Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the Nepalese people. Nepali is the dominant language, but it is the
mother tongue for about half (47.8 percent) of the population.
Many of the other tongues are the native languages of various
minority ethnic groups. They include: Maithali (12.3 percent),
Bhojpuri (7.4 percent), Tharu (5.8 percent), Tamang (5.1 per-
cent), Newari (3.6 percent), Magar (3.3 percent), and Awadhi
(2.4 percent). Most well-educated people, and those involved in
government or business, also speak English.
RELIGION
Religion is very important to most Nepalese. The influence of
religion is evident in the everyday life of people throughout
the country. Brahmins, for example, are socially and religiously
obliged to perform basic rituals relating to cleanliness, medita-
tion, and worship (
puja
) at home every day. Such activities are
also followed by many members of other castes at home. Most
people also worship in a nearby temple each day.
Kathmandu is widely recognized as being a “City of Tem-
ples,” or “City of Gods.” Nearly every house has a religious sym-
bol on or by the front door or in the yard. People also perform
occasional worship at home. This activity can last between 1 to
10 days, but it may continue for months if formally organized
by a community. Puja recognizes that God is not far from each
of us. Nepalese people worship through prayer and ritual.
They believe that God is everywhere around them. Therefore,
people believe that God can influence humans' everyday lives
in numerous ways.
In general, puja refers to the prayer and worship of the
gods and goddesses and the offering of different foods, fruits,
and other things. People also offer
Namaste
to greet the divin-
ity. This is done by raising and joining both hands, with palms
close to one's heart, and bowing the head frontward. Namaste
signifies a “reverential salutation to the inner divine,” and it
means, “I honor the divine inside of you.”
