Lesson: Nepal, the Land of Everest

A. Reading

Read the following passage about Nepal:

(a) A Land of Beauty and Heritage

Known as the Land of Everest, Nepal is one of the most charming countries in Asia. The Kingdom of Nepal is a small land of sublime beauty. It has some of the world’s best and most important temples. It is a country that is rich in scenic beauty and cultural heritage.

(b) Varied Geography and Climate

Nepal lies between India and the Tibetan part of China. This small country has an area of 147,181 square kilometers. Southern Nepal is tropical lowland known as the Terai Plains. This part of Nepal has hot summers and warm winters. Here, the temperatures reach up to 40°C in April and May, and monsoon rains drench this region from June to September. The central hill-lands, including the Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys, have a temperate climate and are also influenced by the monsoon. North of that is the slope of the main section of the Himalayan range. This part of Nepal has some of the highest peaks in the world, including Everest.

(c) Diverse Population

Nepal is home to nearly 29,000,000 people. The population is primarily rural. Kathmandu, the capital city, has less than one million inhabitants. Nepal’s demographic features are complicated not only by dozens of ethnic groups but by different castes. In total, there are 103 castes and ethnic groups living in this small country. The two largest of such groups are known as Chetri and Bahun. Others include Magar, Tharu, Tamang, Newar, Muslim, Gurung, and Damai. About 48 percent of the people speak Nepali. Among other languages spoken are Maithali, Bhojpuri, Tharu, and Tamang.

(d) Religious Harmony

Nepal is the holy land of Lord Pashupatinath and Gautam Buddha, where Hindus and Buddhists have lived together in harmony for centuries. The Temple of Pashupatinath is the most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the four most important sites in the world for Shiva worshippers. Lord Buddha, the light of Asia, was born in Lumbini in Nepal’s southern plains, which makes this a sacred pilgrimage destination for Buddhists as well. In fact, many Nepalese combine Hindu and Buddhist practices; many temples and shrines are shared between the two faiths, and some deities are worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists.

(e) Kathmandu Valley: A Cultural Gem

The Kathmandu Valley is the richest cultural heritage center of Nepal. The three ancient cities of the Valley—Patan, Kathmandu, and Bhaktapur—represent an epitome of harmony in urban design, elegant architecture, and refined culture. These cities are famous for religious monuments unequaled in the world. The seven monument zones situated within the Valley have been named as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

(f) Vibrant Festivals

Many festivals add dazzling color to Nepal's vibrant culture, which are celebrated throughout the year. Dasain or Dusherra is celebrated nationwide in October. This is the most important of all Nepalese celebrations and includes the biggest animal sacrifice of the year. Tihar is celebrated in November. Other festivals include Holi and Chaitra Dasain. Some Hindu festivals are the Haribodhini Ekadashi, Maha Shivaratri, and Krishna Jayanti. There are Buddhist celebrations too, and those include Mani Rimdu, Buddha Jayanti, and Losar, which marks the Tibetan New Year.

B. Matching Headings

The passage has six paragraphs (a-f). Choose the most suitable heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below. There are more headings than paragraphs, so you will not use them all.

List of Headings

1. Climate that Varies from Place to Place
2. A Land of Religious Coexistence
3. A Land of High Peaks and Everest
4. A Small Country with a Huge Population
5. A Blend of Natural Beauty and Cultural Heritage
6. The Temples of Nepal
7. Many Occasions to Celebrate
8. A Rich Spot of Cultural Heritage
9. A Small Population with Huge Diversity

C. Vocabulary

For each phrase below, choose the meaning that is closest to the meaning used in the passage.

1. Tropical Lowland

   • a) An area of land having a humid climate.
   • b) Land situated on a hill.
   • c) A lowland close to a river.
   • d) Land that lies at the foot of a hill.

2. Temperate Climate

   • a) A weather condition of high temperature.
   • b) A moderate climate.
   • c) A climate with high rainfall.
   • d) A climate that is uncomfortable to live in.

3. Ethnic Groups

   • a) Groups based on their religious faiths.
   • b) Groups of people living in the hill-tracts.
   • c) Groups having distinct racial and cultural features.
   • d) Groups who believe in Buddhism.

4. Pilgrimage Destination

   • a) A sacred place where people travel to perform religious rites.
   • b) A historical place with many old buildings.
   • c) A tourist spot of great scenic beauty.
   • d) The birthplace of a famous person.

5. Elegant Architecture

   • a) Temples of gods.
   • b) Graceful work of building crafts.
   • c) Buildings of historical importance.
   • d) Well-designed areas for cultural acts.

D. Comprehension

Answer the following questions:

1. How many ethnic groups are there in Nepal?
2. What do you know about the weather of Nepal?
3. “Many Nepalese combine Hindu and Buddhist practices.” Explain this statement with examples from the passage.
4. Which three cities of Nepal would you visit to see rich examples of Nepal’s cultural heritage sites?
5. Make a list of the festivals that are celebrated in Nepal.
6. Give at least three reasons why you might be interested in visiting Nepal. Also, make a list of the places you would love to visit in Nepal.

E. Analyzing an Advertisement

Look at the advertisement for a package tour to Nepal.

Dhaka-Kathmandu-Pokhara Package Tour

Price: BDT 39,999/-

Duration: 4 nights and 5 days

Package Includes:

• Return air ticket with Bangladesh airport taxes & Kathmandu departure taxes
• 2 nights' accommodation in Kathmandu
• 2 nights' accommodation in Pokhara
• Buffet: Daily breakfast and dinner
• Both-way airport transfers in Kathmandu
• Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu by AC bus
• Half-day sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley

(Picture: A view of snow-capped mountains in Nepal)

Discuss if the following statements are true or false. Give the correct information if a statement is false.

• a) The package includes the cost of traveling from Kathmandu airport to the hotel in Kathmandu.
• b) Tourists will be provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• c) Tourists do not have to pay extra for a half-day sightseeing tour in Pokhara.
• d) The tour operators will bear all visa-related costs.
• e) Tourists will travel to Pokhara from Kathmandu by domestic airline flights.

F. Letter Writing

Imagine you have chosen the package tour shown in Section E to visit Kathmandu and Pokhara. Now, write a letter to your friend highlighting the main attractions offered by the package. In your letter, you should cover the following points:

• Duration of travel
• Means of transport used:
  1. Dhaka-Kathmandu-Dhaka
  2. Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu
• Accommodation facilities
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• The total cost of the package
• Any other costs not covered by the package offer