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Nepal’s Spiritual Mosaic

Religion - beliefs, rituals, ethics - is still the main factor shaping the everyday lives of most inhabitants of the highest mountains in the world - the Himalayas. In the Himalayan villages and on the routes connecting them, we will encounter countless Buddhist chortens, prayer flags, mani stone walls, prayer wheels moved by the power of stream waters and, finally, Lamai monasteries. People make daily sacrifices at shivlings - altars in honor of the god Shiva, who is the goddess of the Hindu religion. There have been no major religious conflicts in Nepal, both major religions coexist peacefully, and many Nepalese, interestingly, consider themselves both Buddhists and Hindus.

Nepalese deity
Nepals traditional religion dance
Morning prayers going to Swayambhunath Temple, Katmandu, Nepal
Prayer wheels at Swayambhunath monkey Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal
Swayambhunath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal
Holly stones at Swayambhunath Temple in Katmandu, Nepal
Statue of Buddhas in Swayambhunath Temple, Katmandu, Nepal
Tibetan prayer flags at Swayambhunath Temple, Nepal
Swayambhunath (monkey temple) stupa on sunset Kathmandu, Nepal
Buddha statue in Swayambhunath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal
Swayambhunath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal
Home altar in one of the Nepalese houses in the Himalayas
POKHARA, NEPAL – MARCH 15, 2012: Wheel of cyclic existence is a symbolic representation of samsara. In the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, it is believed that the drawing was designed by the Buddha himself in order to help ordinary people understand the Buddhist teachings.
Old Nepals religious books
Monk in old Nepal monastery library
Holly stones and prayer flag in Himalaya mountains, Nepal
JHARKOT, NEPAL – MARCH 16: Buddhist pilgrim is going to meditations to Himalaya mountains on March 16, 2012 in Jharkot village, Nepal.
Prayer in one of the Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayas in Nepal
Street temple in Katmandu, Nepal
Hindu Yogi begs for money in Kathmandu, Nepal
Praying place at Phewa Lake in Pokhara, Nepal
Prayers at Swayambhunath Temple in Katmandu, Nepal

Hey, this photo is © Jacek Kadaj