Culture of Nepal

Theculture of Nepalencompasses the various cultures belonging to the 125 distinctethnicgroups present inNepal.The culture of Nepal is expressed throughmusicanddance;artandcraft;folklore;languagesandliterature;philosophyandreligion;festivalsandcelebration;foodsanddrinks.
Legendsstate thatdancesin this country originated in the abode of Lord Shiva — theHimalayas, where he performed thetandavadance.This indicates that dance traditions of Nepal are very ancient and unique. With altitudes and ethnicity, the dances of Nepal slightly change in style as well as in thecostumes. The Dishka, a dance performed at weddings, includes intricate footwork and arm movements.Accompanying music and musical instruments change in tune with the themes, which revolve around topics like harvesting of crops, marriage rites, war stories,love, and several other themes and stories from everyday life in the villages. The Tharu stick dances and the peacock dance are also performed.
As many as 123 languages are spoken in Nepal according tothe 2011 census. Most of them belong to either theIndo-Aryanor theTibeto-Burmanlanguage families. The major languages of the country (percent spoken as mother tongue) areNepali(44.6%),Maithili(11.7%),Bhojpuri(6%),Tharu(5.8%),Tamang(5.1%),Nepal Bhasa(3.2%),Magar(3%) andBajjika(3%), andDoteli(3%).
Nepali, written inDevanagariscript, is the official national language and serves aslingua francaamong Nepalese ethnolinguistic groups.
The 2011 census identified 81.6% of the population beingHindu.Buddhismwas practiced by about 9% of the population. About 4.2% practiceIslamand 3.6% follow the indigenousKirantreligion.Christianityis practiced officially by less than 1.0% of the population.
Hindu and Buddhist traditions in Nepal go back more than twomillennia. InLumbini, Buddha was born, andPashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, is an old and famousShiva templeof Hindus. Nepal has several othertemplesand Buddhistmonasteries, as well as places of worship of other religious groups. Traditionally, Nepalesephilosophicalthoughts are ingrained with the Hindu and Buddhist philosophical ethos and traditions, which include elements ofKashmir Shaivism, Nyingma school ofTibetan Buddhism, works of Karmacharyas of Bhaktapur, and tantric traditions.Tantrictraditions are deep-rooted in Nepal, including the practice of animal sacrifices. Five types of animals, always male, are considered acceptable for sacrifice:water buffalo,goats,sheep,chickens, andducks. Cows are very sacred animals and are never considered acceptable for sacrifice  .
Several of thefestivals of Nepallast from one to several days. As a predominantly Hindu and Buddhist nation, most of the Nepalese festivals are religious ones. The festivals of Nepal have their roots inHinduismas more than 80% of the population of the country is Hindu.Buddhism, the second-largest religion of the nation which accounts for 9% of the population, has influenced the cultural festivals of Nepal.DashainorVijaya Dashamiis the longest and the most important festival of Nepal. Generally, Dashain falls in late September to mid-October, right after the end of themonsoon season. It is "a day of Victory over Demons". TheNewarscelebrate the festival asMohani,TiharorDipawali,Holi,Saraswati Puja,Rakshabandhan,Janmashtami, Gai Jatra, Nag Panchami,Teej,Chhath,Kartik Poornima,Maghe Sankranti, orMakar Sankranti,Maha ShivratriandChhechuare widely celebrated important festivals of Nepal. New Year's Day of the lunar calendarNepal Sambatoccurs in November. Several Jatras take place throughout the year and public holidays are declared in some regions.
Other important festivals includeBuddha Purnima(the celebration of the birth of Buddha)Maha Shivaratri(a festival ofLord Shiva) and duringMaha Shivaratrifestivities, some people consume excessivedrinksand smokecharas.Sherpas, mostly located at higher altitudes and in theMount Everestregion, celebrateMani Rimdu, forthe good of the world.
Most festivals include dancing and music, and a variety of special foods are consumed during festivals and on special occasions.
TheSagan ceremonyis the ritualized presentation of five food items (boiled egg, smoked fish, meat, lentil cake and rice wine) to a person which is done to bring good fortune as perTantrictradition.
Nepal Sampada Sangha (Nepal Heritage Society) has compiled an inventory of 1,262 significant architectural and archeological sites in Nepal outsideKathmandu Valley.
The government declared volleyball as thenational gameof the country. Before it used to bedandi biyo.
A Cabinet meeting held at the Prime MinisterPushpa Kamal Dahal's residence in Baluwatar took the decision. TheMinistry of Youth and Sportshad put the proposal to declare volleyball as the national game.Nepal Volleyball Associationhad been demanding that the sport, which is played in all 75 districts of the country, should be the national game.
National Sports Council's former Member Secretary Yubaraj Lama had initiated the process of deciding the national game, while the current Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista had recommended for the national game.