14 Reasons Nepal Should Go On Your Vacation Bucket List

1. The Annapurna Region

Nepal is home to the Annapurna Region which is known for having some of the world’s best trekking routes. There’s also the lake city of Pokhara and shorter treks. The Annapurna Region compiles the wettest, driest, and windiest places in Nepal.

2. The High Peaks

Eight of the world’s highest peaks are situated within Nepal. All of the peaks reach over 20,000 ft. You may not actually be on top of the world, but it will sure feel like you are.

3. The Bird Watching

With over 856 known species, Nepal is a bird watcher’s paradise. That’s almost 10% of the world’s total bird population. Chances are you’ll see several birds during your stay.

4. The Multitude Of Adventures

Nepal is the perfect destination for adventure seekers. They have mountaineering, trekking, rafting, wildlife safaris, hot air balloons, paragliding, skydiving, bungee jumping, ultralights, and more. Good luck choosing.

5. World Heritage Sites

Nepal is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites which further adds to the cultural charm. Make sure to check out the various temples, monasteries, inns, and more to experience Old World culture.

6. Kingdom of Mustang

The Kingdom of Mustang preserves some of the last vestiges of traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture. Situated on the border of Nepal and Tibet, it is open to only a few select trekking groups each season. The trek follows established trails through substantial villages that once served a thriving trade route between Nepal and Tibet. These whitewashed settlements, set amid fields of barley and home to impressive chortens and simple monasteries, reflect the abiding Buddhist culture.

7. Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park covers the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest at 8,848 m, and its surrounding high mountain ranges. It is an area of geologically young mountains with sharp peaks and glaciers. The Dudh Kosi river originates here. Gokyo Valley (a RAMSAR site) has a number of lakes.

8. Value For Money

Nepal is surprisingly affordable. This is particularly true if you compare Nepal’s hiking trails to others such as Kilimanjaro or the Inca Trail. With the food pricing, you could live off of about $10 a day. And you can find a decent, clean hotel room for about $18.50.

9. The Lakes

The various lakes of Nepal are known not only for their outstanding beauty but also for their spiritual importance. There are over 200 lakes in Nepal with glacier origin. Who needs the sea when you have all these lakes?

10. The Elevation Change

Nepal is the only country in the world where the elevation will change from 60 meters to over 8,000 meters above sea level. It’s quite the experience.

11. Diverse Cultures

Over 35 different ethnic groups call Nepal home. This means there are multiple religions, languages, musical influence, and foods. Nepal is a wonderful place to immerse yourself into different cultures and leave your comfort zone. And Nepal is the only place in the world where people worship the living goddess, Kumari.

12. Nepalese Food

Although Nepalase dishes do result from heavy South Asian influences like China and India, the food is usually healthier with more lean meats and veggies. Other common ingredients include lentils, tomatoes, cumin, potatoes, yogurt, and garlic. And you can eat overlooking views like this!

13. Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley

The Kathmandu Valley is located in the foothills of the Himalayas and is composed of seven different “Monument Zones.” These zones include urban centers with palaces, temples, and the oldest known Buddhist monument thought to be built in the third century B.C.

14. The Serenity

Nepal has been regarded as a sacred place for hundreds of years. The tranquillity of the area will have a positive effect on anyone that is able to experience it. The people, the buildings, and the land are all symbols of serenity. In Nepal, you can truly escape.

Source: BuzzFeed, NepalAndNature, Google

Bisket Jatra

Bisket Jatra is a nine-day festival coinciding with the Nepali New year. It takes place in the medieval town of Bhaktapur. The festival has been immensely popular since the Lichhavi period.

Since the Bisket begins in the last days of the Nepalese year and ends in the beginning days of the New Year it is regarded as the New year festival as well. During the seven days of the festival chariots of God Bhairava and Goddess Bhadrakali are pulled with lot of merriment within the town limits. At a place called Lyasinkhel, a lyasin or a tall pole is erected with two long embroidered cloths hanging from it. These cloths represent two evil serpents who in the past had troubled the royal family by mysteriously killing every suitor to the princess at night. Ultimately a brave prince with the blessings of Goddess Bhadrakali came along and killed them even as they appeared from the nostrils of the sleeping princess and began to enlarge themselves. Thus, to show the townspeople the cause of previous suitors’ death they were hung from the pole and at present the cloths represent them.

The festival used to be called “Bisyau” jatra, which means the festival celebrated in the memory of slaying of serpents. In the passage of time the term changed from ‘Bisyau’ to Bisket Jatra.

In Madhyapur Thimi and Bode, as part of Bisket Jatra or maybe a variation of this festival called Sindoor Jatra is observed. This festival is celebrated by youths participating in a parade carrying god’s images and smearing vermilion powder to each other.

Location: Khalna Tole, Bhaktapur, Nepal

Dates: Mid-April (the beginning of the Nepali month of Baisakh)

Source: PageNepal, Google

Flag of Nepal - Unique and The Most Mathematical Flag

Why is the Nepal flag unique?

Because The national flag of Nepal (Nepali: नेपालको झण्डा) is the world's only non-quadrilateral national flag.

The flag is a simplified combination of two single pennons, the vexillological word for a pennant. Its crimson red is the colour of the rhododendron, the country's national flower. Red is also the sign of victory in war. The blue border is the colour of peace.

The pride of the nation, the national identity – a flag – holds significant place in the heart of a nation and its citizens.

 Veer Savarkar wrote,

“

To the Independent Hindu kingdom of Nepal all Hindudom feels itself most loyally attached and would ever strive to strain every nerve in defending its honour and integrity. It is the only part of our Mother Land which continues down to this day as a Dharma Kshettra unsullied by the humiliating shadow of an alien non-Hindu Flag.     ”

Interpretation

The blue border symbolizes the peace and harmony that has been prevalent in the country since the age of Gautama Buddha, who was born in Nepal. The crimson red is Nepal's national colour, and it indicates the brave spirits of the Nepalese people. The two triangles symbolize the Himalaya Mountains and could also represent the two major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism. The red triangular flag has been a Hindu symbol of victory since the time of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The depiction of celestial bodies represents permanence, the hope that Nepal will last as long as the sun and the moon. The moon symbolizes that the Nepalese are soothing and calm, while the sun symbolizes fierce resolve. The moon also symbolizes the shades and the cool weather of the Himalayas, whereas the sun symbolizes the heat and the high temperature at the lower part (Tarai) of Nepal. Another interpretation: The flag's shape could also symbolize a Nepalese pagoda - as noted by local Nepalese, placing a mirror at the side of the flag closest to the flagpole will generate an image of a pagoda.

Numberphile use the constitution of Nepal to re-create its distinctive, double-triangular flag. They call it The Most Mathematical Flag.