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It's not just mountaineers with their hearts set on
conquering Everest who fall in love with the Himalayan
country of Nepal. With stunning scenery, fringed by the
highest peaks on the planet, leading down to steamy
jungle packed with wildlife, there's something for
everyone. In addition to a distinctive ancient Hindu and
Buddhist culture, Nepal has jaw-dropping mountains with
spectacular scenery for walkers and trekkers. If there
is a hikers' paradise, this is it, with picturesque
mountain villages linked by hundreds of trails that have
been used for centuries, with little change noticeable
even today. Trails are dotted with intriguing temples to
discover on the way. Nepal was created from an amalgam
of principalities in 1768 under King Prithvi Narayan
Shah. Under the control of a hereditary king, it became
a ?buffer state' between the British Empire and
territories to the north. The country became independent
in 1923, but it was not until 1947 (the year of Indian
independence) and total withdrawal of the British before
Nepal achieved complete autonomy. In May 2008, the
monarchy was abolished making Nepal the world's newest
republic.
Entry to most temples, stupas and shrines is not
restricted. However, some sensitive religious
enclosures and sites may prohibit entry. Signboards are
displayed.
If you wish to enter a shrine, where allowed, you may go
around in a clockwise direction. We believe in putting
our Gods to our right when circumambulating the shrine.
The front side of the shrines are usually marked by a
lotus carved stone on the pavement or a slightly
recessed square pit. The image of the carrier of the
diety or symbol may be seen on the pedestal in front.
These define the territoriality of the shrine. Reverence
to these elements will put you in a proper perspective.
Photography is generally not prohibited. However there
are some facades or images where photography is
restricted. Watch for these or ask the guards. If you
wish to be more considerate, do not use flashlights
inside the shrines when someone is worshipping.
Do not take any photograph of someone performing his
ritual without a prior permission.
Nepal's attitude towards religion is very tolerant one,
and many different religions flourish and mingle here.
Leather products, such as leather belts, jackets, shoes
and bags, are prohibited in most religious places.
Please leave them outside. Your friend or the watchman
will take care of these while you are inside.
We advise you not to touch offerings or persons when
they are on the way to shrines or are in the process of
worshipping. Keep a respectful distance.
Apart from worshipping of the image, many sensitive
rituals are also practised by the believers around the
shrines. these may be related to festive occasions or
sombre situations. By carefully watching the behaviour
of local onlookers, you can your self behave sensitively
and not be an encroachment.
If you have meat in your lunch pack, we advise you to
eat at some distance from the shrine precincts. Some of
our Gods do not permit animal sacrifices !
Do not encourage beggars or roaming artifact's vendors
around the shrines by giving money or bargaining as you
walk.
Please do not accept as gifts or buy objects of art,
manuscripts, images etc. Which have antique value. These
need to stay here not only for ourselves but for future
visitors like yourself who would like to share the
experience. Whether something is antique or not can be
established by the Department of Archaeology.
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