Nepal's culture is greatly influenced by its music, architecture, religion and literature. Your first sight of Nepal may leave you speechless, the great quantities of temples, churches, monasteries and other religious buildings, the hurly-burly in the streets and the number of people and animals socializing on every corner of the narrow cobble-stone lanes.
Nepal has about thirty-six different ethnic groups and multiple religions and languages. Its music is similarly varied, with pop, religious, classical and folk music being popular. Musical genres from Tibet and Hindustan have greatly influenced Nepalese music. Usually, women, even of the musician castes, do not play music except for specific situations, such as at the traditional all-female wedding parties.

The architecture of Nepal is another art that has become an important part of the country's culture. Nepal's architecture can be divided into three broad groups, the stupa style, the pagoda style and the shikhara style.

Now Nepal is no more a Hindu kingdom with legal provisions of no prejudice against other religions. The Hindu inhabitant in the country has been constantly over 80 percent since the 1950s. The second largest religion of Nepal is Buddhism, it is practiced by about 11 percent, while Islam comprises of about 4.2 percent of the population. The Kirat religion makes up nearly 3.6 percent of the population and 1.9 percent are Christians.

Nepal has many customs and beliefs that might be difficult to understand and not so easy to obey but this is the way of life to them and you should respect it when you are in their territory.

Do not feel offended if any Nepalese hesitates to shake hands with you because it hasn't been very long since the western traditions were introduced to them. Most Nepalese greet one another by a “Namaste”, a common act done by putting the palms together in a prayer like gesture.

It is customary to eat and deal with food with your right hand. They use their left hand to wash themselves after being to the toilet. Note that most Nepalese eat with their hands, forks and spoons are not very common.

Note that men and woman should always dress appropriately. Men should not walk or trek bare-chested, shorts are acceptable but it's recommended to rather wear long pants. Women are recommended to wear long skirts that cover the ankles, because exposure of a woman's legs can draw unnecessary attention.

Showing affection between men and woman in public is not acceptable. So avoid kissing, hugging, cuddling or even holding hands in public.

History of Nepal

The early history of Nepal is quite vague, though pieces of it can be picked up here and there from various historical treasures. Although there is archaeological evidence to suggest that Nepal was already home to quite a few groups of people by the first century BC, very little is known of the early peoples who first inhabited the valley. A massive event that occurred in the Asaka era is thought to have taken place in 78 AD, which makes this the first known period of the area's history. Some time later the Kirata people seem to have arrived to make their home in this fertile valley. Believed to be of Tibeto-Burman origin, the descendants of these ancient people are most like the Rai, Limbu and Sunuwar people of Nepal.

It is thought that the Kiratis arrived during the 7th or 8th century from the east. It would seem that during the time of the Kirata, the Kathmandu Valley was divided up into several self-governed areas that were somewhat united as one larger kingdom. One of the Kirata Chieftains, who ruled during this time, Ghatotkacha son of Bhima, was later mentioned in the epic Sanskrit Mahabharata text of ancient India. From this mention it can be known that the ancient Kirata people hunted animals by digging pits and that the King of the Kirata enjoyed favorable political relations with the King of Persia. Archaeological evidence has also revealed that the Kiratas were excellent sheep farmers and that they carried long knives. Despite the fact that so little is known of the Kirata people, several famous Kiratas have made their way into the history books and some still continue to affect the lives of those living today.

From about 400 AD, the Kirata Empire fell into a massive decline and was replaced by the Licchavi Dynasty. Sometime later the Malla family picked up the pieces of the Licchavi family and continued to rule over the ever-growing valley empire. The Malla Dynasty was in turn replaced by the Shah Dynasty. Eventually democracy arrived in Nepal and this major development was unfortunately followed by Civil War. Clearly the history of Nepal is quite interesting but the best way to learn more is really to visit Nepal for yourself.

Religion Nepal
According the Recent surveys Hindus population is 74% and other remaining portions of the population are generally either Buddhist or Muslim. According to these surveys, 14% claim to be Buddhist, 5% are Muslim while a further 1.9% belong to Christian and other religions 1.7%, Aethisne 0.4%, Sikh 0.06% and Bahai0.03%.

When one considers the geographical distribution of the various religious groups, they will find that Hindus account for at least 87% percent of the general population in every region. There is a concentration of Buddhists in the eastern hills, the central Tarai and Kathmandu Valley. Very often religion is dictated by tribal origins and members rarely deviate from the faith that they were raised with.

Museums in Nepal

Nepal are a very interesting country with a long of history. As the center of the Buddhist faith and the home of Mount Everest, this country has become a sort of pilgrimage point for many people around the world. But just what exactly is the history of Nepal? What is the origin of the many interesting family groups that can be found in this beautiful country? What sort of culture have they enjoyed over the centuries and what sort of handicrafts have they employed in their day-to-day lives? These are the sorts of questions that you can expect to find answers to at the many excellent museums in Nepal.

There quite a large number of Nepali museums so you might find yourself struggling to decide which ones you want to visit and which ones you’d rather give a miss. The National Museum of Nepal is definitely not one to be missed. In fact, this is probably one of the best places to start since this government-sponsored museum will give you the most information about the history and culture of Nepal. The Natural History Museum, on the other hand, will give you a decidedly different look at the progress of the people of Nepal. The National Woodworking Museum and the Bronze and Brass Museum are focused mainly on the development and adaptation of these forms of crafts over the years. Both are very interesting to see since both skills have been lavishly employed in many of the temples and palaces in Nepal over the years.

The Hanumandhoka Palace Complex is a great place to go if you would like greater insight into the lives of the rich and famous in Nepal. This magnificent series of buildings have a strong cultural heritage and strong sense of tradition that can be explored as you make your way through the buildings. Also worth considering are the Patan Museum, the Tribhuvan Museum, the Pajarimath Museum and the Kapilvastu Museum. Each has its own individual approach to a particular subject matter and this keeps museum visits entertaining. Of course there are quite a few more great museums which are not even mentioned here, so take a look at the ones we feature to get a better idea of what each museum offers.

Gorkha rule and the Shah Dynasty

Nepal was a divided country throughout the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, and it was through the Gorkha rule and the Shah Dynasty, that Nepal became united. The Gorkhas were known to be a cruel and aggressive dynasty in the ancient times and they only ruled a few regions within Nepal with fear and terror. It wasn’t until King Prithvi Natayan Shah the Great became the driving force to unify the country, that the Gorkha became known as the more diplomatic Shah Dynasty.

It is known that before the rising of the Shah Dynasty, many other rulers like the Kirants, Gopalas and Licchavis ruled Nepal. But in the year 1559 King Dravya Shah founded the Kingdom of Gorkha and the reign of the Shah Dynasty had begun. As with many countries, the crown passed through many kings, and all were dedicated to expanding the kingdom to eventually unify the entire country. There are a few kings that stand out amongst them.

King Dravya Shah had begun expanding the Kingdom of Gorkha considerably. But after his death, his son Chhatra Shah, had only a year on the throne. He had passed away without an heir to the title and therefore his brother, King Ram Sham became King in the year 1606. Ram Sham would rule for twenty-six years and during his reign, he would become known as the King of reform, justice and righteousness. Not only did be gain popularity as King, but also gained land to expand the kingdom. Of his descendents, Prithvi Narayan Shan would make a noteworthy impact on the history of Nepal.

King Prithi Narayan Shah the Great went about his royal duties to unify Nepal with great enthusiasm and determination. He conquered Nuwakot in the year 1744 and Makawanpur soon followed in the year 1763. Katmandu was not as easy to overrun, but by the year 1768 he has accomplished his task. He then secured Patan and Bhaktapur in the following months. Unifying Kathandu, Patan, Chaudandi, Makawanpur, Bijayapur and Bhaktapur under the Kingdom of Gorkha was his most significant achievement as King. He would also leave behind a legacy of being a warrior-king who was practical and did not use unnecessary force. The regions conquered by him were happier under his rule.

The Kot Massacre that took place in the year 1846, saw the Rana dynasty come into power, and the future Kings of Nepal were pushed aside on political issues. The next 104 years of Rana rule plunged Nepal and its people into suffering and unhappiness. It was up to another famous Shah King to break the hold of the Rana dynasty. King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah fought the Rana dynasty and after years of dreaming of democracy and freedom, exile and fear for the lives of his family, he toppled the Rana Empire with the support of the Nepali people. He would go down in history as the Father of the nation and his fight for his people will always be remembered. The Tribhuvan Museum pays tribute to this great leader's life and time as king.

The history of Nepal is a turbulent one, but one of hope. If cruel and ruthless men, like the Gorkha, could transform into the Shah Dynasty that abolished slavery and united the country, then one day peace might return to Nepal.

Democracy in Nepal

The well-known Kot Massacre saw to the rise of the Rana regime. They ruled Nepal for approximately 104 years, before there was any hope for democracy in Nepal. The members of the Rana regime were Britain’s allies and supported their war efforts during World War I and World War 2. It took the determination of a King who was blackmailed and forced to back the Ranas, to take a stand - and he did.

By the year 1950, the growing unhappiness of the Nepali people was evident, with a few anti-Rana political parties flaring up all over the country. King Tribhuvan fled to India with his family to escape the wrath of the Ranas, who were quickly losing ground. Public outrage and uproar led by King Tribhuvan soon toppled the Rana regime. The King was reinstated as the ruler of Nepal in 1951 and he set about transforming Nepal into a democratic country. With political parties, voting rights and the freedom to make their own decisions, it seemed that democracy in Nepal was going to thrive.

By 1959 King Tribhuvan died and his son, King Mahendra, was in power. After a failed election, the government was dismissed and political parties were abolished. King Mahendra established a new government that consisted of councils and not political parties. This gave the King sole power of the country and small changes (such as Nepali being the only official language) created a time bomb waiting to explode. The Mahendra Museum has detailed exhibits on his life as king and the decisions he made that influenced the country. As expected, student demonstrations and public upset had the country in turmoil as King Birendra succeeded his father in 1972. Unfortunately, so much damage had been done to Nepal that the 1991 elections and another change in government procedures just worsened the economic crisis of the country.

Over the following years, the reoccurring violence and political struggles had not yet ceased. With the vast differences in options between political parties, the lapse in constitutional rights, the uprising of rebel parties such as the Maoists and the restrictions in press, makes one wonder is there will ever be true democracy in Nepal. Though the position in Nepal currently seems to have improved, one never knows when the next battle might begin.

Nepalese Civil War

By the year 1996, the Maoist party had rallied most of the rural areas in Nepal to join them in their revolutionary war. They were generally seen as rebels and the King of Nepal and his government were scrambling to defuse the situation. The threats of the Moaists were confirmed when they started to attack factories and police outposts, ransacking and destroying property and setting off explosives that took the lives of many innocents. And Katmandu, was their first target.

But was in the year 2001, that events started to unfold that led to a full fledged Nepalese Civil War. The government of Nepal took the first step in fighting off the Maoists by deploying the newly created Armed Police Force. On the 1st of June 2001, the entire country of Nepal was rocked as news of the palace massacre spread. Prince Dipendra had shot his father, King Birendra and most of the royal family, before turning the gun on himself. This lead to King Gyanendra being crowned in the midst of a civil war in Nepal. Towards the end of the year, the government and the Maoists had started engaging in peace talks, which soon collapsed. In retaliation, the rebels attacked military posts and police outposts across forty-two districts. This led to a state of emergency being declared in Nepal.

Peace talks were again laid on the table in 2002, but as expected they once again collapsed. Both sides started importing arms and ammunition and as another year of civil war in Nepal drew to a close, King Gyanendra canceled the 2002 elections and appointed a new prime minister and dismissed the government. In the following years of 2003, 2004 and 2005, the Nepalese Civil War continued. Many died at the hands of the Nepali military forces and the Maoist rebels. Homes were lost, many more cease-fires and peace talks failed and by 2006, there would yet again be a new Prime Minister.

Uprisings, curfews and clashes with police in cities such as Kathmandu had become the norm. In May of 2006, the new Nepali cabinet announced that the Maoist rebels would not be considered terrorists if they would be open to trying another round of peace talks. This time, however, the talks ended on 21 November 2006 with the signing of deal between the rebels and the cabinet. Maoist’s leaders would be able to join the government, but the UN would be monitoring and supervising their weapons.

The Civil War in Nepal lasted from 1996 until 2006. A ten-year war that cost many lives and resuled in massive damage to structures, the economy and the daily lives of citizens. It can only be hoped that Nepal will never have to suffer another turbulent period like this, and that their future can be decided on and molded together.

Now maoist party is going to lead our country as a leader of Nepali people.