Hinduism in Nepal

Hinduism is the major religion of Nepal. In the 2001 census, approximately 80.6 percent of the Nepalese people identified themselves as Hindus. Buddhists and Muslims comprised 10.7 and 4.2 percent, respectively. The remainder followed other religions, including Christianity. The national calendar of Nepal, Bikram Sambat (B.S.), is a solar Hindu calendar essentially the same to that widespread in North India as a religious calendar, and is based on Vedic principles of time-keeping.

The geographical distribution of religious groups revealed a preponderance of Hindus, accounting for at least 87 percent of the population in every region. Among the Tibeto-Nepalese, those most influenced by Hinduism were the Magar, Sunwar, and Rai peoples.

However, there has traditionally been a great deal of intermingling of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. Many of the people regarded as Hindus in the 1981 census could also in some senses be called Buddhists. Hindus long have worshipped at Buddhist temples and Buddhists at Hindu temples. The reason for this is that both Hinduism and Buddhism have common roots as dharmic religions, and over most of their history have not been seen as separate communions, but rather rival tendencies within a shared religious tradition. Because of such dual faith practices (or mutual respect), the differences between Hindus and Buddhists have been in general very subtle and academic in nature; Hindus and Buddhists have never engaged in any overt religious conflicts.

Hindu Foundation of the Kingdom of Nepal

Historians and local traditions say that a Hindu sage named "Ne" established himself in the valley of Kathmandu during prehistoric times, and that the word "Nepal" means the place protected ("pala" in Sanskrit) by the sage Ne. [ W.B., P. 34 "Land of the Gurkhas"] He performed religious ceremonies at Teku, the confluence of the Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers. [ [http://www.infoclub.com.np/nepal/history/history_ancient.htm The Ancient Period] ] According to legend he selected a pious cowherd to be the first of the many kings of the Gopala Dynasty. [ W.B., P. 34 "Land of the Gurkhas" ] These rulers are said to have ruled Nepal for over 500 years. [ Balfour, P. 195 "Cyclopædia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia, :" ] He selected Bhuktaman to be the first king in the line of the Gopal ("Cowherd") Dynasty. [ [http://www.infoclub.com.np/nepal/history/history_ancient.htm The Ancient Period] ] The Gopal dynasty ruled for 621 years. Yakshya Gupta was the last king of this dynasty.However,this mythology can be challenged as no such name as Ne exists in Nepali or other sanskrit derived languages.

According to "Skanda Purana", a rishi called "Ne" or "Nemuni" used to live in Himalaya. [ [http://www.aloneinkathmandu.com/2007/05/something-about-nepal.html Alone In Kathmandu] ] In the "Pashupati Purana", he is mentioned as a saint and a protector. [ Prasad, P. 4 "The life and times of Maharaja Juddha Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana of Nepal" ] He is said to have practiced penance at the Bagmati and Kesavati rivers [ Khatri, P. 16 "The Postage Stamps of Nepal" ] and to have taught his doctrines there too. [ W.B., P. 34 "Land of the Gurkhas" ]

References

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5015456.stm Nepal Hindus in secular protest]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5270688.stm Nepal Maoists disrupt Hindu meet]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5355816.stm Hindu fears over secular Nepal]