NepalsBest
Nepal Glossary
200 Nepal-related terms and their meanings
Annapurna
A massif in the Himalayas with peaks over 8,000 meters, including Annapurna I (10th highest mountain in the world). Also refers to a popular trekking circuit.
Boudhanath
One of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, located in Kathmandu. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and an important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists.
Chautara
A resting place with a platform built around a tree, traditionally found along trails and roads in Nepal.
Dal Bhat
The traditional Nepali meal consisting of steamed rice, lentil soup, and typically served with vegetable curry, pickles, and sometimes meat.
Everest
The highest mountain in the world at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet), located on the border of Nepal and Tibet. Known as Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolungma in Tibetan.
Fishtail Mountain
Also known as Machapuchare, this distinctive mountain in the Annapurna range is revered as sacred and has never been officially summited.
Gurkha
Soldiers of Nepali origin who serve in the British Army, Indian Army, and Nepali Army, known for their bravery and fighting skills.
Himalaya
The mountain range that separates the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau, containing nine of the world's ten highest peaks.
Indra Jatra
An eight-day festival celebrated in Kathmandu, marking the end of the monsoon season and honoring Indra, the god of rain.
Jhankri
A traditional Nepali shaman or healer who performs rituals to cure illnesses and ward off evil spirits.
Kathmandu
The capital and largest city of Nepal, located in a valley surrounded by the Himalayan mountains.
Lumbini
The birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) and a UNESCO World Heritage site, located in southern Nepal.
Momo
Nepali dumplings filled with meat or vegetables, typically served with a spicy dipping sauce.
Namaste
A traditional greeting in Nepal, said with hands pressed together in front of the chest, meaning "I bow to the divine in you."
Oda
A traditional Newari room where family members gather to socialize and eat meals.
Pashupatinath
A famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu.
Quati
A mixed soup of nine different beans, traditionally eaten during the festival of Guni Punhi.
Raksi
A traditional homemade rice or millet alcohol, commonly served during festivals and special occasions.
Sherpa
An ethnic group native to the mountainous regions of Nepal, known for their expertise in high-altitude mountaineering.
Tika
A colored mark worn on the forehead, often as a blessing or during religious ceremonies.
Udayapur
A district in eastern Nepal, known for its diverse geography ranging from hills to plains.
Vajrayana
A form of Buddhism practiced in Nepal, particularly in the Himalayan regions, also known as Tantric Buddhism.
Wai Wai
A popular brand of instant noodles in Nepal, often eaten dry as a snack.
Xylophone
Known as "madal" in Nepal, a traditional percussion instrument used in folk music.
Yak
A long-haired bovine found in the Himalayan region, used for transportation, milk, meat, and wool.
Zho
A hybrid between a yak and a cow, commonly kept by people in high-altitude regions of Nepal.
Aama
The Nepali word for "mother."
Baba
The Nepali word for "father."
Chiya
Nepali tea, typically made with milk, sugar, and spices like cardamom and ginger.
Dhaka
A traditional Nepali textile with colorful patterns, used to make topi (hats), scarves, and other clothing items.
Ek
The Nepali word for the number "one."
Fewa Lake
A freshwater lake in Pokhara, the second-largest city in Nepal, known for its stunning views of the Annapurna range.
Gai
The Nepali word for "cow," which is considered sacred in Hindu culture.
Himal
The Nepali word for "mountain," particularly referring to snow-capped mountains.
Ilam
A district in eastern Nepal famous for its tea gardens and production.
Janai Purnima
A Hindu festival where men change their sacred thread (janai) and people tie sacred threads around their wrists for protection.
Khukuri
A curved Nepali knife, the traditional weapon of the Gurkha soldiers and a symbol of Nepali culture.
Lakh
A unit in the Indian numbering system equal to 100,000, commonly used in Nepal.
Manakamana
A temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Bhagwati, believed to grant wishes to those who make the pilgrimage.
Newari
The language and culture of the Newar people, the indigenous inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley.
Om Mani Padme Hum
A sacred Buddhist mantra commonly inscribed on prayer wheels and stones throughout Nepal.
Patan
Also known as Lalitpur, one of the three ancient cities in the Kathmandu Valley, known for its rich cultural heritage and artisans.
Quati
A mixed soup of nine different beans, traditionally eaten during the festival of Guni Punhi.
Rupee
The official currency of Nepal, abbreviated as NPR.
Stupa
A Buddhist monument typically containing relics, used as a place of meditation.
Teej
A festival celebrated by Hindu women for marital happiness, well-being of spouse and children, and purification of body and soul.
Utensil
Traditional Nepali eating utensils include "thali" (plate), "kachaura" (bowl), and "gilas" (glass).
Vihara
A Buddhist monastery or temple, many of which can be found in the Kathmandu Valley.
Wheel of Life
A symbolic representation of samsara (the cycle of existence) in Tibetan Buddhism, commonly seen in Nepali monasteries.
Yomari
A delicacy of the Newar community, a steamed dumpling filled with molasses or chaku (concentrated sugarcane juice) and sesame seeds.