Religions of Nepal

(wikipedia.org)
Updated: 2009-08-21 10:47

The majority of Nepali follow Hinduism. Shiva is regarded as the guardian deity of the country. Nepal is home to the largest Shiva temple in the world, the famous Pashupatinath Temple, where Hindus from all over the world come for pilgrimage. According to mythology, Sita Devi of the epic Ramayana was born in the Mithila Kingdom of King Janaka Raja.

Lumbini,near the Indian border, is a Buddhist pilgrimage site and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Kapilavastu district.

It is the birthplace in about 563 BC of Siddhartha Gautama, a Kshatriya caste prince of the Sakya clan, who, as the Buddha Gautama - also known as Shakyamuni Buddha - gave birth to the Buddhist tradition.

The holy site of Lumbini is bordered by a large monastic zone, in which only monasteries can be built. All three main branches of Buddhism exist in Nepal and the Newar people have their own branch of the faith. Buddhism is the dominant religion of the thinly-populated northern areas.

The Buddha, born as a Hindu, is also said to be a descendant of Vedic Sage Angirasa in many Buddhist texts. The Buddha's family surname is associated with Gautama Maharishi.

Differences between Hindus and Buddhists have been moderated in Nepal due to the cultural and historical intermingling of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs.

In Nepal, the faiths share some common temples and worship common deities. Among other natives of Nepal, those more influenced by Hinduism are the Magar, Sunwar, Limbu and Rai and the Gurkhas.

Hindu influence is less prominent among the Gurung, Bhutia, and Thakali groups who employ Buddhist monks for their religious ceremonies.

Most of the festivals in Nepal are Hindu.

The Machendrajatra festival, dedicated to Hindu Shaiva Siddha, is celebrated by many Buddhists in Nepal as a main festival. As it is believed that Ne Muni established Nepal, some important priests in Nepal are called "Tirthaguru Nemuni".