Nepal Glimpse, a country with enduring geological beauty and arresting grandeur mixed with diverse cultural vibrancy, has always garnered the attention of travelers and locals alike worldwide. In terms of culture, only a few places in the world match Nepal’s diversity. The fascinating aspects do not cease as one will get to cruise through continuous wonderments depicting the multicultural societies of Nepal. Moreover, for a country tucked between two of the world’s biggest nations, Nepal has its own identity to showcase. Therefore, for those looking for a new travel destination.
Nepal occupies an important and influential place in Himalayan geology with its position as a bridge between the eastern and western Himalayas. Nepal retains distinctive geological formations from the low-lying foothills in the south to the highest peak of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) in the north. And in the middle is the hilly region with deep valleys and perfectly hikeable hills. Additionally, because of its varied topographical nature, Nepal homes a variety of ecosystems and a wide range of vegetation. Similarly, all these regions are tied to each other with numerous freely flowing rivers that one will find one too many on their short visit to Nepal.
Nepal has developed an exceptional artistic sensibility based on its earliest settlements in prehistoric times. Its stunning geographical conditions gave a glimpse of Nepal an advantage in receiving abundant resources and creating original cultures of interest and value for humanity, both then and today. A unique fusion of tradition and modernity is found in Nepal’s vibrant cultural heritage, which includes art, language, dance, architecture, clothing, and cuisine. All in all, this great fusion is quite influential amongst travelers visiting Nepal as they are introduced to a new style of arts and architecture.
Nepal is home to various ethnic groups that stem from several ancient migrations into the territory. Nepal’s different social gatherings incorporate Indo-Aryans from the southwest, Tibetan Burmans from the north, and Dravidians from the south. Henceforth, one can taste a touch of Tibetan and Indian culture in Nepal. Alongside the cultural influence, one can also explore the diverse linguistic galore of Nepal. There are more than 100 ethnic tribes in Nepal, and almost all groups have their mother tongue. Henceforth, most Nepalese are bilingual, if not trilingual. On the same note, since Nepal is home to several ethnic communities, it is interesting to experience harmony despite having our individuality. Wherever you go, multiple communities always live together, sharing habitat and cultural values. And it is quite an interesting picture to witness while cruising through the towns of Nepal.
Nepal is semantically rich, with more than 100 languages spoken in the country. The extravagance of the phonetic variety can be ascribed to the topographical area of the country. These topographical highlights constrained the country's occupants to foster their lovely variety. The national language of Nepal is Nepali, but one can find people speaking different languages throughout the country. Nepal is a multiethnic country, so each ethnicity has its own set of linguistic quirks. Some of the most spoken ethnic languages across the country are Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tamang, Magar, Newar, and many more. Besides lingual diversity as per their ethnic tribe, one can also find differences in dialect according to their geography. For example, people from Tamang or Newar communities from east to west have dialects slightly different from one another.
Having a rich tradition of craftsmanship, Nepal is quite well known for its rich art and architecture. The exemplary work of art in woods, metals, and stones that decorate the innumerable temples, palaces, shrines, and traditional houses in the Kathmandu Valley amply reflects this heritage. The artisans, who, with their dexterous handiwork, have left behind such spectacular work for future generations, were mainly from the Newar community, from the Kathmandu valley. Their traditional arts and crafts skills were in demand even in faraway China in 1300 AD. Their skills were usually passed on from generation to generation, and fortunately, they have survived until now. Even in this age of advanced technology, Nepal is still producing handmade crafts that capture the attention and admiration of people worldwide.
Given its area as a country settled between China and India, Nepal sits at a social intersection, mixing a bunch of ethnic gatherings and influences. This connection is reflected in its rich structural inheritance, as Nepal has both been affected and influenced by the artistic ordeal for centuries. When visiting the famous landmarks of Kathmandu, those who have previously visited India and China find some sort of similarity in their architecture. It is because most monuments depict the pagoda style, which is relatively affluent in China and India’s dominating stupes.
As per the legend, Nepal is the origin of the Pagoda style, as there have been temples of this same design since the 1st century. Later, around the 7th century, Wang-Huen, a Chinese commissioner who was visiting Nepal, saw the designs and wanted to bring them to China. He invited Arniko, one of the famous designers and artists of that time in Nepal, to China to build landmarks in the same design. Designs later spread all over Asia; hence one can see similar types of architecture in most Asian countries. Today, most cities in Kathmandu are filled with temples and palaces in the pagoda style, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage. Besides the fantastic pagoda marvels, one can explore pullahari monasteries, shikhara-style temples, and dome-shaped stupas in the country.
Nepal’s ecosystem is varied according to its elevation and region. We have a subtropical climate in the Terai region in the south, a moderate or temperate climate in the hills, and a cold climate in the mountains, i.e., in the north. Winter is pleasant in the hilly and Terai regions but extremely cold in the mountains. Whereas summer in the Terai region is extreme but moderate in the hills and almost normal in the mountains. The monsoon coincides with the summer heat, so from June to August, expect heavy rain, downpours, and thunderstorms. By October, the rain has withdrawn, and the heat starts to cool down, welcoming the calmer season of autumn. The temperature drops around early November, welcoming the chilling winter season and compelling the people of Nepal to seek out warm clothes and socks. Winter lasts until late February and transitions to spring's warm and chilly climate around March.
If you genuinely want to understand the multiethnic aspect of Nepal, then food is one of the easiest ways to get to know them. Nepalese cuisine represents the country's geography, cooking style, and rich heritage. Each community enjoys cooking, eating its cultural food, and sharing among the communities. Therefore, you will be able to explore various ethnic cuisines in addition to fast food. On the same note, besides ethnicities, Nepalese cuisine also differs according to the topography. When traversing some parts of the country, one may get to eat one signature dish one too many times as it signifies that particular region. Similarly, Nepal's multi-ethnic and multi-cultural disposition offers an unlimited choice of cuisines for foodies. Some of Nepal's most widely loved traditional cuisines include Thakali Khana, Newari cuisines, Sherpa foods, Tibetan snacks, and many more. Many more remain undiscovered, but wherever one visits, one will come across different styles and tastes to shock your palate.
In Conclusion,
There isn’t one way to depict the diverse aspect of Nepal. Wherever one goes, there are always new things to explore and experience. And this is just a glimpse of what holds for future visitors that wish to visit naturally and culturally beautiful Nepal.
