Nepal is a country with a rich culture and stunning natural landscapes. It is home to 8 of the 10 highest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest. Trekking through the Himalayas and seeing Mount Everest up close is on many people’s bucket lists. Nepal also has a deep spiritual history as the birthplace of Buddha. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder Nepal attracts visitors from around the globe.
Geography Riddles
Let’s start with some riddles related to Nepal’s unique geography and landscapes.
Riddle 1
Q: What is the tallest mountain in Nepal and the world?
A: Mount Everest standing at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet).
Riddle 2
Q: Over 80% of Nepal is covered by which terrain feature?
A: The Himalayan mountains.
Riddle 3
Q: Nepal shares its southern border with which country?
A: India
Riddle 4
Q: What is Nepal’s only fertile plain called?
A: Terai
Riddle 5
Q: Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital and largest city, stands at what elevation?
A: 4,600 feet (1,400 meters) above sea level
Culture Riddles
Let’s move on to some riddles about Nepal’s diverse cultures and traditions.
Riddle 6
Q: What are the two major religions practiced in Nepal?
A: Hinduism and Buddhism
Riddle 7
Q: Nepali cuisine features dishes like momos and dal bhat. What are momos?
A: Small stuffed dumplings
Riddle 8
Q: Every 12 years, Nepal hosts the largest peaceful gathering of pilgrims in the world for a Hindu festival. What is it called?
A: The Kumbh Mela festival
Riddle 9
Q: Nepali currency is called the Nepalese Rupee. What animals are featured on some of the banknotes and coins?
A: Mountain goats, rhinos, yaks and snow leopards
Riddle 10
Q: The national flower of Nepal is rhododendron. How many species of rhododendron grow in Nepal?
A: 32
History Riddles
Let’s explore some riddles related to key moments in Nepal’s history next.
Riddle 11
Q: Who is considered the founder of the unified Nepali state in the 18th century?
A: Prithvi Narayan Shah
Riddle 12
Q: For how many years was Nepal under monarchical rule before transitioning to a federal democratic republic?
A: Over 240 years from 1768 to 2008
Riddle 13
Q: Nepal endured a decade long civil war from 1996 to 2006 between government forces and which rebel group?
A: The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)
Riddle 14
Q: What devastating earthquake in April 2015 killed over 9,000 people in Nepal?
A: The Gorkha earthquake
Riddle 15
Q: Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Buddha, was born in Lumbini located in which modern day country?
A: Nepal
World Records
Nepal also holds some interesting world records. See if you can guess the answers to these next riddles.
Riddle 16
Q: In 2018, Nepal set the world record for the largest human national flag. How many people were needed to form this giant flag?
A: 35,033 people
Riddle 17
Q: Nepal is home to 8 of the world’s 10 highest mountains, the most of any country. But which country holds the #2 spot with 5 mountains in the top 10?
A: China
Riddle 18
Q: The Seti River Gorge in western Nepal features what record breaking span between cliffs?
A: The longest canyon in the world
Riddle 19
Q: Nepal set a food world record in 2020 by making enough of a popular snack to feed almost 80,000 people. What was the dish?
A: Momos
Riddle 20
Q: In 2017, Nepal made the longest chain of what Buddhist spiritual symbol to celebrate the birthday of Buddha?
A: Prayer flags
Fun and Games
Let’s wind down with some lighter riddles related to Nepali games and traditions.
Riddle 21
Q: A popular children’s game in Nepal using 5 small stones is called what?
A: Goti
Riddle 22
Q: Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, wisdom and learning has a festival dedicated to her every year, usually in January or February. How do Nepalis particularly students celebrate this festival?
A: By flying kites
Riddle 23
Q: Tihar is known as the Festival of Lights and it honors certain animals each day. On the second day, dogs are worshipped as companions. How are the dogs celebrated?
A: They are adorned with flower garlands
Riddle 24
Q: Lapsi is a favorite sweet snack especially during Hindu festivals like Tihar and Dashain. What is lapsi made from?
A: Chuwacumber fruit
Riddle 25
Q: Nepalis play pasha, a game involving colorful strings tied together between one’s toes, while singing what traditional tune?
A: Resham Firiri
Movies and Entertainment
Next up are some entertainment related riddles about Nepali movies and TV.
Riddle 26
Q: Who is the acclaimed Nepali movie director known for pioneering Nepali films and often called the father of Nepali cinema?
A: Hira Singh Khatri
Riddle 27
Q: Which 1999 Nepali film starring Rajesh Hamal is considered a milestone in the Nepali film industry?
A: Kusume Rumal
Riddle 28
Q: Manjushree Thapa wrote which popular novel exploring the Nepali royal massacre of 2001 from the perspective of the crown prince Dipendra?
A: Forget Kathmandu: An Elegy for Democracy
Riddle 29
Q: Who is the actor and producer behind the Nepali TV sitcom Tito Satya, one of Nepal’s longest running TV series?
A: Deepak Raj Giri
Riddle 30
Q: The 1955 Nepali film Maitighar was adapted from a novel by Diamond Sumsher. What type of film genre was it?
A: A film noir murder mystery
Flora and Fauna
Can you solve these riddles related to animals and plants found in Nepal?
Riddle 31
Q: Found in the grasslands and subalpine zones the Himalayan monal is Nepal’s national bird. What does the male Himalayan monal have?
A: Vibrant, multicolored plumage
Riddle 32
Q: The one horned rhinoceros can be found inhabiting wet grasslands and swamp areas, especially in which National Park?
A: Chitwan National Park
Riddle 33
Q: With no natural predators, what is the name of the funny looking red panda found in certain high altitude forests of Nepal?
A: Wah
Riddle 34
Q: One of the rarest orchids in Nepal is known as the Ghost Orchid. Why is it called that?
A: Its pale white flowers give it a ghostly appearance
Riddle 35
Q: Found above the tree line, the Himalayan blue sheep or bharal is coveted for its unique what?
A: Its soft under belly wool known as pashmina
Conservation
Let’s move on to some environment and conservation related Nepal riddles.
Riddle 36
Q: Community based anti-poaching units called Youth Clubs were set up in Chitwan National Park in 2004 to help protect which species from illegal poaching?
A: One horned rhinos
Riddle 37
Q: Nepal has set aside almost 20% of its land for protection and conservation purposes in the form of national parks, wildlife reserves and conservation areas. What global target does that surpass?
A: 10% protected lands under Aichi Biodiversity Target 11
Riddle 38
Q: The nonprofit Nepal Wildlife Adventure Foundation runs conservation education programs near Chitwan National Park focused on protecting Asian elephants and Bengal tigers. What are the programs called?
A: Tiger Tops Jungle Club and Elephant Encounters
Riddle 39
Q: The Himalayan wolf is a threatened species found only at high elevations of the Himalayas often hunting what animal?
A: The Himalayan blue sheep
Riddle 40
Q: In order to preserve their forest homes, Nepal partnered with China in 2015 to create a transboundary protected area encompassing parts of which iconic Himalayan peaks?
A: Mount Everest
Climate Change Impacts
Climate change is severely impacting Nepal from melting glaciers to changing monsoon patterns. Let’s see if you can unravel these related riddles.
Riddle 41
Q: What critical water source for Nepalis are melting faster due to rising temperatures?
A: Himalayan glaciers
Riddle 42
Q: Flash flooding and landslides are increasing across Nepal due to what weather pattern growing more erratic and extreme?
A: Monsoon rains
Riddle 43
Q: Rising temperatures are allowing mosquitos to move higher elevations increasing the risk of what disease spreading?
A: Malaria
Riddle 44
Q: Due to climate change, Nepal launched a project to install early warning systems for which deadly natural disaster?
A: Glacial lake outburst floods
Riddle 45
Q: Changes in flowering times and increased pest attacks on crops are linked to rises in what measurement?
A: Temperature
People and Lifestyle
Here are some final riddles centered around Nepali people and lifestyles:
Riddle 46
Q: With over 120 different ethnic groups and languages, Nepal is an incredibly diverse country. What percentage of Nepalis speak Nepali as their first language?
A: 44%
Riddle 47
Q: Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Sherpas, and other ethnic groups from mountain areas are known by what collective term?
A: Gurkhas
Riddle 48
Q: Originally worn by the Rana royal family, the Dhaka topi with colorful patterns is now iconic headgear for which ethnic group?
A: The Nepali people
Riddle 49
Q: Many Nepali homes and restaurants offer baji or beaten rice as a quick snack. How is it traditionally made?
A: By pounding rice with a dhiki
Riddle 50
Q: Nepalis commonly use namaste as a respectful greeting. What does namaste literally mean?
A: I bow to the divine in you
Riddle 51
Q: Red powder known as tika or sindoor is used by Nepali Hindus for what purpose?
A: To show an auspicious blessing
Riddle 52
Q: What is the name of the waist-sash worn by Nepali women with traditional dresses like the sari or Gunyou Cholo?
A: Patuka
Riddle 53
Q: Nepali brides traditionally wear green glass bangles known as churia during their wedding ceremony symbolizing what future milestone?
A: Fertility or future children
Riddle 54
Q: Newars are the traditional inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley tracing back over 2,000 years. What religion do most Newars follow that integrates both Hindu and Buddhist traditions?
A: Newar Buddhism
Riddle 55
Q: Sherpas have amazing endurance from living at high altitude making them superb guides for Mt Everest climbs. Approximately how much can an experienced Sherpa porter carry?
A: Up to 160 pounds
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this diverse collection of 55 riddles related to Nepal’s geography, history, culture, nature, climate, and people. Nepal is a country full of wonders waiting to be explored by those seeking incredible adventure travel, stunning Himalayan vistas, deep spiritual connections, and cross-cultural experiences. These riddles provide just a glimpse into what makes Nepal such a special place. Let me know in the comments which riddles were your favorites or share any other ones you know related to this amazing country!
