Life in the Himalayan Region

The Himalayan region lies in the northern part of the kingdom. This region stretches from east to west. In the northern most part of this region, there are some of the highest peaks of the world. This part is always covered with snow. The southern part of this region is less cold. Himalayan region, crops are cultivated, animals are reared and carpets and wool are produced in large quantities. There are villages and small towns as well.


ECONOMIC LIFE

Agriculture: Agriculture is the main source of income of the people living in this region. They cultivate maize, millet, potatoes, fruit and vegetables. Animal farming is one of the main occupations. They rear cows, sheep, mountain-goats (Chyangra), yaks, etc. which give them milk, cheese, butter, meat, etc

Industry: There are some cottage industries. They produce carpets, blankets, etc. from the raw wool of the sheep. They also make thick woolen jackets for their use. Cheese, butter, ghee are made from animal products. Mustang and Jumla districts are famous for apple. There are apple related industries as well.

Trade: The people in this region carry on barter trade with the people of Tibet. They also carry their local products like carpets, hides, herbs, fruit and wool to the terai and big towns of the country. They sell these and buy salt, cloth, kerosene oil and utensils.

Transport: Transportation is the most difficult problem in this region. During recent years, some of the places in this region like Taplejung, Lamidanda, Faplu, Jomsom, Shyangboche, Jumla, etc. have been connected by air services. But these are not sufficient for local transportation. Horses and mules are the main means of transport. Very often, people are seen carrying heavy loads on their backs.


SOCIAL LIFE

Food: The people in this region eat ‘Dhindo’ (a pudding- like food made from maize or millet), bread, potato and meat. They also have a special type of sea which is prepared from tea-leaves, salt and ghee.

Housing: Most of the houses in this region have a single storey. Some of them have stone roofs and some are thatch-roofed.

Costume: The people wear thick woolen clothes. They wear snow shoes which are called ‘Docha’. The women wear ornaments of gold, silver and copper. Men also keep long hair, like women.

Health: The people work hard and eat a lot and they rarely fall ill. The people are quite strong and healthy. Health centre and health posts are also established in some of the places.

Education: In the past, the people had to come down to the hilly region for education. But now, attempts are being made to educate the people of this region and there are schools up to secondary level.

The people living in this region are mostly Sherpas, Lhomis and Lopas. They follow Buddhism. They celebrate the Lhosar festival which falls in Magh. They visit one another’s houses during festivals.

Some Important Places in the Himalayan Region

SINJA: It is a historical place located in the Jumla district of the Karnali Zone. More than one thousand years ago, the Khas kings ruled over this place. They used to speak in ‘Khasa’. Gradually, this language developed and has become Nepali language.

NAMCHE BAZAR: It is situated in the Solukhumbu district of the Sagarmatha zone. It is mostly inhabited by Sherpas and people who were originally from Tibet. Mountaineers on their way to climb Sagarmatha pass through this place. For this reason it has also been called ‘the gate-way to Sagarmatha’. Foreign tourists who come for trekking and sight-seeing also visit Namche Bazar.

GOSAIN KUNDA: It also lies in the Rasuwa district of the Bagmati zone. Gosain Kunda is a pond where Lord Shiva was supposed to have dived into after he swallowed poison. One can see the image of God Siva beneath the clear water. Every year during Dashain, and on Janai Purnima, a big fair is held in this place. Pilgrims from all over the country and from India come for a holy bath during such festivals.

MUKTIKSHETRA: It is situated in the Mustang district of the Dhaulagiri zone. It is equally famous among both Hindus and Buddhists. There is a temple of Muktinath and of Jwala Mai. Pilgrims from all over the country and also from Tibet, India and other countries visit this place. There is a rock wall with three openings from where one can see a blue flame burning. Very near to it, there is a hot spring. It is believed that if one takes a bath in this hot spring he will be cured of whatever illnesses he may have.