Location

Nepal is located in southern Asia and is couched between the two Asian giants of India and China. This small Hindu kingdom is a strategically important country and is surrounded by the Indian mainland on the east, south and western sides respectively. It lies between the latitudes 26°N and 30°N and longitudes 80°E and 88°E.

Climate

The climate of Nepal ranges from subtropical monsoon conditions in the Terai region to alpine conditions in the Great Himalayas. Annual rainfall ranges from 70 and 75 inches in the eastern Terai and between 30 and 35 inches in western Nepal. Flooding is a serious problem in the low-lying areas of the Terai plain during the monsoon season, from July to mid-October. The winter season extends from November to March, when temperatures vary from 19°C in the southern Terai region to 13°C in the intermountain basins. During the summer season, which lasts through April and June, the mercury varies from 21°C to 28°C, in the same regions.

Flora & Fauna

There are over 6,500 species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers in Nepal. The height of floral splendor is during the months of March and April when rhododendrons, the national flower, burst into color. Nepal's principal natural resources are the forests, which cover about one-sixth of the country and provide valuable timber, firewood, and medicinal herbs. At the lowest elevations are tropical, humid, deciduous forests that harbor tigers, leopards, deer, monkeys, and a few Indian rhinoceroses. Above 1,200 m, the forests are evergreen and deciduous (oak, maple, magnolia), with occasional leopards and bears on the central Himalayan slopes. Between 3,050 and 3,650 m are coniferous forests with hare, deer, antelope, and small carnivores; above that are sub-alpine and alpine meadows of rhododendron and juniper, harboring musk deer and wild sheep. One can find around 800 different species of bird life in Nepal.

HISTORY

Buddhist and Brahmanic Hindu versions of Newar legends dominate the early history of Nepal. The ancient Indian classics contain references to the Nepal valley and lower hill areas. During the 3rd century bc, the emperor of India, Ashoka, supposedly visited Nepal.

In 1769, the Gurkhas led by Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered the Nepal Valley from the Malla dynasty. He moved the capital to Kathmandu, providing the foundation for modern Nepal. From 1775 to 1951, Nepali politics were characterized by conflict between the royal family and several noble families. Often the Shah rulers were relegated to honorary positions, while the political power was concentrated within a dominant noble family.

With support from the Indian government, royal Nepali sovereignty was restored and revolutionary forces gained a position in the administration in the early 1950s. A constitution was approved in 1959, and parliamentary elections were held. Controversy arose between crown and Cabinet in 1960, and King Mahendra dismissed the congress and imprisoned many members. In 1962, a new constitution was promulgated giving the crown greater authority. Though the country was then nominally a constitutional monarchy, the king for many years exercised autocratic control over the country's multi-tiered system of panchayats, or councils, which extended from the village to the national level. The king was able to dominate the Council of Ministers and much of the National Assembly without opposition because political parties were banned under the constitution. In 1972, King Mahendra was succeeded by his son Birendra. In 1990 a series of demonstrations and protests over the king's autocratic rule forced him to lift the ban on political parties and to accept a new cabinet composed largely of opposition political figures. That year a new constitution was also approved that provided for a multiparty democracy and a bicameral parliament.

Fairs & Festivals

Nepal's festive calendar is frenzied and exciting. Dasain, celebrated nationwide in October, is the most important of all Nepalese celebrations and features the biggest animal sacrifice of the year. It is the same festival of Durga Puja in India. Tihar is celebrated in the month of November, where animals are honored. Other festivals celebrated nationally include the colorful Holi in March, Chaitra Daisan (or Basanti Puja) in April, Haribodhini Ekadashi in November, Maha Shivratri in March, Gai Jatra in August, and Krishna Jayanti in August/September. Buddhist celebrations include Mani Rimdu in November (in Solu Khumbu), Buddha Jayanti in May (in Kathmandu), and Losar or the Tibetan New Year in February (in Swayambhunath, Jawlakhel and highland communities). Other important festivals are New Year's Day (April 14), Mother's Day (April), Rath Jatra (May–June), Guru Poornima (August), Krishnashtami (August–September), Father's Day (August–September), Indra Jatra (September), Constitution Day (November 9), Bala Chaturdarshi (November–December), Birthday of His Majesty the King (December 28), Basanta Panchami (January–February), National Democracy Day (February 18), and Ghode Jatra (March–April).

SITES TO VISIT

Nepal has three main cities of tourist attraction—Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. The capital city of Kathmandu offers many attractions to the visitor. It is the seat of the world famous Pashupatinath Temple. Kathmandu's core is Durbar Square, with the Vishnumati River to the west and Ratna Park to the east. The Baghmati River forms the southern boundary, while Thamel, the budget travelers' hangout, sprawls to the north.

Patan has many pleasant attractions like the Durbar Square, Royal Palace, Jagannarayan Temple, Golden Temple, Kumbeshawar, a collection of Buddhist stupas, Nepal’s only zoo, and the Tibetan carpet market at Jawlakhel.

Bhaktapur, 35 km from Kathmandu, offers attractions like the Durbar Square, famous for its temples, squares, statues and columns, Taumadhi Tole Square, Nyatapola Temple, Til Mahadev Narayan, Potters’ Square, and Tachupal Tole Square.

In the Terai region, the Royal Chitwan National Park and Janakpur, the legendary birthplace of Goddess Sita of the Ramayana, are the oft-visited sites. Pokhara is famous for its picturesque setting, Tibetan settlements, hilltop monasteries, the Devi Falls, caves and lakes. The Dakshina Kali Temple, south of the Kathmandu Valley, attracts hundreds of pilgrims everyday. The Nagarjuna forest reserve is also a treat for the nature lover.

HOW TO REACH

Royal Nepal Airlines, the national flag carrier of Nepal, and other International airlines operate scheduled flights to Kathmandu from Bangkok, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Dubai, Varanasi, and several other cities. The international airlines operating their flights to Kathmandu include Aeroflot, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, China South West Airlines, Druk Air, Indian Airlines, Lufthansa, Pakistan International Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai International.

Public buses are the main form of transportation and are cheap, although uncomfortable and tedious. Buses ply almost on every road—paved or unpaved. There are several services between Kathmandu and Pokhara aimed specifically at tourists. There are no trains and no drive-yourself rental cars in Nepal. Cars with drivers can be hired.