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Kathmandu |
Kathmandu valley, which is situated at an altitude of
1336 MTR above the sea level and covers an area of 218
Sq. miles, is the political, commercial and cultural hub
of the Kingdom. The city is famous for its Archeological
and historical sites. Once a separate kingdom in itself,
it contains four major fabled cities, Kathmandu, Patan,
Bhaktapur and Kiritipur. The skillfully built temples
and palaces, delicately- engraved stones and metal
images, carved wooden columns and pillars and the
history laden shrines and Chaityas (stupas) of these
four historical cities stand as paradigm of the artistic
achievements. The valley is rich in places of both Hindu
and Buddhist pilgrimage. These two religions have been
quite brotherly residing within the kingdom since time
immemorial.

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Kathmandu valley and some of the Monuments to be seen here are :- |
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Kathmandu Durbar Square
It is the historic seat of Royal family. The Durbar
square, with its old temples, and places, epitomizes the
religious and Cultural life of the people. The kings of
Nepal are crowned and their Coronations solemnized
interesting things to see here are; Talaju Temple, Kal
bahairab Temple, The god of destruction, Nautale Durbar,
Coronation nasal chowk the Gaddi Bautak, Jaganath
Temple, and status of kings. Duly recognized as a world
heritage site by UNESCO.
Swayambhunath Stupa
This is one of the world most glorious Buddhist Stupa,
it said to be 2000 years old. Visitor often calls it
monkey Temple. The main structure of Stupa is brick and
clay which supports a lofty conical soiree capped by a
pinnacle of copper gilt. There are all seeing eyes of
Lord Buddha on the four side of spire. Being situated
177m above the level of valley the hill of swyambhu nath
is a mosaic of small stupas and pagoda Temples. This
temple of the goddess believes to be famous in the way
of tantric. Other Temples and Tibetan monasteries
surround the main stupa of lord Buddha and temples of
goddess. From this stupa one can view entire valley of
Kathmandu. This stupa listed in world heritage site by
UNESCO.
Boudhanath
One of the oldest and biggest Buddhist monuments ever
built in Nepal. Boudhanath is an imposing structure
standing. The stupa stands on the massive three level
mandala styled platform surrounded by colorful private
family houses. Stupa is said to have been built in 5th
Century A.D. The site is considered very much like Mecca
for the Tibetan Buddhist.
Pashupatinath
This temple is being the Lord Shiva. The temple
possesses its two- tiered golden roof and silver doors
and is famous for its superb architecture. It is
situated near by Airport on the banks of Bagmati River.
Being one of the most important Hindus Temple, it is
center of annual pilgrimage on the day of "Maha
shivaratri. From time immortal, the temple area has
contained numerous temples, stupas, Monasteries, images
and inscriptions. Not only is the Pashupati area, a
pilgrimage site for the Hindus it is also an important
culture treasury for the entire world.
Kasthamandap
Located nearby the Temple of Kumari, this is a unique
type of wooden temple also known as Maru Satal. It was
built in 1596 A.D. by King Laxmi Narsingh Malla. They
say the timber used for its relevant construction was
sawed out of a single tree. It is also believed that the
capital of Kathmandu derived its new name from this very
'Kastha Mandap.' Today it houses the Hindu God namely
Gorakh-Nath.
Hanuman Gate
This falls to be the historic seat of the past royalty,
particularly belonging to the Malla dynasty. The Durbar
Square, which is itself the old Royal Palace Complex
dedicated to the Malla monarchs, is today classified as
a World Heritage Site of Culture. The age-old temples
and palaces epitomize the religious and cultural
life-style of the people. The interesting things to view
include Taleju Temple built by late King Mahendra Malla
in 1549 A.D., a gigantic stone figure exposing the
fearful manifestation of the Black Vairab which the
Hindus regard as the God of Destruction, the tall stone
pillar on the plinth-top of which sits late King Pratap
Malla with his two beloved queens on either sides plus
an infant child in the middle, the colossal image of the
White Vairab the lattice of which is removed for a week
during the Kumari Yatra festival, the nine-storied
Basantapur Palace (literally meaning the spring season
palace), the Gigantic Bell and the Great Drums. The main
golden-gate is guarded by the Monkey-God called Hanuman
. He is the King of the Monkeys and a faithful servant
to Lord Ram Chandra-the unanimous Hero of the ancient
epic "Ramayan." Being guarded by a sole protector, the
gate itself has come to be known as Hanuman Gate. With a
commercial umbrella suspended above his head and wrapped
in a scarlet cloak, he squats on a stone plinth to be
respected by hundreds of Nepalese Hindus plus Indian
Hindus. (He is actually blind-folded as he was a chaste
bachelor and wishes not to come in vision of any female
figures.)
Kumari Temple
The temple and the holy quadrangle with a Buddhist stupa
at the center form the residential quarters of the
Chaste Virgin Living Goddess called KUMARI. The
traditional building has profusely carved wooden
balconies and window screens. The non-Buddhist and the
non-Hindu visitors may enter the courtyard called the 'bahal'
but may not proceed beyond upstairs. The KUMARI
acknowledges their greetings from the central window of
the balcony particularly saved for Her alone and
snapshot is strictly prohibited.
Budanikantha
About 8 km north of Kathmandu, at the vase of Shivapuri
hill is a remarkable colossal status of Lord Vishnu,
reclining on bed of snakes. This is one of the
masterpieces of stone sculptures of the Lichchhavi
period. This fifth century statue is in the middle of a
small pond and seems to float in water. Sankhu an
ancient town is a little north east of Kathmandu. It was
once a trade route to Tibet. One can see here the
medieval rest houses of rich traders, shelter of
porters, horses, stables and variety of houses. There
are houses adorned with Greek columns of various
designs, like Corinthian, Doric and Ionic houses built
after the middle of 19th century, decorated with
celestial mumps or cupid with his bow and arrow. The
Vatrayogini temples, which sit in, the middle of a hill
surrounded by green forests. Many rock and caves exist
for Buddhist mediators. Some of them were cared in
monolithic rock, from as far back as the beginning of
the Christian era.
Dachhinkali Pharping & Chovar Gorge
Dakshinkali is a tantric goddess worshiped by Hindus all
over the world. The Buddhist and other Nepalese equally
venerate her. The Kali cut developed after worship of
fertility cult all over the world. Because of the
Tantric influence, she is represented a Skeleton without
flesh and blood, very symbolic. She represents the
eternal time and lives next to the cremation ground.
Near Dakshinkali one can visit ancient Pharping village
offers many arts objects. It is believed that Padmasamba,
the founder of Lamaistic School of Buddhism in Tibet.
There is Guru Rinpoche's cave where on can see Guru
Rinpoche's residence and reminder such as hand print,
foot print Head print and other parts of the body. Every
day many Buddhist Pilgrimage visit there. Many Buddhist
Monasteries are built around there. Chovar is famous of
its gorge. Ascending two minutes reach of the Adinath
temple, full of pots and pans offered, it is strange to
see the entire temple is covered with Brass pot.
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Picture of Bhaktapur |
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Current Tourism News |
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Nepal trekking /
travel related business was booming until 1999. After that, the
incessant conflict scared off tourists from visiting
Nepal and we are feeling the pinch of the fall in
tourist arrivals. There was a time when we recorded such
a huge flow of tourists that we used to turn back some.
As a professional Nepal tour operator we did not have sufficient
staff and equipment to handle all of them...
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