Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
nepal
Some 75% of Nepal's people engage in agriculture, which contributes about 40% of the GDP. In the Terai, the main agricultural region, rice is the chief crop; other food crops include pulses, wheat, barley, sugarcane, and oilseeds. Jute, tobacco, cotton, indigo, and opium are also grown in the Terai, whose forests provide sal wood and commercially valuable bamboo and rattan. In the lower mountain valleys, rice is produced during the summer, and wheat, barley, oilseeds, potatoes, and vegetables are grown in the winter. Corn, wheat, and potatoes are raised at higher altitudes, and terraced hillsides are also used for agriculture. Medicinal herbs, grown on the Himalayan slopes, are sold worldwide. Livestock raising is second to farming in Nepal's economy; oxen predominate in the lower valleys, yaks in the higher, and sheep, goats, and poultry are plentiful everywhere.
Transportation and communication difficulties have hindered the growth of industry and trade. Biratnagar and Birganj, in the Terai, are the main manufacturing towns, and Katmandu also has some industry. There are rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; other products include carpets, textiles, cigarettes, and building materials. Wood and metal handicrafts are also important. Significant quantities of mica and small deposits of ochre, copper, iron, lignite, and cobalt are found in the hills of Nepal. Hydropower is the main source of electricity in Nepal, and there are plans to further develop the potential of the nation's rivers.
Tourism, a chief source of foreign exchange (along with international aid and Gurkha pensions), has been hurt by the escalation of the conflict with the country's Maoist rebels. Carpets, clothing, leather and jute goods, and grain are exported; imports include gold, machinery and equipment, petroleum products, and fertilizer. Nepal's trade is overwhelmingly with India. In recent years, significant deforestation and a growing population have greatly affected the country.
nepal
The Maoist rebels and the government signed a landmark peace agreement in Nov. 2006, ending the guerrilla’s 10-year insurgency that claimed some 12,000 lives. In March 2007, the Maoists achieved another milestone when they joined the interim government. Just months later, in Sept. 2007, however, the Maoists quit the interim government, claiming that not enough progress had been made in abolishing the monarchy and forming a republic. They agreed to rejoin the interim government in December, when Parliament voted to abolish the monarchy and become a federal democratic republic.
In April 2008, millions of voters turned out to elect a 601-seat Constituent Assembly that will write a new constitution. The Maoist rebels, who recently signed a peace agreement with the government that ended the guerrilla’s 10-year insurgency, won 120 out of 240 directly elected seats. In May, the assembly voted to dissolve the 239-year-old monarchy, thus completing the transition to a republic. King Gyanendra vacated Narayanhiti Palace in June and began life as a commoner.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala resigned in June, after two years in office. In July, the Maoists said they would not participate in the government when their candidate for president, Ramraja Prasad Singh, was defeated. Other parties in the Constituent Assembly united to elect Ram Baran Yadav as the country's first president. The move seemed to jeopardize the peace process. A Maoist was elected prime minister in August, however. The Constituent Assembly voted 464 to 113 in favor of Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as Prachanda, over Sher Bahadur Deuba, a member of the Nepali Congress Party who served as prime minister three times. In a compromise, the Maoists said they would not hold posts in the party’s armed faction and would return private property it seized from opponents.
In May of 2009, the fragile compromise government fell apart when Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the country's Maoist prime minister, resigned and the Maoists quit the government. Dahal's resignation came after Nepal's President, Ram Baran Yadav, reinstated fired General Rookmangud Katawal. Katawal had been fired for refusing to work with the Maoists; his reinstatement came partially as a result of outside pressure from India. Dahal said he would not rejoin the government unless General Katawal was permanently removed.
On May 23, 2009, Madhav Kumar Nepal became the new prime minister, with the backing of 21 of the 24 political parties in Nepal's National Assembly. Just over a year later, in June 2010, Prime Minister Nepal reached a deal with the Maoists in which he agreed to resign and in exchange the Maoists extended both the term of Parliament and the deadline to complete a draft constitution until May 2011. The agreement averted a political crisis.
In April 2008, millions of voters turned out to elect a 601-seat Constituent Assembly that will write a new constitution. The Maoist rebels, who recently signed a peace agreement with the government that ended the guerrilla’s 10-year insurgency, won 120 out of 240 directly elected seats. In May, the assembly voted to dissolve the 239-year-old monarchy, thus completing the transition to a republic. King Gyanendra vacated Narayanhiti Palace in June and began life as a commoner.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala resigned in June, after two years in office. In July, the Maoists said they would not participate in the government when their candidate for president, Ramraja Prasad Singh, was defeated. Other parties in the Constituent Assembly united to elect Ram Baran Yadav as the country's first president. The move seemed to jeopardize the peace process. A Maoist was elected prime minister in August, however. The Constituent Assembly voted 464 to 113 in favor of Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as Prachanda, over Sher Bahadur Deuba, a member of the Nepali Congress Party who served as prime minister three times. In a compromise, the Maoists said they would not hold posts in the party’s armed faction and would return private property it seized from opponents.
In May of 2009, the fragile compromise government fell apart when Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the country's Maoist prime minister, resigned and the Maoists quit the government. Dahal's resignation came after Nepal's President, Ram Baran Yadav, reinstated fired General Rookmangud Katawal. Katawal had been fired for refusing to work with the Maoists; his reinstatement came partially as a result of outside pressure from India. Dahal said he would not rejoin the government unless General Katawal was permanently removed.
On May 23, 2009, Madhav Kumar Nepal became the new prime minister, with the backing of 21 of the 24 political parties in Nepal's National Assembly. Just over a year later, in June 2010, Prime Minister Nepal reached a deal with the Maoists in which he agreed to resign and in exchange the Maoists extended both the term of Parliament and the deadline to complete a draft constitution until May 2011. The agreement averted a political crisis.
nepal
King Gyanendra dismissed the government in Oct. 2002, calling it corrupt and ineffective. He declared a state of emergency in November and ordered the army to crack down on the Maoist guerrillas. The rebels intensified their campaign, and the government responded with equal intensity, killing hundreds of Maoists, the largest toll since the insurgency began in 1996. In Aug. 2003, the Maoist rebels withdrew from peace talks with the government and ended a cease-fire that had been signed in Jan. 2003. The following August, the rebels blockaded Kathmandu for a week, cutting off shipments of food and fuel to the capital.
King Gyanendra fired the entire government in Feb. 2005 and assumed direct power. Many of the country's politicians were placed under house arrest, and severe restrictions on civil liberties were instituted. In Sept. 2005, the Maoist rebels declared a unilateral cease-fire, which ended in Jan. 2006. In April, massive pro-democracy protests organized by seven opposition parties and supported by the Maoists took place. They rejected King Gyanendra's offer to hand over executive power to a prime minister, saying he failed to address their main demands: the restoration of Parliament and a referendum to redraft the constitution. Days later, as pressure mounted and the protests intensified, King Gyanendra agreed to reinstate Parliament. The new parliament quickly moved to diminish the king's powers and selected Girija Prasad Koirala as prime minister. In May, it voted unanimously to declare Nepal a secular nation and strip the king of his authority over the military.
King Gyanendra fired the entire government in Feb. 2005 and assumed direct power. Many of the country's politicians were placed under house arrest, and severe restrictions on civil liberties were instituted. In Sept. 2005, the Maoist rebels declared a unilateral cease-fire, which ended in Jan. 2006. In April, massive pro-democracy protests organized by seven opposition parties and supported by the Maoists took place. They rejected King Gyanendra's offer to hand over executive power to a prime minister, saying he failed to address their main demands: the restoration of Parliament and a referendum to redraft the constitution. Days later, as pressure mounted and the protests intensified, King Gyanendra agreed to reinstate Parliament. The new parliament quickly moved to diminish the king's powers and selected Girija Prasad Koirala as prime minister. In May, it voted unanimously to declare Nepal a secular nation and strip the king of his authority over the military.
nepal
In 1923, Britain recognized the absolute independence of Nepal. Between 1846 and 1951, the country was ruled by the Rana family, which always held the office of prime minister. In 1951, however, the king took over all power and proclaimed a constitutional monarchy. Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah became king in 1955. After Mahendra died of a heart attack in 1972, Prince Birendra, at 26, succeeded to the throne.
In 1990, a pro-democracy movement forced King Birendra to lift the ban on political parties. The first free election in three decades provided a victory for the liberal Nepali Congress Party in 1991, although the Communists made a strong showing. A small but growing Maoist guerrilla movement, seeking to overthrow the constitutional monarchy and install a Communist government, began operating in the countryside in 1996.
On June 1, 2001, King Birendra was shot and killed by his son, Crown Prince Dipendra. Angered by his family's disapproval of his choice of a bride, the crown prince also killed his mother and several other members of the royal family before shooting himself. Prince Gyanendra, the younger brother of King Birendra, was then crowned king.
In 1990, a pro-democracy movement forced King Birendra to lift the ban on political parties. The first free election in three decades provided a victory for the liberal Nepali Congress Party in 1991, although the Communists made a strong showing. A small but growing Maoist guerrilla movement, seeking to overthrow the constitutional monarchy and install a Communist government, began operating in the countryside in 1996.
On June 1, 2001, King Birendra was shot and killed by his son, Crown Prince Dipendra. Angered by his family's disapproval of his choice of a bride, the crown prince also killed his mother and several other members of the royal family before shooting himself. Prince Gyanendra, the younger brother of King Birendra, was then crowned king.
nepal
In 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. An insurgency led by Maoist extremists broke out in 1996. The ensuing ten-year civil war between insurgents and government forces witnessed the dissolution of the cabinet and parliament and assumption of absolute power by the king. Several weeks of mass protests in April 2006 were followed by several months of peace negotiations between the Maoists and government officials, and culminated in a November 2006 peace accord and the promulgation of an interim constitution. Following a nation-wide election in April 2008, the newly formed Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic and abolished the monarchy at its first meeting the following month. The Constituent Assembly elected the country's first president in July. The Maoists, who received a plurality of votes in the Constituent Assembly election, formed a coalition government in August 2008, but resigned in May 2009 after the president overruled a decision to fire the chief of the army staff. The Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist and the Nepali Congress party then formed a new coalition government with several smaller parties. In June 2010, the prime minister resigned but, as of December 2010, continued to lead a caretaker government while the parties debate who should lead the next government. Disagreements among the political parties over issues such as the future of former Maoist combatants has hindered the drafting of a new constitution due in May 2011 and the formal conclusion of the peace process.
nepal
Many Nepalbhasa words are found in Lichhivi inscriptions. As it had been popular as public language in early Malla period (9th Century), Nepalbhasa writing had started at the very time. In the manuscript of 'Nidan' (901 A.D.) , the date has been written in Nepalbhasa- (Kwoyeya pwalam mikhaya pwalam sambat nepalaya thuli). The concluding line (Sidhayeka juro) is in Nepalbhasa, in 'Tathagat Guhyak' manuscript (1104 A.D.). In Guthi paper (1114 A.D.) found in Rudrabarna Mahabihar, a long description has written in Nepalbhasa. In this way, from the very beginning of 12th century, Nepalbhasa was used as independent expression language. Stone inscription found in the courtyard of Bajrayogini Temple of Sankhu (dated 1173 A.D.) is the oldest ever found stone inscription and copper inscription found in Kasthamandap (dated 1374 A.D.) is the oldest ever found copper inscription in Nepalbhasa.
The oldest book (manuscript) in Nepalbhasa found till now is 'Haramekhala' (1374 A.D.), a medical book, which is Nepalbhasa translation of book written in Prakrit language, by Bengal Poet 'Madhuk'. Other found books of that period are Nyayashastra (1380 A.D.) , Putrapautradibodhini (1381 A.D.), Amarkosh (1386 A.D.) etc. Gopalraj Banshawali (a chronicle) is the first original Nepalbhasa book, of which first sixteen page has been lost, from 17 to 30 (A), it has been written in Sanskrit language and from 30(B) to 63 in Nepalbhasa.
Dashaphala (1399A.D.), Bhasajyotis (1422 A.D.), Sumatikarana (1512 A.D.) and others can be mentioned in astrological book written in Nepalbhasa. 'Dashakarma Paddati' (1498 A.D.) is the oldest book on rituals written in Nepalbhasa. After 'Bhagwat Puran' (1505 A.D.), creative literature in Nepalbhasa starts from 'Tantrakhyan' (1518 A.D.).
Creative literature at a glance
First Story Book - Tantrakhyan (1518 A.D.)
First Song - Walangata Simule Swambaraya (In reign of Pranmol malla, 1523-1550 A.D.)
First One-act Play - Ekadashi Brata (1633A.D.) by Sidhhinarasigh Malla
First Drama - Mooldev Shashidev by Jagat Prakash Malla (1645-1673 A.D.)
The oldest book (manuscript) in Nepalbhasa found till now is 'Haramekhala' (1374 A.D.), a medical book, which is Nepalbhasa translation of book written in Prakrit language, by Bengal Poet 'Madhuk'. Other found books of that period are Nyayashastra (1380 A.D.) , Putrapautradibodhini (1381 A.D.), Amarkosh (1386 A.D.) etc. Gopalraj Banshawali (a chronicle) is the first original Nepalbhasa book, of which first sixteen page has been lost, from 17 to 30 (A), it has been written in Sanskrit language and from 30(B) to 63 in Nepalbhasa.
Dashaphala (1399A.D.), Bhasajyotis (1422 A.D.), Sumatikarana (1512 A.D.) and others can be mentioned in astrological book written in Nepalbhasa. 'Dashakarma Paddati' (1498 A.D.) is the oldest book on rituals written in Nepalbhasa. After 'Bhagwat Puran' (1505 A.D.), creative literature in Nepalbhasa starts from 'Tantrakhyan' (1518 A.D.).
Creative literature at a glance
First Story Book - Tantrakhyan (1518 A.D.)
First Song - Walangata Simule Swambaraya (In reign of Pranmol malla, 1523-1550 A.D.)
First One-act Play - Ekadashi Brata (1633A.D.) by Sidhhinarasigh Malla
First Drama - Mooldev Shashidev by Jagat Prakash Malla (1645-1673 A.D.)
nepal
Nepali classical music has its origins in the Rig Veda. Later, the metrical chanting of its hymns found its expression in the songs of Sama Veda. Since then classical music has been a part of the Nepali music sphere. The tradition of playing classical music has been handed down from generation to generation.
The classical structure of a melody is known as Raga, and there are hundreds of Ragas either played on musical instruments or sung according to seasons and time. The 24 hour period is divided into 8 segments of 3 hours each and each Raga is restricted to a particular time frame in order to produce the desired effect. At times, some branches of these ragas composed of songs are incorporated in dances.
Small groups of itinerant minstrels namely Damais and Gaines have become an integral part of the Nepali folk culture. Traditionally, Gaines go from door to door singing folk songs accompanying themselves on the Sarangi (a local violin-like instrument) as this is their profession. They travel from place to place telling tales often related to past events. The Damais play various instruments including the Sahanai (a kind of trumpet). Traditionally, they have been playing in ensembles where many instruments are played and were mostly engaged to play for weddings. For such events, the Damais play Panchai Baja (Sahanai, Narsinga (trumpet-like instrument), Damaha (drum), Dholaki and Tyamko (a small drum)). But music is only a part time job for them as they earn a living from tailoring. Folk music in Nepal thrives throughout the country and they are as diverse as the ethnic groups themselves.
The Newars of Kathmandu Valley are the main exponents of classical dancing. They have kept alive the traditions of performing masked dances during their many colorful festivals. Such dances are often of a Tantric nature with the dancers being possessed by various gods and goddesses. The Lakhe dance is of particular interest and in Bhaktapur the colorful Mahakali masked dancers perform during the Indra Jatra festival each year.
Masked dances are also performed by monks in the numerous monasteries around Nepal. In fact some treks are timed to coincide with festivals where masked dances are the highlight. Each year many tourists arrive in Thyangboche and other places to observe the popular Mani Rimdu festival. Mani Rimdu is unique to the Himalayan regions but other masked dances do take place around Katmandu as well especially during the Tibetan New Year.
The classical structure of a melody is known as Raga, and there are hundreds of Ragas either played on musical instruments or sung according to seasons and time. The 24 hour period is divided into 8 segments of 3 hours each and each Raga is restricted to a particular time frame in order to produce the desired effect. At times, some branches of these ragas composed of songs are incorporated in dances.
Small groups of itinerant minstrels namely Damais and Gaines have become an integral part of the Nepali folk culture. Traditionally, Gaines go from door to door singing folk songs accompanying themselves on the Sarangi (a local violin-like instrument) as this is their profession. They travel from place to place telling tales often related to past events. The Damais play various instruments including the Sahanai (a kind of trumpet). Traditionally, they have been playing in ensembles where many instruments are played and were mostly engaged to play for weddings. For such events, the Damais play Panchai Baja (Sahanai, Narsinga (trumpet-like instrument), Damaha (drum), Dholaki and Tyamko (a small drum)). But music is only a part time job for them as they earn a living from tailoring. Folk music in Nepal thrives throughout the country and they are as diverse as the ethnic groups themselves.
The Newars of Kathmandu Valley are the main exponents of classical dancing. They have kept alive the traditions of performing masked dances during their many colorful festivals. Such dances are often of a Tantric nature with the dancers being possessed by various gods and goddesses. The Lakhe dance is of particular interest and in Bhaktapur the colorful Mahakali masked dancers perform during the Indra Jatra festival each year.
Masked dances are also performed by monks in the numerous monasteries around Nepal. In fact some treks are timed to coincide with festivals where masked dances are the highlight. Each year many tourists arrive in Thyangboche and other places to observe the popular Mani Rimdu festival. Mani Rimdu is unique to the Himalayan regions but other masked dances do take place around Katmandu as well especially during the Tibetan New Year.
nepal
Nepal has a great tradition of Ayurveda, and it is considered to be part of the cultural and scientific heritage of the country. Traditional makers of ayurvedic medicines still carry on their practice using outdated tools. There is an Ayurvedic Hospital in Nardevi in the heart of Kathmandu. For researchers there is a huge amount of data on Ayurveda preserved on leafs and manuscripts in the National Archives. There is a wealth of knowledge here that has long been ignored and neglected.
Ayurveda, is thought of as a life science, and includes yoga, meditation and the natural and spiritual sciences. Ayurveda sees every person as a unique individual, and seeks to understand and to correct the existing imbalances and restore the innate intelligence and harmony of the person.
The objectives of Ayurveda are the development of awareness which leads to a state of desirelessness; the promotion of health and the achievement of longevity; the prevention of disease; and the curing of disease. The Ayurveda practitioner will first ask a series of questions to identify the person’s type. Only after this has been determined, is it possible to diagnose the problem and suggest a series of activities and practices to go with the Ayurvedic medicines.
In order to understand Ayurveda in depth, one should be treated by an Ayurveda practitioner or simply meet with various practitioners to understand the philosophy on a more intellectual level. Excursions can be organized to visit practitioners, to meet rural people who collect herbs, and to meet traditional healers such as Shamans or Jhankris as they are known in Nepal.
Ayurveda, is thought of as a life science, and includes yoga, meditation and the natural and spiritual sciences. Ayurveda sees every person as a unique individual, and seeks to understand and to correct the existing imbalances and restore the innate intelligence and harmony of the person.
The objectives of Ayurveda are the development of awareness which leads to a state of desirelessness; the promotion of health and the achievement of longevity; the prevention of disease; and the curing of disease. The Ayurveda practitioner will first ask a series of questions to identify the person’s type. Only after this has been determined, is it possible to diagnose the problem and suggest a series of activities and practices to go with the Ayurvedic medicines.
In order to understand Ayurveda in depth, one should be treated by an Ayurveda practitioner or simply meet with various practitioners to understand the philosophy on a more intellectual level. Excursions can be organized to visit practitioners, to meet rural people who collect herbs, and to meet traditional healers such as Shamans or Jhankris as they are known in Nepal.
nepal
Speckled with numerous exemplary works of art and architecture, Kathmandu Valley stands a testimony to ancient Nepal's inclination toward the aesthetics. Several monuments in the Valley have been listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is the only World Heritage Site outside the Valley in South Nepal.
Like architecture, most artwork of Nepal is based on religion. Artworks range from the famous Buddhist Thanka and Newari Paubha paintings to the traditional crafts of woodwork and metal. Other art include literature, theater, music and dance, mirroring the different stages of Nepali society.
Nepali art has been deeply influenced by religion since very early times. Early art of Nepal can be seen as stone sculpture and temple architecture. Other art include Newari Paubha and Tibetan Thanka paintings, wood and metal crafts, ceramics and clay pots, textiles, paper, Tibetan carpet, music and literature. Contemporary Nepali art represents two distinct segments, traditional idealistic paintings and the contemporary western style works. The contemporary painting is specially noted for either nature based compositions or compositions based on Tantric elements or social themes. Nepali painters have also earned international reputation for abstract works based on these themes.
Kathmandu Valley houses a number of museums and art galleries displaying art work of the past and present. Some are: The National Museum at Chhauni, Museums at Kathmandu Durbar Square, Museum of Natural History at Swayambhu, National Library at Puchowk, Kaiser Library at Thamel, National Birdcage Art Gallery at Naxal, Asa Archives at Tangal, National Art Gallery at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, National Woodworking Museum at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Bronze and Brass Museum at Bhaktapur, Nepal National Ehnographic Museum at Bhrikuti Mandap. Museums outside the Kathmandu Valley are such: Dhakuta Museum, Hattisar Museum in Bhimphedi, Mustang Eco Museum in Jomsom, Tharu Cultural Museum in Thakurdwara etc.
Like architecture, most artwork of Nepal is based on religion. Artworks range from the famous Buddhist Thanka and Newari Paubha paintings to the traditional crafts of woodwork and metal. Other art include literature, theater, music and dance, mirroring the different stages of Nepali society.
Nepali art has been deeply influenced by religion since very early times. Early art of Nepal can be seen as stone sculpture and temple architecture. Other art include Newari Paubha and Tibetan Thanka paintings, wood and metal crafts, ceramics and clay pots, textiles, paper, Tibetan carpet, music and literature. Contemporary Nepali art represents two distinct segments, traditional idealistic paintings and the contemporary western style works. The contemporary painting is specially noted for either nature based compositions or compositions based on Tantric elements or social themes. Nepali painters have also earned international reputation for abstract works based on these themes.
Kathmandu Valley houses a number of museums and art galleries displaying art work of the past and present. Some are: The National Museum at Chhauni, Museums at Kathmandu Durbar Square, Museum of Natural History at Swayambhu, National Library at Puchowk, Kaiser Library at Thamel, National Birdcage Art Gallery at Naxal, Asa Archives at Tangal, National Art Gallery at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, National Woodworking Museum at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Bronze and Brass Museum at Bhaktapur, Nepal National Ehnographic Museum at Bhrikuti Mandap. Museums outside the Kathmandu Valley are such: Dhakuta Museum, Hattisar Museum in Bhimphedi, Mustang Eco Museum in Jomsom, Tharu Cultural Museum in Thakurdwara etc.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Nepal
A landlocked country the size of Arkansas, lying between India and the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, Nepal contains Mount Everest (29,035 ft; 8,850 m), the tallest mountain in the world. Along its southern border, Nepal has a strip of level land that is partly forested, partly cultivated. North of that is the slope of the main section of the Himalayan range, including Everest and many other peaks higher than 8,000 m.
The first civilizations in Nepal, which flourished around the 6th century B.C. , were confined to the fertile Kathmandu Valley where the present-day capital of the same name is located. It was in this region that Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born c. 563 B.C. Gautama achieved enlightenment as Buddha and spawned Buddhism.
Nepali rulers' early patronage of Buddhism largely gave way to Hinduism, reflecting the increased influence of India, around the 12th century. Though the successive dynasties of the Gopalas, the Kiratis, and the Licchavis expanded their rule, it was not until the reign of the Malla kings from 1200–1769 that Nepal assumed the approximate dimensions of the modern state.
The kingdom of Nepal was unified in 1768 by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who had fled India following the Moghul conquests of the subcontinent. Under Shah and his successors, Nepal's borders expanded as far west as Kashmir and as far east as Sikkim (now part of India). A commercial treaty was signed with Britain in 1792 and again in 1816 after more than a year of hostilities with the British East India Company.
Several of the festivals of Nepal last from one day to several days. Dashain is the longest and the most important festival of Nepal. Generally Dashain falls in late September to mid October, right after the end of the monsoon season in Nepal. It is "a day of Victory over Demons". Tihar is another important festival of Nepal.
Other important festivals includeBuddha jayanti (the celebration of the birth of Buddha); Maha Shivaratri, a festival of lord Shiva, and during Maha Shivaratri festivities, some people consume excessivedrinks and smoke charas. Sherpas, mostly located at higher altitudes and in the Everest region, celebrate Mani Rimdu, for the good of the world. Most festivals include dancing and music and eating all kinds of local delicacies. A variety of foods is consumed during festivals and on special occasions. If one has to taste Nepali food, Newacusion is a must have; a festive meal, like one served during a marraige, is a real treat, and include vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes.
The first civilizations in Nepal, which flourished around the 6th century B.C. , were confined to the fertile Kathmandu Valley where the present-day capital of the same name is located. It was in this region that Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born c. 563 B.C. Gautama achieved enlightenment as Buddha and spawned Buddhism.
Nepali rulers' early patronage of Buddhism largely gave way to Hinduism, reflecting the increased influence of India, around the 12th century. Though the successive dynasties of the Gopalas, the Kiratis, and the Licchavis expanded their rule, it was not until the reign of the Malla kings from 1200–1769 that Nepal assumed the approximate dimensions of the modern state.
The kingdom of Nepal was unified in 1768 by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who had fled India following the Moghul conquests of the subcontinent. Under Shah and his successors, Nepal's borders expanded as far west as Kashmir and as far east as Sikkim (now part of India). A commercial treaty was signed with Britain in 1792 and again in 1816 after more than a year of hostilities with the British East India Company.
Several of the festivals of Nepal last from one day to several days. Dashain is the longest and the most important festival of Nepal. Generally Dashain falls in late September to mid October, right after the end of the monsoon season in Nepal. It is "a day of Victory over Demons". Tihar is another important festival of Nepal.
Other important festivals includeBuddha jayanti (the celebration of the birth of Buddha); Maha Shivaratri, a festival of lord Shiva, and during Maha Shivaratri festivities, some people consume excessivedrinks and smoke charas. Sherpas, mostly located at higher altitudes and in the Everest region, celebrate Mani Rimdu, for the good of the world. Most festivals include dancing and music and eating all kinds of local delicacies. A variety of foods is consumed during festivals and on special occasions. If one has to taste Nepali food, Newacusion is a must have; a festive meal, like one served during a marraige, is a real treat, and include vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes.
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