77-507: Hinduism is the largest religion of Nepal . In 2006, the country declared itself a secular country through democracy , after the abolition of its monarchy. According to the 2021 census , the Hindu population in Nepal is estimated to be around 23,677,744 which accounts for at least 81.19% of the country's population, the highest percentage of Hindus of any country in the world. Vikram Samvat , one of
154-459: A Hindu State. This is because they feel their religion is not threatened by the other and that they have shared in a spirit of brotherhood for decades. Both see the Expansion of Christianity as a common problem. As a result, during the protests for Nepal re-declaration as a Hindu state, many Muslims supported the movement for Nepal as a हिंदू राष्ट्र ( transl. Hindu nation ). In Nepal,
231-459: A ban on proselytization . Specially, the conversion flourishes after an earthquake, flood and landslides when people are strivening. Pastures and missionories are often seen to take profit in these condition. Nepalese Hindu can certainly not accept missonories taking profit of onces economic condition and caste to change Religion. A bill passed in 2017 on the same. In 1952, the Hindu population of Nepal
308-631: A nobility of the Gorkha Kingdom . Due to their marital lineages with the politically reigning Thapa dynasty (of Mukhtiyar Bhimsen Thapa ) from the early 19th century, the Ranas gained entry to central Darbar politics. The Ranas were also linked to a minor faction of the Pande dynasty of Gorkha through the Thapa dynasty. Please note that the following genealogy by Daniel Wright was most likely fabricated during
385-473: A nobleman (Sardār) and commandant of the army. Ahirāma Kunwar, a son of Rāut Kunwar, was invited by the King of Kaski and was made a nobleman with a birta or jagir of Dhuage Saghu village. The King of Kaski asked for the hand of Ahirāma's daughter, who was a great beauty, through only Kalas Puja, to which Ahirāma replied to give his daughter only through lawful marriage. The King brought his troops and tried to take on
462-565: A total of 64 castes jat within it, with the Shudras being further divided into 36 sub-castes. After the Gurkhali 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 ). The Tagadharis , thread wearing Hindus of higher categorization, enjoyed the privileged status in
539-421: Is Hindu , 8.21% are Buddhist , 4.39% are Muslim , 3.17% are Kiratist (indigenous ethnic religion), 1.76% are Christian , 0.01% are Sikhs , and 0.01% are Jains . This varies from the 2001 census, where 80.62% of Nepalese were Hindu , 10.74% were Buddhist , 4.20% were Muslim , 3.60% were Kirant (an indigenous religion), 0.45% were Christian , and 0.4% were classified as other groups such as Bön . Nepal
616-497: Is an important Hindu flag that flutters atop Hindu temples . Popular tradition holds that Vishnu had organized the Nepali people and given them their flag, with the sun and moon as emblems on it. In a Hindu Purana , it is written that it was Shiva who handed the flag to Vishnu, and then Vishnu to Indra, for the purpose for battling demons. Hindu and Buddhist traditions in Nepal go back more than two millennia . In Lumbini , Buddha
693-484: Is considered the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama ( the Buddha ). As such, Buddhism has a special place in the country and is intertwined with Hinduism in some communities. The Nepali constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Forced conversion from Hinduism to other religions is against the law, especially when money is used as a direct or indirect incentive to convert. Prior to the movement for democracy in early 2006 and
770-483: Is home to the most Quakers of any country in Asia. As of 2017, there were 7,600 Quakers, most belonging to Evangelical Quakerism ( Gurneyite ). In 1971, Hindus made up 89.4% of the population, Buddhists 7.5%, and Kirants statistically, 0%. The prevalence of dual-faith practices – particularly among Hindus and Buddhists – complicates statistics on religious groups. At the beginning of the 1990s, Hindus made up at least 87% of
847-479: Is mentioned as a saint and a protector. He is said to have practiced penance at the Bagmati and Kesavati rivers and to have taught his doctrines there too. In the mid-18th century, Prithvi Narayan Shah , a Gurkha king, set out to put together what would become present-day Nepal. He embarked on his mission by securing the neutrality of the bordering mountain kingdoms. After several bloody battles and sieges, notably
SECTION 10
#1732909325901924-551: Is practiced by some ethnic groups (such as the Newar people ) in forms that are strongly influenced by Hinduism. Kiratism is the indigenous religion of the population belonging to the Kirati ethnicity. Small populations, especially in eastern Nepal, adhere to Islam , Christianity , Sikhism , Jainism , Bön , and the Baháʼí Faith . Nepal is home to one of the largest Hindu populations in
1001-472: The 2011 Nepal census . NEG denotes newly listed ethnic group, for which 2001 Nepal census figures are not available. (2001-2011) 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
1078-747: The Battle of Kirtipur , he managed to conquer the Kathmandu Valley in 1769. The Gurkha control reached its height when the North Indian territories of the Kumaon and Garhwal Kingdoms in the west to Sikkim in the east came under Nepalese control. A dispute with Tibet over the control of mountain passes and inner Tingri valleys of Tibet forced the Qing Emperor of China to start the Sino-Nepali War , compelling
1155-556: The Hindus and Christians of Nepal, due to the conversion of the poor and uneducated Hindus by the Christian Pastors and Missionaries . There have often been conflicts between the Hindus with Christians in Nepal, among the land and other cultural disputes. The Catholic Church of Nepal is the one of the fastest growing churches in the world, due to which the population and demographics of
1232-610: The Hindus of Nepal is decreasing leading to the serious tensions between the two communities. There have been several incident reporting the conflicts between the two communities. The rise of Hindu nationalism in Nepal is seen as a threat on non- Sanatani religions in Nepal. The only saying of people here is if western country can protect Christianity, Nepalese are also free to protect Sanatani religions. The persecution mainly occurs as attacks on tribal people who converted to Christianity by other tribal people, destruction of churches and
1309-612: The Nepalarastrasastra by the Maithil –origin king Jayasthithi Malla (1354–1395 A.D.). 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 four major classes ( varna )— Brahmin , Kshatriya , Vaishya , Shudra —derived from the ancient Hindu text Manusmriti and based on individual's occupational roles. The four classes varna encompassed
1386-570: The Nepali Muslims . The Nepal rulers passed laws making conversion from Hinduism to Islam and Christianity illegal and enacting them as criminal offenses. These laws were enforced even after the revolution of 1951 , and were reaffirmed in the legal code of 1963, which prohibited the preaching of Christianity or Islam and stipulated three years in jail for those who attempted to convert people, and six years for those who succeeded in converting others. For those who "attempt" to be converted, there
1463-539: The Pashupatinath Temple was considered as the "Temple of Nepal". The Pashupatinath Temple is considered as the most sacred temple for the Hindus of Nepal which once used to be Charumati Vihar of Buddhist as Pashupati hold the statue of Great King Virupakshya. There are many Hindu temple located in Nepal. The notable of them are listed below: There has traditionally been a great deal of intermingling of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. Many people regarded as Hindus in
1540-526: The Shah dynasty , especially by Prithvi Narayan Shah , were seen as the persecution of other religious communities. After that time, until the 1940s, propagation of any other faith than Hinduism was prohibited. The Hindu community was given special rights and even more rights than the other religious community, though freedom of religion was present in the Kingdom of Nepal. Then, there was the era of Rana dynasty , which
1617-571: The Shah monarch to a figurehead and making the Prime Minister and other government positions held by the Ranas hereditary. The Rana dynasty is historically known for their iron-fisted rule in Nepal. This changed after the Revolution of 1951 with the promulgation of a new constitution, when power shifted back to the monarchy of King Tribhuvan . The Rana dynasty were descended from the Kunwar family ,
SECTION 20
#17329093259011694-504: The Sugauli Treaty , under which Nepal ceded recently captured lands. Factionalism inside the royal family led to a period of instability. In 1846, a plot was discovered revealing that the reigning queen had planned to overthrow Bir Narsingh Kunwar , a fast-rising military leader. This led to the Kot massacre ; armed clashes between military personnel and administrators loyal to the queen led to
1771-573: The Vatsa gotra . The founder of this dynasty was Jang Bahadur Kunwar Rana , who belonged to the Kunwar family , which was then considered a noble family of Kshatriya status. Jang Bahadur was a son of Gorkhali governor Bal Narsingh Kunwar and nephew of Mathabarsingh Thapa , the reigning Prime Minister of Nepal (1843–1845) from the Thapa dynasty . Bal Narsingh Kunwar was the son of Kaji Ranajit Kunwar and grandson of Sardar Ram Krishna Kunwar , who
1848-415: 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),
1925-558: The Hindu Shah monarch Rajendra Bikram Shah under the premiership of Bhimsen Thapa to Buddhist monks in the Kingdom of Nepal : Our father [King Girban ] has issued a copper plate inscription declaring that nobody shall harass you so long as you observe traditional religious practices ( dharma ). We hereby reconfirm that order. According to the 2021 census , 81.19% of the Nepalese population
2002-701: The King of Bettiah. After knowing about the presence of the King and the Queen in Benaras, Guru Prasad went there and started to congregate an army and a plan to execute Jung Bahadur started to be formed. On 12 May 1847, Jung Bahadur gave a speech in Tundikhel . There he accused the King of the attempted assassination of the Prince and the Prime Minister. The Council then decided to dethrone King Rajendra deeming him mentally ill, and on
2079-681: The Kot. Queen Rajya Lakshmi demanded the execution of Kaji Bir Keshar (Kishor) Pande on alleged suspicion to which General Abhiman Singh Rana Magar looked towards King for confirmation. Jang misinformed Queen that Abhiman Singh's troops were arriving for overpowering the Queen's faction and demanded an immediate arrest. Abhiman tried to force his way out and was killed by Jung's soldier. In the chaos followed, Jung and his brothers began bloodshed and many rival nobles and courtiers were eliminated by them. The letter to British Resident Henry Montgomery Lawrence stated that there were 32 Bharadars (courtiers) killed in
2156-651: The Nepalese capital and more access to the central power after the Gurkhali King Prithvi Narayan's conquest of Kathmandu Valley. Since then Hinduization became the significant policy of the Kingdom of Nepal . 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. The law also comprised Prāyaścitta (avoidance and removal of sin) and Ācāra (the customary law of different castes and communities). It
2233-679: The Nepali to retreat to their own borders in the north. The rivalry between the Kingdom of Nepal and the East India Company over the control of states bordering Nepal eventually led to the Anglo-Nepali War (1815–1816). At first, the British underestimated the Nepali and were soundly defeated until committing more military resources than they had anticipated needing. Thus began the reputation of Gurkhas as fierce and ruthless soldiers. The war ended in
2310-593: The Royal Orders. All were crowned as the Maharaja of Lamjung and Kaski . Succession to the role of the Prime Ministers and the title of Shree Teen Maharaja of Nepal and Maharaja of Lamjung and Kaski was by agnatic seniority , by which the oldest male heir among the sons of equal (a-class) marriages in a generation would succeed. The order of succession was determined by seniority, with each eligible male heir holding
2387-511: The authorities for proselytism and conversion . The pastors were sentenced to six years imprisonment; the male converts were sentenced to one year imprisonment and the female converts to six months. Prosecutions such as this continued for the whole of the Panchayat period: when an amnesty was proclaimed in 1990, there were 30 individuals in Nepal imprisoned for crimes of proselytism or conversion, and 200 others who were subject to legal action for
Hinduism in Nepal - Misplaced Pages Continue
2464-405: The beginning of recorded history in the area. Muslims came to the country around the 11th century and brought Islam with them. Sikhism came to Nepal during the 18th century and spread throughout Nepal, and Jainism came to Nepal during the 19th century but spread only to Kathmandu and some districts of Nepal. Religious tolerance can be found in royal orders dated Falgun Sudi 12, 1884 V.S. issued by
2541-434: The chief conspirator, Birdhwaj Basnyat on the way, and marched towards Bhandarkhal where seeing Jang Bahadur approach fully armed with his troops, the other conspirators started to flee. 23 people were killed in the massacre while 15 escaped. In the 23rd of September 1846, all officers of military and bureaucracy were called upon to their respective offices within 10 days. Then, Jung Bahadur appointed his brothers and nephews to
2618-508: The citizens, with Hinduism being the state religion. 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), the majority of the residents of the Nepal Valley were for the first time codified into a written code only in the 14th century in
2695-439: The courtiers on the mysterious murderer of her aide General Kaji Gagan Singh , to which courtiers hurried to the Kot quickly. Many of the courtiers were unarmed except for a sword, as they had responded immediately to the royal summons. The armies allocated by Jung Bahadur Rana also had taken most of the arms of courtiers who had managed to bring them. Queen Rajya Lakshmi Devi and King Rajendra Bikram Shah were also present in
2772-521: The daughter of the Raja of Bīnātī, a Bagāle Kṣetrī , and married her to Rāma Siṃha. They had six sons over 10–12 years, one of whom was recognized by the title of Kum̐vara Khaḍkā for bravery displayed in the battle against Raja of Satān Koṭ. The title was used by his descendants. Rāma Siṃha was suddenly met by his younger brother who requested him to return Chittaur for once, and Rāma Siṃha died reaching there. The hill Raja made Rāma Siṃha's son Rāut Kunwar
2849-435: 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. Though historically, there have been no major conflict between the Hindus and Muslims in the Nepal, though in the 20th century there have been some controversies between
2926-544: The execution of several hundred princes and chieftains around the country. Bir Narsingh Kunwar emerged victorious and founded the Rana dynasty , and came to be known as Jung Bahadur Rana . The king was made a titular figure, and the post of Prime Minister was made powerful and hereditary. The Ranas were staunchly pro-British and assisted them during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 (and later in both World Wars). In 1860, some parts of
3003-629: The first of the many kings of the Gopala dynasty . These rulers are said to have ruled Nepal for over 500 years. He selected Bhuktaman to be the first king in the line of the Gopala ( Cowherd ) dynasty. The Gopala 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 the Himalayas . In the Pashupati Purana , he
3080-410: The first of their ancestors to enter the hill married a daughter of Bagale Kshetri might have directed their family links to Bagale Thapa , the clan of Mukhtiyar Bhimsen Thapa . The Rana dynasty descended from Kunwar Kumbhakaran Singh, younger brother of Guhila King of Mewar , Rawal Ratnasimha . During the first siege of Chittorgarh in 1303 A.D., Kumbhakaran Singh's descendants left Mewar to
3157-459: The funeral pyre of her husband, was banned in 1919, and slavery was officially abolished in 1924. Rana rule was marked by tyranny, debauchery , economic exploitation, and religious persecution. In the time of early-modern era in Nepal, Hinduism was at the peak of its prominence. The Shah rulers focused on the Hinduization of Nepal; even then there were good relations of Nepalis Hindus with
Hinduism in Nepal - Misplaced Pages Continue
3234-453: The group. 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". He performed religious ceremonies at Teku, the confluence of the Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers. According to legends, he selected a pious cowherd to be
3311-642: The highest ranks of the government. He consolidated the position of premiership after conducting Kot massacre (Kot Parva) and Bhandarkhal Parva on the basic templates provided by his maternal grand-uncle Mukhtiyar Bhimsen Thapa . After the massacres of Kot and Bhandarkhal, the Thapas , Pandes , Basnyats and other citizens had settled in Banaras . Similarly, some citizens had gone to settle in Nautanwa and Bettiah . Chautariya Guru Prasad Shah too had gone to live with
3388-477: The massacre. When Jang Bahadur refused the Junior Queen's request to place Prince Ranendra in the place of Crown Prince Surendra of Nepal , the Queen secretly contacted the victims of Kot and conspired to assassinate Jung Bahadur in the royal Bhandarkhal garden. After receiving a command from the Queen to come to Bhandarkhal, Jang Bahadur took his fully armed troops and headed towards the garden. The troops killed
3465-583: The night of 25 April 1806, King Rana Bahadur was killed by step-brother Sher Bahadur in desperation after which Bal Narsingh immediately killed the King's assassin. He was a close ally of the influential minister Bhimsen Thapa, who initiated a great massacre at Bhandarkhal garden following the chaos from the King's murder. Following closeness to Mukhtiyar Bhimsen, he became the son-in-law of Bhimsen's brother Kaji Nain Singh Thapa of Thapa dynasty . The close relatives and supporters of Thapa faction replaced
3542-546: The nineteenth century, and there is no historical evidence before that time to back it up. Chronicler Daniel Wright has published the genealogy of Jang Bahadur Kunwar Rana . The genealogy begins with Tattā Rāṇā as Raja (King) of Chittaurgarh . His nephew Fakht Siṃha Rāṇā had a son named Rāma Siṃha Rāṇā, who came to the hills after the siege of Chittaur. He was employed by a hill Raja for ten or twelve months who wanted to retain Rāma Siṃha in his country. The hill Raja asked for
3619-549: The north, towards the Himalayan foothills, according to the book "Rana's Of Nepal" where the preface is written by Arvind Singh Mewar . The Rana dynasty claimed to be Rajputs of western Indian origin, rather than the native Khas Kshatriyas despite the fact that they spoke Khas language and attempted to disassociate from their Khas past. Also, many historians are of the opinion that ruling families in Nepal often claim Indian Rajput descent for political purposes. The Ranas claimed
3696-500: The old courtiers and administrators. The Kunwar family came to power being relatives of powerful Mukhtiyar Bhimsen Thapa. Similarly, Kunwars were related to Pande dynasty by their maternal grandmother Rana Kumari Pande who was daughter of Mulkaji Ranajit Pande . Bal Narsingh's son Kaji Jung Bahadur Kunwar became a significant person in the central politics of Nepal during the prime ministership of his uncle Mathabar Singh Thapa . On 17 May 1845 around 11 pm, Mathabar Singh
3773-578: The population in every region of Tibet. The largest concentrations of Buddhists were found in the eastern hills, the Kathmandu Valley , and the central Tarai ; in each area, about 10% of the people were Buddhist. Buddhism was more common among the Newar and Tibeto-Nepalese groups. Among the Tibeto-Nepalese, those most influenced by Hinduism were the Magar , Sunuwar , and Rai peoples. Hindu influence
3850-466: The practice of animal sacrifices. Five types of animals, always male, are considered acceptable for sacrifice: water buffalo , goats , sheep , chickens , and ducks . Cows are very sacred animals and are considered acceptable for sacrifice. Nepal has been the home of many ancient sites of the Hinduism and is the hub for the tourism for many Hindu pilgrimages. Before 2007, when Nepal was a Hindu country ,
3927-403: The protection of religion and culture handed down from time immemorial." That is, "The state government is bound for protecting and fostering Hindu religion while maintaining "Religious" and "Cultural" freedom throughout the nation as fundamental rights. Hinduism is the majority religion in Nepal and profoundly influences its social structure and politics, while Buddhism ( Tibetan Buddhism )
SECTION 50
#17329093259014004-617: The protection of religion, culture handed down from time immemorial (सनातन)'. Nepal remained the last Hindu nation until 2008, and still Nepal has a Hindu majority population. It has the highest Hindu population in the world, after India . By percentage, Nepal has the highest Hindu population in the world. Although many government policies throughout history have disregarded or marginalized minority religions, Nepalese societies generally enjoy religious tolerance and harmony among all religions, with only isolated incidents of religiously motivated violence. Nepal's constitution does not give anyone
4081-528: The rebellions, arrest Rajendra and bring him to Kathmandu. On 27 July, the Gorakhnath Paltan (Gorakhnath Battalion) reached and rested in a village called Simraungadh , not too far from Alau. The battle of Alau was a decisive one between the forces of King Rajendra and Jang Bahadur. The King lost significantly in the battle. If the massacre of Kot had established Jung Bahadur as a dictator, the battle of Alau had helped him strengthen his dictatorship. Rajendra
4158-551: The relations between the Hindus and Christians have many often been a subject of controversy. The expansion of Christianity is a controversial subject in Nepal , and Nepali Christians have been subject to sporadic violence and widespread social exclusion by the local Hindus and Muslims. It is frequently claimed in Nepali media and political discourse that missionaries offer the poor material incentives to convert with necessary proof but these proofs are often left with no attention. There has been number of increase of conflicts between
4235-438: The right to evangelise or convert anyone to another religion. Nepal also passed a more stringent anti-conversion law in 2017. Rana dynasty The Rana dynasty ([राणा वंश] Error: {{Langx}}: invalid parameter: |IAST= ( help ) Sanskrit: [raːɳaː ʋɐ̃ɕɐ] , Nepali: [raɳa bʌŋsʌ] ) was a Chhetri dynasty that imposed authoritarianism in the Kingdom of Nepal from 1846 until 1951, reducing
4312-516: The right to convert any person to another religion. Nepal also passed a more stringent anti-conversion law on 2017. Religion in Nepal Religion in Nepal (2023) Religion in Nepal encompasses a wide diversity of groups and beliefs. Nepal is a secular nation and secularism in Nepal under the Interim constitution (Part 1, Article 4) is defined as "Religious and cultural freedom along with
4389-532: The rule of the Shumsher Rana family also known as the Satra Bhai (17 brothers) Rana family. They murdered Ranodip Singh Kunwar and occupied the hereditary throne of Prime Minister. After this they added Jang Bahadur to their name, although they were descended from Jang's younger brother Dhir Shumsher. Nine Rana rulers took the hereditary office(s) of Prime Minister, Supreme Commander-in-Chief and Grand Master of
4466-414: The sacking of King Gyanendra in 2008, the country was officially a Hindu kingdom, and the constitution still protects and fosters the Hindu religion. Nationalists have sometimes protested against secularism , and some wish to see Nepal become a Hindu- Democratic state. Senior minister Prem Ale has advocated for constitutionally declaring Nepal a Hindu state . Hinduism has been present in Nepal since
4543-526: The same day Surendra was crowned as the new king of Nepal. Hearing the news of the coronation of Surendra, Rajendra decided to take the responsibility of removing Jung Bahadur upon himself and declaring himself as the leader of the army, he left Benaras. Rajendra then appointed Guru Prasad Shah as the Chief of the Army for the operation of removal of Jung Bahadur Rana from Nepal and started to accumulate weapons and training
4620-434: The same offenses. After the overthrow of the Rana regime in 1951, King Tribhuvan opened Nepal's borders and appealed to the outside world to assist in Nepal's development. Then, he granted the freedom of religion to Nepalese , especially to Nepali Muslims , and the first church was established in Nepal . Though giving release to other religious groups, the society of Nepal followed strict and rigid Hindu laws for all
4697-613: The troops. Antagonism from the British-India Company forced Rajendra and his troops to enter Nepal. On 23 July, the troops reached a village called Alau in Bara and set a camp there. One spy group of the Government of Nepal was keeping close eyes on the event of the rebel groups at Bettiah . They sent the news to Jung Bahadur, immediately after which he sent a troop in the leadership of Sanak Singh Tandon to Alau. They were told to suppress
SECTION 60
#17329093259014774-503: The two communities due to the religious conversions and strict laws against the same. There have been claims of increases in Islamophobia in Nepal by local Hindus and Buddhists as a result of the rise of Hindutva in India and the prejudice against Muslims by Hindus . However, this is reported to have had no effect in the community level, reflected by demands of Muslims to convert Nepal into
4851-566: The two official calendars used in Nepal, is a solar cosmological calendar essentially the same to that widespread in North India as a religious calendar, and is based on solar units of time . Among the ethnic groups are the Bahun , Thakuri , Tharu , Shah , Magars , Hill Dalits , Madheshi , Newari people. Meanwhile, among the major ethnic groups Sherpa , Rai , Limbu , Gurung and Tamang have lowest percentage of followers of Hinduism within
4928-537: The village by force. Ahirāma was supported by the villagers belonging to the Parājulī Thāpā caste and a war was initiated. On the same day, Ahirāma took his immediate family including two sons namely; Ram Krishna Kunwar and Jaya Krishna Kunwar, to the King of Gorkha, Prithvi Narayan Shah where the lands of Kunwar-Khola were given to them as birta . John Whelpton opines that the Kunwar origin legend which states that
5005-415: The western Terai region were gifted to Nepal by the British as a friendly gesture because of their military support to sustain British control in India during the rebellion (known as Naya Muluk or "new country"). In 1923, the United Kingdom and Nepal formally signed an agreement of friendship that superseded the Sugauli Treaty of 1816. The Hindu practice of Sati , in which a widow sacrifices herself in
5082-407: The world. A number of prominent Hindu pilgrimage sites are located in Nepal, such as Pashupatinath Temple , a UNESCO World Heritage Site . According to the Hindu epic Ramayana , the goddess Sita was born in the Mithila Kingdom of King Janaka . The national animal of Nepal is the cow , which is considered a sacred animal in Hinduism, and the slaughter of cows is illegal in Nepal. Nepal
5159-462: Was 7,318,392 with the percentage of 88.87%. In recent years, the percentage of Hindus has decreased by nearly 7% from 88.87% in 1952 to 81.34%, as per 2011 census of Nepal . The Hindu population has experienced continuous decline in the population, which is mainly due to the low-fertility rate among the Nepali Hindus, which is also accompanied by diaspora of Nepalese to the United Kingdom , Hong Kong , India and Oman . The figures are based on
5236-635: Was a fine of a hundred rupees, and for those who actually converted (that is, were baptized ), there would be imprisonment of one year. The code stated that "when somebody becomes converted, the conversion is nullified, and he remains in the Hindu dharma [religion]". From the early 1960s, the state began to actively prosecute Christians in places where the baptism of Nepali citizens had occurred; this active governmental persecution continued up to 1990. Following baptisms in Nepalgunj and Tansen between 1958 and 1960, pastors David Mukhia and Prem Pradhan, along with six baptized believers, were prosecuted by
5313-426: Was an attempt to include the entire Hindu as well as non-Hindu population of Nepal of that time into a single hierarchic civic code from the perspective of the Khas rulers. The Hinduization of Nepal was mainly predominant in Kathmandu and the adjoining regions near the Valley. Nepali society has been known for its interfaith religious harmony and tolerance, but the Hinduization and Saffronisation of Nepal by
5390-541: Was born, and Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu is an old and famous Shiva temple of Hindus. Nepal has several other temples and Buddhist monasteries , as well as places of worship for other religious groups. Traditionally, Nepalese philosophical thoughts are ingrained with the Hindu and Buddhist philosophical ethos and traditions, which include elements of Kashmir Shaivism , Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism , works of Karmacharyas of Bhaktapur, and tantric traditions. Tantric traditions are deep rooted in Nepal, including
5467-416: Was composed mainly of Kshatriya Hindus. Though in the regime of Rana dynasty, Nepal did not witness much Hinduization, but there were still strict Hindus law. Rana rulers focused on the saffronisation of tribal Hindus in the Kingdom and focused mainly on the warrior class Gurkhas . There were many temples and shrines built during the Rana dynasty and imposed the Vedic culture on the Nepalis. The pennant
5544-474: Was done through indirect control of the king via his wife Queen Trailokya , and through threats against the king. Before this, the Ranas had merely been regarded as Khas-Chhetris, and had had no pretensions to any kind of royal origin. In 1885, the Shumsher family, the nephews of Jung Bahadur Kunwar Rana , murdered many of the sons of Jung Bahadur and took over Nepal in a military coup d'état thus bringing in
5621-504: Was especially sharp among certain Adivasi groups such as Tharu . Among the Sino/Tibetans, the percentage of Hindus went up by 2.37%, from 49.74% to 52.11%. The figures are based on 2011 Nepal census and 2021 Nepal census. Currently, Nepal is a secular country, as declared by the Constitution of Nepal 2072 (Part 1, Article 4), where secularism 'means religious, cultural freedom, along with
5698-597: Was imprisoned in an old palace in Bhaktapur. On 15 May 1848, a lal mohar (royal seal) was issued, issued claiming descent for the Kunwars/self-style Ranas from Ranas of Mewar and authorizing the Kunwar family of Jang Bahadur to style themselves as Kunwar Ranaji . On 6 August 1856, Jang Bahadur Kunwar (now Ranaji) was conferred the title of Maharaja ( Great King ) of Kaski and Lamjung, two former hill principalities, by King of Nepal, Surendra Bikram Shah . This
5775-502: Was less prominent among the Gurung , Limbu , Yakkha , Tamang, and Thakali groups, who continued to employ Buddhist monks for their religious ceremonies. Since Hinduism and Buddhism are both Indian religions , their practices usually complement each other, and many people practice a combination of both. In 2015, a new constitution was adopted, and equal rights were granted to all religions in Nepal. Nepal's constitution does not give anyone
5852-477: Was prominent military general of King Prithvi Narayan Shah . Ram Krishna Kunwar was born to Ahiram Kunwar. There were ample of rewards and recognitions received by Sardar Ram Krishna Kunwar from the Gorkhali monarch Prithvi Narayan. His grandson Bal Narsingh was initially a follower of the renounced King Rana Bahadur Shah and Kaji Bhimsen Thapa , and followed the King in his exile to Banaras on 1 May 1800. On
5929-399: Was summoned to the royal palace and was assassinated in a cold blood by Jung Bahadur on the royal orders. He was considered to have been merciless, ruthless and fatal due to his association with Mathabar Singh. Jung Bahadur was made a Kaji (equivalent to minister) after following the order of assassination of Mathabar. On the night of 14 September 1846, Queen Rajya Lakshmi Devi summoned
#900099