NEPALGUNJ

 Headquarter of Banke district of Bheri zone, Nepalgunj is an active town with its various traditional and modern industries. It is also a noted trade centre. 

NEPAL

 The Himalayan Kingdom, Nepal is sandwiched between two giant countries, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of India. Situated in between 80th and 88th degrees of east longitude, it is almost rectangular in shape having a length of 500 miles and a breadth varying from 80 to 120 miles. The total area is approximately147,181 sq. kilometers or  56,000 square miles. The population of Nepal is approximately 24 million. 

Generally speaking, the country may be divided into five geo-physically diverse lengthy stripes stretched from east to west. Those stripes may be described as follows: (1) Himal or the Himalayan range- The snow-clad mountain range with their high rising peaks, (2) Zone of long ridges and rugged topography- this zone is consisting of spurs issuing out from the main Himals following the courses and tributaries. (3) Mahabharat Lekh range- this range that runs through the whole length of the country have peaks and valleys varying from 6,000 to 10,000 ft. in altitude. (4) Chure hills and Inner-Terai region- This fourth stripes of Nepal is the outermost zone of mountain areas. This range lying in lower altitude between 2,000 to 4,000 ft. is interrupted by valleys here and there called Bhitri madhesh or Inner Terai. (5) The fifth and southernmost stripe of the Nepalese map is Terai or plain region bordering with India. 

The following General Information on Nepal projects a general overview of the country.

Nepal is sometimes termed paradoxically as one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and spectacularly unique landscapes and altitude variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 meters from the sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters, all within a distance of 150 kilometers resulting in climatic conditions from Sub-tropical to the Arctic.

Nepal is the home of  2% of all the flowering plants in the world and 8% of the world’s population of bird species. There are more than 848 species of birds in Nepal. Being the home of 4% of mammals on earth and 11 out of the world’s 15 families of butterflies, more than 500 species of butterflies, 600 indigenous plant families, and 319 species of orchids, Nepal is considered a paradise for the lovers of flora and fauna. It is a great field for bird watchers, a wonderland for florists, and animal lovers, a great platform for all researchers and anthropologists. 

NAWALPARASI

 This is a district in Gandaki which has a population of 555373. Its headquarters is Parasi Bazar.

NAVAGRAHAS

 Navagraha literally means nine planets. The nine planets are however counted as follows:  Surya or the Sun, Chandra or the Moon, Mangal or the Mars, Budha or Mercury, Brihaspati, or the Jupiter, Sukra or the Venus, Sani or the Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu. Rahu is considered as a devil or a notorious demon who causes eclipses to the sun and the moon.  Ketu literally means ‘comet’.  Since astrology plays an important role in the life of Nepalese people socially, culturally, and religiously, Navagrahas are frequently mentioned, interpreted, and dealt with in many different ways. Before starting any auspicious actions, pacifying the Navagrha is considered desirable. Navagrahas are often considered as the causes of several problems, diseases, and failures as one or the other graha /planets come on the way to block the way to success. Therefore, there are several rituals to please the graha and pave the way to success. Worshipping grahas for pacifying them is often the part and parcel of the ceremonies and religious rites. 

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.