DOLPELI

Dolpeli or Dolpo is the name of the language spoken by Dolpos. A small population of 5,000 to 10,000 people according to 1998 census, Dolpeli is spoken mainly in the mountains of Dolpa. Major Dolpeli speaking areas are the villages of Goomatara, Kola, Tachel, Kani, Bajebara, Laun, Chilpara, Bantari, Byas which are all located at higher parts of above Dolpa until Tibet.

DOLPO

The inhabitants of Dolpa are known as Dolpos. They live in nearly 40 settlements scattered throughout the district of Dolpa at altitudes of 13,000 to 14,000 feet above sea level. Their physical features and habits largely resemble those of the Lhakpas, though the Dolpo women wear different and unique styled dresses and ornaments. They are farmers, but their chief occupation is animal husbandry. Religiously, they practice both Bon-po and Buddhism. Sky burial is their peculiar practice. As such, when someone dies they cut the dead body into pieces and subsequently feed to the vultures by throwing pieces of meat in the sky. Polyandry is a social practice, and their language and dress choices very much resemble Tibetan communities.

DOLPA

Dolpa or Dolpo is the name of a district as well as of a particular ethnic group. Dolpo is a remote district of Karnali zone which is located in the northern side of Dhaulagiri mountain range. This district is known for its wide, remote and distinctively different  geographical areas, scantly populated and difficult, and an un-spoilt, romantic topography. A small community of approximately 30,000 Dolpo’s live in this district in out-of-way villages in the high mountains. This small population lives in a number of villages scattered in wide areas between Karnali river on the southern side and the Tibetan border to the north. They speak their own native language also known as Dolpo or Dorpeli.

Dolpa district is still untouched by a road networks or linkage with other districts. The huge challenge it poses for transport and movement notwithstanding, this district is also an attraction for trekkers and tourists for the height its lakes are located in and the beautiful landscapes in the high-raised mountains. Rare species like the Nilgaai (meaning blue cow) are found in this district. Phoksumdo lake of this district is the highest lake in the world, situated at an altitude of 16,000 ft above sea level. Dunai is the headquarters of this district. Geographically one of the largest district, it has a population of merely 29,545.

DOLKHA

Dolakha is a hill district in the Janakpur zone. This district has a historic and cultural heritage and a number of important, religious shrines. Tamang and Newar traditions and cultural practices are important attractions of this district particularly for students of culture and anthropology. Charikot is the headquarters and the population of this district is 204,229.

DISTRICT OF NEPAL WITH ZONE

Nepal is divided into 75 administrative districts. Although all these districts are clustered into 14 Zones or Anchal’s, the districts are identifiable geographical units. Also See Zilla.

The names of all 75 districts are listed below alongside the Zones as they are located in:

Mechi Zone:  

Jhapa,  Ilam,  Panchthar, Taplejung    

Kosi Zone: 

Sankhuwasabha, Terhathum, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Morang and  Sunsari

Sagarmatha Zone:  

Solokhumbu, Khotang, Okhaldunga, Udayapur,  Saptari, Siraha

Janakpur Zone: 

Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi

Bagmati Zone:  

Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kabhrepalanchowk,  Sindhupalchowk

Narayani Zone: 

Makwanpur, Rauthat, Bara, Parsa, Chitwan, Gandaki Zone: Gorkha, Manang, Lamjung, Tanahun, Kaski,  Syangja

Lumbini Zone: 

Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, Palpa, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu

Dhaulagiri Zone: 

Mustang, Baglung, Parbat,  Myagdi 

Rapti Zone: 

Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan, Pyuthan, Dang

Karnali Zone: 

Dolpa, Jumla, Humla, Mugu, Kalikot

Bheri Zone: 

Jajarkot, , Dailekh,  Surkhet, Banke, Bardia

Seti Zone: 

Bajura, Achham, Bajhang, Doti, Kailali

Mahakali Zone: 

Darchla, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Kanchanpur

DIPANKAR

Dipankar Buddha is a deity of Mahayana Buddhism. He is the ‘Enlightener’ and one of the earliest of the several predecessors of Gautam Buddha (who is considered as the twenty-fifth Buddha). Dipankar is believed to have hailed from Deepavati, a mythological abode. At the moment of his birth there was a miraculous manifestation of a large number of bright lamps or the Dipa’s in local term, hence he was named Dipankar, or the source of light.

Believed to have lived for millions of years on earth, Dipankar Buddha is projected with his right hand in Abhaya Mudra and left hand in Varada Mudra. He is depicted either in sitting or in standing postures with the monastic garment wrapped over the left shoulder with pleated edges where as the lower garment is pleated in a manner of a flowering skirt.

DIPA

Dipa means a lamp. But, in religious connotation it mainly the lamps or butter-fed lamps lit in front of the Gods and Goddesses. As a part and parcel of the puja or worship or dedication, a number of such sacred lamps are lit in front the deities on various occasions such as festivals, particular important days of the year and also for individual and family occasions for worshipping of particular Gods.

DIKPALA

Dikpalas are the guardians of four directions and four corners. It is the common name given to all the deities when they are depicted as the presiding Gods of the directions. Otherwise they have their own roles and identities in other aspects and areas. Indra, the King of Gods presides over the East; Varuna, Lord of the Oceans presides over the West; Kubera, the God of Wealth presides over the North and Yama, the God of Death presides over the South. The regents of the four corners are Agni, God of Fire, who rules the Southeast; Bayu, God of Wind, ruling the Northwest; Isana, a form of Shiva, rules the Northeast and Nairitya, God of death rules the Southwest. No independent cult evolved around these eight divine guardians. Just like the Navagrahas they are invoked in every religious ritual, mostly during worshipping and purifying rituals associated with construction of shrines and buildings.

DHWOJA

Dhoja is the term used for a banner or a flag. But in religious and traditional senses, it may have different connotations to fit different context. Different types of Dhwoja’s are used in Hindu and Buddhist shrines, festive occasions and other intended areas. Sometime it is indicative of the shrine, whereas some other times it spells sacred messages. It also signifies the victory of Buddhism as depicted in Buddhist shrines.

DHYANI BUDDHAS (Panch Buddhas)

DHYANI Buddhas are supposed to have emanated from Adibuddha. There are five Dhyani Buddhas (Buddhas in Meditation). They are not separate Gods. They are just abstract aspects of Buddhahood. They are also often called Tathagata. They are very popular in Nepal and are found in every stupa, thousands of Chaityas (small stupas), in courtyards, and found painted in the main entrance of the Buddhist house. In Kathmandu, they are also called Panch Buddhas. They are always shown seated in the position of meditation. Of the five Dhyani Buddhas the senior is Vairochana who occupies center of the Mandala. The chaityas depicts the four other Dhaynai Buddha around Vairochana as Akshobhaya in the east; Ratnasambhav to the South; Amitabha in the west; and, Amoghsidhi in the north.