The diverse geography of Nepal ranging from Himalayas in the north to the southern Terai region renders it home to a wide
range of culture. Customs and traditions differ from one part of Nepal to another. A conglomeration lies in capital city Kathmandu
where cultures are blending to form a national identity.
Kathmandu Valley has served as the country's cultural metropolis
since the unification of Nepal in the eighteenth century by Late King Prithvi Narayan Shah from Gorkha. The Valley comprises
cities of Lalitpur, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. Some parts of the three cities provide a peek into the ancient world of the Valley.
A
prominent factor in a Nepali's everyday life is religion. The natives of Nepal still follow age-old customs of Hindu and Buddhist
religious practices. Adding color to the lives of Nepalis are festivals the year round which they celebrate with much pomp
and joy. It is said that Nepal has more number of festivals than the days in a year. Food plays an important role in the celebration
of these festivals.
Nepal is a patriarchal society. Men usually go out to work while women are homemakers. However
in cities, roles can differ. Most Nepalis abide by the caste system in living habits and marriage. Rural Nepal is mostly agrarian,
while some aspects of urban life carry glitz and glamour of the ultra-modern world.
dipawali