixture - for treatment of severe diarrhea
- Antiseptic, Mercurochrome and antibiotic powder or similar 'dry ' spray for cuts and grazes
- Calamine lotion - to ease irritation from bites or stings
- Bandages and Band-Aids - for minor injuries
- Scissors
- Tweezers and thermometers
- Insect repellent
- Water - purification tables
- Throat lozenges (Strepsils)
- Moleskin
- Eye, nose and ear drops
- Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)
- Antacid tablets.

PREVENTION, THE BEST MEDICINE : Caring oneself in eating and drinking is the most important health rule. The number one rule is not to consume the water with ice. Reputable brands of bottled water or soft drinks are generally fine. Beware of fruit juice, particularly if water may have been added.

Milk should be treated with care, as it is often un-pasteurized. Boiled milk is fine if it is kept hygienically and yoghurt (Milk curd) is usually good. Tea or coffee should also be Ok since the water would have been boiled. Salads and fruits should be washed with purified water or peeled where possible. Ice cream is usually OK if it is a reputable brand name. But beware of ice cream that has melted and been refrozen. Thoroughly cooked food is the safest but not if it has been left to cool. Stomach upsets most likely happen while traveling. But the majority of these upsets will be relatively minor. Wash your hands frequently, as it's quite easy to contaminate your own food. You should clean your teeth with purified water rather than straight from the tap. Avoid climatic extremes: keep out of the sun when it is hot, dress warmly when it is cold. Avoid potential diseases by dressing sensibly. You can get worm infections through bare feet. Try to avoid insect bites by covering bare skin when insects are around, by screening windows or by using, insect repellents.

 Trekking In Nepal

 

Unique Adventure offers a wide variety of different treks to suit both novices and experienced trekkers. Whether you have two days or two months to spend in the Himalayas we can tailor- make itineraries to suit your needs. Please see the below table which provides a broad guide on trekking possibilities in Nepal.

This adventure offers you to penetrate less accessible regions on foot and typically includes some camping sites possible in all four seasons. Besides this the adventure offers a stay for some nights in hotels, inns or huts. Usually the accommodations are for sharing with more than a member of the group. Single accommodation is however always available on your request.
The best way to explore Nepal's unbeatable combination of authentic natural beauty and traditional cultural riches is walking on ones' organic rhythms of feet. Presently it is known as trekking. The dramatic contrasts in elevations and the climatic condition found here will support to the equally spectacular mix of lifestyles, wide range of vegetation and wildlife. More than 110,000 visitors go for trekking to Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal itself.

In short one can say trekking is to getting close to the nature and appreciate the beauties that bound us to rejoice. Some trekkers have realized that it is good for spiritual up liftmen and heavenly ecstasy.

Hygienic and nutritious meals are prepared by our experienced cooks and are served in our enclosed dining tent with tables and campstools or in a local dining room. Our private guides lead the way explaining the sites and traditions and natural history of the area. Local staff handles all the camp chores. If you like to enjoy the real habitation as well as food of Himalayan people and a harmony with nature for 1/2-day we can even manage it to serve you the best.

A daypack walk typically containing a camera, water bottle and general personal items can be carried. A pack of animals or porters will transport the rest of the equipment including camping gear and foodstuffs. Each day a walk on foot for around 5-7 hrs should be attempted.