10 cultural tidbits of Nepal

1.      Joint Families

 Here still exist a tradition of joint family. Generally 3 generations live together- grandparents, parents and children.

2.      Swings in Dasain

Dasain is the main festival in Nepal. It is celebrated for 15 days. It's a tradition that people should leave the floor for at least few seconds on the main day of Dasain and for this Swings are constructed with Bamboos and Rope in open areas.

3.      Deusi and Bhailo in Tihar

Tihar is the second main festival celebrated in Nepal. This is celebrated for 5 days. On the 3rd day, girls go for Bhailo in the evening till night. Girls gather and go from one house to another singing and dancing, for this they are given money and sweets prepared for celebrating Tihar. On the 4th day boys go for Deusi, Deusi is similar to bhailo but it is just for boys.

4.      Tika ,Chura, Pote, Sidoor

Nepali married woman wears Tika and Sindoor in her forehead, pote in the neck and chura in hands as a symbol of her marriage and it is believed it is related to her husband's life span.

5.      Impure woman

Woman is considered impure for the 4 days of her menstruation. She is not allowed to enter in kitchen and prayers rooms.

6.      Bahun woman pierced nose

Nose piercing is not just a fashion in Nepal. It's a tradition that a Bahun girl should have pierced her nose before her marriage.

7.      Son's importance

Having a son is very important in Nepal. It is believed without a presence of son the cremation of a dead body.

8.      Dowry in marriage 

Here still exist a system of Dowry in marriages.

9.      Husband - a god

A woman is supposed to see her husband as god. If her feet touches him, she should bow in front of him. She is supposed to eat after he eats. She even drinks a handful of water used to clean his feet and it's called "logne ko khutta ko jal" - a sacred water.

10.  Mal mass

 To adjust lunar months to solar year, Lunar calendar adds one extra month every third year. This extra month is known by various names: Adhik Maas, Mal Maas, Purushottam Maas and Malimmacha. This is the thirteenth month of the lunar calendar. Therefore lunar calendar has 13 months in every 3 years. During Mal Maas people keep fasting.  Hindus believe, Pursottam Mas is capable of washing away all sins bringing happiness and prosperity. During this month huge amount of charities are performed.