Nepal is home to many castes, ethnic groups, languages and religions living side by side. Questions on this social and cultural diversity appear often in the general knowledge section of Lok Sewa exams: which group celebrates which Lhosar, where a jatra takes place, how many languages the census counted, or which article makes Nepali the official language. This note brings the key facts together in one place.
1. Diversity at a glance (National Census 2078)
| Fact | Census 2078 (2021) |
|---|---|
| Total population | 2,91,64,578 |
| Caste and ethnic groups | 142 |
| Languages spoken as mother tongue | 124 |
| Largest caste group | Chhetri (16.45%) |
| Most spoken mother tongue | Nepali (44.86%) |
| Largest religion | Hinduism (81.19%) |
2. Languages
Under Article 6 of the Constitution, all languages spoken as mother tongues in Nepal are languages of the nation. Under Article 7, Nepali in the Devanagari script is the official language, and each province may choose one or more additional official languages spoken by a majority in that province. A Language Commission recommends which languages should be used for official work.
| Rank | Mother tongue | Share of population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nepali | 44.86% |
| 2 | Maithili | 11.05% |
| 3 | Bhojpuri | 6.24% |
| 4 | Tharu | 5.88% |
| 5 | Tamang | 4.88% |
3. Religions
The Constitution describes Nepal as a secular state while protecting religions and cultures followed since ancient times. According to the 2078 census:
| Religion | Share of population |
|---|---|
| Hinduism | 81.19% |
| Buddhism | 8.21% |
| Islam | 5.09% |
| Kirat | 3.17% |
| Christianity | 1.76% |
4. Caste and ethnic groups
The five largest groups in the 2078 census were Chhetri (16.45%), Hill Brahmin (11.29%), Magar (6.9%), Tharu (6.2%) and Tamang (5.62%). Other large groups include Newar, Kami, Musalman, Yadav and Rai. Many groups have their own language, dress, festivals and traditions.
5. Major festivals
| Festival | Time | Community or place | Main features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dashain | Ashwin–Kartik | Hindus across Nepal | Worship of Goddess Durga; tika and jamara from elders on Vijaya Dashami |
| Tihar (Deepawali) | Kartik | Hindus across Nepal | Five days: crow, dog, cow and Laxmi Puja, ox and Govardhan Puja, Bhai Tika |
| Chhath | Kartik | Madhesh and Terai | Worship of the Sun god; devotees stand in water at sunset and sunrise |
| Tamu Lhosar | Poush 15 | Gurung community | New year |
| Sonam Lhosar | Magh (Shukla Pratipada) | Tamang community | New year |
| Gyalpo Lhosar | Falgun (Shukla Pratipada) | Sherpa community | New year |
| Maghi | Magh 1 | Tharu community | New year and a time for family gatherings |
| Udhauli and Ubhauli | Mangsir and Baisakh | Kirat communities (Rai, Limbu, Sunuwar, Yakkha) | Mark the seasonal movement of people and birds; Sakela dance |
| Teej | Bhadra | Hindu women | Fasting, singing and dancing; worship of Lord Shiva |
| Indra Jatra | Bhadra | Kathmandu | Living goddess Kumari’s chariot; Lakhe dance |
| Gai Jatra | Bhadra | Kathmandu Valley | Remembrance of family members who died in the year; humour and satire |
| Bisket Jatra | Chaitra–Baisakh (new year) | Bhaktapur | Chariot pulling and the raising of a tall pole (lingo) |
| Rato Machhindranath Jatra | Baisakh onwards | Lalitpur | Long chariot procession for the god of rain |
| Mha Puja | Kartik (Tihar) | Newar community | Worship of one’s own body; start of Nepal Sambat new year |
6. Calendars used in Nepal
- Bikram Sambat (BS) is the official calendar of Nepal. It is about 56 years and 8 months ahead of the AD calendar, and its new year falls on Baisakh 1.
- Nepal Sambat (NS) is a lunar calendar of Nepal’s own origin. It is linked with Shankhadhar Sakhwa, who is said to have freed people from debt to start it, and it is officially recognised by the government. Its new year falls on Mha Puja during Tihar.
7. Art and architecture
- Pagoda style: tiered roofs with carved wooden struts. The craftsman Araniko took this style to Tibet and China in the 13th century.
- Shikhara style: tall stone towers. Krishna Mandir in Patan is a famous example.
- Stupa style: dome-shaped Buddhist shrines such as Swayambhunath and Boudhanath.
- Paubha is a traditional Newar religious painting, and Thangka is a Buddhist scroll painting.
- Mithila painting is a bright folk art of the Madhesh region around Janakpur, traditionally painted by women on walls and floors.
8. Music and dance
- Madal is a hand drum used in many folk songs.
- Sarangi is a bowed string instrument, traditionally played by the Gandarbha community, who carried songs and news from village to village.
- Panche Baja is a traditional band of five kinds of instruments played at weddings and festivals.
- Folk dances include the Maruni, the Sakela of the Kirat communities and the Lakhe dance seen at Indra Jatra.
📌 Key points to remember
- Census 2078: 142 caste and ethnic groups and 124 mother tongues.
- Article 6: languages of the nation; Article 7: official language.
- Nepali, Maithili and Bhojpuri are the three most spoken mother tongues.
- Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam are the three largest religions.
- Tamu Lhosar: Gurung; Sonam Lhosar: Tamang; Gyalpo Lhosar: Sherpa; Maghi: Tharu.
- Indra Jatra: Kathmandu; Bisket Jatra: Bhaktapur; Rato Machhindranath: Lalitpur.
- Araniko spread the pagoda style; Krishna Mandir is in Shikhara style.
- Nepal Sambat begins on Mha Puja.
Test yourself: Culture of Nepal
50 questions check what you read about Diversity at a glance (National Census 2078), Major festivals and Music and dance. Each attempt picks 25 at random.