Nepal At a Glance
A
gap year in Nepal provides
gap year travellers a unique experience in a country that was, until recently, one of the last
Himalayan kingdoms and is situated in the midst of the highest mountain ranges in the world.
The country stretches some 500 miles from east to west and 120 miles from north
to south. Acting as a kind of buffer between the two most populous countries in
the world, India to the East, South and West, and China to the North, Nepal is a
land locked country, divided into three geographic areas running east-west.
The Northern Himalayan range is covered with snow throughout the year and contains
eight of the highest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest.
The middle range (the Hills) include wonderful upland scenary wth high peaks, hills,
valleys and lakes.
The Southern Terai region is a plain of alluvial soil consisting of dense forest
area, national parks, wildlife reserves and conservation areas.
23.2 million people of more than 60 different castes or ethnic groups live in the
country with an increasing percentage crowded into the capital, Kathmandu, and its
ancient rivals Patan and Bhaktapur.
Nepal is amongst the poorest countries in the world and economically it has not
managed to keep up with its growing population
it a fascinating
gap year destination for
volunteering abroad. Economic activities include carpet
making, readymade garments, handicrafts and, above all, tourism. Although this latter
has suffered badly during he past few years of unrest, over half a million visitors
are welcomed annually in Nepal, most of them bound for mountain trekking or visits
to the National Parks in the southern Chitwan region.
The currency in the country is the Nepalese Rupee.
Nepal's flag is the only national flag in the world that is non-quadrilateral in
shape. The blue border on the flag of Nepal signifies peace. The red stands for
victory in war or courage, and is also colour of the rhododendron, the national
flower of Nepal. While the curved moon on the flag is a symbol of the peaceful and
calm nature of the Nepalese, the sun represents the aggressiveness of Nepalese Ghurkha
warriors.
The welcome received by visitors in Nepal is legendary and the universal greeting
of "Namaste" along with the hordes of smiling children, will remain an indelible
memory for all
gap year travellers who visit this land of mountain beauty.
History
Gap year travellers will have a lot to discover with records of people living in the Kathmandu
Valley for at least 2,500 years.
Around 1000 BC, various local groupings formed and it was from one of these that
a prince, Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BC), renounced his regal life to search for
enlightenment. Thus was Buddhism, one of the largest world religions, founded.
History and religion in Nepal has evolved over the centuries and for
gap year travellers
interested in the subject there is much to learn. The region has long had links to India
and became a vassal state under the Gupta Dynasty. By the late 11th century, the south of
the country came under the influence of the Chalukaya Empire of southern India and the religion
changed as the Nepalese kings patronised Hinduism instead of the prevailing Buddhism.
By this time, the diverse parts of Nepal were starting to consolidate and during the 14th century much
of the country was beginning to come under unified rule. This was not to last, as in 1482 the region was
carved into what became three kingdoms: Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur.
In the mid-18th century Prithvi Narayan, a Gorkha King, started another attempt
to unify the kingdoms. With help from neighbouring Indian kingdoms, he managed to
unify the Kathmandu Valley in 1768.
The 19th Century saw disputes arise between Nepal and the British East India Company
which led to the Anglo-Nepalese War (1815-16). Although the war proved a disaster
to Nepal, who lost Sikkim and part of the Terai in the south to the East India Company,
it was during this period that the bravery of their soldiers, the ruthless and
fearless Ghurkhas - was noted. This started the long tradition, still very strong
today of these soldiers fighting in British regiments.
Nepal at a glance: HistoryThe mid 19th Century saw the foundation of the Rana lineage.
The king became a titular figure and the Ranas were given hereditary rights to the
office of Prime Minister. The Ranas were strongly pro-British and in 1923, the United
Kingdom and Nepal formally signed an agreement of friendship, in which Nepal's independence
was recognized by the UK.
In the late 1940s, pro-democracy movements and political parties in Nepal were critical
of the Rana rule. At around this time, with Chinese movements into Tibet, India
was anxious to balance the perceived military threat from China by taking asserting
more influence in Nepal. India therefore sponsored King Tribhuvan as Nepal's new
ruler in 1951 and helped set up a new government, mostly comprising the Nepali Congress
Party. This effectively ended the Rana's period of influence in the kingdom, although
the family have enjoyed substantial power in politics and business even in recent
times.
King Tribhuvan scrapped the democratic experiment in 1959, and a panchayat system
was set up to govern Nepal. However, in 1989 the monarchy was forced to accept constitutional
reforms and to establish a multiparty parliament. In 1996, the Communist Party of
Nepal ("Maoist") started a bid to form a people's socialist republic which led to
a ten-year period of unrest during which more than 12,000 people were killed. During
this period, in 2001, virtually the entire Royal family were wiped out in a massacre
in the royal palace. The king's son, Dipendra, was accused of the massacre, alleged
to be a violent response to his parents' refusal to accept his choice of wife, and
he died from apparently self inflicted wounds shortly after.
Following the massacre, King Birendra's brother, Gyanendra, took the throne. In
February 2005, Gyanendra dismissed the entire government and assumed full powers
to quash the Maoist movement. However, in response to calls for democracy during
2006, the king had to relinquish power back to the people and reinstated the dissolved
House of Representatives who then passed a motion to curtail the power of the king.
On May 28th 2008, a bill declaring Nepal a Federal Republic, and thereby abolishing
the monarchy, came into force and the newly constituted Nepal was born. The constitution
allows for an elected President with the Prime Minister running the government through
a two-house parliamentary system.
Things to do
A gap year in Nepal takes you to the ’rooftop of the world’, with snow capped mountains and breath taking scenery
– it is here that the height and beauty of the mighty Himalayas will attract you to try a short hike.
No gap year programme to Nepal can be complete without a trek in these majestic mountains.
Don't worry if you aren't a regular hiker, there are many ways to discover the beauty
of the mountains. Most treks follow well trodden foot trails that have been in use
for hundreds of years. Trek through one of these and you will discover hidden villages
and hamlets along the path where you can stop for a hot cup of chai. Popular treks with gap year travellers
include the Annapurna Circuit and Everest base camp, while more serious mountaineers
might attempt an expedition to some of the highest peaks in the world, including
Mt Everest itself.
With rivers surging down the Himalayas and crossing the plains, it presents the
option of some of the most scenic, exciting and challenging rafting experiences
in the world. There are rivers presenting different levels of challenges and rafting
companies that cater from the novice to the expert rafters making Nepal a very popular destination for a gap year adventure.
A little known fact is that Nepal is home to 879 species of birds. Gap year volunteers in Nepal interested in birds,
head straight to the most popular bird watching spot, ’Phulchoki’, the highest peak on the valley rim.
Located 30km east of Kathmandu, Nagarkot is the favourite weekend getaway for gappers
those who seek Himalayan scenery and rural serenity. You get a breathtaking view
of the mountain range from this little town. The surrounding countryside is great
for walking, so if you want a relaxed rustic weekend, head to Nagarkot.
For a spot of wildlife, head to the Royal Chitwan National Park. This is one of
Nepal's largest forest regions with a wide range of wildlife - the rare great One-horned
Rhinoceros, several species of Deer, Sloth Bear, Leopard, Wild Boar, Fresh Water
Dolphin, Crocodile and more Royal Bengal Tiger.
Apart from the scenic beauty that Nepal is known for, it is also famous as the birth
place of Lord Buddha. Lumbini is the birth place of Lord Buddha, the apostle of
peace, and non violence. It is situated 250-kms south-west of Kathmandu. The broken
Ashokan Pillar, remnants of old monastery, images of Buddha's mother Maya Devi,
etc. are still preserved in Lumbini. For gap year travellers interested in history this would be a very worthwhile trip.
It is accessible by air from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa. From Kathmandu it takes about 8 hours by bus or car.
Culture and Customs
A gap year in Nepal is a great opportunity to take in a new and fascinating ancient culture. Nepalese culture is diverse, reflecting the different
ethnic origins of the people. The Newar community is particularly rich in cultural diversity and is well known for its music and dance.
Gap year volunteers in Nepal get a chance to experience typical Nepali food. A typical Nepalese meal is dal-bhat.
Dal (lentils) is made into a spicy soup and served over bhat (boiled rice). Usually curried vegetables or eggs are added.
The Newar community, however, has its own cuisine containing non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes served with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Mustard oil is the cooking medium and spices of all kinds are used in the cooking.
Newari music is mainly percussion based, although flutes and other wind instruments are also used.
String instruments are rare. The songs are usually linked to particular seasons and festivals.
In the hills, people enjoy their own kind of music, playing saarangi (a string instrument), percussion and flute.
Folklore is an integral part of Nepalese society. Traditional stories are rooted
in the reality of day-to-day life, tales of love, affection and battles as well
as demons and ghosts and thus reflect local lifestyles, cultures and beliefs. Many
Nepalese folktales are enacted through the medium of dance and music. The Hyolmu
people of the Helambu region have many distinct folksongs and dances, whose haunting
Tibetan inspired melodies linger in the memories of
gap year travellers to the region.
The Nepali New Year is known as Navavarsha and usually falls in the second week
of April. As it is a national holiday, people go for picnics, have get-togethers
and celebrate the day socializing in various ways. However, Lhosar is equally important
and is the New Year of the Tibetans and Sherpas. It falls in February. The Buddhist
monasteries in Kathmandu, like Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, are decorated with
colourful prayer flags. People perform their traditional dances and welcome the
New Year with feasts and family gatherings.
Another major festival is Holi, the Hindu festival of water and colours that falls
between February/March. This day sees people wander through the streets in groups
with various colours smeared all over them and throwing coloured powder and water
balloons at each other.
Dashain, celebrated in early October, is the biggest festival of the year. It lasts
up to fifteen days, and is the most important festival in the Nepalese year, celebrated
by people of all caste and creed throughout the country.
With all these festivals whichever time of the year you plan a
gap year in Nepal there will be something of interest to see and experience.