Nepal is situated in the central region of the Greater Himalaya and it contains more of the world’s highest mountains than any other country. These include Makalu, Lhotse, Annapurna, Manaslu, and Dhaulagiri and of course Everest on most dramatic and highest mountain peaks in the world. It is rich in scenic splendor and cultural treasures with a strong historic tradition having population of more than 25 million people of different religion and Culture.

Enchantment is everywhere, be it on the shoulders of high mountains, or terraced farmlands meticulously carved like stairways on the hill sides, or cascading mountain rivulets and rushing rivers, or in forests full of wildlife, flowers and bird song. In Nepal, something for everybody: tourist, trekker, river rafter, wildlife enthusiast, poet, artist, writer, and scholar. The kingdom has long exerted a pull on the Western imagination and it's a place difficult to dislodge from your memory once you return. This is why so many travelers are drawn back to Nepal every year.

Rivers:
Nepal ’s rivers can be broadly divided into three categories in accordance with their origins. The first category comprises the three main river systems of the country the koshi, Gandaki and karnali river systems, all of them originating from glaciers and snow-fed lakes.

The koshi river system consists of the Tamur, Arun, Dudhkoshi, Likhu, Tamakoshi, Sunkoshi and indravati rivers. Of these, the Arun and Sunkoshi originate in Tibet. The confluence of these rivers is at Tribeni. The confluence of these rivers is at Tribeni (near Dharan) in sagarmatha zone.

The Gandaki river system in central Nepal consists of the kaligandaki, Budhigandaki, Marsyanghi, Trishuli, Seti, Madi and Daraundi rivers. The kaligandaki is the longest river and the Trishuli, the main tributary of this system.

The kaligandaki originates in Mustang and converges with the trushuli at deoghat in chitwan. The river is then called the Narayani and goes on to meet the Ganges. The carnal river system in western Nepal consists of the Hulma Carnal, Mugu carnal, Seti and Bheri rivers and is the longest river system in the country.

Rivers like the Mechi, Mahakali, Bagmati, kamala, Rapti, etc. most of which have their origin in the Mahabharat range, constitute the rivers of the second category. The Bagmati, which rises at Bagdwar and drains out through the chobhar gorge, is the principal river of the kathmandu valley.

Glaciers of Nepal:
The Himalayan region abounds in glaciers. Most of the big glaciers lie in the eastern Himalayans. As the western Himalayas receive only a small amount of rainfall, barring the formation of vast snowfields, the source of some of the big rives of nepal are in fact glaciers.

Nepals largest glacier lies in the mahalangur and the Kunbhakarna ranges. Khumbu is the biggest glacier and Langtang the longest. Kanchenjunga, Yalung, Nupchu and Langtang are some other glaciers belonging to the eastern Himalayans. Tukche and hidden valley glaciers belong to the central Himalayas but these are comparatively small. Eating into the land long their course, the glaciers have been partly responsible for changing the Himalayan landscape, and for evolving various geo-patterns ranging from big cirques and rock basins to hanging valleys and morainic ridges.

National Parks:
1. Royal Bardia National Park (968 sq. kms.)
2. Langtang National Park (1710 sq. kms.)
3. Shey-phoksundo National Park (355 sq km.)
4. Rara National Park (106 sq kms.)
5. Khapted National Park (255 sq. kms.)
6. Makalu- Barun National Park (2330 sq.kms.)

Wildlife Reserve:
1. Sukla phanta Reserve (305 sq kms)
2. Parsa Reserve (499 sq kms.)
3. Koshi-Tappu Reserve (175 sq kms.)

Conservatin Areas:
1. Annapurna (2600 sq. kms.)
2. Makalu- Barun (2330 sq kms.)

Hunting Reserve:
Dhorpatan (1325 sq kms.)

Endangered Species:
This country harbors one of the world best habitat for one horned rhino, Royal Bengal tiger, Show-Leopard, Clounded- Leopard, Red panda, Blud-sheep and long snouted fish eating Gharial. Other wildlife includes wild elephant, buffaloes, bisons, blue bell, Brown bear, sloth bear, Leopard, Crocodiles and many varieties of cat, dog, deer and antelope families.

Political System:
Multi-Party Democracy with Constitutional Monarchy.

Religion:
Nepal enjoys the distinction of being the only Hindu Kingdom in the world. However, there is a harmonious blending of Hinduism and Buddhism.

Geography:

According to the geographical territory Nepal is divided into three main region Himalayan region, mountain region and terai region.

The Himalayan Region : The altitude of this region ranges between 4877 meters and 8848 meters with the snow line running around 4848 meters. It includes 8 of the 14 summits in the world which exceed an altitude of 8000 meters. (1) Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) 8848 m, (2) Kanchenjunga - 8586 m, (3) Lhotse - 8516m, Makalu - 8463m, (5) ChoOyo- 8201 m, (6) Dhaulagiri - 8167m, (7) Manaslu - 8163m, and Annapurna- 8091 m.

Mountain Region: This region accounts for about 64 percent to total land area. It is formed by the Mahabharata range that soars up to 4877 meters. To its south lies the lower Churia range whose altitude varies from 610 meters to 1524 meters.

Terai Region : The low-land Terai region which has a width of about 26 to 32 kilometers and a maximum altitude of 305 meters, which occupies about 17% of total land area of the country. Kechanakawal the lowest point of the country with an altitude of 70 meters lies in Jhapa District of the eastern Terai.

Himalayan Region:
The region accounts for about 15% of the total land area. The altitude of this region ranges between 4,877m.-8,848m. It includes eight of the 14 highest summits in the world which exceed an altitude of 8,000m including Mt. Everest, Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Dhaulagiri and others.

Mountain Region:

The region accounts for about 68% of the total land area. it is formed by the Mahabharat range that soars up to 4,877m and lower churia range.

Terai Region:

The low-land Terai Occupies about 17% of the total land area of the country.

History:

Nepal has always been an independent and sovereign country with glorious history, culture and tradition that date back to time immemorial. Before the campaign of national integration was included by king Prithivi Narayan Shah, the great, the Katmandu valley was ruled by the malla kings, whose contributions to art and culture are indeed great and unique.

In 1372, Katmandu’s king, Jayasthiti Malla, took over the neighboring city-state of Patan, and, a decade later, the city-state of Bhaktapur. The newly unified Katmandu Valley kingdom expanded tremendously during the reign of his successor, King Yaksha Malla. By the middle of the next century, Nepal’s borders extended southwards to the Ganga River, and north deep into Tibet. During this time, the caste system became entrenched as an attractive method of social stability, ensuring the Malla reign. However, after his death in 1482, Nepal once again split up into many small states. The situation lasted for almost two centuries. In the 18th century, a new dynasty came to power.

Prithivi Narayan Shah, born in Gorkha came to power in the Gorkha Kingdom and set about to unify the many princely states in reaction to colonialism. He gradually extended his power until finally, in 1768; he conquered the Katmandu Valley and established the modern nation of Nepal. Barely 20 years later, had war broken out between Nepal and China over Tibet. Lasting nearly a decade, the Nepalese were defeated and forced to sign a treaty that obligated them to pay annual homage to the Chinese. This tribute continued for over a century and ended only in 1912.

People:
Nepal has a population of more than 27 million people made of different races and ethnic groups living in different regions, with diverse culture, languages and dialects. The Gurungs and Magars live mainly in the west The Rais, Limbus and Sunwars inhabit the slopes and valleys of the eastern mid hills. The Sherpas live in the Himalayan region. The Newars constitute an important ethnic group of the capital valley-Kathmandu. There are Tharus, Yadavas, Satars, Rajvanshis and Dhimals in the Teri region. The Brahmins, Chhetris and Thakuris are generally spread over all parts of the Himalayan Country.

World Heritage:
A Living Cultural Heritage:
Nepal’s heritage is alive and dyanamic. Shamanism, animism & witch craft are still practiced in remote regions temples, shrines monuments and monasteries are extremely active with devotees burning butter-lamps, singing hyms, chiming temple bells and playing drums.

World Heritage Sites (Natural):
1. Everest National Park (1448 sq. kms.)
2. Royal Chitwan National Park (923 sq. kms.)

World Heritage Site (Cultural);
1. Swayambhu
2. Bouddha
3. Bhaktapur
4. Changunarayan
5. Pashupatinath
6. Kathmandu Durbar Square
7. Patan Durbar Square

Festivals Of Nepal:
It is said about Nepal that every other structure is a holy shrine and every other day a festival. Well, if the number of annual festivals, both religious and national, is any indication, the saying couldn't be more true. Festivals are an essential part of Nepalese life that garner tremendous local participation. Festivals also offer visitors a valuable opportunity not only for having fun but gaining insight into various aspects of Nepalese culture. The religious festivals follow the lunar calendar, while national festivals have fixed dates. Wherever or whenever you arrive in Nepal, you can be pretty sure of being at the right time for one or more special events. Some of the major and interesting festivals are presented below.

Sweta Machhendranalh Snan (January):
Sweta (white) Machhendranalh enjoys a week-long festival in he is bathed, oiled, perfumed, and painted. The Goddess Kumari visits him at his elaborate temple near Asan Tol. If he is pleased by the music, offerings, and attentions of his devotees, the people of the Valley can look forward to satisfactory rainfall in the planting season.

Sweta Machhendranalh Snan (January):
Sweta (white) Machhendranalh enjoys a week-long festival in he is bathed, oiled, perfumed, and painted. The Goddess Kumari visits him at his elaborate temple near Asan Tol. If he is pleased by the music, offerings, and attentions of his devotees, the people of the Valley can look forward to satisfactory rainfall in the planting season.

Swasthani (January -February):
Goddess Swasthani's three eyes burn like the sun. She is the ultimate gift grantor; if insulted, she can make life miserable. By worshipping Swasthani's, Parbati attained Lord Shiva as her husband. In the worship rites of Goddess Swasthani's, outlined by Parbati, the Swasthani's scripture is read every evening for a month. Worshipping Swasthani's will bring together parted relations, remove curses, and result in limitless gifts.

Maghe Sankranti (January):
In the holy month of Magh the sun enters the southern hemisphere, and the days begin to grow longer and warmer. Lord Vishnu the Preserver is thanked for his efforts. On Maghe Sankranti (the first day of Magh) people take an early morning bath in a holy river, visit the shrines of Vishnu, and present flowers, incense and food to him. They read the Bhagwad Gita, also known as The Song of the Gods, rub mustard oil over their bodies, and enjoy feasts of rice cooked with lentils, yams or taruls - a must - and laddu, sweets made of sesame and a sugarcane paste.

Basanta Panchami and Saraswati Puja (January):
Basanta, or spring, ushers in the loveliest time of the year. Crowds gather at Kathmandu's Durbar Square while His Majesty the King and other dignitaries welcome the season as a band plays the traditional song of spring. A different celebration occurs at Swayambhu and at the Nil Barahi shrine near Lazimpat. Saraswati, the goddess of learning, arts and crafts is worshiped at her temples. Artists, musicians, teachers, and students bring flowers, unbroken rice, and other gifts to please her.

Maha Shivaratri (February):
Lord Shiva is one of Nepal's most popular gods. During Maha Shivaratri, his "Great Night", followers throughout the Indian sub-continent crowd the Pashupati temple to worship him. On this occasion "there is no space even for a sesame seed". Colorful sadhus, the wandering sages who emulate Shiva, rub ashes over their bodies, give lectures to disciples, meditate, or practice yoga. Devotees pray to Shiva's image inside the temple at midnight and may queue for up to six hours to look at the image. Bonfires are lit, neighbors and friends share food, and devotees enjoy two days and a night of music, song, and dance throughout the Pashupati complex and in the streets.

Losar (February):
Sherpas and Tibetans welcome their New Year with feasts, family visits and dancing. Families don their finest clothes and jewelry and exchange gifts. Buddhist monks offer prayers for good health and prosperity, and perform dances at the monasteries. Colorful prayer flags decorate streets and rooftops; the colors seem especially brilliant at the Bouddha and Swayambhu stupas. Crowds of celebrants at Bouddha bring in the New Year by throwing tsampa (roasted barley flour) into the air.

Holi or Fagu Purnima (March):
Fagu Purnima is one of the most colorful and playful festivals of Nepal. The chir pole, decorated with colorful flags and erected on the first day of Fagu at Kathmandu's Durbar Square, is a formal announcement to all: hide your good clothes, for throughout the week you may be splashed with colored powder and water balloons. The last day is the wildest: youths covered with red vermillion powder roam the streets as inviting targets.

Chaitra Dasain, March - April.:
Red vermillion powder, family blessings, and goat and duck sacrifices are essential to praise the victory of Ram, hero of the epic Ramayana, over the evil king Rawan. Mother Goddess Durga, the source of all power, must be supplicated too, for her powers helped Ram achieve his victory.

Ghode Jatra (April):
Visitors are often amazed by the fine horses of the Nepalese army, and Ghode Jatra is a time for the most graceful of these animals to perform before the public eye. Legends relate that this ''horse festival" was begun after the Kathmandu people buried a demon under the soil of Tundikhel showgrounds. They say that he may rise again and cause worry to the world if he is not trampled on by horses each year. So every spring, this victory over evil is celebrated in the Valley by organizing palanquin processions and a grand display of show jumping, motorcycling feats, and gymnastics. Their Majesties the King and Queen, the Living Goddess Kumari, and thousands of people from all over the country are a part of the jatra audience.

Bisket Jatra (April):
During this important festival, the old kingdom of Bhaktapur and its neighboring areas replay a drama passed on over the centuries. Images of wrathful and somewhat demonic deities are placed on tottering chariots. They are offered blood sacrifices, flowers, and coins. Men brimming with youthful vigor and rice beer drag the chariots across brick-paved streets of the town, and wherever these raths stop, lamps are lit and devotees overflow into the surrounding alleys. Other gods and goddesses, too, are put on palanquins and carried around so that they may see the sights. At Bode village, there is a tongue-boring ceremony in which the dedicated may reserve a place in heaven.

Red Machhendranath Jatra (May)
This festival is the biggest socio-cultural event of Patan. The wheeled chariot of a deity know as Bungdyo or Red Machchhendranath is made at Pulchowk and dragged through the city of Patan in several stages till it reaches the appointed destination (lagankhel). The grand finale of the festival is called the 'Bhoto Dekhaune' or the "showing of a vest". A similar kind of chariot festival to Machchhendranath (white) is also held in Kathmandu city in the month of March-April.

Buddha Jayanti (May):
The ever-benevolent Buddha was born in Nepal, and the religion he preached is the second most popular in the kingdom. On May 6, a full moon day, the Lord's birth, enlightenment, and salvation are applauded throughout the valley with celebrations. Swayambhu and Baudhanath Stupas are prepared for the oncoming festivities several days in advance. Monasteries are cleaned, statues are polished, bright prayer flags waft in the breeze, and monks prepare to dance. On the Jayanti day, people reach the stupas before dawn, go around them and give offerings to the many Buddha images there.

Dumji (July):
Dumji is one of the sared ceremonies of the Sherpa community. It is celebrated in the month of July. Dumji is celebrated by the Sherpas in Namche region. The Sherpas of Kathmandu and Helambu regions also participate in dancing on this day.

Gunla (July-August):
The monsoon has arrived, and the fields have been planted. It is time for Kathmandu Valley Buddhists to observe Gunla. The month-long festivities celebrate a ''rains retreat'' initiated twenty-five centuries ago by the Buddha. It is a time for prayer, fasting, meditation and religious music. Worshippers climb past jungles, stone animals, great statues of the Buddha, and begging monkeys to Swayambhu's hilltop where daily prayers begin before dawn. Oil lamps, prayer flags, religious statues, and scroll paintings adorn the monasteries as temple bells chime and powerful scents fill the air. Important Buddhist statues and monasteries are on display at the monasteries, and the teachings of Lord Buddha are remembered as the rains nurture the rice, Nepal’s most important crop.

Krishna Asthami (August):
The seventh day after the full moon in the month of Bhadra is celebrated as God Krishna's birthday, sometimes known as Krishnasthanmi.

Janai Purnima and Raksha Bandhan (August):
On Janai Purnima, a full moon day, high-caste Hindus chant the powerful Gayatri mantra and change their Sacred Thread ('anai), while a raksya bandhan, a red or yellow protection cord, is tied around the wrists of other Hindus and Buddhists. Pilgrims journey to the mountains north of Kathmandu. Here they emulate Lord Shiva by bathing in the sacred lake of Gosainkunda. Those unable to make the trek celebrate at Shiva's Kumbheswar Mahadev temple. Here, a pool with an image of Shiva at its center is filled with water believed to have come from Gosainkunda.

Gai Jatra (August):
The gai, or cow, is holy to Hindus. She represents Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and guides the souls of the departed to the gates of the Netherworld. But Gai Jatra is not a somber occasion. Satire, jokes, fancy costumes, and colorful processions are the order of the day as people recall how an eighteenth-century king rallied his people to cheer his queen upon the death of their son. Those who have experienced the death of close ones during the past year share their sorrow and take comfort in the fact that the gai has safely transported the departed souls on their afterlife journey.

Young men wearing women’s saris, children dressed up as cows, and whimsical characters of all sorts fill the streets. Special issues of local magazines poke fun at everyone and everything - even the most important people aren't spared.

Teej (September):
Pashupati, the temple of Shiva, is drenched in crimson during Teej as women in their fine red wedding saris crowd the temple grounds. This unique women's festival is marked by fasting, folk songs, and dancing as the women recall Parbati's devotion to her husband Shiva. Married women visit their fathers' homes. All daughters and sisters receive gifts from their male kin, and an elaborate feast is prepared for them. It's a loud and cheerful celebration until late at night, when strict fasting begins Unmarried women who fast on this day will have good luck in finding suitable husbands. Married women who fast will find their husbands faithful and will see the bond of love grow. The blessings of Shiva and Parbati ensure that family life will be joyous for all.

Indra Jatra (September):
Indra, King of Heaven and controller of the rains, has once again blessed the Valley. As the end of the monsoon nears, farmers look forward to a rich harvest: everyone is grateful to the deva for his help. For eight days, Kathmandu's Durbar Square is the focus of a great celebration fit to "flatter the King of Heaven." Indra's dhwaj, or flag, is erected on the first day. It is said that many centuries ago, Indra's mother needed specially-scented flowers but could not find them in heaven's gardens. Indra discovered parijat flowers in the Kathmandu Valley and tried to steal them for his mother. He was caught and imprisoned by the Valley people. When Indra's mother came searching for him the people were appalled by what they had done. They released Indra and dedicated one of the most colorful festivals of Nepal to him to appease his anger. Masks and statues representing Vishnu, Bhairab, and Shiva are shown to the public, and the Goddess Kumari witnesses the special occasion from her chariot. Indra is thanked for the rains and assured once again that he is respected in the Kathmandu Valley.

Dasain (October):
Dasain is the longest and most favorite festival of Nepal. Everyone stays home with their families, offices close and Radio Nepal plays Dasain music. The skies of Kathmandu are filled with kites and the marketplaces are filled with farmers bringing their buffaloes, goats and chickens to sell. The animals are to be sacrificed on the night of Kal Rain to the goddess Durga to celebrate her victory over evil. On the day of Dashami, everyone puts on new clothes and goes to honor their family elders, where they receive large red tikas of vermilion paste on their foreheads. In the following days of Dasain, families and friends unite, feasts are consumed, blessings are imparted and gifts are exchanged. Nepal's most beloved festival ends with the full moon.

Tihar (November):
Tihar, known as the Festival of Lights, is a time of candlelight, tinsel decorations and festive colored sweets. On different days, there are offerings and small celebrations for crows, dogs, cows and oxen. On the night of Lakshmi Puja, garlands are hung and lamps are lighted to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, into the home. Mha Puja, the New Year's Day according to the Nepal Era, is the day of the self, when people give themselves blessings to remain healthy and happy for the rest of the year. Bhai Tika, the last day of Tihar, is the day when sisters make offerings to their brothers. The rituals of breaking a walnut, putting on garlands of makhamali flowers and encircling brothers in rings of mustard oil protects them from Yama, lord of the Netherworld.

Vibhaha Panchami (November – Dec):
This is a famous festival of Janakpur in the eastern Terai. The occasion commemorates the marriage of Sita to Ram, one of the most venerated Hindu divinities. It attracts thousands of piligrims from India to Janaki Temple in Jajakpur.