 | |
 Pashupatinath Temple, the largest Hindu temple in Nepal dedicated to LordShiva | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
23,677,744 (2021 Census)[1](81.30% of the country's population)  | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| All overNepal | |
| Religions | |
| Hinduism | |
| Scriptures | |
| Vedas | |
| Languages | |
| Sanskrit (Sacred) Nepali,Newar,Bhojpuri,Maithili,Awadhi and othersigned languages. |
Hinduism is thelargest religion inNepal.[2] In 2006, the country declared itself asecular country throughdemocracy, after the abolition of its monarchy.[3][4] According to the2021 census, the Hindu population in Nepal is estimated to be around 23,677,744 which accounts for at least 81.19%[5] of the country's population, the highest percentage ofHindus of any country in the world.[6]Vikram Samvat, one of the two official calendars used in Nepal, is asolar calendar essentially the same to that widespread inNorth India as a religious calendar, and is based onSolar unit of time.[7]
Among the ethnic groups are theBahun,Thakuri,Tharu,Chhetri,Magars,Hill Dalits,Madheshi,Newari people.[8][5] Meanwhile, among the major ethnic groupsSherpa,Rai,Limbu,Gurung andTamang have lowest percentage of followers of Hinduism within the group.[5]
Historians and local traditions say that aHindu sage named "Ne" established himself in thevalley of Kathmandu during prehistoric times, and that the word "Nepal" means "the place protected ("pala" inSanskrit) by the sage Ne". He performed religious ceremonies at Teku, the confluence of theBagmati andBishnumati rivers. According to legends, he selected a pious cowherd to be the first of the many kings of theGopala dynasty.[9] These rulers are said to have ruled Nepal for over 500 years. He selected Bhuktaman to be the first king in the line of the Gopala (Cowherd) dynasty.[10] The Gopala dynasty ruled for 621 years. Yakshya Gupta was the last king of this dynasty.[11]
According toSkanda Purana, a rishi called "Ne" or "Nemuni" used to live inthe Himalayas.[12] In thePashupati Purana, he is mentioned as a saint and a protector.[13] He is said to have practicedpenance at theBagmati andKesavati rivers and to have taught his doctrines there too.[14]
In the mid-18th century,Prithvi Narayan Shah, aGurkha king, set out to put together what would become present-day Nepal. He embarked on his mission by securing the neutrality of the bordering mountain kingdoms. After several bloody battles and sieges, notably theBattle of Kirtipur, he managed to conquer the Kathmandu Valley in 1769.[15]
The Gurkha control reached its height when the North Indian territories of theKumaon andGarhwal Kingdoms in the west toSikkim in the east came under Nepalese control. A dispute withTibet over the control of mountain passes and inner Tingri valleys of Tibet forced theQing Emperor of China to start theSino-Nepali War, compelling the Nepali to retreat to their own borders in the north.[16] The rivalry between the Kingdom of Nepal and theEast India Company over the control of states bordering Nepal eventually led to theAnglo-Nepali War (1815–1816). At first, the British underestimated the Nepali and were soundly defeated until committing more military resources than they had anticipated needing. Thus began the reputation ofGurkhas as fierce and ruthless soldiers. The war ended in theSugauli Treaty, under which Nepal ceded recently captured lands.[17]
Factionalism inside the royal family led to a period of instability. In 1846, a plot was discovered revealing that the reigning queen had planned to overthrowBir Narsingh Kunwar, a fast-rising military leader. This led to theKot massacre; armed clashes between military personnel and administrators loyal to the queen led to the execution of several hundred princes and chieftains around the country. Bir Narsingh Kunwar emerged victorious and founded theRana dynasty, and came to be known asJung Bahadur Rana. The king was made a titular figure, and the post of Prime Minister was made powerful and hereditary. The Ranas were staunchly pro-British and assisted them during theIndian Rebellion of 1857 (and later in both World Wars). In 1860, some parts of the western Terai region were gifted to Nepal by the British as a friendly gesture because of their military support to sustain British control in India during the rebellion (known asNaya Muluk or "new country"). In 1923, theUnited Kingdom and Nepal formally signedan agreement of friendship that superseded the Sugauli Treaty of 1816.[18]
The Hindu practice ofSati, in which a widow sacrifices herself in the funeral pyre of her husband, was banned in 1919, andslavery was officially abolished in 1924.[19] Rana rule was marked by tyranny,debauchery, economic exploitation, and religious persecution.[20][21]
In the time of early-modern era in Nepal,Hinduism was at the peak of its prominence. TheShah rulers focused on the Hinduization of Nepal; even then there were good relations ofNepalis Hindus with theNepali Muslims.[22] The Nepal rulers passed laws makingconversion fromHinduism toIslam and Christianity illegal and enacting them as criminal offenses.[23] These laws were enforced even after therevolution of 1951, and were reaffirmed in thelegal code of 1963, which prohibited the preaching of Christianity or Islam and stipulated three years in jail for those who attempted to convert people, and six years for those who succeeded in converting others. For those who "attempt" to be converted, there was a fine of a hundred rupees, and for those who actually converted (that is, werebaptized), there would be imprisonment of one year. The code stated that "when somebody becomes converted, the conversion is nullified, and he remains in theHindudharma [religion]".[24][25]
From the early 1960s, the state began to actively prosecute Christians in places where the baptism ofNepali citizens had occurred; this active governmental persecution continued up to 1990. Following baptisms inNepalgunj andTansen between 1958 and 1960,pastors David Mukhia and Prem Pradhan, along with six baptized believers, were prosecuted by the authorities forproselytism andconversion.[26] The pastors were sentenced to six years imprisonment; the male converts were sentenced to one year imprisonment and the female converts to six months. Prosecutions such as this continued for the whole of thePanchayat period: when anamnesty was proclaimed in 1990, there were 30 individuals in Nepal imprisoned for crimes of proselytism or conversion, and 200 others who were subject to legal action for the same offenses.[27]
After theoverthrow of theRana regime in 1951,King Tribhuvan opened Nepal's borders and appealed to the outside world to assist in Nepal's development.[28] Then, he granted thefreedom of religion to Nepalese, especially toNepali Muslims, and the first church was established inNepal.[29] Hinduism is the state religion of Nepal.
According to various historical sources, even though the presence ofvarna and caste had been known as an element in the social structure of the Kathmandu Valley since theLicchavi period (c., 3rd century CE), the majority of the residents of the Nepal Valley were for the first time codified into a written code only in the 14th century in theManava Nyaya Shastra by the kingJayasthithi Malla (1354–1395 A.D.).[30] Jayasthithi Malla, with the aid of fiveKānyakubja andMaithil Brahmins whom he invited from the bordering Indian plains, divided the population of the valley into four major classes (varna)—Brahmin,Kshatriya,Vaishya,Shudra—derived from the ancient Hindu textManusmriti and based on individual's occupational roles.[31] The four classesvarna encompassed a total of 64 castesjat within it, with the Shudras being further divided into 36 sub-castes.[32]
After the Gurkhali conquest ofKathmandu Valley, KingPrithvi Narayan Shah expelled the Christian Capuchin missionaries fromPatan and revisioned Nepal asAsal Hindustan (Real Land ofHindus).[33] TheTagadharis, thread wearing Hindus of higher categorization, enjoyed the privileged status in the Nepalese capital and more access to the central power after the Gurkhali King Prithvi Narayan's conquest of Kathmandu Valley.[34][35] Since then Hinduization became the significant policy of theKingdom of Nepal.[36]
The Nepalicivil code Muluki Ain was commissioned byJung Bahadur Rana after his European tour and enacted in 1854. It was rooted in traditionalHindu Law and codified social practices for several centuries in Nepal.[37] The law also comprisedPrāyaścitta (avoidance and removal of sin) andĀcāra (the customary law of different castes and communities). It was an attempt to include the entire Hindu as well as non-Hindu population of Nepal of that time into a single hierarchic civic code from the perspective of theKhas rulers.[38][39]
The Hinduization ofNepal was mainly predominant inKathmandu and the adjoining regions near the Valley.[40]Nepali society has been known for its interfaith religious harmony and tolerance, but the Hinduization andSaffronisation ofNepal by theShah dynasty, especially byPrithvi Narayan Shah, were seen as the persecution of other religious communities. After that time, until the 1940s, propagation of any other faith than Hinduism was prohibited.[41] The Hindu community was given special rights and even more rights than the other religious community, though freedom of religion was present in the Kingdom of Nepal.
Then, there was the era ofRana dynasty, which was composed mainly ofKshatriya Hindus. Though in the regime of Rana dynasty, Nepal did not witness much Hinduization, but there were still strict Hindus law.
The pennant is an important Hindu flag that flutters atopHindu temples.[42]
Popular tradition holds thatVishnu had organized theNepali people and given them their flag, with the sun and moon as emblems on it.[43] In aHinduPurana, it is written that it was Shiva who handed the flag to Vishnu, and then Vishnu to Indra, for the purpose for battling demons.[44]
Hindu and Buddhist traditions in Nepal go back more than twomillennia.[45] InLumbini, Buddha was born, andPashupatinath temple in Kathmandu is an old and famousShiva temple of Hindus. Nepal has several other temples and Buddhistmonasteries, as well as places of worship for other religious groups.[46] Traditionally, Nepalesephilosophical thoughts are ingrained with the Hindu and Buddhist philosophical ethos and traditions, which include elements ofKashmir Shaivism, Nyingma School ofTibetan Buddhism, works of Karmacharyas of Bhaktapur, and tantric traditions.Tantric traditions are deep rooted in Nepal, including the practice of animal sacrifices. Five types of animals, always male, are considered acceptable for sacrifice:water buffalo,goats,sheep,chickens, andducks. Cows are very sacred animals and are considered as mothers and banned from killing.[47][48][49][50] Nepal has been the home of many ancient sites of the Hinduism and is the hub for the tourism for many Hindu pilgrimages.[51][52]
Before 2007, when Nepal was aHindu country, thePashupatinath Temple was considered as the "Temple of Nepal".[53] The Pashupatinath Temple is considered as the most sacred temple for the Hindus of Nepal which once used to be Charumati Vihar of Buddhist as Pashupati hold the statue of Great King Virupakshya.[54]
There are many Hindu temple located in Nepal. The notable of them are listed below:
There has traditionally been a great deal of intermingling of Hindu andBuddhist beliefs.[55] Many people regarded as Hindus in the 1981 census could also in some senses be called Buddhists. Hindus long have worshipped at Buddhist temples and Buddhists at Hindu temples.[56] The reason for this is that both Hinduism and Buddhism havecommon roots, and over most of their history have not been seen as separate groups, but rather cooperative sects with shared religious traditions.[57][58] Because of such dual faith practices (or mutual respect), the differences between Hindus and Buddhists have been very subtle and academic in nature; Hindus and Buddhists have never engaged in any religious conflicts for past millennia.[59][60] There are many temples where bothHindus andBuddhists can enter and worship.[61][62]
Though historically, there have been no major conflict between theHindus andMuslims in the Nepal,[63] though in the 20th century there have been some controversies between the two communities due to the religious conversions and strict laws against the same.[64] There have been claims of increases inIslamophobia in Nepal by local Hindus and Buddhists as a result of the rise ofHindutva in India and the prejudice againstMuslims byHindus.[65][66] However, this is reported to have had no effect in the community level, reflected by demands of Muslims to convert Nepal into a Hindu State.[67] This is because they feel their religion is not threatened by the other and that they have shared in a spirit of brotherhood for decades. Both see the Expansion of Christianity as a common problem.[63][68]
As a result, during the protests for Nepal re-declaration as a Hindu state, many Muslims supported the movement forNepal as a हिंदू राष्ट्र (transl. Hindu nation).[68][69]
In Nepal, the relations between theHindus andChristians have many often been a subject of controversy.[70] The expansion of Christianity is a controversial subject inNepal, and Nepali Christians have been subject to sporadic violence and widespreadsocial exclusion by the local Hindus and Muslims.[71][72] It is frequently claimed in Nepali media and political discourse that missionaries offer the poor material incentives to convert with necessary proof but these proofs are often left with no attention.[73] There has been number of increase of conflicts between theHindus andChristians of Nepal, due to the conversion of the poor and uneducated Hindus by theChristian Pastors andMissionaries.[74][73] There have often been conflicts between the Hindus with Christians in Nepal, among the land and other cultural disputes.[75] TheCatholic Church of Nepal is one of the fastest growing churches in the world, due to which the population and demographics of theHindus ofNepal is decreasing leading to the serious tensions between the two communities.[76] There have been several incident reporting the conflicts between the two communities. The rise ofHindu nationalism inNepal is seen as a threat on non-Sanatani religions in Nepal. The persecution(rare) mainly occurs as attacks on tribal people whoconverted to Christianity by other tribal people, destruction of churches and a ban onproselytization.
| Year | Percent | Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 1952–54 | 88.87% | - |
| 1961 | 87.69% | -1.18% |
| 1971 | 89.39% | +1.70% |
| 1981 | 89.50% | +0.11% |
| 1991 | 86.51% | -2.99% |
| 2001 | 80.62% | -5.89% |
| 2011 | 81.34% | +0.72% |
| 2021 | 81.19% | -0.15% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 7,318,392 | — |
| 1961 | 8,254,403 | +12.8% |
| 1971 | 10,330,009 | +25.1% |
| 1981 | 13,445,787 | +30.2% |
| 1991 | 15,996,653 | +19.0% |
| 2001 | 18,330,121 | +14.6% |
| 2011 | 21,551,492 | +17.6% |
| 2021 | 23,677,744 | +9.9% |
| Source: 1952–2021[77] | ||
In 1952, theHindu population of Nepal was 7,318,392 with the percentage of 88.87%.[78] In recent years, the percentage ofHindus has decreased by nearly 7% from 88.87% in 1952 to 81.34%, as per2011 census of Nepal.[77] TheHindu population has experienced continuous decline in the population, which is mainly due to the low-fertility rate among the Nepali Hindus,[79] which is also accompanied bydiaspora of Nepalese tothe United Kingdom,Hong Kong,India andOman.[80][81][82]
The figures are based on the2011 Nepal census.[78] NEG denotes newly listed ethnic group, for which2001 Nepal census figures are not available.[5]
| Caste | Change (2001-2011) | Race | Hindus 2001 | Hindus 2011 | Hindus 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | Pop. | % | Pop. | ||||
| Chhetri/Kshetri | −.05 | Khas | 99.48% | 99.25% | 4,398,053 | ||
| Brahmin (Hill)/Bahun | −0.12% | Khas | 99.68 | 99.56% | 3,226,903 | ||
| Magar | +4.36% | Sino/Tibetan | 74.60% | 78.96% | 1,887,733 | ||
| Tharu | −3.67% | Adivasi | 97.63% | 93.96% | 1,737,470 | ||
| Tamang | 1 | Sino/Tibetan | 8.1% | 9.1%[5] | 1,539,830 | ||
| Newar | +3.25% | Sino/Tibetan and Indic Aryan | 84.13% | 87.38% | 1,321,933 | ||
| Kami | −0.34% | Khas | 96.69% | 96.35% | 1,258,554 | ||
| Yadav | −0.09% | Terai | 99.78% | 99.69% | 1,054,458 | ||
| Rai | +2.53% | Sino/Tibetan | 25.00% | 27.53% | 620,004 | ||
| Gurung | +3.43% | Sino/Tibetan | 28.75% | 32.18% | 522,641 | ||
| Damai/Dholi | −1.22% | Khas | 97.81% | 96.59% | 472,862 | ||
| Limbu | +3.02% | Sino/Tibetan | 11.32% | 14.34% | 387,300 | ||
| Thakuri | −0.09% | Khas | 81.40% | 19.31% | 425,623 | ||
| Sarki | −20.44% | Khas | 79.10.90% | 95.46% | 374,816 | ||
| Teli | +0.39% | Terai | 99.19% | 99.58% | 369,688 | ||
| Chamar | +0.70% | Khas | 98.85% | 99.55% | 335,893 | ||
| Koiri | −0.06% | Terai | 99.77% | 99.71% | 306,393 | ||
| Kurmi | 0.00% | Terai | 99.84% | 99.84% | 231,129 | ||
| Sanyasi | −0.16% | Khas | 99.21% | 99.05% | 227,822 | ||
| Dhanuk | −0.15% | Terai | 99.75% | 99.60% | 219,808 | ||
| Musahar | +0.58% | Khas | 98.52% | 99.10% | 234,490 | ||
| Dusadh | +0.20% | Khas | 99.47% | 99.67% | 208,910 | ||
| Sherpa | −6.26% | Sino/Tibetan | 6.26% | 0.00% | 112,946 | ||
| Sonar | +1.29% | Terai | 98.20% | 99.49% | 64,335 | ||
| Kewat | +0.17% | Terai | 99.58% | 99.75% | 153,772 | ||
| Brahman(Terai) | −0.05% | Terai | 99.58% | 99.53% | 134,106 | ||
| Kathbaniyan | +0.36% | Terai | 99.32% | 99.68% | 138,637 | ||
| Gharti/Bhujel | +1.10% | Sino/Tibetan | 96.50% | 97.60% | 118,650 | ||
| Mallaha | +0.63% | Terai | 99.13% | 99.76% | 173,261 | ||
| Kalwar | +0.08% | Terai | 99.69% | 99.77% | 128,232 | ||
| Kumal | −0.17% | Sino/Tibetan | 98.42% | 98.25% | 121,196 | ||
| Hajam/Thakur | +0.07% | Terai/Low | 99.59% | 99.66% | 117,758 | ||
| Kanu | −0.16% | Terai | 99.89% | 99.73% | 125,184 | ||
| Rajbansi | +13.75% | Adivasi | 85.15% | 98.90% | 115,242 | ||
| Sunuwar | +12.79% | Sino/Tibetan | 79.50% | 92.29% | 55,712 | ||
| Sudhi | −0.18% | Terai | 99.67% | 99.49% | 93,115 | ||
| Lohar | −0.24% | Terai | 99.78% | 99.54% | 101,421 | ||
| Tatma | −0.29% | Khas | 99.79% | 99.50% | 104,865 | ||
| Khatwe | +0.15% | Khas | 99.45% | 99.60% | 100,921 | ||
| Dhobi | +0.27% | Khas | 99.45% | 99.72% | 109,079 | ||
| Majhi | +0.31% | Sino/Tibetan | 81.67% | 81.98% | 83,727 | ||
| Nuniya | +0.48% | Terai | 99.34% | 99.82% | 70,540 | ||
| Kumhar | +0.39% | Terai | 99.19% | 99.58% | 62,399 | ||
| Danuwar | −15.60% | Sino/Tibetan | 99.26% | 83.66% | 84,115 | ||
| Chepang | −5.73% | Sino/Tibetan | 70.23% | 64.50% | 68,399 | ||
| Haluwai | +0.25% | Terai | 99.38% | 99.63% | 83,869 | ||
| Rajput | +0.29% | Terai | 99.32% | 99.61% | 41,972 | ||
| Kayastha | +0.74% | Terai | 98.88% | 99.62% | 44,304 | ||
| Badhaee | +0.07% | Terai | 99.52% | 99.59% | 28,932 | ||
| Marwadi | −1.53% | Other | 94.88% | 93.35% | 51,443 | ||
| Santhal | −6.07% | Adivasi | 83.06% | 76.99% | 51,735 | ||
| Jhangad | −11.29% | Adivasi | 92.79% | 81.50% | 37,424 | ||
| Bantar/Sardar | +1.31% | Khas | 97.85% | 99.16% | 55,104 | ||
| Baraee | −0.10% | Terai | 99.90% | 99.80% | 80,597 | ||
| Kahar | −0.39% | Terai | 99.88% | 99.49% | 53,159 | ||
| Gangai | −11.13% | Adivasi | 98.44% | 87.31% | 36,988 | ||
| Lodh | −1.39% | Terai | 99.82% | 98.43% | 32,837 | ||
| Rajbhar | +0.25% | Terai | 99.41% | 99.66% | 9,542 | ||
| Thami | −11.81% | Sino/Tibetan | 55.74% | 43.93% | 28,671 | ||
| Dhimal | −1.30% | Adivasi | 57.41% | 56.11% | 26,298 | ||
| Bhote | −37.90% | Sino/Tibetan | 37.90% | 0.00% | 13,397 | ||
| Bin | −0.10% | Terai/Low | 99.88% | 99.78% | 75,195 | ||
| Gaderi | −0.03% | Terai | 99.70% | 99.67% | 26,375 | ||
| Nurang | −98.54% | Sino/Tibetan | 98.54% | 0.00% | 278 | ||
| Yakkha | −2.67% | Sino/Tibetan | 14.17% | 11.50% | 24,336 | ||
| Darai | −2.95% | Sino/Tibetan | 97.89% | 94.94% | 16,789 | ||
| Tajpuriya | +13.05% | Adivasi | 64.15% | 77.20% | 19,213 | ||
| Thakali | −3.21% | Sino/Tibetan | 33.83% | 30.62% | 13,215 | ||
| Chidimar | −0.17% | Adivasi | 99.29% | 99.12% | 1,254 | ||
| Pahari | +12.28% | Sino/Tibetan | 78.90% | 91.18% | 13,615 | ||
| Mali | −0.11% | Terai | 99.78% | 99.67% | 14,995 | ||
| Bangali | +2.05% | Other | 97.02% | 99.07% | 26,582 | ||
| Chhantyal | +64.25% | Sino/Tibetan | 30.78% | 95.03% | 11,810 | ||
| Dom | −0.05% | Khas | 99.24% | 99.19% | 13,268 | ||
| Kamar | +1.89% | Terai | 98.00% | 99.89% | 1,787 | ||
| Bote | −10.53% | Sino/Tibetan | 98.57% | 88.04% | 10,397 | ||
| Brahmu | +7.55% | Sino/Tibetan | 72.04% | 79.59% | 8,140 | ||
| Gaine | −2.72% | Khas | 97.01% | 94.29% | 6,791 | ||
| Jirel | +6.82% | Sino/Tibetan | 10.55% | 17.37% | 5,774 | ||
| Dura | +80.43% | Sino/Tibetan | 18.94% | 99.37% | 5,394 | ||
| Badi | −2.88% | Khas | 98.83% | 95.95% | 38,603 | ||
| Meche | −4.69% | Adivasi | 80.28% | 75.59% | 4,867 | ||
| Lepcha | +1.93% | Sino/Tibetan | 7.62% | 9.55% | 3,445 | ||
| Halkhor | −0.01% | Khas | 99.34% | 99.33% | 4,003 | ||
| Punjabi | +10.36% | Other | 80.68% | 91.04% | 7,176 | ||
| Kisan | −0.85% | Adivasi | 95.62% | 94.77% | 1,739 | ||
| Raji | +9.69% | Sino/Tibetan | 88.33% | 98.02% | 4,235 | ||
| Byangsi | −98.05% | Sino/Tibetan | 98.05% | 0.00% | 3,895 | ||
| Hayu | −22.67% | Sino/Tibetan | 70.29% | 47.62% | 2,925 | ||
| Koche | −3.14% | Adivasi | 97.76% | 94.62% | 1,635 | ||
| Dhunia | +6.38% | Terai | 93.10% | 99.48% | 14,846 | ||
| Walung | −82.40% | Sino/Tibetan | 82.40% | 0.00% | 1,249 | ||
| Munda | +18.12% | Adivasi | 78.94% | 97.06% | 2,350 | ||
| Raute | +13.00% | Sino/Tibetan | 83.28% | 96.28% | 618 | ||
| Yehlmo | −1.55% | Sino/Tibetan | 1.55% | 0.00% | 10,752 | ||
| Patharkatta | −5.95% | Adivasi | 99.82% | 93.87% | 3,182 | ||
| Kusunda | −14.78% | Sino/Tibetan | 97.56% | 82.78% | 273 | ||
| Lhomi | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 0.00% | 1,614 | ||
| Kalar | NEG | Khas | NEG | 99.26% | 1,077 | ||
| Natuwa | NEG | Dalit | NEG | 99.74% | 3,062 | ||
| Dhandi | NEG | Khas | NEG | 100.00% | 1,982 | ||
| Dhankar | NEG | Khas | NEG | 99.59% | 2,681 | ||
| Kulung | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 2.27% | 28,613 | ||
| Ghale | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 35.96% | 22,881 | ||
| Khawas | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 87.61% | 18,513 | ||
| Rajdhob | NEG | Terai | NEG | 99.78% | 13,422 | ||
| Kori | NEG | Khas | NEG | 99.98% | 12,276 | ||
| Nachhiring | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 3.17% | 7,154 | ||
| Yamphu | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 7.05% | 6,933 | ||
| Chamling | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 28.70% | 6,668 | ||
| Aathpariya | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 5.86% | 5,977 | ||
| Sarbaria | NEG | Khas | NEG | 99.55% | 4,906 | ||
| Bantaba | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 42.66% | 4,604 | ||
| Dolpo | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 0.00% | 4,107 | ||
| Amat | NEG | Terai | NEG | 99.11% | 3,830 | ||
| Thulung | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 17.45% | 3,535 | ||
| Mewahang | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 10.23% | 3,100 | ||
| Bahing | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 14.73% | 3,096 | ||
| Lhopa | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 0.27% | 2,624 | ||
| Dev | NEG | Terai | NEG | 99.44% | 2,147 | ||
| Samgpang | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 25.34% | 1,681 | ||
| Khaling | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 20.88% | 1,571 | ||
| Topkegola | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 0.00% | 1,523 | ||
| Loharung | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 10.15% | 1,153 | ||
| Khas Oth | +0.02% | Khas | 97.84% | 97.86% | 155,354 | ||
| Janajati Oth | NEG | Sino/Tibetan | NEG | 70.36% | 1,228 | ||
| Terai Oth | +8.47% | Terai | 90.44% | 98.91% | 103,811 | ||
| Undefined | NEG | Other | NEG | 70.32% | 15,277 | ||
| Foreigner | NEG | Other | NEG | 67.22% | 6,651 | ||
| Total | +0.72% | All | 80.62% | 81.34% | 26,494,504 | ||
As seen from the2001 and2011 Census data, the percentage of Hindus has gone up by 0.72%, from 80.62% to 81.34%. However, the overall trend remains largely negative. All the major racial group except the Sino/Tibetans showed a decline in the percentage of Hindus, which was especially sharp among certain Adivasi groups such asTharu. Among the Sino/Tibetans, the percentage of Hindus went up by 2.37%, from 49.74% to 52.11%.
The figures are based on2011 Nepal census and 2021 Nepal census.
| Province | Totalpop 2011 | Hindupop 2011 | Totalpop 2021 | Hindupop 2021 | Hinduism Map 2011 | Hindu% 2011 | Hindu% 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koshi Province | 4,534,943 | 3,021,632 | 4,961,412 | 3,343,183 |  | 66.63% | 67.38% |
| Madhesh Province | 5,404,145 | 4,580,012 | 6,114,600 | 5,151,005 | 84.75% | 84.24% | |
| Bagmati Province | 5,529,452 | 3,969,040 | 6,116,866 | 4,406,030 | 71.78% | 72.03% | |
| Gandaki Province | 2,403,757 | 1,992,474 | 2,466,427 | 2,027,990 | 82.89% | 82.22% | |
| Lumbini Province | 4,499,272 | 3,998,053 | 5,122,078 | 4,525,623 | 88.86% | 88.35% | |
| Karnali Province | 1,570,418 | 1,497,236 | 1,688,412 | 1,598,437 | 95.34% | 94.67% | |
| Sudurpashchim Province | 2,552,517 | 2,481,812 | 2,694,783 | 2,625,476 | 97.23% | 97.42% | |
| Total | 26,494,504 | 21,551,492 | 29,164,578 | 23,677,744 | 81.34% | 81.19% |
| District | Hindus % | |
|---|---|---|
| 2011[83] | 2021 | |
| Baitadi | 99.93% | 100% |
| Kalikot | 99.8 | 99.79% |
| Bajhang | 99.74% | 99.7% |
| Achham | 99.43% | 99.14% |
| Doti | 99.04% | 99% |
| Jajarkot | 98.96% | 98.65 |
| Dadeldhura | 98.88% | 98.2 |
| Darchula | 98.88% | 99.8 |
| Bajura | 98.68% | 98.71 |
| Jumla | 97.89% | 97.29 |
| Salyan | 97.71% | 95.88 |
| Dailekh | 97.40% | 95.91 |
| Arghakhanchi | 97.03% | 98.27 |
| Gulmi | 96.78% | 96.57 |
| Pyuthan | 96.61% | 96.47 |
| Rukum(East) | 96.51% | 79.03 |
| Rukum(West) | 96.51% | 97.53 |
| Dang | 96.46% | 95.33 |
| Kanchanpur | 95.09% | 95.53 |
| Kailali | 94.91% | 95.91 |
| Bardiya | 94.17% | 93.40 |
| Surkhet | 91.86% | 91.60 |
| Mugu | 91.64% | 91.77 |
| Palpa | 90.52% | 91.39 |
| Syangja | 90.21% | 86.35 |
| Siraha | 90.19% | 90.27 |
| Parbat | 89.48% | 92.70 |
| Dhanusa | 89.35% | 88.98 |
| Baglung | 89.27% | 91.30 |
| Nawalparasi(east) | 88.18% | 87.13 |
| Nawalparasi(west) | 88.18% | 87.58 |
| Bhaktapur | 87.85% | 86.40 |
| Myagdi | 87.16% | 87.55 |
| Tanahu | 86.51% | 84.08 |
| Rupandehi | 86.24% | 87.02 |
| Saptari | 85.73% | 88.47 |
| Sarlahi | 85.56% | 85.69 |
| Rolpa | 85.17% | 87.48 |
| Mahottari | 84.24% | 82.67 |
| Parsa | 83.10% | 80.84 |
| Kaski | 82.33% | 81.11 |
| Bara | 81.73% | 80.89 |
| Humla | 81.62% | 87.44 |
| Chitwan | 81.40% | 81.42 |
| Kapilbastu | 80.62% | 80.70 |
| Morang | 80.27% | 81.47 |
| Kathmandu | 80.01% | 78.4 |
| Jhapa | 79.88% | 79.09 |
| Banke | 78.42% | 78.90 |
| Rautahat | 77.77% | 75.71 |
| Gorkha | 75.15% | 69.95 |
| Lalitpur | 73.53% | 74.69 |
| Sunsari | 73.28% | 74.34 |
| Udayapur | 72.57% | 70.37 |
| Dhading | 72.42% | 70.71 |
| Ramechhap | 71.93% | 70.65 |
| Okhaldhunga | 70.76% | 64.95 |
| Dolpa | 70.15% | 70.62 |
| Dolakha | 67.80% | 66.47 |
| Sindhuli | 64.47% | 68.23 |
| Lamjung | 63.98% | 62.44 |
| Kavrepalanchok | 62.57% | 63.30 |
| Sindhupalchok | 58.98% | 54.16 |
| Khotang | 58.78% | 52.20 |
| Nuwakot | 57.77% | 56.97 |
| Bhojpur | 53.33% | 46.38 |
| Terhathum | 52.17% | 50.95 |
| Dhankuta | 49.17% | 49.56 |
| Makwanpur | 48.26% | 48.72 |
| Ilam | 44.49% | 44.19 |
| Sankhuwasabha | 42.73% | 40.42 |
| Solukhumbu | 40.21% | 37.74 |
| Manang | 39.19% | 40.68 |
| Mustang | 37.47% | 38.14 |
| Taplejung | 35.90% | 30.44 |
| Panchthar | 34.31% | 29.20 |
| Rasuwa | 25.38% | 25.60 |
Currently, Nepal is a secular country, as declared by the Constitution of Nepal 2072 (Part 1, Article 4), where secularism 'means religious, cultural freedom, along with the protection of religion, culture handed down from time immemorial (सनातन)'.[84][85] Nepal remained the lastHindu nation until 2008, and still Nepal has a Hindu majority population. It has the highest Hindu population in the world, afterIndia.[86] By percentage,Nepal has the highest Hindu population in the world.[87][88] Although many government policies throughout history have disregarded or marginalized minority religions,Nepalese societies generally enjoyreligious tolerance and harmony among all religions, with only isolated incidents of religiously motivated violence.[67] Nepal's constitution does not give anyone the right to convert any person to another religion. Nepal also passed a more stringent anti-conversion law in 2017.[89]
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)Sijapati, Megan Adamson; Birkenholtz, Jessica Vantine (2016).Religion and Modernity in the Himalaya. Routledge.ISBN 978-1-317-33386-9.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link){{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
.ISBN 978-1-74059-699-2.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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