Editing Demographics of Nepal (section)

==Religion==
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Nepal (2021 census)<ref name="CIATONGA">{{cite web|url= https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nepal/|title= South Asia ::NEPAL|date= 10 May 2022|publisher= CIA The World Factbook|access-date= 24 January 2021|archive-date= 9 January 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210109075733/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nepal/|url-status= live}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Hinduism]]
|value1 = 81.19
|color1 = Orange
|label2 = [[Buddhism]]
|value2 = 8.21
|color2 = Yellow
|label3 = [[Islam]]
|value3 = 5.09
|color3 = Green
|label4 = [[Kirat Mundhum]]
|value4 = 3.17
|color4 = Chartreuse
|label5 = [[Christianity]]
|value5 = 1.76
|color5 = DodgerBlue
|label6 = Other
|value6 = 0.9
|color6 = Grey
}}

As of the 2021 census, 81.19% of the Nepali population was [[Hindu]], 8.21% [[Buddhist]], 5.09% [[Muslim]], 3.17% [[Kirat Mundhum|Kiratist/Yumaist]], 1.76% [[Christians|Christian]], and 0.9% followed other or no religion.<ref name="2011census">{{cite web|url=http://cbs.gov.np/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/National%20Report.pdf |title=2011 Nepal Census Report |page=16 |work=cbs.gov.np |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418041642/http://cbs.gov.np/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/National%20Report.pdf |archive-date=18 April 2013 }}</ref>
[[File:Nepali bride and bridegroom.jpg|thumb|Nepali Hindu bride and groom]]

Nepal defines itself as a secular nation according to [[Constitution of Nepal]]<ref name=":06">{{Cite journal|last=Ostrowski|first=Ally|title=The Framing of Religion|journal=South Asian Popular Culture|volume=4|issue=1|pages=3–18|doi=10.1080/14746680600555410|year=2006|s2cid=142489523}}</ref> It is common for many Hindus in the country to also worship Buddhist deities simultaneously with Hindu traditions. The notion of religion in Nepal is more fluid than other countries, particularly Western countries.<ref name=":16">{{Cite journal|last=Stone|first=Linda|title=Order, identity, and religion in Nepal|journal=Reviews in Anthropology|volume=29|issue=1|pages=71–82|doi=10.1080/00988157.2000.9978248|year=2000|s2cid=161737605}}</ref> The Nepali people build their social networks through their religious celebrations, which are a central part to the whole of communities within the country.<ref name=":06"/>

There is a general idea held by the Nepali people that there is an omnipotent, transcendental "moral order" that is sacred to Hinduism. This idea exists along with the constant presence of chaos and disorder in the material world.<ref name=":16"/> In the northwestern region of the country, this all-encompassing state of disorder in the world is synonymous with human affliction, which the religious shamans are believed to alleviate.<ref name=":16"/>

Kathmandu Valley is home to the Newars, a major ethnic group in Nepal. The city Bhaktapur is located inside of Kathmandu Valley. Bhaktapur was once an independent Hindu Kingdom.<ref name=":16"/> Individual homes typically have at least one shrine devoted to personal deities, with an altar displaying flowers, fruit, and oil among other offerings to the Gods.<ref name=":06"/> The perimeter of Kathmandu Valley is lined with shrines devoted to Hindu goddesses, whose purpose is to protect the city from chaotic events. At least one shrine can be found on the vast majority of streets in Kathmandu.<ref name=":06"/> The people of Nepal do not feel the need to segregate or compete based upon religion, so Hindu and Buddhist shrines are often coexisting in the same areas.<ref name=":06"/> The areas outside of the city are perceived to always possess some form of wild or disordered nature, so the Nepali people inside of the city lines regularly worship the Hindu gods through public ceremonies.<ref name=":16"/>

The Hindu god Vishnu is believed to symbolise moral order in the Newar society. The natural human shortcomings in maintaining this moral order is believed to be represented by the Hindu god Shiva.<ref name=":16"/> The destruction of Shiva is neutralised by the preserver Vishnu, who tips the scales to restore order.<ref name=":16" /> In recent times, there has been a rise in political violence, specifically Maoist violence.<ref name=":06"/> This increased violence, along with the widespread poverty, has caused the Nepali to seek stability and peace in religion.

Nepal's constitution continues long-standing legal provisions prohibiting discrimination against other religions (but also proselytization). The king was deified as the earthly manifestation of the Hindu god [[Vishnu]]. On May 19, 2006, the government faced a [[constitutional crisis]], the House of Representatives which had been just reformed, having been previously dissolved, declared Nepal a "[[separation of church and state|secular state]]".

The 2001 census identified 80.6% of the population as [[Hindu]] and 10.7% as [[Buddhist]] (although many people labeled Hindu or Buddhist often practice a [[Syncretism|syncretic]] blend of Hinduism, Buddhism, or [[animism|animist]] traditions), 4.2% of the population was [[Muslim]], 3.6% of the population followed the indigenous [[Kirat Mundhum]] religion and [[Christianity]] was practiced by 0.45% of the population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbs.gov.np/Nepal%20in%20figure/nepal%20in%20figures%202006.pdf |title=Nepal in Figures 2006 |website=www.cbs.gov.np |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409125126/http://www.cbs.gov.np/Nepal%20in%20figure/nepal%20in%20figures%202006.pdf |archive-date=9 April 2008}}</ref>

Buddhist and Hindu shrines and festivals are respected and celebrated by most Nepali. Certain animist practises of old indigenous religions continue to survive to the modern era.