KATHMANDU
VALLEY
The
Kathmandu Valley is the political, commercial and cultural
heart of Nepal. The history of the Kathmandu Valley begins
with the legendary Bodhisattva Manjushree who came from
the north and cut a gorge in the mountain wall to drain
out the primordial waters, leaving the flat and fertile
bowl that remains today. Over the centuries, civilisation
emerged, dynasties came and went, trade and arts flourished.
The Kathmandu Valley was once a separate kingdom, it enfolds
the three ancient cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur.
Kathmandu
also known as Kantipur, is the capital city of Nepal.
The old city of Kathmandu, with its narrow streets and
enchanting bazaars, extends from Tripureswor in the south
to Thamel in the north.
Durbar
Square, which is protected as a World Heritage Site, is
the social and religious centre of Kathmandu. This complex
of places, courtyards and temples, dating back to the
12th century, used to be the seat of the Malla kings.
Nearby you can visit the temple of the "Kumari",
the Living Goddess of Nepal.
Other
sites around Kathmandu are the holy Buddhist sites of
Swayambhu and Bouddhanath Stupa. The Pashupatinath Temple,
one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world. Budhanilkanta,
a holy site with a huge black stone figure of the Hindu
god Vishnu reclining on the coils of a cosmic serpent.
Boudha
Nath
Boudhanath Stupa lies about 6 km east of Kathmandu. With
a diametre that exceeds 100 metres and a height of over
36 metres, it is the largest stupa in the Kathmandu valley.
The stupa is built on an octagonal base in-set with prayer
wheels. Lord Buddha’s all-present eyes at the top
of the huge whitewashed dome watch over worshippers and
passers-by alike. There are more
than 45 Buddhist monasteries in the nearby area.
Swayambhu
Stupa
This Buddhist stupa is said to be over 2000 years old.
It is situated on the western hills of the Kathmandu valley
and from there you can enjoy one of the best views over
Kathmandu city. This stupa is one of the holiest Buddhist
sites in Nepal and its establishment is linked to the
creation of the Kathmandu Valley out of a primordial lake.
Dakshinkali
Temple
Literally Meaning the kali of the south, this temple is
dedicated to Goddess Kali, a Hindu Goddess of Power. A
sacrifice ceremony of goats, chickens, ducks etc. is held
on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The temple itself is located
in a forested canyon and lies 19 k.m. from Kathmandu city
Pashupatinath
Temple
Pasupatinath is one of the holiest Hindu shrines in the
world dedicated to Lord Shiva. Vistors are permitted to
view the temple from the west bank of the Bagmati river.
Entrance into the temple is permitted to Hindus only.
During the annual pilgrimage of Shivaratri, which falls
around February/ March the temple is crowded with devotees
and pilgrims.
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BHAKTAPUR
CITY
The
ancient city of Bhakatpur lies 15 km east of Kathmandu.
Bhaktapur. also known as Bhadgon or the City of Devotees,
is the most traditional of the three cities. Bhaktapur
has preserved its ambience and charm of a medieval Newari
city. The Durbar Square of Bhaktapur is an architectural
masterpiece of harmony and beauty. Traditional craft skills
are passed on from generation to generation. Bhaktapur
is famous for its woodwork and pottery.
Famous
Places to Visit in Bhaktapur
Durbar Square
Taumadhi Square
Dattatreya Square
Changu
Narayan Temple
The Changu Narayan temple is situated about 12 km to the
east on a hill overlooking the Kathmandu valley. It is
dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.
Dating back to the 5th century AC, it is one of the oldest
Hindu temples in the valley. A World Heritage Site, it
enshrines some of the world’s most exquisite stone
and wood carvings.
Nagarkot
Nagarkot
lies about 35 kms east of Kathmandu with an altitude of
2175 m.
It
has developed into a popular resort destination for those
seeking mountain views with clean air in a comfortable
and quiet surrounding. On a clear day, visitors can enjoy
majestic views of the Himalayan range, stretching from
Dhaulagiri in the west, passing Everest to Kanchenjunga
in the east.
Dhulikhel
The hill resort of Dhulikel is situated about 32 kms east
of Kathmandu on the Arniko Highway that leads to Tibet.
Dhulikel was once a flourishing trade centre on the trade
route between Kathmandu and Lhasa.
Today,
it is a popular destination for viewing the sunrise and
sunset against the Himalayan panoramic views. Nearby popular
places of worship are the Narayan temple and Harisiddhi
temple.
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PATAN
CITY
Patan, also know as Lalitpur, the "Beautiful City".
As in 
Kathmandu
and Bhaktapur, the royal palace complex or "Durbar
Square" is the centre of Patan’s religious and
social life. Most of Patan’s inhabitants are Newari
and Patan is famous for its craftsmanship in metal-works.
Patan is also known as one of Asia’s great Buddhist
centres and has many Buddhist bahals, chaitya and shrines.
The Kwa Bahal, known as the Golden Temple is a Buddhist
monastery courtyard dating back to the 12th century. The
Oku Bahal is one of the best known Buddhist places of
worship in Patan and the Mahabouddha monument, or the
Temple of 1000 Buddhas, is an excellent example of Nepal’s
outstandingterra cotta art-form.
| Famous
Places to visit in Patan |
|
Durbar
Square
|
Kwa
Bahal
|
Mahabouddha
|
|
Uku
Bahal
|
The
Central Zoo
|
|
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Lumbini
: Birth place of Lord Buddha
Lumbini the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam, the Shakya
prince, the eventual Shakyamuni, the ultimate Buddha-the
Enlightened one, is situated in the Terai plains of southern
Nepal. Lumbini, listed as a World Heritage Site, is being
developed as the supreme Buddhist pilgrimage and a city
of peace. The Sacred Garden encircles the Ashoka Pillar,
which carries an inscription dating back to 249 BC, that
reads:
"The
king, friend of the gods, he of the kindly countenance,
came here in person twenty years after his coronation
and rendered homage, because this was the birthplace of
the Buddha, the saint of the Sakya".
To
the south of the Pillar we find the sacred pond-Puskarni-where
Queen Mayadevi had taken bath just before giving birth
to Buddha.
Many
countries have built temples, monasteries and stupas near
the Sacred Garden, under a global initiative by the Lumbini
Development Trust.
| Must
See places in Lumbini |
|
Tilaurakot
|
Niglihawa
|
Gotihawa
|
|
Sagarhawa
|
Aroarakot
|
|
|
Getting
There
Reaching Lumbini today is easy. 35 minute flight from
Kathmandu will wing visitors to Bhairawa, and industrial
town. From here regular taxies and buses leave for Lumbini,
22 km away. There are daily flight and bus service to
Bhairawa from Kathmandu.
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POKHARA
VALLEY
Pokhara
is the second largest tourist destination of Nepal. The
Pokhara valley is blessed with an extraordinary natural
beauty. The beautiful Phewa lake and at its backdrop the
magnificent scenery of the fish-tailed summit of Machhapuchhre
(6977) give Pohkara a touch of magic and enchantment.
Pokhara’s climate is milder than Kathmandu, which
allows lush-green vegetation and a diversity of flowers
throughout the year. Pokhara with its c
entral
location is the starting point for many of Nepal’s
most popular trekking destinations.
Pokhara
is the land of the Magars and Gurungs, hardworking farmers
and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide fame as
Gurkha Soldiers. The Thakalis, another important ethnic
group here, are known for their enterpreneurship.
| Must
See places in Pokhara |
|
Phewa
Lake
|
Barahi
Temple
|
Seti
Gandaki
|
|
Devin's
Fall
|
Mahendra
Gupha Museums
|
|
Getting
There
Pokhara is located roughly 200 km west of Kathmandu. There
are daily flights and bus service between Kathmandu and
Pokhara.
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