Nepal has a population of more than 70 ethnic groups having different cultures and speaking above 70 languages, According to some recently calculated figures (based on the 1981/1982) census) 80% at the people are Hindus, 15% are Buddhist and around 3% are Muslim. The rest are divided into other religions. Whatever might be the figures, the perfect harmony maintained beautifully by people despite the religious differences is truly remarkable in Nepal.

The distribution of the different ethnic groups reflects the geographical diversity of the country. The majority of Nepal's population is of indo Aryan origin, the remaining are of Tibetan and Bhutiya, inhabitants of northern Nepal (such as Sherpas, Dolpas and lopas of Mustang) and the Mongoloid inhabitants of the central belt (such as Newars, Tamangs, Rais, Limbus, Sunuwars, Magars and Gurung Communities).


The Four main divisions of castes in Hindu Nepal are Bahun, Chhetri, Vaisaya and Shudra, The family names of some Hindu castes may reflect locality as well as caste specific occupation. For instance, in Newari society potters are known as Kumal (kumale), while masons are known as Dakarmis. the common sumames of east and central Nepal are Golame, Sharma, Regmi, Acharya, Nepal, Upadhyay, Aryal, Bhandari, Adhikari and Paudyal, those from west Nepal include pant, Joshi, Bishta, Bhatta, Pandey, Awasti, Lohani.

Newars
Kathmandu, the capital city has been the homeland of the Newaris. The Newars are inhabitants of a Tibeto-Burman origin who speak in Newari (their own dialect) as well as Nepali. The Newars are among the largest indigenous groups of Nepal and Make up the 7% of the total population (-800000). Several Newar families follow Buddhism as well as Hinduism They are usually inclined towards commerce, trade and farming.
The Newars, who have been divided into 64 occupational groups by King Sthiti Malla, are a unique testimony of the richness of Nepali Cultural heritages. They have excelled in art, literature, Sculpting, casting bronze and silver and fascinating forms of architecture.

BRAHMINS
Brahmans, the priestly class of indo-Aryan origin, occupy the highest position in the Hindu hierarchy. they are said to have come to Nepal from different parts of India. Today they are found in every part of Nepal and have taken p different occupations.

Chhetris
The Chhetris, who like the Brahmins also have on Indo-Aryan origin, have been traditionally classified as warriors and administrators. They are recognized for their bravery and administrative skills. Today, they are distributed in almost all the parts of Nepal and have been working in different fields. They are said to have originally come from northern India during and other the time of the Buddha. The Khas are generally regarded as Bahuns and Chhetris who set up their own kingdoms in the far. Western parts of Nepal. Their language, khas-kura (Nepali) which had evolved out of Sanskrit, was later introduced as the state language other King Prithivi Narayan Shah conquered the Kathmandu Valley in 1778.

Gurungs.
The Gurungs, originally belonging to the Tibet-Burman ethnic, group, live mostly in the central region of Nepal in places like the foothills of Kaski, Lamjung and Annapurna Himal. The Gurung Villages surrounding the hills of Pokhara have attracted tourists because of their beautifully maintained stone houses.

The Gurungs are good rammers as well as warriors. They, like the Rais, Limbus and Magars, have introduced themselves internationally as the brave Gorkha-soldiers. They follow Hinduism or Buddhism.

Kiratis
The kiratis are among the first group of people ruling over Nepal. Ancient Hindu texts like Hivat-Khanda, and mahabharata have mentioned their names. They basically come from eastern Nepal's Tamakoshi, Bhotekoshi, Arun and Tomor. These people of Tibeto-Burman Origin worship their ancestors and at the same time follow Buddhism, Hindusm, Animism and so on. they are very good farmers and warriors. They are rich in culture and have several languages and scripts called the Sri-Jung.

Magars
The Magars, having Tibeto-Burman origin, live in the Kali Gandaki region of the south of Dhaulagiri. They speak the Tibeto-Burman language and are Hindu by faith but they also follow Buddhism. They are mostly farmers but their martial qualities and Physical fitness have mode them good soldiers Sherpas.
The Sherpas, who are said, have come from Tibet, speak the Tibeto-Burman language and live in the Himalayan region of Nepal. They are hardworking. Friendly and reliable in nature.
The largest Sherpa settlement is in Solu Khumbu of the foothill of Mt. Everest, the world’s highest peak (8848m)

The Sherpas are adventurous mountaineers of international repute. Tenzing Norgay was the Sherpa, who with Sir Edmund Hillary from New-Zealand, successfully climbed Mt. Everest in 1953. Ang Rita. Babu Chiri (late), Pasong Lhambu (late) are a few well known sherpas in the field of mountaineering.

Tharus
The Tharus are the only people living in the forests of the Terai along the southem base of the Shivalik hills. their age-olk religion has been Animism, which often reflects their mixed belief in Hindusm and Buddhism.

The Tharus, who are said to be descendants of the Rajput (ruling class) of india, have spread from eastern to western part of Nepal.)

We have many madesi or Terai people living along the border between India and Nepal. Htey speak Languages like Maithili in the eastern Terai, Bhojpuri in the central Terai and Avadhi in the western Terai.

The King, in Nepal among the Hindus, is traditionally regarded as the incarnation of Vishnu (the Hindu god of preservation) and a living symbol of religious harmony. Among the Buddhists in Nepal, the king is honored as the Buddhist god of compassion and Public welfare.

Hinduism is among the oldest faiths in the world, deeply rooted in the Vedas (the holiest among the Hindu scriptures) whose antiquity goes back to 2000 B.C.

According to Hindu Philosophy the ultimate goal of one's life is to attain maksha or liberation. There are three paths recommended to attain the goal : Artha (economic efficiency), Dharma (righteousness) and Kama (devotion to family). The three paths are designed to gradually lead one from Bhukti, to mukti or Makshya, the state of supreme bliss and detachment.

Rituals are another aspect of religion in Nepal as most Nepali people are religious. For them rituals elevate them spiritually and help them to maintain solidarity among each other.

The recorded history of Buddhism in Nepal began with the Budda himself. Many archeological ruins found in Kapilastu and the vicinity indicate that many historical buildings were built there, 600 years before Christ, with the passage of time Buddhism underwent many socio-religious upheavals and vajrayano and other sects were also introduced