NepalsBest
Nepal Glossary
200 Nepal-related terms and their meanings
Aalu Tama
A traditional Nepali curry made with potatoes, bamboo shoots, and black-eyed beans, popular among the Newari community.
Bhairav
A fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva in Hindu mythology, widely worshipped in Nepal with several temples dedicated to different forms of Bhairav.
Chyangra
A breed of mountain goat found in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, valued for its meat and the fine wool (pashmina) it produces.
Durbar
The Nepali term for a palace or royal court, as in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Esala
A month in the traditional Nepali calendar, corresponding roughly to June-July in the Gregorian calendar.
Falgun
The eleventh month in the Nepali calendar (February-March), when the Holi festival is celebrated.
Gai Jatra
A festival celebrated in Nepal to commemorate the death of loved ones during the year, featuring processions and humor to help families cope with grief.
Haat Bazaar
A traditional weekly market in Nepal where farmers and traders gather to sell their products, often serving as important social and economic hubs in rural areas.
Indrayani
A mother goddess worshipped in the Kathmandu Valley, one of the Ajimas (grandmother goddesses) in Newari tradition.
Janakpur
A city in southern Nepal believed to be the birthplace of Sita (wife of Lord Rama) and capital of the ancient kingdom of Mithila.
Kodo
The Nepali word for millet, a grain widely grown in the hills of Nepal and used to make traditional foods and alcoholic beverages like raksi and tongba.
Lama
A title for a teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, common in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, also used as a surname among certain ethnic groups.
Machhapuchhre
A mountain in the Annapurna range of Nepal, known as "Fish Tail" due to its distinctive shape, considered sacred and never officially climbed to the summit.
Namche Bazaar
A trading center and tourist hub in the Khumbu region of Nepal, often called the gateway to Mount Everest.
Oli
A common surname in Nepal, particularly among the Khas people from western Nepal.
Pokhara
The second-largest city in Nepal, known for its lakes, proximity to the Annapurna range, and as a starting point for many treks.
Quartz Crystal
A mineral found in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, used in traditional healing practices and exported as a semi-precious stone.
Rana
A dynasty that ruled Nepal from 1846 to 1951, serving as hereditary Prime Ministers while keeping the monarchy as figureheads.
Sagarmatha
The Nepali name for Mount Everest, meaning "Goddess of the Sky" or "Forehead of the Sky."
Tharu
An indigenous ethnic group native to the Terai region of Nepal, known for their unique culture, art, and resistance to malaria.
Ubhauli
A festival celebrated by the Kirat people of Nepal, marking the migration of people and animals to higher elevations for summer.
Vaidya
Traditional Ayurvedic practitioners in Nepal, also a surname among certain communities.
Walung
A small ethnic group in eastern Nepal, related to Tibetan people and primarily engaged in trade.
Xylophone
Known as "maadal" in Nepal, a traditional percussion instrument used in folk music across various ethnic communities.
Yak Butter Tea
A traditional beverage in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, made from tea leaves, yak butter, and salt, providing essential calories and warmth at high altitudes.
Zhing Phyug
A Tibetan term used in northern Nepal referring to fertile agricultural land or a wealthy landowner.
Arati
A Hindu ritual of worship in which light from wicks soaked in ghee or camphor is offered to deities, commonly performed along the Bagmati River in Kathmandu.
Bagmati
A holy river that flows through the Kathmandu Valley, with many important Hindu temples along its banks, including Pashupatinath.
Chhaang
A traditional alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice, millet, or barley, popular among Tibetan and Himalayan communities in Nepal.
Dhaka Topi
A traditional Nepali cap made from Dhaka fabric, considered a symbol of Nepali national identity and often worn during formal occasions.
Ek Dantay
A name for Lord Ganesh in Nepal, meaning "one-tusked," referring to the elephant-headed deity's broken tusk.
Friar Topi
Another name for the traditional Nepali cap (Dhaka Topi), particularly used by older generations.
Gurung
An indigenous ethnic group from the hills and mountains of Nepal, known for their role in the Gurkha regiments and rich cultural traditions.
Haribodhini Ekadashi
A Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal marking the awakening of Lord Vishnu from his four-month sleep during the monsoon season.
Ihi
A pre-puberty marriage ritual in the Newari community where young girls are symbolically married to the Bel fruit (wood apple), representing the deity Vishnu.
Juju Dhau
A special type of yogurt made in Bhaktapur, Nepal, known as "King Curd" for its rich taste and creamy texture, traditionally served in clay pots.
Kanchenjunga
The third highest mountain in the world, located on the border of Nepal and India, considered sacred by the local population.
Lakhe
A demon-like dancer in Newari culture who performs during festivals, particularly during Indra Jatra, wearing a fearsome mask and colorful costume.
Mustang
A remote region in northern Nepal that was formerly the Kingdom of Lo, known for its Tibetan culture, arid landscape, and ancient monasteries.
Newa
The indigenous people of the Kathmandu Valley, also known as Newars, known for their rich cultural heritage, art, architecture, and cuisine.
Okhaldhunga
A district in eastern Nepal, named after a wooden mortar (okhali) shaped depression in the landscape.
Panchayat
A political system in Nepal from 1962 to 1990, characterized by a party-less form of government with the king as the head of state.
Quartz Mining
An industry in certain regions of Nepal where quartz crystals are extracted for export and use in traditional healing practices.
Ropain
The rice planting festival in Nepal, celebrated during the monsoon season with music, dance, and communal planting of rice seedlings.
Swayambhunath
An ancient religious complex in Kathmandu, also known as the "Monkey Temple," featuring a stupa with Buddha's eyes painted on it.
Tansen
A historic hill town in Palpa District, western Nepal, known for its traditional architecture, Dhaka weaving, and panoramic views.
Uwa
A traditional Nepali grain similar to barley, grown in higher elevations and used in various food preparations.
Vajracharya
Buddhist priests in the Newar tradition of Nepal, who perform rituals and ceremonies in temples and for private individuals.
Wai Wai
A popular brand of instant noodles in Nepal, often eaten dry as a snack or prepared as soup.
Yomari
A delicacy of the Newar community, a steamed dumpling filled with molasses or chaku (concentrated sugarcane juice) and sesame seeds.