Halfway through our deployment in Nepal, all I feel is gratitude. Gratitude for the people I’ve met and the warm hospitality of the Nepali people, for the children I’ve had the joy of teaching and playing with, for my colleagues and friends with whom I’ve shared countless meaningful moments, and for both my sending and host organizations that made it all possible.
Nepal has been by far one of the most interesting places I’ve ever visited. From its diverse climates and landscapes to the breathtaking mountain scenery. The incredibly spicy, but tasty food that has kept me warm during the cold months, the colorful streets and villages, festivals, and the vast array of smells, animals, and religious sites —it’s a unique place that offers something new at every turn, both in the city and in the countryside.
Living in Nepal has given me some of the most exciting experiences and has been a journey of both self-discovery and growth. One of the most unforgettable moments I will always cherish was hiking to Pikey Peak, in the lower Khumbu region of Nepal, during winter. Together with friends, we welcomed the New Year, 2025, with a stunning view of Everest in the distance.
We spent two days in the mountains encountering yaks and Nepal’s national bird, crossing forests and open fields, and meeting both locals and fellow travelers along the way. We stayed overnight at a Sherpa lodge to rest and restore ourselves, where we also gained insights into Sherpa culture and way of life.
Most importantly, we reached the summit of Pikey Peak together, where we were rewarded with an incredible view—watching the sunrise over one side of the mountain while the majestic Himalayan range painted in white stretched out on the other.
But Nepal’s wonders go beyond its landscapes. The daily orange sunrise one can see from the Okhaldhunga region, or the occasional red moon that graces the sky, are vivid reminders of the country’s deep connection with nature, spirituality, and the interplay between humanity and the natural world.
During a hike to Rumjatar, in eastern Nepal, I was surprised to come across with wedding celebrations that featured no husband. Little did I know that this cerimony was a Newari tradition, practiced by 4.6% of the total population of Nepal, which requires the girl to first merry a bell-fruit or wood apple before hitting puberty. This cerimony is known as ‘Bel Bibah.’
Rumjatar, November 23rd, 2024.
In Newari culture, girls have three wedding cerimonies to escape the stigma of widowood. They merry a bell-apple, the sun, and then, at last, a man. The bell-fruit, with its hard shell, symbolizes the wish for a strong groom. It is believed by some to represent Suvama Kumar, the son of Lord Shiva, while others associate it with Lord Vishnu. This tradition not only safeguards her dignity but also grants her the freedom to remarry, ensuring her future remains open and full of possibility.
Okhaldhunga, February 2Cth, 2025.
Recently, I also took part in one of Nepal’s most significant Hindu festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva – Maha Shivaratri or “The Great Night of Shiva”. This sacred festival celebrates the union of Shiva and Shakti, representing the balance of the divine masculine and feminine energies. Throughout the festival, devotees gather at temples to offer prayers, meditate, fast, and light large bonfires while singing and dancing in devotion to receive blessings for prosperity, wisdom, inner peace, and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
The day served as a powerful self-reflection, spiritual awakening, and transformation, reminding of the the split of destruction and creation within the universe, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life. As guests, we were warmly welcomed into the celebrations, sharing in the music, traditional food, and a special festive drink that carried the night into a joyous and unforgettable experience.
Nepal has a long tradition of religious interconnectedness, particularly between Hinduism and Buddhism, which share similarities in their beliefs and a deep sense of gratitude for life’s experiences. There is a prevailing notion that everything happens for a reason, carrying meaning that can be traced back to our origins and even across multiple universes.
Curious by nature, I have never identified as a religious person, yet I found myself at a crossroads, searching for answers and a deeper understanding of my purpose in life. This led me to a unique experience, spending five days living and studying at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Kathmandu. During my time there, I delved into Buddhist principles and psychology, particularly in relation to emotions and how to manage them in ways that cultivate happiness, not just for ourselves but for others as well.
This intense spiritual and academic journey at the monastery, alongside people from all walks of life, has been truly life-changing. It is incredible what just five days of meditation and deep discussions on compassion, emotions, life, and death can do for us. Sharing this experience with others in a somewhat similar position made me realize that there is no “right timing” for anything in life.
Kopan Monastery, February 2nd, 2025.
Wisdom and peace are not synonymous with age or growing older, they must be continuously practiced in our everyday lives by being present and fully embracing each moment. In the end, all we seek is happiness, to experience it for as long as possible, and that is what unites us all.
Even though I may not have found exactly what I am searching for, Nepal has opened many doors for me, spirituality being one of them. Not just through its many temples, stupas, religious ceremonies, and ethnic traditions, but also through its deep connection with nature and the resilience it fosters during life’s challenges. I do believe I ended up in Nepal for
a reason, and this belief will carry me for the remaining of my days in this beautiful country, and long after I leave. No matter where life takes me next, Nepal’s cultural wonders will continue shaping how I see the world and how I choose to live life.
Sources
- Government of Nepal. (2021). National Population and Housing Census. Available at: https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/files/result-folder/Caste%20Ethnicity_report_NPHC_2021.pdf.
- Times of India. (2018). Nepal’s Newari community: Where girls marry a fruit and the Sun. Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ world/south-asia/nepals-newari- community-where-girls-marry-a-fruit- and-the- sun/articleshow/64643311.cms.
- Volunteers Initiative Nepal. (2024). Maha Shivaratri: A Sacred Night of Devotion and Spiritual Awakening. Available at: https://www.volunteersinitiativenepal.org/festivals/maha-shivaratri-nepal/.
writeen by Ana Rafaela
Member of