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Kathmandu
Kathmandu Valley - The Heart of Nepal
Kathmandu Valley, the capital and heart of the country essentially symbolises all that is Nepal. Having seen the rule of various dynasties, the culture and society of Kathmandu has evolved through time to give it a most unique characteristic.
Kathmandu Valley, today is an urban city that has its history rooted in ancient myths yet stands testimonial to the greatness of the people who have lived here for centuries, a melting pot of all that is Nepali, a mystical magical kingdom where time passes by in a mist, a Shangri-La that took a while to get noticed by the rest of the world.
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Durbar Square
read moreKathmandu acquired its name from Kasthamandap, an open community hall allegedly built from the timber of one tree, on the western side of the ...
Durbar Square
Kathmandu acquired its name from Kasthamandap, an open community hall allegedly built from the timber of one tree, on the western side of the Basantapur Durbar Square. Although its age is uncertain there is a plaque inside the structure that dates to 1048. Basantapur Durbar Square served as the main city square of ancient Kathmandu with the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, built Pratap Malla, one the greatest lovers of art to have ruled Kathmandu, as the residence of the royal families in the past. Named after the statue of the monkey god Hanuman kneeling on a pedestal in front of the main gate, the palace today is a museum. While the actual palace compound covers a large area, numerous other temples dedicated to various Hindu gods and goddesses such as the Taleju Bhawani, Kumari, Sweta Bhairav, Maru Ganesh, Akash Bhairav, Shiva Parvati etc surround the palace and are preserved as they were built hundreds of years ago. Visiting the Basantapur Durbar Square, especially during the festivals is like going back in time, as ancient traditions are carried out enthusiastically by the locals as they were done centuries ago. The Basantapur Durbar Square is one of the seven Monument Zones that make up the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Swayambhunath
read moreSwayambhunath - The Self BornPerched on a hilltop on the south western part of Kathmandu, Swayambhunath, is one of the most important religious and ...
Swayambhunath
Swayambhunath - The Self Born
Perched on a hilltop on the south western part of Kathmandu, Swayambhunath, is one of the most important religious and cultural sites in Nepal and is associated with the birth of the Kathmandu Valley civilisation. When the Valley was still an ancient lake, a predecessor of the historic Siddartha Gautama Buddha planted the lotus seed here from which came the light of Swayambhu, the “Self Born”. The Boddisattva Manjushree drained the lake by cutting a gorge in the southern edge of the valley in a place called Chobahar from which the Bagmati river flows out, south bound, and established the Kathmandu Valley civilisation.
Approximately 2000 years old, Swayambhunath is perched on a hillock on the south-western edge of Kathmandu. The stupa, is a dome 20 meters in diameter and 32 meters high and is made of brick and earth mounted by a conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. It is surrounded by many other smaller temples and places of religious importance for both Hindus and Buddhists, a perfect example of the symbiotic co-existence of different religious beliefs only found in Nepal. The main dome of Swayambhunath is surrounded by such Hindu and Buddhist temples like the Harati Mata temple, Shantipur, Anantapur and some Buddhist monasteries. The hill is heavily wooded on all sides with indigenous plant species, and troops of monkeys, giving it the name of Monkey Temple. The height of Swayambhunath also makes it a good vantage point and on clear sunny days one can see the Himalaya all the way to the east. -
Boudhanath
read moreWith a base of 82 meters in diameter, Boudhanath is claimed to be the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. There are many legends attached to ...
Boudhanath
With a base of 82 meters in diameter, Boudhanath is claimed to be the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. There are many legends attached to Boudhanath chief among which is that of the 5th century Lichivi King Manadev who built it to do penance for parricide. Lost and forgotten for centuries Boudhanath was rediscovered in the 15th century from whence it slowly started gaining reputation among Tibetan Buddhists especially after the 19th century Rana Prime Minister appointed a Rana Prime Minister Jang Bahadur appointed a Tibetan monk as its chief abbot. Today there are more than 50 monasteries surrounding Boudhanath which is also one of the seven Monument Zone which make up the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site.
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Pashupatinath
read moreThe temple of Pashupatinath located on the western banks of the Bagmati river on the north eastern side of Kathmandu, is one of the most important ...
Pashupatinath
The temple of Pashupatinath located on the western banks of the Bagmati river on the north eastern side of Kathmandu, is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimages in the world. Until recently when Nepal was officially a Hindu Kingdom, Pashupatinath, literally “Lord of all Animals”, was considered the main protector deity of Nepal. Pashupatinath is said to have been discovered by a cow herder who dug up the area after seeing one of his cow’s coming to the spot and emptying its milk there. The inner sanctum of the temple has a lingam, a stone phallus with four faces around it. As one of the many forms of Lord Shiva, one of the three main gods of the Hindu Trinity, Pashupatinath draws Hindu pilgrims from all around the world especially on Maha Shivaratri, the “night of Shiva” which falls in early spring. The temple and its surrounding complex is surrounded by a pantheon of other temples like the Kirateswore Mahadev, Bhairav, Guheswori, and Gorakhnath each of whom have their own tale of origin and importance. The Pashupatinath is a UNESCO World Heritage Zone.
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Indra Chowk
read moreIndrachowk, a square, the courtyard of Indra named after an ancient Hindu deity is within walking distance from Durbar Square. Akash Bhairab temple, ...
Indra Chowk
Indrachowk, a square, the courtyard of Indra named after an ancient Hindu deity is within walking distance from Durbar Square. Akash Bhairab temple, a three- story temple lies at Indrachowk the main market avenue of the Kathmandu city. The image of Akash Bhairav is displayed outside the temple for a week during Indrajatra, the festival of Indra or the God of Rain.
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Freak Street
read moreLocally known as Jhhonchen Tole, the once famous "Freak Street" is well known to all low budget tourists. In seventies this area was full of small ...
Freak Street
Locally known as Jhhonchen Tole, the once famous "Freak Street" is well known to all low budget tourists. In seventies this area was full of small hotels, lodges, restaurants, taverns as well as shops that "buy and sell anything". But all this is now a matter of the past as the place has been dethroned by another part of the city called Thamel.
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Machhendranath
read moreThe temple is situated at Machhendra Bahal near Indrachowk. This two storeyed temple was built by Yaksha Malla in 1500 AD The chariot festival of ...
Machhendranath
The temple is situated at Machhendra Bahal near Indrachowk. This two storeyed temple was built by Yaksha Malla in 1500 AD The chariot festival of white Mahchendranath (the god of mercy) is annually celebrated in Kathmandu Valley. The traditional music is always played in the evening at this temple which is also open to westerners.
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Ason
read moreAsan is one of the busiest squares in Kathmandu and has six roads radiating from it. The three storey high pagoda styled Annapurna (goddess of food ...
Ason
Asan is one of the busiest squares in Kathmandu and has six roads radiating from it. The three storey high pagoda styled Annapurna (goddess of food grains) temple is situated at Asan. Another two storey temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesh.
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Thamel
read moreThamel area has recently emerged as the most popular tourist area of Kathmandu. Thamel is a 15 to 20 minute walk from the center of Kathmandu. Thamel ...
Thamel
Thamel area has recently emerged as the most popular tourist area of Kathmandu. Thamel is a 15 to 20 minute walk from the center of Kathmandu. Thamel has clean narrow streets full of mushrooming lodges, hotels for budget travellers. Restaurants, bars and other tourists oriented shops can be seen bustling with activities.
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Singha Durbar
read moreSingha Durbar is a grand, imposing palace built in the neo-classical style. It was once the private residence of Rana Prime Ministers and is now the ...
Singha Durbar
Singha Durbar is a grand, imposing palace built in the neo-classical style. It was once the private residence of Rana Prime Ministers and is now the official seat of the government. It used to be a huge building with many courtyards ( the biggest private residence in Asia. However, most of it was destroyed by fire not quite long before and only the western half has been rebuilt.
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Dharahara
read moreAlso known as Bhimsen Stambha (Tower), Dharahara is a 50.5 meter tower built by Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa in 1832. Situated near the General Post ...
Dharahara
Also known as Bhimsen Stambha (Tower), Dharahara is a 50.5 meter tower built by Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa in 1832. Situated near the General Post Office, the tower is one of Kathmandu's best-known monuments. From the top of the tower, one has a panoramic view of the whole Kathmandu Valley. Open for public by paying applicable entrance fee.
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Royal Palce
read moreThis is the present Royal Palace. At the south there is the famous historic water-spout of Narayanhity from which the Palace derives its name. ...
Royal Palce
This is the present Royal Palace. At the south there is the famous historic water-spout of Narayanhity from which the Palace derives its name. Special permission has to be obtained to go inside the Royal Palace compound.
