Culture and Customs

Nepal is a Mullti Cultural country of the world. Nepal has about thirty-six different ethnic groups and 125 different races and castes each have their own distinctive lifestyle, tradition, and culture. 123 different language and dialects Speak in Nepal. Hinduism and Buddhism are major religions of Nepal. Muslim, Christian and other religious people also stay in Nepal. Each religious group has their own cultures and customs, traditions. Nepal has many customs and beliefs that might be difficult to understand. 

When entering rooms in Nepalese homes it is polite to remove your shoes. While some westernized Nepalese might not be doing it, the best thing is to watch what others are doing. Many Hindu temples do not permit westerners to enter but they are quite free to watch from outside. Always walk clockwise around Buddhist stupas, chortens or mani walls. Everybody must remove their shoes and any items made from leather such as belts and bags before entering a Buddhist or Hindu temple.

Public displays of affection are not accepted nor should one swim naked in rivers or lakes. In the northern hill area, the custom of a wife having more than one husband, was also practiced till recently. On the other hand, the Gurung group has an institution called Rodihgar intended to bring people together before they contemplate marriage. Widow re-marriage was not socially acceptable in some groups. An ethnic group such as Brahmins was prohibited for drinking alcohol and sometimes follows vegetarian restrains and amongst Brahmin families a man first met his wife on that day he got married. The Sherpa’s have a remarkably free and easy moral code.