HINDU

Hindu is the terminology used for followers of Hinduism. See Hinduism. It is a multi-disciplinary religion called Sanatan Dharma based on writings and experiences of sages and scholars through the ages. They assert the view that the permanent, unbreakable, absolute and independent existence of self is what is known as Atma or the Individual Soul. 

There are endless divisions of Hindus systems.  Briefly speaking, they may be widely classified into six fundamental schools, Vaisesika, Naiyayika, Sankhya, Mimasaka, Nirgrantha, and Kokayat or Charvaka. The first five philosophical schools hold views based on eternity oriented realismism or Saswatvad and the last one holds the view of nihilism or Echchedavad. 

Hinduism also advocates different ethical systems and meditation systems. By practicing these systems one can take birth and rebirth until getting merged into Brahmah, the ultimate realm. 

HINDI

The Hindi language is spoken by approximately 200,000 people in Nepal as their first language which represents nearly 1 per cent of the country’s population. But, this language is spoken as a link language by several ethnic groups of Nepal, mostly in southern parts of Nepal. This language is mostly spoken in the districts of Central Nepal and is grouped as Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, or Indo-Aryan group of language.   

HINAYANA

Hinyana is one of the sects of Buddhism. Difference of opinions, philosophical interpretations and arguments arising from time to time cause formation of new schools of  thought and sects.  In Buddhism, there arose two important sects of thoughts which are known as Hinayana and Mahayana. 

The Hinayana adhered more to the concept of the four noble truths and eight-fold paths which is basically a philosophy with prescribed rules and codes of conducts as also ethical norms. For the Hinayanas, the worship of deities is a secondary concept. The conception of Nirvana is the freedom from all desires and greed, and eventually to get rid of the cycle of rebirth.

Hinayana got it’s name because of this doctrine of achieving the individual salvation. According to this philosophy, each and every person has to work out his own destiny for enlightenment and Nirvana. Comparatively a few are likely to achieve the goal by their own efforts, argue the followers of Mahayana. Hinayana Buddhism is more popularly known as Theravada Buddhism. 

HIMALAYA

Himalaya, also known as Himal in short, literally means the abode of snow. The majestic snow-capped peaks of northern Nepal are seen as ranges of white mountains. The towering cliffs, enormous glaciers, deep gorges and innumerable spurs are all parts and parcels of the Himalayas. The 500 mile-long map of Nepal is virtually walled on the northern borders by the mighty Himalayan ranges or the Hiamlayas. These Himalayan ranges are  grouped as follows: (1) Kanchanjunga Himal (2) Kumbhakarna Himal (3) Khumbu Himal (4) Rolwaling Himal (5) Jugal Himal (6) Langtang Himal (7) Gorkha Himal (8) Ganesh Himal (9) Annapurna Himal (10) Dhaulagiri Himal (11) Kanjiroba Himal (12) Saipal Himal and (13) Vyas Rishi Himal .  

HETAUNDA

Hetaunda is the district heaequarter of Nepal’s Makwanpur district. See Makwanpur.

HARITALIKA

Haritalika is the combination of two different words which literally means ‘to be taken away by one’s girl friend. Teej or Haritalika is befittingly also regarded as a big day for women to meeting their fellow female friends and have happy get-together festivities. It is interesting to note that women on this particular day usually move around in sizeable groups, enjoying the day, singing and visiting temples. In addition to this, the interesting custom of sending nicely prepared food items their friends and relatives on this day also remind us of the warm feelings and love goddess Parvati had had for her girl friends.

One important aspects of this festival is that of fasting in the name of Lord Shiva. According to Bhavishyettar Purana, those who fast on this day are sure to gain the good grace of God. Particularly,  unmarried Hindu girls are advised to fast on this day and worship Lord Shiva and his wife Parbati sincerely so that they may assured  to get husbands of their choice. This is one of the reasons why Nepalese women, all dressed in their best attire, go around Shiva temples on this day.

Yet another interesting aspect of this festival is to keep feeding one-self throughout the day so as to prepare for the fasting on the proceeding day. On the following day the fasting women spend most of their time singing and going round the temples without any noticeable sign of fatigue. The second day of the festival is the day for breaking the fasting. It comes with the beginning of another ceremonial worship of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed God of good luck. Worshipping Lord Ganesh on this day is to ensure fulfillment of all wishes believed to have been earned by the fasting women on the previous day. 

HARISHAYANI

The eleventh day of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashad (July) is regarded as the day when Lord Vishnu takes rest or rather sleeps after the day’s work. An entire year of the mortal world is equivalent to one full day and night of Lord Vishnu. The period of four months to follow being the retiring time of Lord Vishnu, people feel unsafe and therefore they go to the Lord and pray and  worship. 

HARIBODHINI

Haribodhini, the day Hari (Vishnu) wakes from his sleep is a day of relief and rejoicing for Hindus. They worship the Lord and many people also fast that day. The whole year of ours is considered as a day of Lord Vishnu and his sleeping time starts form the day of Harisayni.  Hairbodhini falls on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Kartik (around October) .

HANUMAN DHOKA

Attached with the long-standing history, this place of the ancient kings of Nepal is known far and wide through the country. An interesting feature of Hanuman Dhoka is the Taleju Temple built by king Mahensra Malla. A gigantic figure of Kal Bhairab, or the God of Terror, Nautalle Durbar (nine storied palace), coronation platform, the Hall of Public Audience, Statue of King Pratap Malla with his four sons on the lotus capital of a tall stone monolith, the big bell, the big drums and many other pagoda style temples, all made in different times and bearing historic significance are considered worth seeing.

HANUMAN

The Monkey God and the chief of the army of monkeys, Hanuman is also known for his lifelong bachelorhood. In the Ramayana, he helped Rama to defeat the demon king Ravana and to bring back his stolen wife Sita from Lanka (Ceylon). He could convert himself into a creature of any size, small or extremely huge. As mythology has it, he had leapt from the present Indian subcontinent to the island of Sri Lanka.

Hanuman is often found in pictures with Sita and Ram. His statues are also found in many places of Nepal. In Nepal, his images are usually covered with a thick Vermillion mixed with mustard oil and often dressed in red cloth with red or golden umbrella over his head. Being symbolic to courage, loyalty and bravery, he is especially venerated by princes and warriors.