Major Religions: Hinduism MORE (state religion) and Buddhism MORE

Nepal is a country about the size of North Carolina nestled between Tibet and India. It is known for Mt. Everest and boasts 8 of the 10 highest peaks in the world. Consequently, the natural beauty is breathtaking.



Nepal’s other claim to fame is the Gurkha soldiers.  After the British had conquered India, they progressed toward Nepal.    However, the British army could not defeat the Gurkha soldiers.  Instead, the British army invited the Gurkhas to join their ranks.  Even today, Nepali Gurkha soldiers serve in the Queen’s army.  Nepal is very proud of the fact that it has never been occupied by a foreign country, and to become a Gurkha soldier today is a much sought after honor. 

Nepal is the only government sanctioned Hindu nation in the world.  Nepal is currently a democracy, attempting to find its way into the modern world but yet not wanting to lose its ethnic identity and roots in the process.  One of the ethnic identities is Tibetan Buddhist groups of Nepal.    There are at least thirteen different groups of Tibetan Buddhists, all living above 6000 feet in the upper Himalayan region of Nepal.