Hinduism is the main and largest religion of Nepal. In 2006, the country declared itself a secular country through democracy; still, some special privileges were given to Indic religions like "The Constitution of Nepal has established a call for the protection of this age-old religion referring to Sanatan Dharma throughout the country". According to the 2011 census, the Hindu population in Nepal is estimated to be around 21,551,492, which accounts for at least 81.34% of the country's population, the highest percentage of Hindus of any country in the world. The national calendar of Nepal, Vikram Samvat, is a solar Hindu calendar essentially the same to that widespread in North India as a religious calendar, and is based on Hindu units of time. Nepal remained the last Hindu country in the world until 2008, after the abolition of monarchy in the nation. The geographical distribution of religious groups revealed a preponderance of Hindus, accounting for at least 90% of the population in every region. Among the ethnic groups in Nepal, those most influenced by Hinduism are the Bahun, Chhetri, Madheshi, Newari and Thakuri people. History Historians and local traditions say that a Hindu sage named "Ne" established himself in the valley of Kathmandu during prehistoric times, and that the word "Nepal" means "the place protected" ("pala" in Sanskrit) by the sage Ne. He performed religious ceremonies at Teku, the confluence of the Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers. According to legends, he selected a pious cowherd to be the first of the many kings of the Gopala dynasty. 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 Gopal (Cowherd) dynasty. The Gopala dynasty ruled for 621 years. Yakshya Gupta was the last king of this dynasty. According to Skanda Purana, a rishi called "Ne" or "Nemuni" used to live in the Himalayas. In the Pashupati Purana, he is mentioned as a saint and a protector. He is said to have practiced penance at the Bagmati and Kesavati rivers and to have taught his doctrines there too. In the mid-18th century, Prithvi Narayan Shah, a Gurkha 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 the Battle of Kirtipur, he managed to conquer the Kathmandu