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THE ABODE OF THE GODS

Nestled in the cradle of the highest mountains on earth, it is not surprising that Nepal has come to be known as the kingdom where deities mingle with mortals. Here are the Himalaya, the "Abode of the Gods." Here, too, is Mount Everest, the world's greatest peak, known as Sagarmatha ("The Brow of the Oceans") by Nepalese.

Sherpa artists picture the peak as the god Chomolungma riding a snow lion through clouds of many hues. Ancient sages sought the highest climes for meditative seclusion, amongst gods who bestowed love or sudden anger on a worshipful people. Here are Gauri Shankar, home of Shiva and his consort, Parvati, Ganesh Himal, 'named for the elephant-headed god, Ganesh; and Annapurna, the goddess of plenty. The devotion of ages past remains among Nepalis today: whether Hindu, Buddhist or animist, the people of Nepal live close to their gods. Truth, no less colorful than fiction, has made Nepal one of the world's most incredible countries, a geographical wonder, an ethnological conundrum

Some Facts about Nepal

Area : 145,391 square kilometers (56,139 square miles).
Terrain : Heavily mountainous. 14% of the land is cultivated, 13% is pasture, 32% is forested. Population: About 17 million (42 percent under the age 15).
Capital : Kathmandu (population 300,000; metropolitan area population 800,000).
Peoples : Tribal groups include Gurung, Limbu, Magar, Newar, Rai, Sherpa, Tamang and Tharu, with diverse smaller groups. Major caste groups are the Brahmins and Chhetris. Large numbers of Indians and some Tibetans make their home in Nepal.
Languages : Nepali 58% (official language), Newari 3% (mainly in Kathmandu), Indian languages 20% (mainly in Terai), dozen or so languages and many dialects.
Religion : Officially 90% Hindu, 8% Buddhist, 2% Islamic. However, Hinduism and Buddhism overlap a great deal.
Highest point : Mount Everest, also known as Sagarmatha (8,848 meters or 29,028 feet, highest point on earth).
Currency : Nepalese rupee (US$ 1.00 approx. Rs 75.).