23 Apr 2025
Despite the distance between the Himalayas and Northern Europe, Nepalis in Finland continue to preserve deep spiritual ties to their homeland. But the connection goes beyond cultural or religious traditions—it’s deeply personal. For many Nepali workers, being thousands of kilometres away from their children, spouses, and parents in Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal takes an emotional toll. They may have left home to pursue better work opportunities and secure a future for their families, but the cost of long-distance parenting is a silent sacrifice they live with every day.
It’s not just about homesickness or missing milestones. It’s about maintaining a presence in their children’s lives while working long hours, adjusting to a new country, and handling the pressures of remittance responsibilities. For Nepalis in Finland, the ability to send money to Nepal from Finland may bring financial relief to families, but it doesn’t erase the ache of separation.
Staying connected to religious roots does help in lowering the pain of separation from family.
The Nepali community in Finland comes together to celebrate major festivals such as Dashain, Tihar, and Buddha Jayanti. These festivals serve as emotional anchors that allow parents and children to feel closer to home. Families gather in community centres, decorate spaces with flowers and lights, and prepare traditional foods. These moments become deeply spiritual and emotional, especially when children get to participate in the same rituals they would back in Nepal.
Participating in such religious events is a way for parents to pass on their values and traditions to their children. It’s also a chance to share their spiritual roots and to temporarily ease the loneliness of being away from home.
Thanks to technology, many Nepalis join live-streamed rituals from Kathmandu temples such as Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath. Whether it's a live aarti or a special festival celebration, these digital experiences help bridge the spiritual gap. Parents often watch these rituals with their children to help them understand their cultural heritage.
In addition to live streams, Nepalis use mobile apps and YouTube channels to access spiritual content in their native language. This creates a small but meaningful connection to their homeland, especially during moments of emotional stress.
In Finland, spiritual needs are met through multicultural temples and organisations like the Hindu Mandir Association. Nepali parents often attend events arranged by the Helsinki Nepalese Society, where traditional prayers and spiritual talks are held.
These gatherings become places where parents can bond with their children and pass on moral values. For long-distance parents, it’s one of the few ways to nurture emotional closeness in a foreign land.
At the heart of many Nepali homes in Finland lies a small altar. Parents lead daily pujas, lighting diyas and incense while chanting mantras. These simple yet powerful acts create a sense of continuity and peace.
Children are taught to respect these practices, learning about their gods, Kathmandu temples, and traditional stories. It's a form of silent parenting—done not through presence, but through practice and example.
Here are some cultural institutions that may help you feel closer to your nepali family.
Organisations like NRN Finland and the Nepalese Society Finland are vital pillars for the diaspora. They organise prayer meets, meditation workshops, and classes that teach both language and culture. For parents, these activities offer reassurance that their children are growing up with some sense of their roots.
These events also help build a community where shared experiences of long-distance parenting are understood and supported.
Long-distance parenting often means limited time with children. That’s why many Nepali parents in Finland prioritise spiritual education. Weekend classes focus on Nepali language, folklore, and religious teachings from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Such efforts are not just about religion—they're about identity. Teaching children who they are and where they come from can strengthen their emotional bond, even when physical presence is missing.
Many families stay in touch with spiritual mentors in Kathmandu through Zoom or WhatsApp. These virtual satsangs allow children in Finland to interact with monks and gurus back home.
Parents also contribute financially to monasteries and temples, staying engaged in the religious life of Nepal. It's a form of active, spiritual long-distance parenting that keeps both heart and soul connected.
When schedules and finances allow, Nepali workers in Finland travel back home to perform rituals and participate in major religious events. These visits are not just holidays—they are emotional reunions and spiritual rejuvenations.
Some even involve their children in heritage protection projects or temple events in Kathmandu, helping them build a lasting relationship with their ancestral land.
Nepali parents in Finland face emotional struggles that are often invisible to the outside world. While they provide for their families through sacrifices and hard work, they continue to nurture a powerful spiritual connection with their homeland. They are not just sending money—they are sending love, culture, and tradition across borders.
In today’s digital world, the ability to send money to Nepal online from Finland is easier than ever. But no digital connection can replace the warmth of a parent’s hug or the presence of shared rituals at home.
If you're one of the many Nepalis abroad navigating the challenges of long-distance parenting, know that you’re not alone. Your spiritual resilience and love define what true parenting looks like across borders.
Through regular video calls, participation in spiritual activities, storytelling, and cultural teaching, they stay emotionally connected despite the distance.
While there are no traditional Nepali temples, multicultural temples and community organisations serve as spiritual hubs for the Nepali community.
They often make donations, participate in virtual events, and stay in touch with Kathmandu-based monks and spiritual leaders.
Yes, many parents plan visits during major festivals or arrange pilgrimages to connect their children with cultural and spiritual traditions.
Using services like ACE Money Transfer offers a fast and secure way to do an online money transfer from Finland to Nepal, making it easy to support loved ones back home.
