RELIGION OF MUSIC

          
          The music of Nepal is just as motley, ranging from folk music to music associated with religious activities, classical music and a collection of contemporary styles. Music is associated with every event in Nepal, then be it birth, marriage, festivals or National events.In every religion, social and cultural life of we Nepalese includes various songs, musical instruments and dancing.In a simple word music can be described as the heartbeat of Nepal.Since the birth to the death of every Nepali people from different culture, music and dancing is very much essential.In Nepali music, there are pop, rock, folk and classical.There are music like Newari music, Khas music, Gurung music, Kirat music, Tamang music, Magar music, Sherpa music, Maithili music, Bhojpuri music and many more.

       In Newari music, percussion instruments, some wind instruments are used.But string instruments are not used.All the castes have their musical tunes and bands. Music is cherished by people of all walks of life. There are tunes of certain festivals and seasons and even of certain times of day. The God of artists called Nâsadya is found in all the Newar localities. The presence of a Newari musical band in a guthi is considered as a sign of opulence.Some of the Newari Tunes like Malshree tunes, Mangal tunes are used during the Dashain festival.

   

Khas music belongs to the Khas society where castes like Damai used to play a number of instruments on occasions such as marriages, birth and other feasts. This tradition is now on decline owing to the growing popularity of television, radio and other means of mass communication. The minstrels used to play instruments like Sarangi but even the Gaine are declining in number.

TANTRISM

        Religions like Hinduism and Buddhism are strongly influenced by this religion called Tantrism.This religion resembles the attachment of male(nefesh) and female(chajah) not on just for sexual point of view but also the combination of their spirit and soul giving the living soul its full meaning.On the mystical plane, the spirit is regarded as male and the soul which animates the body as female. This is the well known duality of animus and anima.Tantrism can be explained as like a candle with its elements of light and darkness resembling male and female.Tantrism is also a religion of moral percepts, meditation, yoga, mantras and a philosophy that believes in interwovenness of all things.This riligion was originated in asia mostly from Nepal, so tourists come to visit Nepal to know what Tantrism really is.

        Tantrism has greatly influenced Nepalese Buddhism by creating the path of Vajrayana, the Path of the Thunderbolt. The main object used in Vajrayana Buddhist rituals is a small thunderbolt-like sceptre that is said to represent the infinite in three dimensions. A large thunderbolt, or Vajra as it is commonly referred to, can be seen at the entrance of Swayambhu temple at Katmandu on the top of a long flight steps.There are basically two types of Tantric gods and goddesses: Dharmapalas and Yidams. The former is often depicted with flaming red hair, several arms, legs or heads and three eyes. Yidams are tutelary deities often found depicted in thangkas; like their Dharmapala counterparts, they are ferocious deities with many hands and fiercesome weapons.

KIRAT MUNDHUM

         This religion was not so much in practice and there were 36 percent of kirat population following kirat religion, but when it was recognized by Iman Singh Chemjong, it increased by75 percent.3.6 percent of nepali follow this religion.This religion is followed by Limbu people having their own distinct religion known as Yuma Samyo or Yamaism, the believer of supreme almighty goddess Tagera Ningwaphuma.In this religion, people worship mother nature and their ancestors.

Sakela is the main festival of Kirat which is celebrated twice a year distinguished by two names Ubhauli and Udhauli. Sakela Ubhauli is celebrated during Baisakh Purnima(full moon day, which lies in the month of Baisakh.And Sakela Udhauli is celebrated during the full moon day in the month of mangshir.This celebration is the prayer to goddess of nature for good crops and protection from natural calamities.The celebration of Sakela is also known as Chandi Nach.On Chandi Nach, they worship Durga, who is known to them as chandi or chandika.Tihar is another festival that is celebrated by kirat people which is one of the greatest festival of nepal.

SHRIDI SAI BABA

       The shridi sai baba's following began from 19th century in shridi, india.In the beginning sai baba's followers were only a small group from the same place and very few from other places.However, it began to increase in the 20th century.Since 1910 numerous Hindus and Muslims from all parts of india started coming Shridi and became baba's devotees.Hindus worshipped him with their own rituals whereas Muslims with their own.So, this religion is the branch of Hinduism and Muslim.Now in nepal, most of the people follow this religion.There is at least one Sai Baba temple in every nepali cities and villages.

       There are a lots of miracles done by Sai Baba during his life time.Even after his death, people believe that lots of their problems are being solved by him.His following is spreaded even in many places in world.He is also known as the avatar of lord shiva.People having several problems come to visit Sai Baba's temple and prey to god.In return their problems get solve.Due to this, people's faith on Sai Baba is increasing.Most of the people from other religion do respect and have faith on Sai Baba.(Om Sai Shri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai) is the mantra which people chant while going to Sai temple.They believe that this mantra solves their every problems and make their life happy and prosporous.

BRAHMA KUMARI

        This riligion is the branch of hinduism.It supports every religion like christinity,muslim.sikhism and other.Om shanti teaches about spiritual knowledge, nature of soul, god, time and karma.It purifies the spirit and enlight our lifestyle.In nepal, this religion is very famous and the number of followers are increasing rapidly.People follow this religion for the peace of their mind and soul.Om shanti teaches about responsibilities of human beings and help to others.Lekhraj Kripalani, known as "Dada Lekhraj
" and later known as "Brahma Baba" was the founder of this religion. Lekhraj started holding satsangs which attracted many people and the group became known as Om Mandali. In 1937, he named some of his followers to a managing committee, then reportedly transferred his fortune to the committee.


     People following Bramha kumari wear white dress.Men wear white kurtas and women wear white saree.They believe that wearing white keeps their body away from harmful activities.White colour resembles of purity and peace.God (Shiva) is considered to be an eternal soul like human souls but the Supreme one. He is knowledgeful and His purpose is to awaken humanity and restore harmony, giving power through the Brahma Kumaris' practise of Raja Yoga and eliminating evil and negativity.Human and even animal soul, called atmas, are believed to be an infinitesimal point of spiritual light residing in the forehead of the body it occupies. Souls are believed to originally exist with God in a "Soul World", a world of infinite light, peace and silence called Nirvana.This religion brings out our internal soul and makes us feel pure and peaceful.

SIKHISM

          This religion was born in India.In fifteenth century this religion was originated in Punjab.Guru Nanak Dev was the man who made this religion.People who follow this religion are not allowed to cut their hair.They wear a kind of  cap on their head made of long piece of cloth.Which keeps their long hair inside it and make them feel comfort.This religion is all about faith, justice and bravory.Sikh people are very loyal and brave.Once they commit any thing, they end up by doing that thing.Sikhism originated from the word Sikh, which in turn comes from the Sanskrit root sisya which means "disciple".Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God.

      The followers of Sikhism are ordained to follow the teachings of the ten Sikh gurus, or enlightened leaders, as well as the holy scripture entitled the Guru Granth Shaib ji, which, along with the writings of six of the ten Sikh Gurus, includes selected works of many devotees from diverse socio-economic and religious backgrounds. The text was decreed by Guru Govind Singh ji, the tenth guru, as the final guru of the Sikh religion. Sikhism's traditions and teachings are associated with the history, society and culture of Punjab. Adherents of Sikhism are known as Sikhs(students or disciples) and number over 26 million across the world. Most Sikhs live in Punjab,India although there is a significant Sikh diospora. Until India's partition millions of Sikhs lived in what is now Pakistani Punjab.

CHRISTIAN

       This religion is also called western religion.It is mostly popular in europien countries.Jesus christ was the founder of this religion.According to the 2001 census, 0.5 percent are christian.Though being western religion, it has a great effects in Nepal as well.People here celebrate christmas and many other chrestian festivals as well.Churches are being built and a number of people following this religion are increasing rapidly.In christian family, people go to church every day and prey to god for their healthy and prosporus life.They remember their god every time before beginning any work or before having their food.

               There is a book called "BIBLE" where things are written about Jesus christ.The book teaches to help other people and stay honest.The book has got a vary special power which can cure even a person who is being trouble by demons.This book also teaches about the sacrifies which jesus gave to protect mankind.The pain suffered bye the god just for us.After his death, people came to know what he was trying to teach for the mankind and became his follower.His advice are still being followed and are being spreaded all over the world.He wanted to have peace and joy and denied to kill enocent animals.People believe that the christians will remain in heaven with no pain and sorrow.They also believe that following this religion is the only way to heaven.

MUSLIMS

          
 In nepal, most of the people follow this religion after hinduism.the god
of muslim is propet mohammed.some of the muslim traditions are quiet similar
as christian.this religion is one of the oldest religion among others.people
go to mazzid and prey their god.they don't believe in idols and posters of god
so,their tradition is quiet different than hindus.this religion has very
strict rules.girls of muslim society are not allowed to show their face among
others.while they are out of their home, they use a dress called'Burkha'
it is black in colour.but now a days most of the muslim girls use casual
dresses and get familier with the outer world.

          Muslims celebrate festivals like Eed,Bakreed,Ramjaan and many more.They
    have fasting for nearly one month.During day time,they don't have any food
and water.At evening,they are allowed to have fruits and juices.They have
very strong faith on their god.In nepal,muslims came from india many years
ago.During the mugal period in india,muslim people migrated in nepal and
began to stay here.Many nepalese peoples are now following this religion.
Muslim marriage are different from other religion.Bride and groome are
not allowed to see each others face before marriage.There is one priest
who make their marriage.He asks both the couple that whether they are
ready to marry each other.If they say yes then they are called husband and
wife.This religion is really an amazing and fabulous religion.
   

BUDDHISM

       Buddhism is the religion mostly followed in asia.It was born in nepal.Lord Buddha (Siddhartha Gautam)made buddhism.He was born in Nepal and was a prince.He left his palace and became a monk.He was in search of peace, and finally found it.Now Buddhism is spreaded all over the world.Due to Buddhism, Nepal is called a land of peace.Most of the tourists come and visit nepal to know more and more about buddhism.There are lots of Buddhist temples in Nepal.Temples like Swayambhu,Bouddha,Lumbini Temple and Stupas are mostly visited by the people around the world.People following buddhism are calm and silent by nature.They don't like to make trouble and try to help others.

"OM MANE PEMBE HOM"is the slogan of Buddhism.which means peace and love.so this religion is about love for every living creature in this world.Though this religion began from nepal but its now spreading all over the world.People know nepal due to this religion.In every buddhist family, there is at least one monk who spend all his life in the name of Buddhism and Lord Buddha.Buddhist monk wear red coloured cloths.The great monk Dalai Lama is from china who is a follower of buddhism.He is treated as a gods messenger.According to the 2001 census 10.7 percent are buddhist.But the rate is increasing day by day.People have a believe that follwing this religion will lead them to rest in peace in heaven and will have reincarnation.

HINDUISM

         The country nepal was an only single hindu country in the world.Due to political changes, its now a multy cultural country.Most of the people here are hindu.They are very much rich in festival and culture.people go to temple and worship different gods and goddesses.There are more then 300 million gods and goddesses in hinduism.People celebrate varities of festivals in their society.In every hindu family, there is a small room where idols and posters of gods are kept.They use vermelian powder,flowers,dhoops(in nepali) while worshiping god.People believe that worshiping god everyday makes the day peaceful any joyful.People star their new business, their marriage by worshiping god.

In hindus culture people are allowed to worship any gods or goddesses but there is a god who is the god of the god, Lord Ganesh.He is also known as "sankat mochan" which means the one who solves all the problems.He has got an elephant head and was also called elephant's god.He is the son of  lord shiva and goddess parwati.people from different countries come to Nepal to research hinduism and to spread it around the world.They take pictures of temples, idols of gods.In nepal, kathmandu is the city of temple and capital city as well.Most of the tourists come and visit kathmandu city just to see the temple and to know more about hindu culture.If any one who would like to know more about hindu culture and festivals, Nepal is the right destination.