Wecome to Kathamandu !!!
1)
Hanuman
Dhoka
The
square is the complex of palaces, courtyards and temples that
are built between the 12th and the 18th centuries by the ancient
Malla Kings of Nepal. It is the social, religious and urban focal
point of the city. Taleju Temple, Kal Bhairab (God of Destruction),
Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the
statue of King Pratap Malla, the Big Bell, Big Drum and the Jagnnath
Temple are some of the interesting things to see in this Square.
There
are several museums inside the palace building. There is an
entrance fee of Rs. 250 for all the foreign visitors to visit
all the museums of the palace building.
An
intriguing piece here is the 17 th century stone inscription that
is set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages.It
is believed that if anybody deciphers this entire inscription,
the milk would flow from the spout, which lies just below the
inscripted stone wall. Some people say that the inscription contains
coded directions to a treasure King Pratap Malla has buried beneath
Mohan chowk of Durbar Square.
2)
Singha
Durbar
A
grand imposing palace built on the neo-classical style. It was
the private residence of Rana Prime Minister. Now it's the Secretariat
of His Majesty's Government of Nepal.
3) Bhadrakali
Temple
It
is at the eastern edge of the Tudikhel, near Shahid Gate. This
temple is one of the main "Shankta or Shaktipeeth"
temples of Kathmandu City.
4)
Narayanhity
Raj Durbar
It
is the Royal Palace of present King, His Majesty King Birendra
Bir Bikram Shahdev of Nepal. The Shah kings moved to this palace
from their old palace in the late 18th century. The new edifice
was inaugurated in 1970 on the occasion of the wedding of His
Majesty king Birendra Bir Bikram Shahdev.
The palace takes its name from the Narayanhiti, a famous historic
waterspout situated at the southern corner of the Palace. The
Palace compound is immense, surrounded by high walls and guarded
by soldiers.
5)
Swayambhu Stupa
The most ancient and enigmatic of all the Valley's holy shrines
lies 2 km west of Kathmandu city, across the Vishnumati river.
The golden spire of Swayambhunath stupa crowns a wooded hillock
and offers a commanding view of Kathmandu city. On clear days,
one can even view a line of Himalayan peaks. The view is splendid
at dusk as city lights flicker one by one, and even better when
a full moon hangs in the sky.
The establishment of Swayambhunath Stupa goes back to the legendary
beginning of the Kathmandu Valley.The legend says that when the
bodhisattva Manjushri drained the waters of the lake to reveal
the Kathmandu valley, the lotus of the lake was transformed into
the hillock and the blazing light became the Swayambhu stupa.
Swayambhunath stupa is a World Heritage Site.
6)
Boudhanath Stupa
It is the biggest stupa in the Valley. The stupa, well known as
Khasti, is also known as the World Heritage Site. It looms 36
meters high and presents one of the most fascinating specimens
of stupa design. There are more than 45 Buddhist monasteries in
the area. It lies about 6 km to the east of downtown Kathmandu.
The Bouddha Area Preservation & Development Committee runs
an information center.
7) Balaju Water Garden
It is situated below Nagarjun Hill about five-kilometer northwest
of Kathmandu City. The garden is known for its bank of 22 stone
waterspouts (hiti) carved in the shape of sea-dragons. It also
consists of religious shrines, fishponds and a replica of the
statue of Budhanilkantha. . There is also a swimming pool inside
the park.
8)
Budhanilkantha
Situated below Shivapuri hill at the northern end of the valley, Buddhanilkantha temple is 9 km from Kathmandu city. The temple
consists of a pond in which lies a great stone figure of the Hindu
god Vishnu reclining on the coils of a cosmic serpent. The huge
statue of sleeping Vishnu is carved from the single block of black
stone of a type not found in the valley. It is believed that ages
before the two hardworking farmers (husband and wife) discovered
the statue when they were ploughing their field.
Besides Budhanilkantha temple, there are other two sets of exactly
similar, but smaller statues of 'sleeping Vishnu' in the Valley.
One set is in the Balaju garden and the other is hidden in the
old garden of Hanuman Dhoka Palace of Kathmandu city.
A
prophetic dream of King Pratap Malla generated the belief
that the King of Nepal should never visit Buddhanilkantha
temple on threat of death. He then built the similar statue
in two places.
9)
Pashupatinath
Temple
The temple of Pashupatinath is Nepal's most scared Hindu shrines
and one of the subcontinent's greatest Shiva sites, a sprawling
collection of temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions raised
over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river.
The richly- ornamented pagoda, houses the sacred linga or phallic
symbol of Lord Shiva.
Chronicles indicate the temlple's existence prior to 400 A.D,
but a shrine may have stood here nearly 1000 years before that.
Legend says that Shiva once took the form of an antelope and sported
unkown in the forest on Bagmati river's east bank. The gods later
caught up with him , and grabbing him by the horn, forced him
to resume his divine form. The broken horn was worshipped as a
linga and overtime was buried and lost. Centuries later an astonished
herdsmen found one of his cows showering the earth with milk.
Digging deep at the site, he discovered the divine linga of Pashupatinath
The
temple complex has been renovated and improved over the centuries.
Entrance to the shrine is only restricted to Hindus, however,
one can still get the good view of the sacred temple from vantage
points across Bagmati river. Across the river, one can also
visit the temple of Guhyeshwori and a classic 6th century ekmukhi
"one-faced" linga of Shiva.
10)
Gokarna
Situated about ten-kilometer northeast of Kathmandu, this lovely
Royal Game Sanctuary is also well known as Gokarna Safari Park.
Many wild animals like spotted dear can be viewed in the sanctuary
from an elephant bank. On the northern side of Gokarna is a pagoda
of Gokarneshwor Mahadev.
11) Sankhu
It is a typical Newari town with many fine old buildings and temples.
Beyond the village, up a long flight of stone stairs, is Bajra
Jogini, a historical temple with a beautiful view of the local
area.
12) Sundarijal
It is a famous for its scenic beauty. There are magnificent waterfalls,
cataracts and rock formations. It is an ideal place for picnic
requiring a short walk after the motorable road.
13) Chobhar
Situated nine-kilometer southwest of Kathmandu, this place is
famous for its gorge. All the water of the valley drain through
it. There is a small but picturesque temple of Adinath on the
top of a hill. From this top one can have a panoramic view of
snow capped mountain peaks.
14)
Changu Narayan
Mandir
It
lies on a ridge over looking the Valley, about twelve-kilometer
to the east of the city. It is dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu.
The scared complex is a World Heritage Site. It has one of the
finest and oldest specimens of pagoda architecture that is embellished
with exquisite wood and stone carvings.
15) Akash Bhairav Temple
This is a three-storey temple situated in the main Market Avenue
called Indra Chowk. The image of Akash Bhairav is displayed outside
for a week during Indra Jatra, the festival of Indra (the God
of Indra). The festival of Indra falls on monsoon season of Nepal.
16) Kumari Ghar
The temple or the residence of Living Goddess, Kumari, is situated
in the vicinity of Hanuman Dhoka Palace. The building has beautifully
carved wooden balconies and window screens. The Kumari- the living
Goddess acknowledges the greetings from her balcony window. Photography
is prohibited.
17)
Kirtipur
It
is a small town, situated on a ridge 6-km southwest of Kathmandu.
The ancient township is a natural fortress and has a proud and
courageous history.
The Chilamchu stupa and the temple of Bagh Bhairav are major
sights here.
The city offers quaint streets lined with artistic houses and
temple squares. The people are known for their skill in building
and weaving.
18)
Kasthamandap
King Laxmi Narsingha Malla built this temple in the sixteenth
century. It is said to be constructed from the wood of single
tree. It is located near the temple of Kumari. Indeed the city
of Kathmandu derives its name from this temple.
Behind Kasthamandap, there is a small but a very important
temple of Ashok Vinayak, also known as Kathmandu Ganesh or Maru
Ganesh.
19) Jaishi Dewal
Five minutes from Kasthmandap the Shiva Temple of Jaishi Dewal
is famous for its erotic carvings. It is still one of the main
tourist routes of the chariot festivals of Indra Jatra, Gai Jatra
and other festivals.
20)
Dakshinkali
The temple of Dakshinkali is situated about two kilometers south
of Shekha Narayan. Dakshinkali is regarded as one of the most
important Hindu Goddesses. Pilgrims visit this temple to offer
their prayer and animal sacrifices to the goddess. Besides, this
place has been developed as a popular picnic spot.
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