What is "chalise"

Chalise (pronounced: /cha.li.se/) is a Hindu family name found in Nepal. People with this name may be members of the Brahmin caste. According to legend, some priests of Bhattarai caste completed forty ('chalis' in Nepali) chapters of pujas without dropping a single drop of water from their palm. They were then honored with the title Chalise.

Some notable people with the Chalise surname are:

• Bhola Nath Chalise (1951–2015), Nepalese economist
• Chakra Pani Chalise (1883–1958), Nepalese writer
• Janak Kumari Chalise, Nepalese politician