Durbar Square
A group of temples and shrines with intricately carved
roofs, doors and windows marks the Durbar Square at the very
centre of old Kathmandu. Remarkable spots in the Square are
the Great Bell, which is believed to ward off evil spirits
on being plinked; the Jaganath Temple famed for its array of
erotic carvings; the fearsome stone image of the six-armed
Kala Bhairab and the Taleju Temple, which is undoubtedly the
most magnificent of the Square's many temples. The antiquity
of the Square is brought to light by the 12th Century
Kasthamandap, which is apparently the oldest building in the
valley.
Bouddnath Stupa
Located 8 Km east of Kathmandu, the Bouddnath Stupa has the
honour of being one of the largest stupas in the world.
Hanuman Dhoka
This 17th century Royal Palace is so called due to the
presence of a large statue of Hanuman in the premises. The
statue was installed in commemoration of the monkey God's'
brave assistance to Rama in the epic Ramayana. A pair of
stand stone lions, one ridden by Shiva, the other by his
wife Parvati, flanks the gate of the palace. The top of the
gate is adorned with a brightly painted niche illustrated
with a ferocious Tantric figurine. The palace has a number
of courtyards, which were used for celebrations, and ritual
sacrifices. A museum in the western part of the palace has
an extensive collection of photos and newspaper clippings
and some magnificent furniture dating back to the period of
King Tribhuvan’s reign.
Pasupatinath Temple
Situated 5 Km east of Kathmandu, the temple of Lord
Shiva with its two tiered golden roofs and silver door is
one of the holiest Hindu shrines in Nepal and a UNESCO World
Heritage Monument. Although only Hindus are allowed within
the temple premises, the temple is clearly visible from the
East bank of the Bhagwati River.
Swayambhunath
Located on a hilltop, 3 km from Kathmandu, Swayambhunath
is one of the world’s most glorious Buddhist Chaityas. This
2000 year-old monument has a large spire with the eyes of
the Buddha painted on all four sides. It is the oldest of
its kind in Nepal and is listed by UNESCO as a World
Heritage Monument.
Patan
The second largest city in the valley lies just across the
Bagmati River from Kathmandu. A quiet city, Patan is home to
a number of temples and artisans. Their handiwork has given
the stunning Durbar Square a unique character due to its
being the largest display of Newari architecture in Nepal.
The Square consists of three main courtyards, and includes
the Royal Palace, which contains a richly decorated bathtub,
the Royal Bath, Tushahit. The two-tiered brick Jagannarayan
Temple in the square is known for its roof top carvings of
erotic figures. A few minutes walk north of the square is
the Golden Temple, a Buddhist monastery guarded by sacred
tortoises that wander around the courtyard. The Durbar
Square is also home to Kumbeshawar temple, which is
reputedly the oldest temple in Patan. This is a UNESCO World
Heritage Monument.
Bhaktapur
The most attractive tourist spot in this city is the Durbar
Square. The Golden Gate in the square, with its intricately
carved deities and monsters, is one of the most richly
carved gates of its kind in the world. The gate leads to the
Palace of 55 windows, which has a balcony with 55 windows
and is a masterpiece of woodcarving. The stone temple of
Batsala Devi at the square is a beautiful example of the
Shikharal style of architecture. The temple also has a
colossal bell on the terrace called the ‘Bell of the Barking
Dogs’. A magnificent statue of King Bhupantindra Malla
praying has been placed in the column facing the palace.
Another attraction is Taumadhi Tole, which is home to
Nyatapola, the highest temple in the valley and Til Mahadev
Narayan, an important place of pilgrimage. Taumadhi Tole
includes Potters' Square, which as the name suggests, is a
pot lovers dream come true. East of Taumadihi Tole, lies
Tachupal Tole, which has several temples, monasteries and
craft museums.
Kirtipur
This colourful old town, located on top of a hill, 8 km
Southwest of Kathmandu is a treasure house of culture. It is
a world of old shrines and traditional houses, customs
handicrafts and costumes.
Dhulikhel
This ancient town situated 30 km east of Kathmandu was once
an important link in the ancient trade route to Tibet. The
town still exudes an old world charm thanks to its old
buildings and intricate wood carving in the shops and
temples. The weather here is pleasant even in the summer
months.
Excursions from
Kathmandu
Pokhara Valley
Pokhara, an enchanting city nestled at a height of 827
metres in the tranquil Kathmandu Valley, is the starting
point of many trekking and rafting expeditions. The town is
home to the placid Phewa Lake and offers spectacular views
of the fishtail summit of the 7000 metre high
Machchapucchhre Mountain.
Lumbini
Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddharth Gautam, the Buddha, is
a pilgrimage place for millions of Buddhists. The main
attraction in Lumbini is the 8 sq. km Sacred Garden, which
is home to all the historic treasures of the area. The
Mayadevi temple and Nepal's oldest monument, a 2750-year-old
Ashoka Pillar, are other important monuments here.
Chitwan
Chitwan National park is one of the finest national parks in
Asia. |
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