Family Names

Brahmin

• Adhikari
• Aryal
• Acharya
• Bhattarai
• Bhatta
• Chiwal
• Dahal
• Dhakal
• Gautam
• Kandel
• Khaliwada
• Khanal
• Kharel
• Nepal
• Niraula
• Neupane
• Ojha
• Pandey
• Pokhrel
• Paudel
• Regmi
• Risal
• Rijal
• Subedi
• Sapkota

Chhetri

• Bista
• Basnyat
• Bhandari
• Budhathoki
• Chand
• Deuba
• Karki
• Khatri(KC)
• Khadka
• Rana
• Shah
• Singh
• Thakuri
• Thapa

Newar

• Bajracharya
• Dangol
• Gurbacharya
• Joshi
• Karmacharya
• Karranjit
• Kashpal
• Maharjan
• Mathema
• Pradhan
• Rajbhandari
• Raghubansi
• Shrestha
• Tuladhar
• Tamrakar

Dalit

• Bishwakarma (Blacksmith)
• Damai (Tailor)
• Gaine (Traditional Singer)
• Gajmer
• Nepali
• Pariyaar
• Rasaili
• Sarki (Cobbler)
• Sunar
• Sunam

Dalit (only found in terai region)

• Bansphor
• Badhai
• Chidimar
• Dhobi
• Dhawal
• Dum/Mehattar
• Harijan
• Jolaha
• Kahar
• Kujada
• Musahar
• Majhi
• Mallaha
• Paswan
• Teli

Ethnic Groups

Gurung

• Ghale
• Lama
• Lamichhane
• Ghodane

Magar

• Ale
• Khapangi
• Rana
• Thapa
• Pulami
• Pun

Rai

• Bangdel
• Bantawa
• Chamling
• Channasisa
• Khaling
• Thulung

Thakali

• Bhattachan
• Gauchan
• Hirachan
• Lalchan
• Tulachan
• Sherchan

Limbu

• Angdambe
• Chemjong
• Lingden
• Mabuhang
• Sumbhahamphe
• Subba
• Thumbahamphe
• Thebe
• Tembe

Tamang

• Bomjan
• Ghising
• Yonjan
• Gole
• Moktan

Tuk-tuks – they can be crampy, the ride can be bumpy, but they are sure fun and eco-friendly especially if you have access to electric tuk-tuks. The number 5 tuk-tuk is the one we use the most to get from Lazimpath to our frequently visited places such a Thamel, Jamal, Ratna Park Bus Park, and Sundhara. The number 2, which you can catch from Jamal can take you to Naxal and the Baneswors (old and new). Although not as fast as the next type of transportation, Tuks-tuks are pretty frequent as well and usually come down the road every few to 5 minutes.

Mini/micro buses – to be honest, never really used them as much since they are mostly overcrowded. They are usually unmarked and so you have to ask or listen to the bus boys call out where they are going. Most of the time, as almost all Nepali’s do, is ask each micro-bus where they are going and if they pass by the place where you want to go. These buses are the fastest and most comfortable (if you can get a seat) way to get around.

Local buses – the big busses, sometimes school bus-looking is my preferred way of getting around town. The busses are clearly marked and you usually can get a comfortable seat or manageable standing room. Bus drivers for some reason tend to drive amazingly fast so depending on the driver, be prepared for a potential roller coaster-type ride.

If you are not in a hurry, the legendary number 26 bus can take us from our place in Lazimpath all the way and pretty much anywhere where we normally go, to Kupondole (where we get off to walk to work) and also the end of the line is at the popular, historic Patan Durbar Square. For any tourist that is staying around the Thamel/Lazimpath area, catch the 26 bus in Lainchaur and for a 10 ruppee ride one-way, you can get a decent ride around the city and back.

Transit map of Patan & Kathmandu

Believe it or not, there is a transit map that lists the major routes of the local buses and thuk-thuks.

I’m not exactly sure who made the map or how old it is (I found it when we arrived in 2008), but it is still up-to-date and accurate.

To get to Baktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel (in that order), you can easily catch the bus from the Ratna Park bus park. Just listen for the bus boys yell "Banepa, Banepa, Banepa" and it is that bus that will take you along the …. highway. If you are at the bus park/station, don’t be shy and ask the bus boys if they are going where you want to go. They will always point you to the right bus and most of the time if they are not busy, remind you when to get off.

Taxis - ahhh, Taxis. There are times where I don’t mind haggling with them but there are days where I dread it. To avoid bargaining, just ask (or demand) them to run the meter ("meter chalaune") and depending on the driver, he usually won’t mind. Getting from Patan to lets say Thamel, with the usual traffic should cost no more than 200 rupees (it’s about 200 to get to Lazimpath), less if traffic or your driver is creative with the roads he takes. The price is likewise when you go from the west to the east side of the city. Note: During Petrol strikes or shortages, add Rs. 100 extra.

During the night time however, you are essentially at the mercy of the taxis because buses/tuk-tuks stop running and night time rates apply (around Rs. 20 per KM). Most of the time taxis do not want to run the meter at all. A ride that usually costs 100 rupees by meter will cost you almost double. The guy in the photo above is Saanoi, he’s cool.

Note: A great taxi ride to the Kopan Monastery is worth it, although it is nice easy hike up the hill.

Bring small bills, because drivers usually can’t break 1000 rupee note.

Rental and Hiring a car/driver

Hmmm, if you are a brave enough, renting a motorbike or scooter is another option as well. Lots of places to rent them. You can also hire your own personal car and driver for the whole day for about Rs. 1600 to 2000.

Photos above (L-R): a typical 26 bus riders, traffic near Jamal, a usual sight of an over loaded bus.

I only rode a rikshaw once from the main road in Biratnagar to the airport. It was a pleasant ride and I got to know the driver pretty well (a chatty fellow if I recall).

Fataliasm and Development – Nepal’s Struggle for Modernization
by Dor Bahadur Bista
“- an oldie but a goodie. Supposedly explains a lot of things about the Nepali culture”.

Forget Kathmandu
by Manjushree Thapa

Arresting God in Kathmandu
by Samrat Upadhyay

Palpasa Cafe
by Narayan Wagle
“English translation of the best-selling Nepali noval”

Useful Nepali Expressions

Enjoy the book.

e.g.a) u ghar gaechha. Now I know he had gone home.

b)Bankmaa dherai bheD rahechha.I found there is a crowd in the bank.

c) kitaab jholaamaa rahechha.I found out that book was in the bag.

d) thamel mahango rahenchha.I found out that thamel was not expensive.

we used this construction in our daily conversation . please notice this when people use in their conversation. I hope you will also use it.

Executive Director CLP Nepal

Hi everyone I am at the new village for next  VSO ICT program. This time I am looking for new village. This will be something new and exciting for both volunteers and Nepali host. I might  go  to the village  which is near by the Kathmandu . I hope volunteers can learn Nepali  language and cultural in village without any obstacle. I know it is very challenging and difficult for both party . But you will be rewarded afterward. You never experienced this in your whole life.

VSO Volunteers Nov'2008 Group

After many, many attempts via slow computer networks and even dial-up Internet accoess (yes, Internet dial-up using 28.8 kbps is still a reality here), I have successfully uploaded a 25-minute video of our time here in Nepal during VSO’s in-country-training program.

In this video (hosted by Vimeo) you will find photos and video footage of our arrival and first night in Kathmandu, our welcome party at the VSO Nepal office, Nepali language and cultural classes, our first walk through Thamel Market, the sights at Swayambhunath Stupa, our time in Chetana Kendra, life changing moments during our village stay in Chankhu Besi, our visit to Pashupatinath, Nepali food cooking class, and our last day with our Nepali gurus.

Not only do I have fond memories of our journeys but I also really enjoyed making this video for my new friends. We have all shared a unique experience together that we will never forget. So without further ado, here are our personal memories…

During the marriage ceremony the bridegroom puts the vermilion (sindur) powder in his bride’s hair and put a beaded necklace (pote) around her neck. This symbolizes that she become his wife. Normally bride put a dark red sari and the bridegroom wears a shirts pants, coat, nepali dhakaa topi or Nepali dress which is dauraa suruwal etc.

When it held?

Wedding are usually held in the months of baishkh (april- may ) asaar –(june –july) mangsir( nov-dec) ,maagh (jan-feb) or phaagun (feb-march) .Among these phaagun and mangsir are Nepalese ‘s favorite months for a marriage . In Nepali wedding the holy fire is the witness to the occasion. They also give dowry to the bridegroom.

Types of marriages :

1. Arranged marriage: most common where parents arrange or match makers find and proposes their parents
2. Capture: this tradition is vanishing but in kham Magar they capture their Bride by force. Sometimes it is prearranged and acted out
3. By purchase: The groom‘s side pays the bride ‘s side price or the bride side pays the groom side dowry ( daaijo) (dahej ) in tarai . the tamang are required to pay dowry when they have a child.
4. Infants: children are sometimes even promised to each other before birth.
5. Polyandrous: One wife and many husbands. In Nepal sherpa communities do this marriage.
6. By exchange: Both parties exchanges goods or money
7. To inanimate objects: Common among newari people.

In Nepal, 40% of marriages are happening with the girls under the age of 14 years.(UNICEF report)

I am starting Udaya’s Language and cross cultural section in VSO News letters. I hope this section will help you to learn Nepali and culture. Please give me suggestion and comment, which I always appreciated.

Some common expression:

a) ek chin basera kuraa garau:  Lets sit and talk.

b) tapaaiko chitta bujhyo. Are you satisfied? 

c) ma aau:? May I come in? 

d) wahaa: sanga kuraa garnus. Please talk to him.

e) hidera jaanu hunchha? Do you go on foot?

2. Structure :

This is an optative form ( haami ,ma) which we conjugated for 1^st person

Formula is (ma ) VS+ u:

Eg. Ma aau: May I come in ?

Haami VS+ aau:

Eg. haami aau: May we come in?

More example:

Optative Vs  Imperative:

Kitaab diu:? May I give you book  Kitaab dinus/ na dinus please give me /don’t give me.

Foot Ball khelu: Foot Ball khelnus.

Haami yahaa: basau: basnus

Chiyaa khaaau: /khaam khaanus

Ma jaau: jaanus