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ABOUT NEPAL
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OUTSIDE NEPAL
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The Kathmandu Valley has a traditional as well as modern setting. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the Valley consists of three cities of historic, cultural and political importance - Kantipur, Lalitpur (Patan) and Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon). Covering an area of 218 sq. kms, the Kathmandu Valley is situated at 1136m above sea level. A bird's eye view of the Capital features the city as an oval shape with the sacred river Bagmati and its tributary Bishnumati wedding towards the south. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is named after Kasthamandap, an imposing pagoda near Hanuman Dhoka Palace. It is believed that King Gunakama Dev built the city in 723 A.D. The major tourist attractions in the valley are:
KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE (HANUMANDHOKA)
It represents the historic seat of the monarchy where the kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnised. The interesting attractions here are:
- Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 A.D.
- Gigantic statue of Kal Bhairav, an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
- Basantapur Durbar or Nautalle Durbar, built by the founder of the Shah dynasty, King Prithvi Narayan Shah.
- Nasal Chowk or the Coronation Platform.
- Gaddi Baithak or the Hall of Public Audience.
- The statue of King Pratap Malla.
- The Big Bell.
- The Big Drums and
- The Jagannath Temple.
There is also a temple of Pancha Mukhi Hanuman - the popular Hindu Monkey God. It is one of the only two such structures in Nepal, the other is in the renowned Pashupatinath Temple. Opposite to the entrance of Hanuman Dhoka stands the magnificent (10) Krishna Mandir, which is one of the few temples that is octagonal shaped. The other major attractions of Durbar Square are:
- The Kumari Ghar (housing the residence of Kumari, the Living Goddess of Nepal)
- The Kasthamandap Temple.
- Narayan Temple.
- Shiva Temple.
- Lohan Chowk.
- Lalitpur Tower.
- Bhaktapur Tower.
- Kritipur Tower.
- Hanuman Dhokha.
- Shiva Parbati Temple.
- Pratap Malla Column.
- Mohan Chowk.
- Sundari Chowk.
- Kageshvara Mahadev Temple and
- Indra Temple.
BHAKTAPUR (BHADGAON)
Bhaktapur, situated at an altitude of 1401 m, is a home to medieval art and architecture. The urban city covers an area of 4 square miles. Bhaktapur means the city of devotees. Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. The city lies about 14 kilometres east of Kathmandu. The major sightseeing places in Bhaktapur include:
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
The main square of the city contains innumerable temples and other architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, the Picture Gallery, the Golden Gate, the Palace of 55 Windows, the Batsala Temple and the Bell of Barking Dogs, the replica of Pashupatinath Temple etc.
The other major attractions are:
- Bansi Narayan
- Batsale Durga Temple
- Beko Chowk
- Bhairav Temple
- Bhagabati Temple
- Durga Temple
- Kumari Chowk
- King Malla Column
- Mul Chowk
- Nag Pokhari
- Nyatopola Temple
- Palace with the flying windows
- Pashupati Temple
- Sun Dhoka (Golden Gate)
- Taleju Temple
- Taleju Bell
- Taleju Chowk
BOUDDHANATH
The stupa of Bouddhanath lies eight kilometres east of Kathmandu. This colossal and ancient stupa, one of the biggest in the world, features the eyes of Lord Buddha. The Lichchhavi king Kana Dev built it in the 5th A.D. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels.
BUDHANILKANTHA
About eight kilometres north of Kathmandu, at the base of Shivapuri hill lies a colossal statue of Lord Vishnu, resting on Shesh Nag, in a holy pond. A masterpiece of stone sculpture of the Lichchhavi period, this site is a famous place of pilgrimage for Hindus. It is the most beautiful among all the stone engarvings within the Kathmandu Valley.
CHANGUNARAYAN
The temple of Changunarayan is said to be the oldest in the Kathmandu Valley. Although it was rebuilt in 1702, its origin goes back to the 4th Century. Located on the top of a spur rising in the eastern part of the valley, it is 22 kilometres east from Kathmandu and 4 kilometres north of Bhaktapur.
NAGARKOT
Nagarkot is a popular hill resort that is situated 32 kilometres east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2,175 m above the sea level. It takes an hour's drive to get there following the same route till a kilometer before Bhaktapur City from where the road turns left towards Nagarkot. The panorama of the major peaks of eastern Nepal Himalayas including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest, 8,848m), can be seen from here. The breathtaking view of Himalayan peaks like Manaslu (8,463), Ganesh Himal (7,111 m), Langtang (7,246 m), Choba Bhamre (6,016 m), Gaurishanker (7,134 m) and Numbur (6,975 m) are also clearly seen from Nagarkot.
PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE
Situated five kilometres east of Kathmandu on the bank of the sacred Bagmati river, the temple of Lord Shiva-Pashupatinath with a two-tiered golden roof and silver doors is famous for its superb architecture. It is a centre of annual pilgrimage on the day of Maha-Shivaratri. Entrance is permitted for Hindus only. However, visitors can clearly behold the holy shrine and the religious activities being performed from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River.
LALITPUR (PATAN)
This ancient city of Patan is situated on the southern bank of the river Bagmati and is about five kilometers Southeast of Kathmandu. The city is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments exhibiting skilful carvings. Noted for its craftsmen and metal workers, Patan is known as the city of architecture. The major tourist attractions are:
Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square, situated in the heart of the city, the centre constitutes the of visitor's attraction. It is full of ancient as well as medieval palaces, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings. One can rummage for furniture, paintings, precious gems and jewellery and other memorabilia in the various shops around the square. Adorning Patan are other architectural masterpieces such as:
- Bhimsen Temple
- Bishwanath Temple
- Char Narayan Temple
- Degutaleju Temple
- Ganesh Temple
- Garuda Statue
- Hari Shankar Temple
- Keshab Narayan Chowk
- King Malla Column
- Krishna Temple
- Mangal Hiti
- Mul Chowk
- Sundar Chowk
- Taleju Bell
- Taleju Temple
SANKHU
The old Newari Town settlement of Sankhu lies 17 kilometres further east of Boudhanath. Two kilometres above this village on a hill is the Vajra Jogini Temple, dedicated to another powerful Tantric deity. Legend has it that Vajra Jogini resided in the site of this temple much earlier than the period of Manjushree's pilgrimage to worship Swayambhu. It was she who persuaded Manjushree to drain the lake that was the Kathmandu Valley. Once every year late winter, there is a colorful ceremony in which Vajra Jogini is paraded around Sankhu and her temple.
SWAYAMBHUNATH
This is one of the world's most glorious Buddhist chaityas. It is around 2000 years old. The chaitya, which forms the main structure, is made of brick and clay supporting the lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four-sides of the spire bases are the eyes of Lord Buddha. It is three kilometres west of Kathmandu City, and is situated on a hillock about 77m above the level of the Valley. This hill is a mosaic of small chaityas and pagodas.
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