# Religion in Nepal: Hinduism, Buddhism and Living Faith

_Published 21 August 2026_

Religion is woven into everyday life in Nepal: morning offerings at street shrines, bells ringing in temples, prayer flags on the passes and festivals that fill the calendar. And unusually, two great religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, blend so closely that many people worship at both kinds of shrine.

**Quick answer:** in the 2021 census, **81.19%** of Nepalis were Hindu, **8.21%** Buddhist, **5.09%** Muslim, **3.17%** Kirat and **1.76%** Christian. Nepal is officially a **secular** state.

## Hinduism

Most Nepalis are Hindu. Shiva is especially revered at [Pashupatinath](/places/pashupatinath-temple), and great festivals such as Dashain and Tihar are Hindu celebrations. See our [Pashupatinath guide](/blog/visiting-pashupatinath-guide).

## Buddhism

The Buddha was born in [Lumbini](/places/lumbini). Tibetan Buddhism is followed by Sherpa, Tamang and other mountain communities, and Newar Buddhism has its own ancient traditions in the Kathmandu Valley. See our [Swayambhunath vs Boudhanath](/blog/swayambhunath-vs-boudhanath).

## How faiths blend

Hindus visit Buddhist stupas and Buddhists visit Hindu temples. The living goddess Kumari is chosen from a Buddhist Newar family but worshipped by Hindus. Muktinath is sacred to both religions.

## Other faiths

Kirat is the traditional religion of the Rai and Limbu peoples. Nepal also has Muslim, Christian, Bon, Sikh and Jain communities.

## Etiquette for visitors

- Remove shoes before entering temples and monasteries.
- Walk clockwise around stupas, chortens and prayer wheels.
- Some Hindu temples are open only to Hindus.
- Don't touch offerings or point your feet at shrines.

See also [the meaning of prayer flags](/blog/prayer-flags-meaning).

## Religions in Nepal at a glance

ReligionShare (2021 census)Where you'll notice it mostHinduism81.19%Everywhere, especially Kathmandu Valley temples, the Terai and the middle hillsBuddhism8.21%Mountain regions, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Lumbini, Newar communitiesIslam5.09%The Terai and parts of KathmanduKirat3.17%Eastern hills, among the Rai, Limbu, Yakkha and Sunuwar peoplesChristianity1.76%Growing communities across the countryOthersSmall sharesBon, Jain, Sikh, Baha'i and others## Hinduism in daily life

For most Nepalis, faith is woven into everyday routine rather than confined to temples. In the early morning, women and men visit neighbourhood shrines to make **puja** (offerings) of flowers, rice, red powder and incense, ringing bells to announce themselves to the gods. Homes have a small shrine, often in the kitchen or on the top floor. Shopkeepers light incense at the start of the day and may place a coin or flower on the threshold for Laxmi, goddess of wealth. Rites of passage, from a baby's naming ceremony to weddings and funerals, are guided by Hindu priests and astrologers, and the dates of important events are often chosen according to the stars. The most widely worshipped gods include **Shiva**, **Vishnu** (and his incarnations Krishna and Ram), **Ganesh**, **Durga**, **Laxmi**, **Saraswati** and **Hanuman**. See [Hindu gods guide](/blog/hindu-gods-guide-for-travellers).

## Buddhism in more detail

Nepal is home to two main Buddhist traditions. **Tibetan (Vajrayana) Buddhism** is followed by Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung, Thakali, Loba and other mountain peoples, and by the Tibetan refugee community. Its monasteries (gompas), stupas, prayer wheels, mani stones and prayer flags fill the landscape of the high Himalaya. **Newar Buddhism**, one of the oldest surviving Buddhist traditions in the world, is practised by Newar communities in the Kathmandu Valley, with its own priests (Vajracharyas), monasteries (bahals) and rituals in Sanskrit. In addition, **Theravada Buddhism** has been revived in Nepal since the 20th century, with monasteries in Kathmandu and Lumbini. See [Boudhanath](/blog/boudhanath-stupa-guide) and [Kopan Monastery](/blog/kopan-monastery-guide).

## Sacred sites

SiteFaithSignificance[Pashupatinath](/places/pashupatinath-temple)HinduNepal's holiest Shiva temple[Lumbini](/places/lumbini)BuddhistBirthplace of the Buddha[Boudhanath](/places/boudhanath-stupa)BuddhistOne of the largest stupas in the world, centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal[Swayambhunath](/places/swayambhunath)Buddhist and HinduAncient hilltop stupa, sacred to both faiths[Muktinath](/places/muktinath)Hindu and BuddhistHigh-altitude pilgrimage site with 108 water spouts[Janakpur](/places/janakpur)HinduBirthplace of Sita, with the Janaki Mandir[Changunarayan](/places/changunarayan-temple)HinduNepal's oldest temple, dedicated to Vishnu[Manakamana](/places/manakamana-temple)HinduWish-fulfilling goddess temple reached by cable car[Pathibhara](/places/pathibhara-temple)Hindu and KiratHilltop goddess temple in eastern Nepal[Halesi](/places/halesi-mahadev)Hindu and BuddhistSacred caves linked to Shiva and Guru Rinpoche## Kirat religion

Kirat is the indigenous religion of the Rai, Limbu, Yakkha and Sunuwar peoples of eastern Nepal. It centres on ancestor worship and the worship of nature, with shamans and priests who recite oral traditions called **Mundhum**. Festivals such as **Sakela** (Udhauli and Ubhauli), celebrated with circle dances in spring and late autumn, mark the agricultural year and the migration of birds. Kirat traditions are also blended with Hindu and Buddhist practices in many communities.

## Bon

Bon is an ancient religious tradition of Tibet, which shares many features with Tibetan Buddhism but has its own teachings and lineages. Some villages in Dolpo, Mustang and other northern areas follow Bon. One noticeable difference: Bon followers walk around stupas and spin prayer wheels anticlockwise. See [Upper Dolpo](/blog/upper-dolpo-trek-guide).

## Religion and the state

For most of its modern history, Nepal was officially a Hindu kingdom, and the king was regarded by many as an incarnation of Vishnu. After the end of the monarchy, Nepal was declared a secular state, a status confirmed in the 2015 constitution. The constitution protects the right to practise one's religion but restricts proselytising (trying to convert others). Cows remain protected, and killing them is illegal. Religious festivals are public holidays for many faiths, including Dashain, Tihar, Buddha Jayanti, Christmas, Eid and Lhosar.

## Visiting temples and monasteries

- Remove shoes and hats before entering temples and monastery prayer halls; leave them where others do.
- Leather items may not be allowed in some Hindu temples.
- Walk clockwise around Buddhist stupas, monasteries and mani walls, and keep them on your right.
- Don't touch offerings, images or people's heads, and don't point your feet at altars or monks.
- Ask before photographing inside temples and monasteries, and never use flash during prayers.
- Small donations are welcome in boxes at temples and monasteries.
- Women may be asked not to touch monks or sit next to them in Buddhist settings.

## Symbols you will see everywhere

SymbolFaithMeaningPrayer flagsBuddhistPrinted with prayers and mantras, carried by the wind to spread blessings. See [prayer flags](/blog/prayer-flags-meaning).Prayer wheelsBuddhistCylinders filled with mantras; each turn is like reciting themMani stonesBuddhistStones carved with "Om mani padme hum", piled into walls on trailsBuddha eyesBuddhistPainted on stupas such as Boudhanath, the all-seeing eyes of the BuddhaTikaHinduRed powder on the forehead, a blessing after worshipShiva lingamHinduA symbol of Shiva found in temples and shrinesTrident (trishul)HinduShiva's weapon, often seen at shrinesSwastikaHindu and BuddhistAn ancient symbol of good fortune, unrelated to its 20th-century misuse in Europe## Festivals of many faiths

Nepal's calendar is full of religious festivals, and many are shared across communities. Hindus celebrate [Dashain](/blog/dashain-festival-guide), [Tihar](/blog/tihar-festival-guide), [Holi](/blog/holi-festival-nepal), [Teej](/blog/teej-festival-nepal) and [Maha Shivaratri](/blog/maha-shivaratri-nepal). Buddhists celebrate [Buddha Jayanti](/blog/buddha-jayanti-nepal), the various [Lhosar](/blog/losar-festival-nepal) new years, and monastery festivals such as [Mani Rimdu](/blog/mani-rimdu-festival-tengboche) and [Tiji](/blog/tiji-festival-lo-manthang). Newar festivals such as [Indra Jatra](/blog/indra-jatra-festival) blend both traditions. Muslims celebrate Eid, Christians Christmas, and Kirat communities Sakela. See [festivals of Nepal](/blog/festivals-of-nepal).

## Meditation and spiritual retreats

Many visitors come to Nepal to learn about Buddhism or meditation. Monasteries such as Kopan, above Boudhanath, run introductory courses in Buddhist philosophy and meditation, and there are Vipassana centres and yoga retreats around the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara. Lumbini has monasteries from many Buddhist countries, some of which welcome visitors for meditation. See [yoga and meditation retreats](/blog/yoga-meditation-retreats-nepal) and [temple and monastery etiquette](/blog/temple-and-monastery-etiquette-nepal).

## Astrology and auspicious days

Astrology plays an important role in Nepali religious life. Astrologers (jyotishi) prepare a birth chart for each child, and families consult them to choose auspicious dates for weddings, house-building, starting a business or setting off on a journey. The official calendar is full of auspicious and inauspicious days, and you may find that some events are scheduled at very precise times. On some days, such as during the inauspicious month of Poush or certain eclipses, people avoid weddings and important beginnings.

## Frequently asked questions
### What is the main religion in Nepal?
**Hinduism**, followed by about 81% of people (2021 census).

### What percentage of Nepal is Buddhist?
About **8%**.

### Is Nepal a Hindu country?
Most people are Hindu, but Nepal is officially secular.

### Was the Buddha born in Nepal?
Yes, in Lumbini.

### What is the Kirat religion?
The indigenous religion of the Rai, Limbu, Yakkha and Sunuwar peoples, based on ancestor and nature worship.

### Which direction should I walk around a stupa?
Clockwise, keeping the stupa on your right; Bon followers walk anticlockwise.

### Is killing cows illegal in Nepal?
Yes. The cow is the national animal and is protected by law.

### What is Newar Buddhism?
One of the oldest surviving Buddhist traditions, practised by Newar communities in the Kathmandu Valley, with rituals in Sanskrit.

### Why do I see swastikas in Nepal?
It is an ancient Hindu and Buddhist symbol of good fortune, unrelated to its misuse in 20th-century Europe.

### Can I learn meditation in Nepal?
Yes, at monasteries such as Kopan, Vipassana centres and retreats around Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini.

### Why are wedding dates chosen by astrologers?
Families consult astrologers to choose auspicious dates and times for important events.

### Can non-Hindus visit Hindu temples?
Most, yes; a few, like the inner temple at Pashupatinath, are open only to Hindus.

### Is Nepal secular?
Yes. Nepal has been officially secular since the end of the monarchy, confirmed in the 2015 constitution.

### What is a gompa?
A Tibetan Buddhist monastery, found throughout Nepal's mountain regions.

### What does "Om mani padme hum" mean?
It is the mantra of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, carved on mani stones and printed on prayer flags.


Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/blog/religion-in-nepal-hinduism-and-buddhism