Kathmandu valley is the historical
center of Nepal and the place where kingdoms rose and fell,
palaces and temples were built and rebuilt, and Nepalese
art and culture were developed and refined is equally religious.
Kathmandu valley has been called on big museum - a vast
store of Hindu and Buddhist art with more shrines and temples
per square km than anywhere else in
the world. Nepalese culture has immense vitality and countless
festivals are celebrated each year. institutions such as
the ''Living Goddess'' forms a direct link between the past
and the present. The valley is above 25 km from east to
west and 20 km from north to south with an area of 570 square
km and
a population of 1.1 million. Kathmandu lies at a height
of around1300 meters while the surrounding hills range from
1500 meters to 2800 meters in height. Langtang, Ganesh Himal,
Gaurishanker and Everest are visible from different points
in the valley. Patan situated across the Bagmati river to
the south of Kathmandu is known to this day for its excellent
works of art and carving in wood and bronze. Bhaktapur,
also known as Bhadgaon, is the most medieval of the lot
and is situated in the eastern part of the valley. while
Kathmandu and Patan have undergone great changes in the
three decades since Nepal its isolation, Bhaktapur has changed
much less.
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Kathmandu
Kathmandu valley is situated at an elevation of 1336 meters
/ 4400 feet above sea level and is proud of its magnificent
location. It is surrounded all around by lush green rolling
hills with beautiful sights of the Himalayan panorama on
the north.The city contains more architectural marvels in
a square mile than any other city in the world endowed with
very ancient, unique, unrivalled art and culture. The Kathmandu
city and twin medieval cities Bhaktapur and Lalitpur make
up the Kathmandu Valley.
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Durbar Square (World Heritage Site):
Kathmandu Durbar
Square is one of the most important sights in the valley.
It is full of Ancient historic palaces, courtyards, carvings,
colourful life and many others. The nine-storied Basantapur
Durbar (palace) built by the head artists of the then three
separate kingdoms (Kantipur, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Kirtipur),
Kumari Ghar - a 17th century artistic building dedicated to
Kumari -the Living Goddess, Nasal Chowk - The ceremonial courtyard
of the monarchs are just a few highlights here.
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Swayambhu Stupa (World Heritage Site):
Just about 2 kilometers
to the west of the Kathmandu Durbar Square perched on top
of a hill is the majestic stupa of Swayambhunath. The route
meanders through the alleys of old Kathmandu to Swayambhunath
- The stupa was built between 460 and 1200 AD. Its establishment
is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu Valley and it is
one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal. The views of the
valley from the hilltop are great.
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Bouddhanath Stupa (World
Heritage Site):
Bouddhanath stupa is one of the largest
and oldest stupas in the world. It lies about 6 kilometers
to the east of downtown and is very close to the temple of
Pashupatinath - the most revered Hindu pilgrimage site in
Nepal.
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Pashupatinath Temple (World Heritage
Site):
One of the holiest
Hindu shrines in the world, the temple of Pashupatinath is
5km to the east of the city center. The fabulous pagoda houses
the lingam (phallic symbol) of Lord Shiva. The complex contains
many other temples as well as the holy Bagmati River, which
flows through this complex and is the place where many cremations
take place every day.
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Durbar Square (World Heritage Site):
Bhaktapur, literally
meaning "city of devotees" is about 14 kilometers
east of kathmandu. The Durbar Square is a living museum of
ancient art and architecture. The elegant 15th century Palace
of 55 windows, artistic courtyards, the Golden Gate, the five-roofed
Nyatapol temple soaring gracefully into the sky from atop
a five-storied base and many others fascinate the travelers.
Thimi - a typical Newar village famous for pottery is another
highlight and a perfect combination.
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Patan Durbar square (World Heritage
Site):
Patan is one of the ancient
cities about five kilometers southeast of kathmandu. Also
known as "the city of artists" and "the city
of beauty", it is full of Buddhist monuments and Hindu
temples with fine gateways, guardian deities and beautiful
carvings. The Krishna Temple (an octagonal granite edifice
dedicated to lord Krishna), Kumbheswar Temple (one of the
premier places that celebrates Janai Poornima - the Sacred
Thread Festival), the Golden Temple / Hiranya Varna Mahabihar
- "Eternity Itself", the Patan Museum, Patan Industrial
Estate (specializing in cottage industry hand loom and handicrafts),
the Tibetan Refugee Centre and the Central Zoo (the only zoo
in Nepal) allure all the travelers to Patan.
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Changunarayan:
Changunarayan (World
Heritage Site): The Temple of Changunarayan is one of the
oldest temples in Kathmandu Valley. The richness of Changunarayan
is surpassed only by the wealth of the greatest temple of
Pashupatinath. The temple is sitting on the hillock called
Changu- the name derived from the name of the god. Around
the temple, you will see the stone image of Garuda- the half-bird
half-man that is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. To visit this
remarkable temple you may walk up from the Sankhu Road or
bike up from Bhaktapur. However, the most interesting one
would be the half-day hike along the hill ridge route from
Nagarkot to Changunarayan.
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Phulchowki:
Phulchowki - meaning "Hill
of Flowers" is located at an altitude of 2762 meters
/9060 feet above sea level, 20 kilometers / 12.50 miles to
the southeast of kathmandu and is the highest point / the
tallest hill top surrounding the kathmandu valley. It commands
a grand view of the entire kathmandu valley with a backdrop
of the Himalayas to the north and the terai plains to the
south.
The forested slopes are full of rhododendrons, orchids and
other green vegetation. Deer, Bear, leopard and more than
250 species of birds have been already recorded in Phulchowki.
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Bhotekoshi River
