About Nepal Vision Inc.

Kathmandu Valley Heritage Tour:

Embark on a captivating journey through the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley. Marvel at the ancient temples, palaces, and squares that embody the architectural grandeur of Nepal's rich history. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, intricate woodwork, and exquisite stone carvings that adorn the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan.

Lumbini - Birthplace of Buddha:

Experience spiritual enlightenment as you visit Lumbini, the sacred birthplace of Gautam Buddha. Explore the sacred garden, Ashoka Pillar, and Maya Devi Temple, where Lord Buddha took his first steps. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of monasteries and meditation centers, gaining insights into Buddhism's profound teachings.

Pokhara - Gateway to Annapurna:

Discover the natural beauty and cultural charm of Pokhara, nestled amidst the majestic Annapurna mountain range. Take a serene boat ride on Phewa Lake, witness the ethereal sunrise over the Himalayas from Sarangkot, and explore the World Peace Pagoda. Engage in the vibrant lakeside atmosphere and immerse yourself in the cultural richness of the region.

Bhaktapur - City of Devotees:

Step back in time as you wander through the ancient city of Bhaktapur, renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and Newari culture. Marvel at the intricately carved palaces, temples, and courtyards of Durbar Square. Explore the pottery square, indulge in authentic Newari cuisine, and witness traditional craftsmanship at work.

Tansen - Hilltop Heritage:

Ascend to the charming hilltop town of Tansen, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Explore the winding streets lined with traditional houses and pagoda-style temples. Immerse yourself in the melodious tunes of Newari music, renowned for its soul-stirring melodies and unique musical instruments.

Bandipur - Living Museum:

Uncover the living museum of Bandipur, a beautifully preserved Newari town nestled amidst the picturesque Himalayan foothills. Admire the well-preserved traditional architecture, intricate wood carvings, and ancient temples. Enjoy panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges while strolling along the town's vibrant bazaar.

Mustang - Kingdom of Lo:

Embark on an extraordinary cultural expedition to Mustang, the ancient Kingdom of Lo. Traverse the arid landscapes and discover the mystique of the region's Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Marvel at the ancient monasteries, unique cave dwellings, and vibrant festivals that showcase the rich cultural heritage of this remote Himalayan kingdom.

Janakpur - City of Goddess Sita:

Visit Janakpur, the sacred city associated with the Hindu epic Ramayana and the birthplace of Goddess Sita. Explore the ornate Janaki Temple, dedicated to Goddess Sita and Lord Ram. Immerse yourself in the colorful Mithila art and witness the vibrant Chhath festival, celebrated with immense devotion and grandeur.

Gorkha - Ancestral Homeland:

Journey to Gorkha, the ancestral homeland of the legendary Gurkha warriors. Explore the historic Gorkha Durbar, once the seat of power for the Shah dynasty, and witness the breathtaking views from its hilltop location. Engage with the local communities, learn about their unique traditions, and gain insights into the valorous Gurkha legacy.

Ilam - Land of Tea Gardens:

Indulge in the scenic beauty and aromatic delights of Ilam, the land of tea gardens. Witness the lush greenery, rolling hills, and cascading waterfalls that create a picturesque backdrop. Experience the tea-picking process, savor the finest tea flavors, and immerse yourself in the tranquil ambiance of this tea paradise.

Each cultural tour in Nepal offers a distinct and captivating experience, weaving together history, spirituality, natural beauty, and the warm hospitality of its people.

The rich and diverse culture of Nepal encompasses a tapestry of traditions exhibited through music, dance, art, craft, folklore, languages, literature, philosophy, religion, festivals, and cuisine.

Dance and music hold a significant place in Nepali culture, with ancient origins believed to trace back to Lord Shiva's tandava dance in the Himalayas. Dances vary in style and costumes based on altitudes and ethnicities, featuring themes such as harvests, marriage rites, war stories, and everyday village life. Intricate footwork and arm movements characterize dances like Dishka, often performed at weddings. The Tharu stick dances and peacock dance are noteworthy highlights.

Nepal boasts a linguistic diversity of approximately 123 languages, primarily belonging to the Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Burman language families. Nepali serves as the official national language and lingua franca, while other prominent languages include Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Nepal Bhasa, Magar, Bajjika, and Doteli.

Faith in God plays a pivotal role in Nepali culture, with Hinduism representing the majority at 70-80% of the population, followed by Buddhism at around 5-15%, and Christians at around 5-10%. Other religious practices include Islam & Kirant indigenous religion. Christianity is the fastest growing faith in Nepal.

Temples, monasteries, churches and places of worship are scattered throughout the country, reflecting the deep-rooted influence of Hindu and Buddhist traditions. 

Nepalese philosophy encompasses elements of Kashmir Shaivism, Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, Bhaktapur's Karmacharyas, and tantric traditions. 

Festivals are an integral part of Nepali culture, with religious and cultural celebrations lasting from one to several days. Dashain, Tihar, Holi, Saraswati Puja, Rakshabandhan, Janmashtami, Gai Jatra, and Maha Shivaratri are among the prominent festivals observed.

Culinary traditions vary across regions, influenced by Indian and Tibetan styles of cooking. And global food scene can be found in big cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara and other tourist destinations.

Daal, bhat (rice), tarkari (curried vegetables), and pickles form the staple Nepali diet, with curried meat reserved for special occasions. 

Momos, a popular snack, enjoys widespread popularity. Thakali cuisine, characterized by daal and bhat, holds a special place among Nepalis. Temples often require visitors to remove their shoes to maintain purity within the premises, and some temples have restrictions on non-Hindus.

Some in Nepali culture reflects reverence for non-violence, with cow slaughter considered illegal due to the cow's as a giver of milk , a symbolic representation of motherhood, charity, and piety. 

Customs surrounding marriage, including parental involvement, are deeply rooted in religious traditions.

Nepal's vibrant culture offers a captivating blend of ancient traditions, artistic expressions, religious practices, and culinary delights, inviting visitors and locals alike to embrace its richness and diversity.

In professional realms, the use of honorifics like "ji," "Jew","dai," and "didi" can inadvertently reinforce ageist and patriarchal dynamics, permeating workspaces with inherent challenges.

In the context of professional life in Nepal, one frequently faces the dilemma of addressing colleagues, both younger and older, in the "right way." Startups and NGOs often emphasize their "informal" work culture, signaling a lack of hierarchy within the organization. Even unpaid interns are encouraged to freely communicate with heads of organizations, who may earn significantly more than their subordinates.

Addressing colleagues as "dai" or "didi" is the go-to approach in such offices. This linguistic choice, derived from Nepali customs and sibling relationships, quickly establishes rapport and, if reciprocated, can yield benefits. However, for young professionals, it can inadvertently create an age-based hierarchy that proves challenging to overcome.

Addressing colleagues as "dai" or "didi" poses a delicate balance between opportunism, expediency, and subservience. Some argue that "dai" is also used for elder drivers or office assistants, thereby neutralizing any hierarchy. Yet, this argument disregards the underlying implications when one's position is explicitly subordinate to another. Addressing a driver as "dai" merely denotes expedience, without carrying connotations of opportunism or subservience.

This phenomenon of "dai/didi" extends beyond organizations, transgressing offices and generations. Alumni of prestigious Kathmandu schools often form tight-knit communities, referring to one another as "dai/bhai" or "didi/bahini" solely based on shared school attendance, even if generations apart. Furthermore, in a country where nepotism often dictates opportunities, it becomes challenging to address benefactors as anything other than "dai" or "didi."

Alternative approaches do exist, such as addressing colleagues by their names. However, this is typically reserved for foreigners in the office or individuals with foreign degrees who run their own companies and wish to avoid appearing too old-fashioned.

Nepali language employs distinct pronouns based on the level of respect accorded to the second and third person. Calling someone solely by their name is usually reserved for elderly individuals and can come across as hostile when used with relative strangers. Additionally, slight variations in tone and verbs allow similar words in Nepali to switch between passive aggression, sarcasm, and outright hostility, making this linguistic exercise risky.

One alternative that holds promise is "ji." "Ji" is respectful and convenient, with the spelling (ji, jee, or jyu) open to interpretation. As a monosyllabic honorific, it can be quickly added to someone's name. Unlike "dai," it carries an egalitarian quality, particularly when addressing someone of a similar rank or a few levels above or below in the professional hierarchy. It can also be used for individuals higher in the hierarchy without appearing overly subservient, although our ageist culture sometimes misconstrues egalitarianism as hostility.

While "ji" cannot completely substitute for "dai," as the latter implies acceptance of age-based hierarchy, it comes closest to offering an alternative.

Until recently, I believed "ji" to be the ultimate honorific for maintaining professional dignity and preserving one's position. However, "ji" has its drawbacks. It may not be appropriate when addressing individuals who rank significantly higher or lower in the hierarchy. Additionally, using "ji" can be overly formal between peers of similar rank or age group. It also lacks the flirtatious undertone that sometimes accompanies other honorifics, which can be viewed as either advantageous or disadvantageous depending on one's interest in the other person.

Moreover, "ji" has a masculine undertone. Historically, "ji" or "jyu" served as a go-to honorific for sycophancy, a pursuit largely dominated by men. Addressing female colleagues as "ji" may sound incongruous or incongruent, especially from a male perspective. Considering the sexist history associated with prefixes/suffixes like "shriman" still prevalent in formal settings like courts, a case against "ji" can be made.

This brings us to "sir/madam," honorifics that are somewhat foreign to the daily lives of startup and NGO enthusiasts, who pride themselves on informal office cultures. Nevertheless, "sir/madam" proves convenient when navigating hierarchical environments, challenging any imposed subservience based on age, gender, or position.

Bureaucrats and government employees often prefer being addressed as "sir/madam" instead of "ji" due to its more formal nature. "Sir/madam" acknowledges hierarchy, although it may be perceived as excessive respect, exceeding that of "dai/didi." Nonetheless, this reflects the adaptability of "sir/madam" in navigating professional spaces outside the realms of nepotism or alumni connections.

Indeed, "sir/madam" epitomizes formality. Its main drawback lies in its limited applicability within workspaces that emphasize informality. This raises the question: does informality merely veil outdated conventions that inherently clash with the professional world? Is it impossible to bring our "dai," "bhai," "didi," "bahini," and familial dynamics into the workplace? Proponents of "Nepali culture" may argue that honorifics like "ji," "dai," and "didi" are innocuous and suitable for the workspace. However, they should contemplate the instances when they have extensively pondered the appropriate way to address individuals in their workplaces.

The choice of honorifics often relies on reciprocity, which, in turn, depends on our norms and conventions. For instance, an elder or senior colleague may address me by my name, but I cannot reciprocate. Hence, "ji," "dai/didi," or "sir/madam" remain the only options, underscoring the ageism inherent within our conventions. Although I comply with these conventions and address others as "dai/didi," I always wish for more suitable alternatives.

Often, I resort to "ji," but it falls short, failing to align with my intentions or the prevailing conventions. "Sir/madam" would be a preferred honorific, but it may be deemed too formal in "informal" workspaces. However, for me, the concern lies not only in the effectiveness of these honorifics but in the informal hierarchies that persist when we overlook the formality of the workplace. We conceal ageist and, more frequently, patriarchal relations behind the veneer of "dai/didi" or "ji," making it challenging to transcend these dynamics through merit or hard work.