Nepal Glossary

200 Nepal-related terms and their meanings

Aakash Bhairav
A form of Bhairav (a manifestation of Lord Shiva) worshipped in Kathmandu, believed to have appeared in the sky (aakash).
Bagh Bhairav
A tiger-faced manifestation of Bhairav worshipped in Kirtipur, a historic town in the Kathmandu Valley.
Chobhar
A village in the southwest of Kathmandu Valley, known for the Chobhar Gorge, believed to have been created by Manjushri to drain the ancient lake that once filled the valley.
Dharan
A city in eastern Nepal, known for its diverse culture, British Gurkha recruitment center, and as a gateway to the eastern hills.
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.
Fulbari
The Nepali word for "flower garden," often used in the names of hotels and resorts in Nepal.
Gorkha Kingdom
The historical kingdom that unified Nepal in the 18th century under King Prithvi Narayan Shah, centered in present-day Gorkha District.
Hile
A market town in eastern Nepal, once an important trading post on the route between the hills and the Terai region.
Ilam Tea
A high-quality tea grown in the Ilam district of eastern Nepal, known for its distinctive flavor and aroma, similar to Darjeeling tea.
Jomsom
A town in Mustang District, serving as a hub for trekkers in the Annapurna region and known for its apple orchards and strong winds.
Khumbu
The region in northeastern Nepal that includes Mount Everest and the surrounding Sherpa villages, a popular trekking destination.
Langtang
A region and national park north of Kathmandu, offering trekking routes through Tamang villages and high-altitude landscapes.
Mahakali
A river forming the western border between Nepal and India, also the name of a province in far-western Nepal.
Nagarkot
A hill station near Kathmandu, famous for its panoramic views of the Himalayan range and sunrise/sunset vistas.
Olangchung Gola
A remote village in northeastern Nepal, historically important for trade with Tibet and known for its ancient monastery.
Palanchok Bhagawati
A famous temple dedicated to the goddess Bhagawati, located in Kavrepalanchok District, known for animal sacrifices during festivals.
Quartz Crystals
Minerals found in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, used in traditional healing practices and exported as semi-precious stones.
Rasuwa
A district in north-central Nepal bordering Tibet, home to Langtang National Park and the Tamang Heritage Trail.
Sinja Valley
The ancient capital of the Khasa Kingdom in western Nepal, considered the origin of the Nepali language.
Thamel
A commercial neighborhood in Kathmandu, popular among tourists for its shops, restaurants, and nightlife.
Udayapur
A district in eastern Nepal, known for its diverse geography ranging from hills to plains.
Vajrayogini
A tantric Buddhist deity worshipped in Nepal, with a famous temple dedicated to her in Sankhu, near Kathmandu.
Waling
A municipality in Syangja District in western Nepal, known for its agricultural production and natural beauty.
Xylography
The art of wood block printing, traditionally used in Nepal to print Buddhist texts and prayer flags.
Yamari Punhi
A Newari festival celebrating the full moon day of December, featuring yomari (sweet dumplings) as the main food item.
Zhing
A Tibetan term used in northern Nepal referring to agricultural fields or farmland.
Araniko Highway
A highway connecting Kathmandu with the Nepal-China border at Kodari, named after Arniko, a 13th-century Nepali architect who worked in China.
Bhimsen
A deity worshipped by Newar traders for business prosperity, with temples dedicated to him throughout the Kathmandu Valley.
Chepang
An indigenous ethnic group in Nepal, traditionally practicing slash-and-burn agriculture and living in the mid-hills.
Dhankuta
A hill town in eastern Nepal, formerly the headquarters of the Eastern Development Region.
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.
Falgun
The eleventh month in the Nepali calendar (February-March), when the Holi festival is celebrated.
Gaijatra
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.
Humla
One of the most remote districts in northwestern Nepal, bordering Tibet, known for its rugged terrain and traditional lifestyle.
Indrawati
A river in central Nepal, a tributary of the Sun Koshi River, flowing through Sindhupalchok and Kavrepalanchok districts.
Janakpurdham
A city in southern Nepal believed to be the birthplace of Sita (wife of Lord Rama) and capital of the ancient kingdom of Mithila.
Karnali
Nepal's longest and largest river, flowing through the western part of the country, also the name of a province.
Lhotse
The fourth highest mountain in the world at 8,516 meters (27,940 feet), connected to Mount Everest via the South Col.
Makalu
The fifth highest mountain in the world at 8,485 meters (27,838 feet), located in the Mahalangur Himalayas on the Nepal-China border.
Nuwakot
A historic district in central Nepal, home to the Nuwakot Palace, a seven-story fortress built by Prithvi Narayan Shah.
Okhaldunga
A district in eastern Nepal, named after a wooden mortar (okhali) shaped depression in the landscape.
Palpa
A district in western Nepal, known for its historic town of Tansen and traditional Dhaka textile production.
Quartz Mining
An industry in certain regions of Nepal where quartz crystals are extracted for export and use in traditional healing practices.
Ramechhap
A district in central Nepal, known for its diverse geography and as an alternative airport (Manthali) for flights to the Everest region.
Solukhumbu
A district in northeastern Nepal that includes Mount Everest and the surrounding Sherpa villages, a popular trekking destination.
Taplejung
A district in northeastern Nepal, home to Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world.
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.
Waling
A municipality in Syangja District in western Nepal, known for its agricultural production and natural beauty.
Yarsagumba
A rare caterpillar-fungus hybrid found in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, highly valued for its medicinal properties.

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