Hinduism in Nepal

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Hinduism is the main and largest religion of Nepal. The Constitution of Nepal have established a call for protection of old aged religion i.e Hinduism through out the country and this state that Hinduism is the state religion of Nepal. In the 2011 Nepal census, approximately 81.3 percent of the Nepalese people identified themselves as Hindus, although observers note that many of the people regarded as Hindus in the 1981 census could, with as much justification, be called Buddhists. According to 2011 census, the Hindu population in Nepal is estimated to be around 21,551,492 which accounts 81.3% of country’s population.^[2] The national calendar of Nepal, Vikram Samvat, is a solar Hindu calendar essentially the same to that widespread in North India as a religious calendar, and is based on Hindu units of time.

The geographical distribution of religious groups revealed a preponderance of Hindus, accounting for at least 87 percent of the population in every region. Among Tibeto-Burman-speaking communities in Nepal, those most influenced by Hinduism are the Magars, Sunwar, and Rai peoples.

Hindu foundation of the Kingdom of Nepal[edit]

Historians and local traditions say that a Hindu sage named “Ne” established himself in the valley of Kathmandu during prehistoric times, and that the word “Nepal” means the place protected (“pala” in Sanskrit) by the sage Ne.^[3] He performed religious ceremonies at Teku, the confluence of the Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers.^[4] According to legend he selected a pious cowherd to be the first of the many kings of the Gopala Dynasty.^[3] These rulers are said to have ruled Nepal for over 500 years.^[5] He selected Bhuktaman to be the first king in the line of the Gopal (Cowherd) Dynasty.^[4] The Silncan Gopal dynasty ruled for 621 years. Yakshya Gupta was the last king of this dynasty.

According to Skanda Purana, a rishi called “Ne” or “Nemuni” used to live in Himalaya.^[6] In the Pashupati Purana, he is mentioned as a saint and a protector.^[7] He is said to have practiced penance at the Bagmati and Kesavati rivers^[8] and to have taught his doctrines there too.^[3]

Hinduization by rulers[edit]

Newar-Maithil rulers[edit]

According to various historical sources, even though the presence of varna and caste had been known as an element in the social structure of the Kathmandu Valley since the Licchavi period (c., 3rd century CE), majority of the residents of the Nepal Valley were for the first time codified into a written code only in the 14th century in the Nepalarastrasastra by the Maithil–origin king Jayasthithi Malla (1354–1395 A.D.).^[9] Jayasthithi Malla, with the aid of five Kānyakubja and Maithil Brahmins whom he invited from the Indian plains, divided the population of the valley into each of four major classes (varna)—Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra—derived from the ancient Hindu text Manusmriti and based on individual’s occupational roles.^[10] The four classes varna encompassed a total of 64 castes jat within it, with the Shudras being further divided into 36 sub-castes.

Khas rulers[edit]

After the Gorkhali conquest of Kathmandu valley, King Prithvi Narayan Shah expelled the Christian Capuchin missionaries from Patan and revisioned Nepal as Asal Hindustan (Real Land of Hindus).^[11] The Tagadharis, thread wearing Hindus of higher categorization, enjoyed the privileged status in the Nepalese capital and more access to the central power after the Gorkhali King Prithvi Narayan’s conquest of Kathmandu valley.^[12][13] Since then Hinduisation became the significant policy of the Kingdom of Nepal.^[11]

The Nepali civil code Muluki Ain was commissioned by Jung Bahadur Rana after his European tour and enacted in 1854. It was rooted in traditional Hindu Law and codified social practices for several centuries in Nepal.^[14] The law also comprised Prāyaścitta (avoidance and removal of sin) and Ācāra (the customary law of different castes and communities). It was an attempt to include the entire Hindu as well as the non-Hindu population of Nepal of that time into a single hierarchic civic code from the perspective of the Khas rulers.^[15][16]

Hindu symbolism of Nepal[edit]

The pennant is an important Hindu flag that is help atop Hindu temples.

It is believed that Lord Vishnu had organized the Nepali people and given them their flag, with the sun and moon as emblems on it.^[17] In a Hindu Purana, it is written that it was Lord Shiva who handed the flag to Lord Vishnu, and then Lord Vishnu to Lord Indra, for the purpose for battling demons.^[18]

List of festivals in Nepal[edit]

• Matatirtha Aunsi (Nepali equivalent of Mother’s Day)
• Buddha Jayanti (the birthday of the Budhha, but also celebrated by Hindu people as great harmony exists between Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal)
• Ghanta Karna Chaturdasi
• Janai Purnima, Rakshya Bandhan, Khumbeshwor Mela Patan
• Gaijatra
• Shree Krishna Janmastami
• Gokarna Aunsi (Nepali equivalent of Father’s Day)
• Teej Ko Darkhane Din
• Indrajatra (Holiday Only in Kathmandu)
• Dashain Holidays
• Tihar Holidays
• Chhath Public Holidays
• Maghe Sankranti
• Shree Panchami
• Maha Shiva Ratri
• Fagun Purnima (Holi)
• Ghode Jatra
• Shree Ram Nawami
• Bagh Jatra
• Bhairav Kumari Jatra
• Chaite Dasain
• Gaura Parva
• Gunla
• Guru Purnima
• Rato Macchendranath Jatra
• Mani Rimdu
• Mata-yaa
• Neel Barahi Pyakhan
• Rath Yatra
• Sita Vivaha Panchami
• Tamu Dhee
• Tansen Jatra
• Taya Macha
• Yomari punhi

Hindu-Buddhist syncretism[edit]

However, there has traditionally been a great deal of intermingling of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. Many of the people regarded as Hindus in the 1981 census could also in some senses be called Buddhists. Hindus long have worshipped at Buddhist temples and Buddhists at Hindu temples. The reason for this is that both Hinduism and Buddhism have common roots, and over most of their history have not been seen as separate communions, but rather rival tendencies within a shared religious tradition. Because of such dual faith practices (or mutual respect), the differences between Hindus and Buddhists have been very subtle and academic in nature; Hindus and Buddhists have never engaged in any religious conflicts for past millennia. There are many temples where both Hindus and Buddhists can enter and worship.

Demographics[edit]

Hindu population by ethnic group[edit]

The figures are based on the 2011 Nepal census.^[19] NEG denotes newly listed ethnic group, for which 2001 Nepal census figures are not available.

As seen from the 2001 and 2011 Census data, the percentage of Hindus has gone up by 0.72%, from 80.62% to 81.34%. However, the overall trend remains largely negative. All the major racial group except the Sino/Tibetans showed a decline in the percentage of Hindus, which was especially sharp among certain Adivasi groups such as Tharu and Dalit groups. Among the Sino/Tibetans, the percentage of Hindus went up by 2.37%, from 49.74% to 52.11%.

Hindu population by district[edit]

The figures are based on 2011 Nepal census.

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