NATIONAL PARKS

 Nepal is a land of extreme contrasts in climate and geography. It has a unique topography ranging from lowlands with sub-tropical jungles to arctic conditions in the Himalayan highlands. Within a distance of 150 aeronautic kilometers, the land rises from near sea level in the south to over 8,000 meters in the North. All climate zones found on planet Earth may be experienced in Nepal in one or the other place. As a result, a great diversity of plants, birds, and animals are found in Nepal. Here one can see wildlife such as elephants, wild boar, the swamp deer, musk deer, blackbuck, blue bull, the royal Bengal tiger, gharial and crocodiles, and wild buffalo. This area is also rich in birds like babbles, orioles, royals, peacocks and pheasants, floricans, and a multitude of wildfowl. There are five protected areas or National Parks in Nepal namely Koshi Tappu in the east, Parsa in mid-Nepal,  Sukla Phanta, and Dhorpatan in the west, and Shivapuri in the. mid-mountain region. 

The Churia, also known as the. Siwalik range which is the southernmost range of hills is famous for fossil deposits of lost mammals including 10 species of elephants, 6 rhinoceros, hippopotamus, saber-toothed cats, various antelopes, and primates such as the orangutan. Royal Chitwan National Park in the Inner Terai of central Nepal is the first and best-protected area s in the kingdom. where mammals such as the. one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, sloth bear, and the gaur (wild bison) as well as more than 400 species of birds are well protected.

The gorgeous multi-colored pheasant known as Lophophorus (Nepal’s national bird) is found here along with other varieties of endangered birds. Protected areas in this zone include Khapted National Park in the Far-West, Dhorpatan Hunting reserve, Northwest of Pokhara, and Shivapuri Wildlife Sanctuary near  Kathmandu. Higher still, nearer the snowline, are the alpine mountain flanks which are the abodes of snow leopard, blue sheep, and rare species of the wolf, black and brown bears, and lynx.  Langtang, Sagarmatha (Everest). Shey-Phoksundo and Rara National Parks are the protected high altitude areas of Nepal.  

NATIONAL MUSEUM

 Displaying historical and archaeological objects of the past and the present, Nepal Museum stands to preserve the history and records of the kingdom. The historical weapon, sculpture, woodcraft, a specimen of flora and fauna, other pieces of art, and various other objects of importance are on display in this museum located at a place known as Chhauni grounds near Swayambhunath temple in the outskirts of Kathmandu. 

NARTESWAR

 Narteswar i.e. dancing god is the triumphant form of Avalokiteswar. In the form, he has eleven heads and numerous hands. For Hindus, it is the other name of Lord Shiva

Narteswara Shiva, when in the form of dancing is known as Narteswara. He has fourteen arms and mostly found on his mount, bull. Narteswara is the Nepali counterpart of the famous south Indian Natraj (King of dancers). Narteswara is very popular with the Newars as Naasan Deva, patron of music, and dance.

NARAYANI ZONE

Area: 3920 square miles. Bounded by Bagmati and Gandaki zone on the north, Indian territory on the south, Janakpur zone on the east, and Lumbini zone on the west, this zone of Nepal is comparatively advanced form economic and educational points of view. Situated partly in low-altitude mountain regions and partly in the plain, this zone has five districts namely, Makawanpur, Chitwan,. Bara, Parsa, and Rautahat. The famous forest was known as Charkoshe Jhadi which is widely renowned as the thousand square miles wildlife sanctuary lies in this zone. Timber, coal, copper, sulfur, and slate are also found in this zone. Narayani zone is one of the industrial zones of the kingdom where there are many industrial establishments including the Cigarette factory. Sugar mills, match factory, Stainless Steel factories, Sawmills and Beer factory, etc. Textile factory, Cement factory, and various other large scale industries are under construction in this zone. Cheap hydroelectricity is also one of the main resources here. Main roads are generally metalled and in good condition. 

NARAYAN HITI DURBAR

Traditionally a Royal Palace during the days of the monarchy, this palace has now been converted into Narayan Hiti Durbar Museum. It is named after the historic spout called Narayan Hiti which is still there near the south gate of the palace. The main spout with a stone snake turning back its head is supported by a legend which says that a son with thirty-two virtues (means a man of all good qualities) have been killed by his own father, though unknowingly so as to bring out water from the spout because no water had come out of the spout after a long time of its completion. The father who made the spout was advised in his dream by God that he should sacrifice anyone with 32 virtues. Knowing this, the son had willingly decided to have himself (son) in disguise killed by his father. As a result, the water sprang out from the spout but not being able to see the killing of the son by a father, the snake on the top of the spout turned back forever. 

NARAYANA

In popular senses, it is another name of Vishnu. There are other versions also. According to these, he is either the first man or son of the first man. Bramha the creator is also sometimes known by this name. 

NARSINHA

When a powerful demon Hiranyakashipu got blessed by virtue of his most concentrated mediation that none of the existing creatures could kill him, he became too proud and posed himself as a god. People were prohibited from worshipping even Lord Vishnu and that things got deteriorated each passing day. So Vishnu took his fourth incarnation of Narasinha, a novel creature which is half man and a half lion to kill the demon and save the world. 

NAMCHE BAZAR

At a height of 11,300 ft. above sea level, this big Sherpa village of Namche Bazar is a base center of mountaineers, this being situated at the southern foot of the Everest group of mountains. 

People of Namche Bazar live in the rows of housing constructed on a bare slope, separated by stone pole walls and their marketing is done mainly on Saturday markets. 

“About twenty minutes walk above Namche there is a cradle from where the three rocky summits of Everest, Lotse and Nhuptse as well as Thamserku, Taweche and Kwangde are visible in all their majesty.” 

NAGAPANCHAMI

 Nepalese people have great respect for Naga Panchami Day which falls every year on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shrawan (July). They celebrate this day with great feelings and faith. On this particular day, the serpent worship begins with the posting of colorful portraits of nagas (serpents)on top of the main doors of households. 

Naga Panchami has a very ancient origin. The tradition of serpent worship seems to have originated from the Dravidian culture. The Aryans, however, did not worship the snakes in the early days whereas the Dravidians had always felt themselves very close to them. The Vedas have very little to say in praise of serpent gods. But, it is fascinating enough to note that in due course of time the Puranas started speaking very highly of the significance of the serpent worship. And thus the tradition of serpent worship came to be recognized as an integral part of the Vedic religion in later years.

Nepalese people believe that snakes use to roam around in disguised forms of various gods or goddesses. This is the reason why Nepalese people are used to worshiping nagas. The Garuda Purana says that the worshipping of the nagas on the Nagapanchami day brings peace and prosperity to the worshippers. The Skanda Purana also speaks almost in the same tone. The Narad Purana says that if one offers the cow’s milk to the snakes on this day he is sure to be safe from snakebites for the whole year. In any case, Nagapanchami Day reminds us all that the snakes by nature are poisonous and dangerous yet they are very useful, nice, and respectable. 

NAGARJUNA - Nagarjun is usually called the “Founder” of the Mahayan system. Some claimed that he was only its principal expounder. Some look upon Asvaghosha, the probable master of Nagarjuna as the founder of Mahayan doctrine. Others still believe that nagarjun founded the madhyamika school and was the first to teach the Amitabha doctrine.

Nagarjuna was born in Southern India around the end of the second century A. D. His parents were of the Brahman caste. At his birth, it was predicted that he would only live seven days. Considering the acts of merit performed by his parent, god delayed his death until seven years. Before the seven years were up, he was sent to Nalnada where he learned to adore Amiayus, the god of long life, and succeeded to propitiate the god and lived three hundred years on earth.

Nagarjuna was the greatest Buddhist philosopher who mastered all the sciences, and especially magic Art. He is said to have acquired Siddhi and the magic power by which he obtained the Rainbow body’ and was thus able to become invisible at will and transport himself from one place to another by a supernatural power. Different  Buddhist schools of thought claim Nagarjuna as of very high ranked disciple of the Buddha.

According to Buddhist tests, Sakyamuni predicated the rebirth of his disciple Anada under the name of Nagarjuna, founder of the Mahayana system. 

NAG

 Nags are the snake deities. They are found in various capacities. Ananta Nag or Shesh Nag and Karkotak Nag are but important nag’s. Karkotak is the king of a Serpent kingdom  where as Ananta Nag is the chief and the most important of all the nags. He forms the canopy with his seven hoods above the head of Lord Vishnu. Nag’s are found in the form of remnants of early fertility rites who were later worshipped as divine and semi-devine objects. They are frequently projected as ornaments of guarrdian tantric deities. Naga’s are believed to have power to bring or withheld rain. So, they are regarded as gods of rain as well. They are often projected as the protector of the laws of the Buddha.