History of Nepal:

Nepal and its importance in the history of the Indian subcontinent often goes overlooked thanks to its enormous neighbour down south. But the truth is Nepal holds one of the most revered places when it comes to cultural heritage and spirituality. An interesting fact about Nepal is that although the entire region of India and Pakistan were once under the vast British rule, Nepal was never really colonised. It was only a semi-independent state, whose administrative matters were occasionally interfered by the British. Still holding on to most of its medieval era architecture, art, culture and traditions, an voyage to Nepal will introduce you with an eclectic mix of Newari, Gorkha, Malla, Shah and Tibetan heritages, untarnished by Victorian designs.

Heritage sightseeing in Nepal:

The first and foremost attraction that Nepal tourism comprises is its extensive range of historical monuments and religious structures. Among Hindu faith, Pashupatinath temple is the most revered shrine and visited by many. Boudhanath Stupa is for Buddhists what Pashupatinath is for Hindus. That shrine represents the map of Mount Meru – the centre of cosmos in Buddhist universe. Swayambhunath temple is of importance to both the faiths. It is important to remember about Lumbini – the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Other reputed locations on the Nepal trip are Changu Narayan, Nuwakot palace, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Square and the royal palaces.

Other major attractions in Nepal:

Kathmandu: Kathmandu is the capital of the country, the backbone of its economy and the centre of its tourism. It is home to some of the best Nepal attractions like Pashupatinath and Durbar square. It also keeps the shopping scene of the country alive during the day and the nightlife and casino scene during the night.

Pokhara: Pokhara is the second-most-loved destination in Nepal. The city is known for its various lakes and sprawling green lands, right at the foot of Himalayas.

Bhaktapur: Bhaktapur is a small and friendly town. There isn’t much to see here, except the beautiful Durbar square and the Changu Narayan Temple. But walking around in the pristine city is a lovely experience in itself.

Nuwakot: Nuwakot is home to one of Nepal’s grandest palaces, which is now though diminished in looks due to after-effects of 2015 earthquake but not in its significance. Nuwakot Palace is famous for being the place where the plan to overthrow the Mallas were hatched by Gorkhas.

Lumbini: There is no need to explain why Lumbini is so important to Nepal and to the entire world. This is where Lord Buddha was born – it is the cradle of one entire faith in this world. Visiting Lumbini and the gardens is a great experience to have in Nepal.

Adventure in Nepal:

Nepal is extremely diverse when it comes to points of interest or exciting things to do. Right alongside all the spiritual places, there are many opportunities to soak in some spine-chilling adventure on an expedition to Nepal. The triple combo of bungee jumping, zipline flying and white water rafting in the Bhote Koshi River is a must-do. Besides that, there is a helicopter ride or panoramic flight on the Himalayas, paragliding in Kathmandu valley and lots of trekking routes all around Annapurna and Manaslu circuits. There is a cable car ride for 10 minutes up Chandragiri Hill from Thankot near Kathmandu.

Famous food in Nepal:

On an excursion to Nepal, while it is imperative to savour ‘dal bhat’, there are several other traditional Nepali dishes one must gorge on. While exploring the enticing landscapes of Nepal, do try sumptuous cuisines, like: Sel Roti, Gundruk, Bara, Chatamari, Yomari, and yes, momos, for sure!

People and culture of Nepal:

A potpourri of multi-cultures, there can be found inhabitants of many religions. Albeit, this country is known to be the only Hindu kingdom in the world, and Buddhism and Hinduism being the two main religions followed in Nepal, other religions, like Christianity and Islam are also followed here.

Main festivals in Nepal:

And hence, on a tour to Nepal, visitors can witness locals celebrating every festival with fervour. Some of the major festivals of the country are: Dashain, Tihar, Chhath, Losar, Christmas, Eid, Ubhauli, and more.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra:

Gear up for one of the holiest pilgrimages in the world while hopping on to the majestic pyramid of Mount Kailash. Trek through the surreal canyons to take a dip in the lake of Mansarovar and seek blessings of the lord. As thousands of devotees flock here every year, it is believed that worshipping the mountain and lake relives one from their sins of lifetime.    

For a hassle-free tour to Nepal, keep this travel guide with yourself, and have a blissful journey in the midst of mountains.