NepalsBest
Nepal Glossary
200 Nepal-related terms and their meanings
Achar
Nepali pickles or chutneys made from various fruits, vegetables, or spices, served as a side dish with meals.
Bhaktapur
One of the three ancient cities in the Kathmandu Valley, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and cultural heritage.
Chandra
The Nepali word for "moon," often used in names and religious contexts.
Dashain
The most important Hindu festival in Nepal, celebrating the victory of good over evil, lasting for 15 days.
Everest Base Camp
The starting point for climbers attempting to summit Mount Everest, located at an altitude of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet).
Fulpati
The seventh day of Dashain festival when a kalash (vessel) filled with holy water, banana stalks, jamara, and sugar cane is brought from Gorkha to Kathmandu.
Gundruk
A fermented leafy green vegetable, one of the national dishes of Nepal, often prepared as soup or pickle.
Hariyo
The Nepali word for "green," often used to describe the lush landscapes of Nepal.
Ishwar
A term used to refer to God or the Supreme Being in Hinduism, commonly used in Nepal.
Jatra
A Nepali festival or procession, typically involving the chariot of a deity being pulled through the streets.
Karnali
Nepal's longest and largest river, flowing through the western part of the country.
Lhosar
The Tibetan New Year, celebrated by Sherpa, Tamang, and Gurung communities in Nepal.
Magar
One of the largest indigenous ethnic groups in Nepal, traditionally residing in the western and mid-western regions.
Naga
Serpent deities in Hindu and Buddhist mythology, believed to control rainfall and protect springs and wells in Nepal.
Okhaldhunga
A district in eastern Nepal, named after a wooden mortar (okhali) shaped depression in the landscape.
Parbat
The Nepali word for "mountain," also the name of a district in western Nepal.
Quartz
A mineral found in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, often used in traditional jewelry and believed to have healing properties.
Rato
The Nepali word for "red," a color with significant cultural and religious importance in Nepal.
Sarangi
A traditional Nepali string instrument played with a bow, commonly used by the Gandharba (Gaine) community.
Tamang
An indigenous ethnic group in Nepal, predominantly following Tibetan Buddhism and residing in the central Himalayan regions.
Udhauli
A harvest festival celebrated by the Kirat people of Nepal, marking the migration of people and animals to lower elevations for winter.
Vaitarani
In Hindu mythology, a river that separates the world of the living from the world of the dead, referenced in Nepali funeral rites.
Wangchuck
A common surname among people of Tibetan origin in Nepal, particularly in the northern border regions.
Xylography
The art of wood block printing, traditionally used in Nepal to print Buddhist texts and prayer flags.
Yarsagumba
A rare caterpillar-fungus hybrid found in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, highly valued for its medicinal properties.
Zhing
A Tibetan term used in northern Nepal referring to agricultural fields or farmland.
Asan
A historic marketplace in Kathmandu, one of the oldest and busiest bazaars in the city.
Baudha
A neighborhood in Kathmandu centered around the Boudhanath Stupa, home to many Tibetan refugees and monasteries.
Chorten
The Tibetan word for a stupa or Buddhist monument, commonly seen in the Himalayan regions of Nepal.
Dhido
A traditional Nepali food made from millet, buckwheat, or corn flour cooked with water to form a thick paste, eaten with curry or vegetables.
Ekadashi
The eleventh day of each half of a lunar month in the Hindu calendar, observed as a day of fasting by many Nepali Hindus.
Falcha
A traditional Newari rest house or public shelter with open sides and a roof, found in the Kathmandu Valley.
Gorkha
A district in Nepal and the ancestral home of the Shah dynasty that unified Nepal, also associated with the Gurkha soldiers.
Hiti
Traditional stone water spouts or fountains found in the Kathmandu Valley, often decorated with carvings of mythical creatures.
Itumbaha
A type of Buddhist monastery in the Kathmandu Valley, particularly associated with the Newar Buddhist tradition.
Jhyaure
A traditional folk music genre from Nepal, characterized by a distinctive rhythm and often accompanied by dance.
Kumari
The living goddess tradition in Nepal, where young pre-pubescent girls are worshipped as manifestations of divine female energy.
Lokta
A type of handmade paper produced in Nepal from the bark of the Daphne plant, traditionally used for religious texts and now for various crafts.
Madal
A double-headed hand drum, the most commonly played percussion instrument in Nepali folk music.
Naumati Baja
A traditional ensemble of nine musical instruments played during religious and cultural ceremonies in Nepal.
Okhar
The Nepali word for walnut, grown in the hilly regions of Nepal and used in traditional medicine and cooking.
Palpasa
A traditional Nepali female name, also the title of a famous Nepali novel by Narayan Wagle.
Quati
A mixed soup of nine different sprouted beans, traditionally eaten during the festival of Guni Punhi by the Newar community.
Rodi
A traditional Gurung community house where young people gather for singing, dancing, and socializing.
Sel Roti
A traditional Nepali sweet, ring-shaped bread made from rice flour, typically prepared during festivals like Tihar and Dashain.
Thangka
A Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton or silk, depicting deities, scenes, or mandalas, common in the Himalayan regions of Nepal.
Utsav
The Nepali word for "festival" or "celebration," reflecting the country's rich tradition of cultural and religious festivities.
Vajra
A ritual object symbolizing both indestructibility and lightning in Tibetan Buddhism, commonly seen in Nepali Buddhist temples.
Waling
A municipality in Syangja District in western Nepal, known for its agricultural production and natural beauty.
Yeti
The "Abominable Snowman," a legendary creature said to inhabit the Himalayan regions of Nepal, part of local folklore and mythology.