But due to recent events in the country, Nepal ceased to be a kingdom, and Hinduism ceased to be an official religion. In May 2006 Nepal has become a secular country. Islam, Christianity, and Bon are also practiced in Nepal. The Tharu practice animism, while some of the Kirats practice ancestor veneration.

It is impossible to write briefly about Nepal without oversimplification. According to dry statistics, Nepal is 80% Hindu and 10% Buddhist. And in life, Hinduism and two world religions are so intertwined in Nepal that they cannot be separated. Nepal's religious mosaic can be understood if we look into the religious history of the country. The ideas of early Hinduism and Buddhism have little in common with the religions of today. Religious concepts were created through the fusion of various religious schools, theories and trends. Animism, Tantrism, Shaktism, Lamaism had a strong influence on the main beliefs.

In the middle of the 1st millennium BC. The Kirati tribe, who professed Buddhism, came to Nepal from the east, and for eight hundred years Buddhism became the dominant religion here. Its influence waned when other peoples invaded the valley around 300 AD. Hinduism, the religion of these newcomers, has since become the official religion of Nepal. The change from one dominant religion to another took place peacefully and painlessly; many shrines of Nepal are equally revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. This is explained by the fact that Hinduism has never had a complete theological system; it easily absorbs other cults, recognizing new deities as incarnations of its ancient gods. In practice, the country's religion is a strange mixture of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, complemented by a pantheon of tantric deities and animism, an ancient spiritual religion that originated in Tibet. This is a memory of ancient times, when people formed a harmonious whole; the gods of the universe manifested themselves in everything, and people easily communicated with the gods every day. Nepalese people still view their ancient temples and sanctuaries not as cultural heritage, but as sacred places where gods and people come into contact with each other.
It is not for nothing that Nepal is called the “land of festivals”. The most important of them are the Tihar festival of light; Dasain is a celebration of the victory of good over evil; a colorful, truly Rabelaisian festival. Religious people in Nepal are not folklore, not absurd entertainment for tourists. These are solemn and sacred ceremonies under the auspices of gods and people. Nepalese people participate in festivals of both religions with equal zeal and honor the shrines of both faiths.

Hinduism.

Modern Hinduism includes a lot of different metaphysical systems and points of view, often mutually contradictory. Each believer chooses one or another belief that is most suitable for him. Nepal has an endless pantheon of gods and goddesses, their incarnations, manifestations and aspects. The European mind has great difficulty in grasping these concepts and subtle differences, especially since Hinduism has up to 33 million gods...
Temples are dedicated to the main gods, and altars to less significant gods. One of the temples is the sanctuary of the monkey king Hanuman. Immediately after birth, it says, Hanuman grabbed it, mistaking it for an edible fruit, and the god Indra barely managed to take the luminary from the voracious baby. The epic “Ramayana” tells how the selflessly noble and powerful Hanuman - he had such strength that he tore hills and mountains from the ground - helped the god Rama rescue his bride Sita from captivity. In India and Nepal, monkeys are considered, if not direct descendants of the divine Hanuman, then at least his relatives. Nepalese believe that they understand human speech and know how to talk - they just hide it so that they are not forced to work.
In Hinduism there is no priesthood in the usual sense. Brahmins, who perform the duties of priests, do not take any special vows, live an ordinary life in the world, run a household and have a family. People who have renounced the world and dedicated themselves to one of the Hindu gods are called. They lead an ascetic lifestyle, and the people consider them sages. It is to sadhus, and not to brahmin priests, that Nepalese usually go with their sorrows or when they need to make a decision. Everyone brings something with them - sadhus have no other sources of livelihood.

It is very difficult for foreigners to understand Hinduism due to the huge pantheon of gods until they imagine them as picture representations of the many attributes of a god. One omnipresent god usually has 3 physical images: Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer and creator. Vishnu, often depicted flying on Garuda, the bird-man, boasts 10 incarnations, including Rama, Krishna, Buddha... Shiva may be called by a thousand names, but these are his manifestations. Shiva is probably most revered in Nepal as the destroyer and creator. He travels around the world on a bull and holds a trisul (trident) in his hand. Often Shiva appears as a phallic lingam, his creative role. Shiva is also known as Nataraj, the god of dance, who shook the cosmos and created the world. Sometimes Shiva is depicted as a wandering hermit sadhu, overgrown and in rags, smoking hashish - in short, a disgrace to the pantheon!

The son of Shiva with the head of an elephant is very loved and popular in Nepal. This is the god of luck, wisdom and prosperity, the patron of male potency. Gods are everywhere - inside the temples and nearby, the gods are not formidable, but supportive, winking, in a word, like painted toys!

But are there living gods? Nepal has everything. This is a living virgin - Kumari. And again a paradox: the king, himself an incarnation of the god Vishnu, received a blessing from Kumari, a 5-6 year old girl, chosen by the goddess from a Buddhist family. The goddess is chosen from girls aged 5-6 years, guided by very complex criteria. The girl remains a goddess until she loses at least a drop of blood for any reason. After this, she is given a good dowry, but it is not so easy for a retired goddess to marry - it is believed that she will be marred by all sorts of misfortunes. The Kumari cult is a striking example of the interweaving of two religions, as well as the extreme religious liberalism and open-mindedness of the Nepalese.

A real crucible of religions. The mixture of religions is most evident in the Kathmandu Valley. Don't be surprised if you find images of Hindu gods in Buddhist temples or Buddhist images in Hindu temples. The Shaivist symbol of fertility, the lingam contained in the yoni, is revered by Buddhists as “flaming in a sacred spring.” Hindus consider the lingam and yoni as the main elements of male and female energy. At the most sacred Hindu temple, Pashupatinath, the Shiva linga is covered with a Buddha mask once a year! In Swayambhunath (Buddhist complex), Hindus worship the deity Swayambhu as Shiva, although for Buddhists Swayambhu is . The male deity Lokeshvara/Machendranath is a mixture of Shiva, saint Machendranath and the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. The female deity / is revered by Buddhists as Tara.

Buddhism.

Strictly speaking, Buddhism is not a religion (it does not have the idea of ​​God), but a philosophical system and moral code. Buddha developed the "rule of the middle path", i.e. moderation in everything. In Nepal, Tibetan Buddhism, which absorbed elements of Bon shamanism and especially Tantrism, a legacy of medieval India, had a strong influence on Buddhist teachings. In Nepal, the Vajrayana, or “Way of Thunderclap”, predominates, where the emphasis is on meditation using mantras and mandalas, direct experience and esotericism.

Of all the holy places for Buddhists, and there are a great many of them in Nepal, this is the most revered temple complex in , a small town near the Indian border. According to legend, it was here 700 BC. On the day of the May full moon, on the shore of a lake under the shade of a spreading tree, Queen Maya gave birth to a son, Siddhartha, whose name translates as “who fulfilled his destiny.” The boy's birth was accompanied by many signs, and one hundred and eight wise men gathered in Lumbini to interpret them. They announced that Siddhartha would become either a great ruler or a teacher such as had never been seen on Earth. Over the years, the prince achieved complete enlightenment and became the first Buddha, the founder of a new religion.
The fact that Buddha was born in Lumbini is evidenced by writings on a column erected 300 years after his death by King Ashoka. It was through the efforts of Ashoka that Buddhism spread to most of South Asia.

Despite the fact that Nepal is the birthplace of Buddha, Buddhism came to the country from the northeast, from the territory of modern China. To this day, there are Chinese Buddhist temples and... Above the entrance to one of the temples, instead of Sanskrit script, Chinese characters are inscribed, and the pot-bellied Buddha statues decorating its interior are clearly made in the Chinese, rather than Indo-Nepalese, manner. The production of traditional Buddha figurines is especially developed in the city of Patan, the second largest after Kathmandu. The main materials are soft volcanic and bronze. This work is painstaking, but big money Ordinary Nepalese cannot pay for figurines. It is considered good luck when an order comes from European Buddhists or monasteries.

In the Himalayas, and especially in Nepal, there are a lot of geomantic points-centers that give strength and energy to those who visit them. Three outstanding religious complexes - the Hindu Pashupatinath and the Buddhist Swayambhunath - are only part of the numerous energy centers of the Kathmandu Valley.

Religion of Nepal In Nepal, art objects, classical and modern, are used in daily religious practice. Unique creations are easy to find intemples and other religious sites. Understanding the intricacies of different religions allows you to fully appreciate the art of Nepal. Nepal is the only country where Hinduism is recognized as the state religion, but Buddhism, Islam and many other religions are also practiced here. What they all have in common is daily religious expression. In the morning, people gather in temples to offer offerings and puja to the gods.

Religion of Nepal - Hinduism

The word Hinduism emerged in the 19th century to define the core beliefs of the Aryan immigrants who left Central Asia in 1500 BC. and local Indians.

The main ideas of the religion of Nepal: heavenly law governs the state of the world, man is aware of and respects heavenly law. Lead your life in a proper Hindu manner, follow the rules and all rituals, accept your birth caste. The caste system determines the code of conduct and rituals, affecting all aspects of life: occupation, meals, weddings, etc.

Nepal religion principles of Hinduism. Drachma is a religious law and moral code, by acting on which one can obtain enlightenment. Karma is the balance of present life and past reactions. A life lived properly will bring about rebirth into better life. Samsara is a cycle of reincarnations determined by karma. Moksha is liberation from samsara, in which the individual unites with the universal time space of past and future, final clarity, i.e. Nirvana.

Each deity has different names, different symbols, attributes, manifestations. The main Hindu gods are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Nepal religion

Nepal religion Brahma is the creator of the Universe. Attributes are a rosary, a source of holy water, a ladle and books. Brahma is usually represented as having four heads, which allows him to observe the world. The number of existing Brahma statues is small.

Saraswati, wife of Brahma, is the goddess of knowledge and music. She is often depicted playing the vina (a seven-stringed musical instrument) with a rosary and a book, seated in a lotus on a peacock or swan, often with a crescent moon on her forehead. Buddhists worship her as one of the forms of Manjushri, the wisdom of the Bodhisattva.

Vishnu is the guardian of life and peace. Attributes - conch shell, disc, lotus and rod. Incarnation: Garuda, the mythical bird-man. It often appears in some of the following forms:

Narayan, which means "one who explores all branches", or universal knowledge.

Buddha, ninth reincarnation of Vishnu.

Rama, the warrior who saved his wife Sita from Ravan, the demon king of the island of Ceylon.

Krishna, the embodiment of masculinity, was bewitched by the milkmaids and shepherdesses with whom he frolicked. The Rama and Krishna forms are the most popular in India.

Shiva - destruction and restoration. Attributes - trident, tambourine, tiger skin, lingam (phalos). Incarnation - Nandi, a buffalo.

Pashupati, owner and protector of animals, especially cattle.

Bairav, a form of Shiva who seeks to destroy everything, including evil. His statue is usually black, wearing a necklace of human skulls.

Nepal religion- Hanuman, the monkey god. Symbolizes loyalty and willingness to help. Associated with successful military actions, Rama helped in the fight against King Ravana, who imprisoned his wife Sita for 12 years.

Ganesh (Ganapathi), one of the most popular gods in Nepal. Infallible, benevolent and of great power, it can decide the outcome of any human undertaking. Son of Shiva and Parvati. One day Shiva found Parvati with her lover, and deciding that Ganesh was not his son, he tore off his head. At Parvati's request, Shiva promised to restore Ganesh's life by beheading the first living creature he encountered in the forest. He saw an elephant, cut off its head, rushed back and put it in the place of Ganesh's head. Ganesh is usually dressed in red, has four arms, and his body is covered with layers of sandalwood. The embodiment is a shrew, sometimes a rat or a mouse, therefore all these animals are sacred.

In the middle of the 1st millennium BC. V Nepal from the east came the Kirati tribe, which professed Buddhism, and for eight hundred years Buddhism became the dominant religion here. Its influence waned when the Newar people invaded the Kathmandu Valley from India around 300 AD.

Hinduism- the religion of these newcomers - has since become the official religion of Nepal. The change from one dominant religion to another took place peacefully and painlessly; many shrines of Nepal are equally revered by both Hindus and Buddhists.

This is explained by the fact that Hinduism has never had a complete theological system; it easily absorbs other cults, recognizing new deities as incarnations of its ancient gods.

Hindu god can act not only in the form of another deity, but also a person. For example, the Nepalese king is considered the incarnation of Vishnu, one of the main Hindu gods. And the goddess Kumari exists exclusively in the guise of a living girl.

Temple- Kumari's home. The goddess is chosen from girls aged three or four years, guided by very complex criteria.

The girl remains a goddess until she loses at least a drop of blood for any reason. After this, she is given a good dowry, but it is not so easy for a retired goddess to marry - it is believed that marriage with her will be overshadowed by all sorts of misfortunes.

IN Hinduism there is no priesthood in the usual sense for us. Brahmins, who perform the duties of priests, do not take any special vows, live an ordinary life in the world, run a household and have a family.

People who renounce the world and devote themselves to one of the Hindu gods are called sadhu. They lead an ascetic lifestyle, and the people consider them sages. It is to sadhus, and not to brahmin priests, that Nepalese usually go with their sorrows or when they need to make some decision. Everyone brings something with them - sadhus have no other sources of livelihood.

Hindu pantheon huge. Temples are dedicated to the main gods, and altars to less significant gods. One of the temples is the sanctuary of the monkey king Hanuman.

Immediately after his birth, legend says, Hanuman grabbed Sun, mistaking it for an edible fruit, and the god Indra barely managed to take the luminary from the voracious baby.

In the epic" Ramayana" tells how selflessly noble and powerful Hanuman- he had such power that he tore hills and mountains from the ground, - he helped the god Rama rescue his bride Sita from captivity.

In India and Nepal monkeys They are considered, if not direct descendants of the divine Hanuman, then at least his relatives.

The Nepalese believe that monkeys understand human speech and can talk - they just hide it so as not to be forced to work. It must be said that Hanuman’s relatives, who live in abundance in Nepal, have greatly lost the strength and nobility of their great ancestor.

One of the two supreme Hindu deities - god Shiva- dedicated Pashupatinath temple. This is not even a temple, but a vast temple complex located near the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River.

Every day crowds of pilgrims flock here not only from all over Nepal, but also from neighboring India. Performing puja, an offering to the formidable Shiva, is the duty of every believer. Most sacrifice roosters, which can be bought right next to the temples.

After standing in a long line, believers hand the birds over to the minister - he cuts their throats and sprinkles the altar with sacrificial blood. Some people present goats as gifts to Shiva.

You can wash the carcass nearby and then take it home - after the ritual, the Nepalese use the meat of sacrificial animals for their intended purpose, that is, for food.

Every Hindu dreams of being taken on his last journey in Pashupatinath, although there is a place for a funeral ritual at every temple standing on the river bank.

After the farewell ritual in the temple, male relatives carry the deceased on a stretcher to the ghatami - a stone platform for cremation, on which the funeral pyre is laid in advance. Only the son of the deceased can light a fire, so the absence of sons in the family is considered a terrible misfortune.

Hindus believe that after death a person’s soul moves into a new shell - into a plant, animal or human.

Whether the new incarnation will be favorable or unfavorable depends on karma- that is, the sum of good and bad deeds committed in life. So that nothing interferes with the relocation of the soul, not a trace of the former bodily shell should remain on the earth - the muddy waters of Bagmati carry the ashes to the Ganges River, sacred to Hindus.

Buddhists also cremate their dead, but some - who were distinguished by special holiness during their lifetime - are mummified and placed in sanctuaries - stupas.

This word is translated from Sanskrit- the language of sacred Buddhist texts - as “top of the head” or “heap of earth”. Bouddhanath Stupa in Kathmandu was built in the 3rd century BC. and has been updated several times since then. The eyes on the gilded wall of the temple are not a decorative element.

It is believed that he himself looks at believers with them Buddha. Also, these bright flags hanging everywhere are not for decoration. Mantras are written on them - prayer appeals to Buddhist saints.

Of all the holy places for Buddhists - and there are a great many of them in Nepal - the most revered temple complex in Lumbini, a small town near the Indian border.

According to legend, it was here 700 BC. On the day of the May full moon, on the shore of a lake under the shade of a spreading tree, Queen Maya gave birth to a son, Siddhartha, whose name translates as “who fulfilled his destiny.”

The boy's birth was accompanied by many signs, and one hundred and eight sages gathered in Lumbini to interpret them. They announced that Siddhartha will become either a great ruler or a teacher, such as has never happened on Earth. Over the years, the prince achieved complete enlightenment and became the first Buddha, the founder of a new religion.

About what Buddha was born in Lumbini, as evidenced by the writings on the column erected 300 years after his death by King Ashoka. It was through the efforts of Ashoka that Buddhism spread to most of South Asia.

Despite the fact that Nepal- the birthplace of Buddha, Buddhism came to the country from the northeast, from the territory of modern China. To this day, Chinese Buddhist temples and monasteries operate in Nepal.

Above the entrance to one of the temples, instead of Sanskrit script, there are inscriptions Chinese characters, and the pot-bellied Buddha statues decorating its interior are clearly made in the Chinese, rather than Indo-Nepalese, manner.

The art of making traditional Buddha figurines is especially developed in the city of Patan, the second largest after Kathmandu.

The main materials are soft volcanic stone and bronze. This work is painstaking, and ordinary Nepalese cannot pay a lot of money for figurines. It is considered good luck when an order comes from European Buddhists or monasteries.

Monasteries in Nepal often have a greater impact on people's lives than government agencies. The advice received from the monk is followed strictly.

Anyone who is familiar with the sacred texts and follows religious instructions can become a Buddhist monk. If desired, the monk is free to leave the monastery at any time and return to the world.

The life of a monk is spent in meditation, reading sacred books and prayers. Each prayer said brings the Buddhist closer to nirvana - the final deliverance from earthly suffering.

For prayer Each turn of the prayer wheels, which are installed in all Buddhist monasteries, also counts.

Let's hope that the prayers we whispered as our plane fell over Himalami into the next air hole, will also be counted towards us at the moment of rebirth. After all, this aircraft belonged to an airline named after the founder of Buddhism.

Nepal is the only country where Hinduism is recognized as the state religion, but Buddhism, Islam and many other religions are also practiced here. What they all have in common is daily religious expression. In the morning, people gather in temples to offer offerings and puja to the gods.

Hinduism.

The word Hinduism emerged in the 19th century to define the core beliefs of the Aryan immigrants who left Central Asia in 1500 BC. and local Indians.

Main ideas: heavenly law governs the state of the world, man is aware of and respects heavenly law. Lead your life in a proper Hindu manner, follow the rules and all rituals, accept your birth caste. The caste system determines the code of conduct and performance of rituals, affecting all aspects of life: occupation, meals, weddings, etc.

Principles of Hinduism. Drachma is a religious law and moral code, by acting on which one can obtain enlightenment. Karma is the balance of present life and past reactions. A life lived properly will bring about rebirth into a better life. Samsara is a cycle of reincarnations determined by karma. Moksha is liberation from samsara, in which the individual unites with the universal temporal space of past and future, final clarity, i.e. Nirvana.

Each deity has different names, different symbols, attributes, manifestations. The main Hindu gods are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Brahma is the creator of the Universe. Attributes are a rosary, a source of holy water, a ladle and books. Brahma is usually represented as having four heads, which allows him to observe the world. The number of existing Brahma statues is small.

Saraswati, wife of Brahma, is the goddess of knowledge and music. She is often depicted playing the vina (a seven-stringed musical instrument) with a rosary and a book, seated in a lotus on a peacock or swan, often with a crescent moon on her forehead. Buddhists worship her as one of the forms of Manjushri, the wisdom of the Bodhisattva.

Vishnu is the guardian of life and peace. Attributes - conch shell, disc, lotus and rod. Incarnation: Garuda, the mythical bird-man. It often appears in some of the following forms:

Narayan, which means "one who explores all branches", or universal knowledge.

Buddha, ninth reincarnation of Vishnu.
Rama, the warrior who saved his wife Sita from Ravan, the demon king of the island of Ceylon.

Krishna, the embodiment of masculinity, was bewitched by the milkmaids and shepherdesses with whom he frolicked. The Rama and Krishna forms are the most popular in India.

Shiva - destruction and restoration. Attributes - trident, tambourine, tiger skin, lingam (phalos). Incarnation - Nandi, a buffalo.

Pashupati, owner and protector of animals, especially cattle.

Bairav, a form of Shiva who seeks to destroy everything, including evil. His statue is usually black, wearing a necklace of human skulls.

Hanuman, the monkey god. Symbolizes loyalty and willingness to help. Associated with successful military actions, Rama helped in the fight against King Ravana, who imprisoned his wife Sita for 12 years.

Ganesh (Ganapathi), one of the most popular gods in Nepal. Infallible, benevolent and of great power, it can decide the outcome of any human undertaking. Son of Shiva and Parvati. One day Shiva found Parvati with her lover, and deciding that Ganesh was not his son, he tore off his head. At Parvati's request, Shiva promised to restore Ganesh's life by beheading the first living creature he encountered in the forest. He saw an elephant, cut off its head, rushed back and put it in the place of Ganesh's head. Ganesh is usually dressed in red, has four arms, and his body is covered with layers of sandalwood. The embodiment is a shrew, sometimes a rat or a mouse, therefore all these animals are sacred.

Parvati, wife of Shiva. Benevolent manifestations: Devi, Yuma, Shakti or Annapurna (bringer of abundance). Evil manifestations: Kali, Durga and Bhagavati

Buddhism.

Based on the thoughts of Gautama Siddharta (GAUTAMA SIDDHARTA), also called Sakvamuni (on behalf of the sage from the Sakwa clan), who later became Buddha (enlightened).

The philosophical doctrine and code of conduct is based on three jewels: the Buddha himself, the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha), and the Sangha - the society of Buddhists.

Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, in 544 BC, the son of a rajah (as wealthy landowners are called) who were looking for the cause of human misfortune. As a result of experiments and travels, he achieved enlightenment through meditation in Bodh Gaya.

Dharma is the doctrine of four truths discovered through meditation:

1. Existence is misery.
2. Everything in life brings suffering: birth, satisfaction of life's needs and death. The beginning of suffering lies in the needs and desires of people and the desire to possess material values ​​(the illusion of feelings).

3. Unhappiness is born of selfish desires and passions.

Sangha is a society of Buddhists. Initially used to refer to a society of monks, but later this concept expanded. Shows the path to enlightenment.

About 100 years after the death of the Buddha, society became conflicted about the path to enlightenment. The traditional Theravada school of Buddhism follows the original teachings of the Buddha. The Mahayana school made some changes regarding the path to enlightenment (Zen appeared).

A bodhisattva is a person who has achieved enlightenment, but instead of going to nirvana, chose to teach others to achieve enlightenment.

Tantrism.
The spread of the Ahayan school began in the first century AD. on the outskirts of India. Hindus and Buddhists were in contact with animist religions and adopted some of their beliefs and exercises: yoga ( physical exercise, necessary to control body functions), mantras (multiple repetition of magic syllables). Ultimately transformed into Lamaism, also widespread in Nepal. Such methods serve the purpose of shortening the road to enlightenment.

Prayer Flags and Prayer Drums carry prayers into the sky. Prayer wheels are rotated clockwise to send mantras into the sky. Usually it is a copper cylinder with prayers written in Sanskrit. Inside the drum lies a parchment on which the Tibetan spell OM MANI PADME HUM is printed repeatedly. Some translations of this mantra:

Oh, the jewel hidden in the lotus.
- One specific interpretation of this spell is the same prayer of Bodhisattva Padmapani: O Padmapani, give me the lotus jewel, which is a blessing in achieving nirvana through the teachings of the Buddha.

More general interpretation: O jewel resting in the lotus, the Buddha's teaching remains pure in our minds and souls.

Photographer Alexey Terentyev is a frequent visitor to Asian countries. This time he tells us about religion in Nepal.

Sacrifice
An animal with a cut throat is carried clockwise around the altar by three healthy men. Blood drips onto the stones, forming a continuous red trail. Blood sticks to the bare feet of those walking and gets on their clothes. After the sacrifice is made, the animal's throat is finally cut with a large knife.

Sacrifice is a holiday. Family holiday. If sacrifice is not associated with the concept of joy, then it loses all meaning. By sacrificing material things, a person acquires spiritual benefits and rejoices in this. This is how harmony and balance in the world are maintained. And the participation of children allows us to preserve the tradition and pass it on from generation to generation.

Everyone is wearing the best clothes, and the girls are wearing festive makeup, even the little ones who can’t walk yet.

Not far from the temple on the bank of the river there is a truck. A small makeshift pen was built nearby. Here anyone can buy an animal for sacrifice if they do not have their own.
This is how a sacrifice is performed in one of the small towns of Nepal, not far from Kathmandu. However, the ritual is almost the same throughout Nepal and India, where sacrifice still plays an important role in the life of Hindus.

In the morning after two days of celebration, the city makes a slightly strange impression. There are not many people on the streets. The only reminders of what happened were blood stains and mountains of garbage that had not yet been removed. There will be no traces of blood left in two days, and bloody sacrifices will be replaced by flowers and pieces of fruit. But the sound of a small bell that accompanies each prayer will still remind you, starting at 4 in the morning, that life without sacrifice is impossible, and you should always treat it as a holiday.
Sadhu - No peace with yourself? Anxiety and fears? Get up every morning at dawn and do yoga. Prayer also helps to cope with the lack of peace in the head at this time, says Sadhu. Then he repeats the words of the prayer that needs to be learned several times.
We are sitting under a big tree. In the center is a real Sadhu surrounded by people. Mostly locals and two Europeans. The problem with the world is in the European’s head; the locals have simpler problems.
Since Hinduism did not have monasteries and monasticism in the Western sense, the place of monks was taken by Sadhus - people who renounced all worldly goods and devoted themselves to their chosen religion. Among the Sadhus there were all kinds of people who used different techniques and ways to serve God. They always lived only on voluntary donations from the people they helped.

The institution of Sadhu exists to this day in both Nepal and India. It is very easy to recognize a real Sadhu: he never asks for money, he shares it himself. He treats those gathered, gives food - prasad, and most importantly - helps with advice, delving into any difficult situations of each person.
Pseudo-sadhu or human factor
On one of my previous trips, I met a Sadhu who was heavily applying makeup to create the image of a monkey. A wire tail was attached to the back. Facial expressions and gestures corresponded to the image of the chosen animal. With all his appearance, he tried to repeat the image of the monkey god - Hanuman, and he did it well.
Seeing the camera, he joyfully walked towards me, making monkey-like faces and making either barking or growling sounds. Having enjoyed the impression he made, he explained that today was a big holiday - Monkey Day. And on this day you need to give good donations to all Sadhus, and especially large ones to Sadhus in the form of a monkey.
In the evening I had the opportunity to meet this Sadhu again. The workers of the tourist cafe were kicking out of the hall a man with a smeared face, slightly crazy bulging eyes and a large wad of money in his hands. Saying something about Monkey Day, he tried to pester the cafe visitors and asked everyone for money.

Many Sadhus that tourists meet are not Sadhus. These are good actors who dress brightly, apply makeup, walk naked or in loincloths, and sometimes carry boxes with cobras and other snakes, which they show to those who wish. Their task is to pose for photos or simply entertain tourists and earn money from it. You can take beautiful and colorful photographs with them, but you should always understand that they have nothing to do with real Sadhus.

The most famous place in Nepal where you can take a photo with a Sadhu is the Pashupatinath complex. And here you come across both pseudo-sadhus and truly holy people.
On the banks of the sacred river
Pashupatinath is not only a place to see Sadhus. It is also the largest Hindu temple complex in the region, dedicated to the god Shiva, and a burial place on the banks of the small Bagmati River, which is considered sacred by Hindus.

Burial on the banks of the sacred river is very important for believers, since reincarnation in the next life depends not least on the funeral. Therefore, funeral pyres burn here from early morning until late evening.

The sacred river unites the most different people. Bodies are washed here before burning, and ashes and remnants of clothing are then washed away here. A little further down the river, whole groups of people live by catching what's left of those burned. Ritual bathing also takes place here. Beggars come here and here you can meet real saints, yogis, and hermits.
Two rites
The culture of Nepal would not be so rich and diverse if Buddhism and Hinduism had not mixed here at one time. Many years ago, it was in Nepal that Buddhism was born, as a result of which there are many Buddhist shrines throughout the country. It was from here that Buddhism spread to Tibet (where it partially absorbed elements of shamanism - the Bon religion, which was practiced at that time in Tibet) and to the North of India, and then returned from Tibet to Nepal.

Buddhism was initially calm about any beliefs. Often Buddhists were not bothered by the fact that the people they taught were also performing pagan or Hindu rituals. The Hindus themselves were accustomed to a large number of incarnations of their god and perceived Buddha as another incarnation. As a result, Nepal has huge amount temples and holy places, equally significant for Buddhists and Hindus. Moreover, some rites and rituals, as well as temple buildings, absorbed individual elements of both religions.
Therefore, only at first glance, the scene is surprising when a woman with the image of the current Dalai Lama on her chest first diligently performs a Hindu ritual - a sacrifice, and then performs kora, rotates prayer wheels and approaches a Buddhist monk to say the words of a Buddhist prayer with him.

Tibetans
There are a lot of Tibetan refugees living in Nepal, especially after the worsening relations with China. Almost all of them, as well as the indigenous inhabitants of the mountainous regions of Nepal, profess Tibetan Buddhism in its pure form. A very large Tibetan quarter is located near the Boudhanath stupa, a place revered exclusively by Tibetan Buddhists.

Newar Buddhism peacefully coexists with it - a teaching that combines both Buddhism and Hinduism (the teaching is named after the people living in the Kathmandu Valley). It would seem, what can Buddhism, which rejects the very concept of God, and Hinduism, with its bunch of gods and deities, have in common? It turns out that these two religions may well merge and complement each other.

Infinite number of paths
In Buddhism there is an understanding that all people are different (the Buddha himself spoke about this), and each person has his own path. The main thing is where a person is going, whether he has made a mistake in the direction, and you can choose any road. This is probably where Buddhists are so tolerant of other religions, such a variety of techniques and ways to achieve Buddhahood. And also the ability to concentrate on the goal and not be too attached to the method of achieving it.

God is one
On a small street, among ordinary residential buildings, the entrance to a small Hindu temple was lost. A high square fence, behind it - a bell, statues depicting gods and the temple itself, in front of which rises a statue of a monkey - the god Hanuman, revered in India. Many are dedicated to him in the most different parts India and Nepal. It is with him that the respectful attitude towards monkeys, who are considered his direct relative, is associated.
Behind the main building, in the far corner of the courtyard, there is a small residential house. A rope with laundry fluttering in the wind is stretched across the yard. A woman sits under a tree and feeds a baby. I smile at her and she smiles back at me a little shyly.

The servant cleans the temple. I say hello. A small conversation ensues. And suddenly he asks what they believe in in my country. At first I don’t know what to answer, but then I answer honestly that the majority are Christians, but there are also Muslims, Buddhists and a few people of other faiths. He is silent for a while, and then in broken English he explains that Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism are just different names, but God is always the same in any religion. And it doesn’t matter what your religion is called, the only important thing is whether you believe in God or not... Then he smiles, says goodbye and leaves.