Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is capital city of Nepal, situated in a bowl shaped valley in central Nepal. The Kingdom extends about 885 km. east to west and 193 km. in width north to south. The entire terrain is like a steep incline, descending from the icy Himalayan heights to the hot Terai flatland within a short distance.

Places to see in Kathmandu

Kathmandu Durbar Square

A very old Hindu text has described Kathmandu as the land of gods surrounded by beautiful mountains around. Some two hundred years ago a western Visitor wrote that there were as many temples as there were houses and many idols as there were people. In fact Kathmandu boasts one of the largest congregations of magnificent historical monuments and shrines ever built. Duly recognized as a world Heritage Site by UNESCO- this particular area best known as Kathmandu Durbar Square lies in the heart of this city. Locally also called as Hanuman Dhoka Palace Square-an ancient seat of the Nepalese Royalty.

Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex consists of a huge Royal Square imposing a tremendous variety of temples dedicated to different Hindu gods and goddess. Most of the buildings we see here date from 15th to 18th century.

The entire Palace Complex here is named after a monkey god called Hanuman. One can see a huge stone statue of Hanuman painted all red right next to the main entrance ( the golden gate) of the palace. Hanuman here is regarded as a powerful protector of the entire Durbar Square.

Some of the important monuments to be seen here are: 
Taleju temple - tallest of all structures built by king Mahendra Malla in 1549 A.D.
Jagannath temple - built in the 16th century, known for fascinating erotic figures carving I the wooden struts eaves. 
Kal Bhairav - one of the largest stone idol in Kathmandu representing the terrifying aspects of Shiva.
Statue of King Pratap Malla in praying gesture to Digu Taleju the royal family deity right across.
Kumari Ghar - 17th century Kumari temple, an example of the highly developed Nepalese temple craft.
Kasthamandap - built from the timber of a single tree. The Kathmandu City derives its name from Kasthamandap.

Besides this other fascinating part of this palace complex is the towering Nautale Durbar overlooking the beautiful cityscape and the vast Basantapur square where Prithivi Narayan Shah built mansion to commemorate his victory in 1768 A.D. This building complex is known for the most intricately carved wooden doorways roof struts and massive lattice windows full of mythical figures.

Swyambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple)

Located in a lovely little hill rock Swoyambhu Nath Stupa is one of the most fascinating architectural jewels of the world. This great Stoup is said to have been built around 250 B.C.

Generally a holy memorial site Stoup represents a typical Buddhist architecture. Its main feature the white dome is identified with a spotless pure jewel of Nirvana and a thirteen tiered golden spire in conical shape surmounted on the dome. Underneath this towering structure are a pair of all seeing eyes of Buddha painted on all four sides of the Stupa.

The Stupa of Swoyambhunath stands on a typically stylized lotus mandala base-a long time ago believed to have originated from a legendary lake of Kathmandu Valley.

As the ancient legend goes Kathmandu Valley was a lake a long time ago. Right in the centre of this lake was a full blown lotus with the divine light a top. When Maha Manjushri a saint from China heard about this he came rushing all the way from China to the Valley. He cut through the southern wall hill of the valley with his divine sword. The cleft made by the sword immediately drained the entire lake water making the valley floor open for a close up view of the divine lotus light.

This holy site in fact is the massive stupa complex ever built in Nepal. Hundreds of votive shrines and other historical monuments built in and around this stupa speak a lot about the significance and antiquity of this famed stupa.

It lies about 3k.m. west of down town Kathmandu. There are two different ways to reach for this site. One is from the west side which is relatively a short cut and another is from the east side where it leads to the main entrance with 360 steps leading all the way to the top, where the most venerated Swayambhu Stupa stands-commanding a magnificent view of Kathmandu Valley and the breathtaking panorama of the north eastern Himalayan range.

Boudha Nath Stupa

One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal, Boudhanath is an imposing structure standing some 36 meters. The Stupa stands on the massive three level mandala style Platforms surrounded by colourful private family houses. The basic feature of this great stupa is very much like that of Swoyambhunath stupa except its finial displaying. It is much bigger than Swoyambhu stupa and lies on the valley floor whereas the former one stands on the hill top. This stupa is said to have been built in 5th century A. D. The site is considered very much like Mecca for the Tibetan Buddhists and every year tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the Himalayan region visit the stupa.

According to a very popular legend long time ago the kingdom of Kathmandu was under terrifying draught. King Dharma Deva was very worried. An astrologer advised him that only the sacrifice of an ideal man with 32 virtues in front of the dry royal water spout could make the rain fall in the country. And in the following night he commanded his son to go to the dry water spout inside the royal palace compound at mid night and behead the person shrouded in white robe without looking at him. The Prince obeyed his father but to his great horror only to find it was none other than his own father.

Pashupatinath Temple

Pasupatinath is considered one of the holiest shrines of all the Hindu temples. The temple has remained the presiding deity of ruling Nepalese Royalty. Located on the banks of the Bagmati river, this two tiered magnificent golden temple with four triple silver doorways is unique example of the Nepalese temple architecture. It is one of the largest Hindu temple complex in South Asia with hundreds of Shiva lingams, shrines icons of various Hindu god and goddess insides.

This temple site occupies an area of 281 hectares in total. The main entrance of this temple is in the western side facing a small street of Deopatan market. As non Hindus are not allowed to enter this temple courtyard. They are advised to go on the other side of the river in the East to have a glimpse of the temple complex. In the middle of the spring (Feb.-March) every year there occurs a festival called Shivaratri. The world Shivaratri means the holy night of Lord Shiva. On this day many devotees visit the Pashupati Nath temple and make the ceremonial fire.

Most of the devotees spend the night offering prayers to Shiva. This festival attracts tens of thousand of pilgrims from India besides the locals. Historically pre-Christian era this temple seems to have its origin away back to the early Kirat period. Stone sculptures found in the vicinity support the antiquity of this place. This holy site is 6 km. east oil down town Kathmandu. Regular bus and taxi services are easily available from a city points.

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.

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 alsoconsists of religious shrines, fishponds and a replica of the statue of Budhanilkantha. There is also a swimming pool inside the park.

BEST KATHMANDU PACKAGES

$290
Kathmandu Valley Tour

Kathmandu Valley Tour

Kathmandu Valley Tours is one of the most popular sightseeing tour in Nepal. Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and is cons...

7 Reviews
4 Days
$370
Cultural and Sunrise Tour

Cultural and Sunrise Tour

Cultural and Sunrise Nepal Tours is special tour package for sunrise view in Nepal with easy access from Kathmandu. Nagarkot is...

6 Reviews
5 Days
$490
Kathmandu Pokhara Tour

Kathmandu Pokhara Tour

This prestigious Kathmandu Pokhara tours is a combination of cultural and natural appreciation. In Kathmandu valley and around,...

6 Reviews
6 Days
$390
Nepal Cultural Tour (Kathmandu and Lumbini)

Nepal Cultural Tour (Kathmandu and Lumbini)

Asides from a discovery of harmony of Buddhism and Hinduism in and around the Kathmandu Valley, you...

6 Reviews
6 Days
$840
All Nepal Tour

All Nepal Tour

Nepal, the land of splendid nature and rich culture is waiting for you exploration through its diffe...

8 Reviews
10 Days
$990
Nepal Experience Tour

Nepal Experience Tour

This experience Nepal tours is an amazing, relax and exhilarating tour in Nepal. It comprises a complete trip within Kathm...

7 Reviews
11 Days
$990
Classic Nepal Tour

Classic Nepal Tour

This classic Nepal tour is customizable combination trip gives you a great taste of this Himalaya country, including the Kathma...

8 Reviews
12 Days
$690
Taste of Nepal Trip

Taste of Nepal Trip

Taste of Nepal Trip starts with visiting the cultural towns of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur c...

7 Reviews
8 Days
$1110
Best of Nepal Tour (Discover Nepal)

Best of Nepal Tour (Discover Nepal)

You will travel as part of a small group on this two week Best of Nepal Tours, discovering all aspec...

7 Reviews
14 Days
$890
Kathmandu & Lhasa Tour

Kathmandu & Lhasa Tour

Nepal and Tibet Tour covers world heritage sites in Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapu...

1 Reviews
8 Days
$1390
Nepal Bhutan Tour

Nepal Bhutan Tour

Nepal to Bhutan Tour, takes you on a wonderful journey of discover the Himalayan kingdom. Discover t...

3 Reviews
10 Days
$1540
Nepal Tibet Bhutan Tour

Nepal Tibet Bhutan Tour

Nepal Tibet Bhutan tour will take you into few gorgeous places in the Himalayan countries Nepal Tibe...

3 Reviews
12 Days
$160
Shivapuri Hiking

Shivapuri Hiking

Shivapuri Village is a destination village resort in Nepal which is 25 km from the capital; Kathmand...

0 Reviews
2 Days
India Nepal Cultural Tour

India Nepal Cultural Tour

India Nepal Tours covers major attaraction of cultural sightseeing places of India and Nepal with tr...

0 Reviews
10 Days
Hindu Pilgrimage Tour

Hindu Pilgrimage Tour

Besides the famous shrine of Pashupatinath and historic sites as Lumbini and Janakpur a number of ot...

1 Reviews
6 Days
Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

Buddhism in Nepal dates from the birth of Siddharta Gautama himself. Buddhist Pilgrimage tour is esp...

1 Reviews
6 Days
Kathmandu Day Tour

Kathmandu Day Tour

Kathmandu is an incredibly diverse historic city with breathtaking Newari architecture, centuries ol...

0 Reviews
8 hours
Chandragiri Cable Car Tour 

Chandragiri Cable Car Tour 

Chandragiri Cable Car Tour is an ultimate touring experience for local and int...

0 Reviews
4 hours
Nepal Tour for Seniors

Nepal Tour for Seniors

The fact that you are retired now must not restrict you from living life. We are in Nepal understand...

0 Reviews
6 Days
Family Vacation to Nepal

Family Vacation to Nepal

Nepal with its myriad attractions, experiences, and hospitality is among the world's best family holiday destinations. With...

0 Reviews
8 Days
China Tibet Nepal Bhutan India Tour

China Tibet Nepal Bhutan India Tour

Starting from the capital city of China, this 23 Days tour from China, Beijing to India, Delhi via T...

0 Reviews
23 Days
China Tibet to Nepal Tour Package

China Tibet to Nepal Tour Package

Travelling from the ancient capital of China to the unique Tibetan Plateau and then to the Kathmandu...

0 Reviews
15 Days