Gunjan
Nepal is a country full of surprises and hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Beyond the well-trodden tourist trail lies a world of unique experiences and breathtaking beauty. Join us as we explore the lesser-known gems of this incredible country.
Discover the Surprising Facts about Nepal: Top Things Nepali People May Not Know?
Nepal is a beautiful country with a rich and diverse culture, history, and geography. But how much do you really know about your own country? Here are some surprising facts about Nepal that you may not have heard before.
- Nepal is the only country in the world that has a non-rectangular flag. The flag of Nepal consists of two red triangular pennants with blue borders and white symbols of the sun and the moon. The flag represents the Himalayan mountains, the Hindu and Buddhist religions, and the hope for eternal peace.
- Nepal is home to eight of the ten highest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. The Nepali name for Mount Everest is Sagarmatha, which means “forehead of the sky”. The Tibetan name is Chomolungma, which means “mother goddess of the world”.
- Nepal has more than 80 ethnic groups and 123 languages. The official language of Nepal is Nepali, which is derived from Sanskrit. However, many people also speak other languages such as Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Newari, Magar, Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, and Gurung.
- Nepal is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. He was born in Lumbini, a town in the southern plains of Nepal, around the 6th century BC. Lumbini is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists from all over the world.
- Nepal has never been colonized by any foreign power. Nepal has a long history of independence and sovereignty, dating back to ancient times. Nepal was ruled by various dynasties and kingdoms until 1768 when Prithvi Narayan Shah unified the country under the Shah dynasty. Nepal fought off several attempts by the British Empire to invade and annex it in the 19th century. Nepal became a constitutional monarchy in 1951 and a federal republic in 2008.
- Nepal has the only living goddess in the world. She is known as Kumari, which means “virgin” or “unmarried girl”. She is selected from among young girls of the Newari community who meet certain criteria of physical and spiritual purity. She lives in a temple in Kathmandu and is worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists alike. She is considered to be the incarnation of Taleju Bhawani, a Hindu goddess.
- Nepal has diverse and exotic wildlife that includes endangered species such as the Bengal tiger, the one-horned rhinoceros, the snow leopard, the red panda, and the Gharial crocodile. Nepal also has more than 900 species of birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Some of the rare birds found in Nepal are the Himalayan monal, the spiny babbler, and the Nepalese national bird: Danphe.
These are just some of the surprising facts about Nepal that you may not know. There are many more things to learn and explore about this amazing country. So why not start today? Share this blog post with your friends and family and let them know how proud you are to be Nepali!
