Pokhara; City With Natural and Cultural Diversities

Situated in the lap of Himalayas, Pokhara has been the destination of millions of  people, for it has got many heart appealing natural and cultural heritages. Yearly, the number of tourists is increasing. Naturally gifted, Pokhara is famous for its natural places like Fewa lake with Barahi Temple, Davis Fall (Patale Chhango), Seti Gorge, Sarangkot with Paragliding facility, heart alluring mountains peaks (Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, Himchuli). In the same way, cultural heritages have played significant role, assisting national economy, in attracting foreigners. Temples like Barahi, Bindabashini, Bhadrakali, Kedareshawor, Akala; Matepani Gumba and World Peace Pagoda have become the selected destinations which are rich in architecture and equipped with fine sculptures. Nearby villages of Pokhara have become famous for trekking with homely environment.   

Diverse racial, religious and cultural background have flourished diverse culture and traditional practices. People from various castes have contributed a lot for the development of diverse cultural heritages. Gurung, Magar, Newar, Brahmin, Chettri are the main castes dwelling here since a long period of time. Gurung’s ‘Rodhi’, Magar’s Kaura and Newar’s ‘Bhairab’ dances can allure anyone’s attention. The ancient architectures located at Ganesh Tole side are the contributions of Newars which are mostly visited by foreigners. But because of Europeans’ influence, people have started imitating westerners way of living which has resulted in the extinction of art and culture.        

Pokhara; City With Natural and Cultural Diversities

Situated in the lap of Himalayas, Pokhara has been the destination of millions of  people, for it has got many heart appealing natural and cultural heritages. Yearly, the number of tourists is increasing. Naturally gifted, Pokhara is famous for its natural places like Fewa lake with Barahi Temple, Davis Fall (Patale Chhango), Seti Gorge, Sarangkot with Paragliding facility, heart alluring mountains peaks (Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, Himchuli). In the same way, cultural heritages have played significant role, assisting national economy, in attracting foreigners. Temples like Barahi, Bindabashini, Bhadrakali, Kedareshawor, Akala; Matepani Gumba and World Peace Pagoda have become the selected destinations which are rich in architecture and equipped with fine sculptures. Nearby villages of Pokhara have become famous for trekking with homely environment.   

Diverse racial, religious and cultural background have flourished diverse culture and traditional practices. People from various castes have contributed a lot for the development of diverse cultural heritages. Gurung, Magar, Newar, Brahmin, Chettri are the main castes dwelling here since a long period of time. Gurung’s ‘Rodhi’, Magar’s Kaura and Newar’s ‘Bhairab’ dances can allure anyone’s attention. The ancient architectures located at Ganesh Tole side are the contributions of Newars which are mostly visited by foreigners. But because of Europeans’ influence, people have started imitating westerners way of living which has resulted in the extinction of art and culture.        

Diverse Culture Assisted By Classical And Folkdance

 Nepal’s diverse culture has been assisted by diverse dances too. Song, dance and musical instruments have very close relationship. In the absence of one the other one seems to be incomplete. A based on ancient treatise is a classical dance and the dance based on people’s traditions is folk dance. Classical dance is performed in accordance with classical song or instrument. Similarly, folk dances are performed in conformity with folk song. Some examples of classical and folk dances are given below:

Dhan dance: This dance is common in Limbu Community. Among Rai people also this dance is popular. In fair and festival one person catches other’s hand while performing this dance.

Kaura dance: This dance is performed on the basis of Kaura song. This is the dance of Magar living in western region of Nepal.  

Madi khola dance: This dance is common, specially in mid-western region . The song in the dance is called palam.

Chandi dance: The  Rais with the help of dholak and Jhyamat while singing a Chandi song perform this dance in Undhauli and Unbhauli festival.

Dandi (fagu) dance: This dance is performed in Holi by striking sticks. This dance is common in the eastern and central terai.

Gauna dance: This dance is based on Mithila tradition and popular at Janakpur area common in the eastern and central terai.

Deuda dance: This dance is popular in the central and far- western region. They make a round circle and one’s shoulder touches other’s shoulder while dancing.

Mundhum dance: Based on the Mundhum of Kirat, this dance is common in the eastern hilly region of Nepal. Fedangwa/ Fedangma of Nakchhod (priest) recite Mendham in a musical tone and people dance.

Chyabrung dance: This dance is also based on the Limbu Community living in the eastern hilly region of Nepal. It is danced in the rhythm of chyabrung.

Hopcha: It is a traditional classical dance of the Rai community. This dance is common in the Rai community of dhankutta district.

Charya dance: Acting as the fods and goddesses, this dance is common in Kathmandu valley.

Ghatu dance: This dance is common om the Gurung Community. The god is aroused in the unmarried young girls (age ranging from 11 to 18/19 year) by the Guru Aama and Guru Ba and then the dance is performed.

Bhairab dance: By becoming the image of god Bhairab this dance is performed. It is common in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Sorathi dance:  This dance is also traditional classical dance of Gurung Community.

Hanuman dance: A persin becomes Hanuman, an army of god Ram, and performs the dance. This dance is common in Bangulung and Syngja.

Charitra dance: People act as the characters of mythology. This dance is in vogue in the terai area.

Maruni dance: This dance is common generally in eastern hilly region. The male in the guise of female perform this dance.

Khyali  dance: This dance is based on Khyali song. It is also called Pangudure dace.

Tarware dance:  this dance traditional folk dance of Gandhava Community.

Chhokra dance: This is common particularly in the fair-western region.

Singaru dance: This dance prevails in the mid-western region of Nepal.

Hunkeli dance: this dance is based on mythology. It prevails in the far-western region of Nepal.

Pancha Buddha dance: This dance is based on religious tradition of Buddha.

Devi dance: This dance is demonstration especially from Gaijatra to Indra jatra in the Kathmandu Valley. This is a specific dance of Bhaktipur.

The Reason Behind Cultural Diversity In Nepal

We know that culture is the manmade part of environment and is ever going in its encounter with natural forces and human civilization. It may get changed due course of time. People, while tackling with nature and its phenomena, develop culture on their own. Cultural diversity has been an identity for Nepalese people to have international recognition.

Nepal, a developing country of South-Asia,, has diversity in multiple aspects. Having diverse landscape extending from 70m(Kechankelan) up to   8,848m(Mt. Everest) height from sea level, the climatic condition is also diverse. Being divided into three ecological zones viz. Himalayan, Hilly and Terai, people living here are of multi-caste from Mechi to Mahakali. People living here are directly affected by climatic condition, geographical situation, availability of natural resources, bordering countries and their access with outer world.

Cold climatic condition and difficult topography has determined the cultural practices of the people living in the Himalayan region. Not only this but also because of their interaction with Tibetan people, their culture has proximity with Chinese culture. Rituals performed from birth to death, the food they eat, the cloths they wear and many more practices differ from hilly and terai region. As Bhotiyas has nearness with Tibetans, cultural practices of Terai people contradicts Indian practices. In the same way, their usual behaviors are affected by temperature as well as topography.

Having been the common garden of more than 115 castes, Nepal is rich in culture, for cultural practices differ among castes, religious group and people of different region. But because of western influence, Nepali cultures are in the verge of extinction: hybridization of culture has started nowadays. Nepal has become the destination of billions of people for its cultural and natural richness.