NEPAL
CITY TOUR

KATHMANDU
VALLEY
Once
upon a time, Kathmandu valley
was a big lake. And, according
to the legend, the Buddhist God
Manjushree sliced the small hill
and drained the water of the lake
and made it inhabitable. No doubt,
The Newars are the indigenous
inhabitants of the valley and
the creators of the splendid civilization
of its three cities- Kathmandu,
Patan and Bhaktapur. Their art
and architecture are of sheer
magic that one stares for hours.
Consequently, UNESCO has declared
a world heritage sites to Kathmandu
Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square,
Bhaktapur Durbar Square,Pashupatinath
Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Swyambhunath.
The profound religious culture
based on a unique amalgamation
of Hinduism and Buddhism is very
interesting. Multi roofed temples,
exquisite monasteries, stone carvings
and wooden carvings, and the age-old
traditions and religious festivals
have kept Kathmandu valley with
immense vivacity till today.
Swyambhuanth
The
Swayambhu Sputa is a Buddhist
site over 2,500 years old. Built
on a hilltop that stood out as
an island when the valley was
covered by the lake once upon
a time. It marks the spot where
a flaming lotus sprouted out of
a seed cast by a Buddha of another
eon. Statues of various Buddhist
deities are embedded around its
white dome over which rise a gilded
spire. There are numerous other
shrines and several monasteries
on the hilltop, from where a magnificent
view of the valley can be had.
UNESCO has declared Swayambhu
a World Heritage Site.
Bouddhanath
On the other side of the valley,
the Bouddhanath stupa is the largest
in Nepal. Its massive white dome
looms over concentric ascending
terraces and presents an impressive
sight. There are 108 images of
the Buddha set around the base
of the stupa. Tibetan Buddhist
monasteries are scattered all
around and a large Tibetan community
resides in the area. According
to legend, builders used dew to
mix the mortar which they collected
by spreading cloth on the ground
as Kathmandu was reeling under
a drought during its construction.
UNESCO has declared Bouddhanath
a World Heritage Site.
Pashupatinath
Pashupatinath
is the most important Hindu shrine
in Nepal. Built in the 17th century,
the artistic temple houses the
sacred lingam or phallic symbol
of Lord Shiva, the destroyer in
the Hindu trinity. Its gilded
pagoda roofs and silver doorways
are specimens of marvellous workmanship.
The temple marks the spot where
Lord Shiva romped through the
woods in the guise of a deer.
The bank of the holy Bagmati River
flowing beside it is a pilgrimage
spot where devotees take holy
dips. UNESCO has declared Pashupatinath
a World Heritage Site.
Budhanilkantha
The shrine of Budhanilkantha lies
at the foot of the hill, on the
northern rim of the Kathmandu
valley. The site contains a huge
stone image of Lord Vishnu, the
preserver in the Hindu trinity,
reclining on a bed of serpents
half submerged in the middle of
a pond. The shrine was built more
than 1,500 years ago and is one
of the most popular pilgrimage
sites in the valley.
PATAN
DURBAR SQUARE
The
Patan Durbar Square presents an
example of mastery in urban design
with a complex of temples fronting
the old royal palace of Patan.
The many shrines here offer a
medley of architectural styles,
with the stone temple of Krishna
Mandir, dedicated to the Hindu
deity Krishna, standing out for
its workmanship. The palace building
contains a number of chowks, or
courtyards. The Sundari Chowk
has in its centre a sunken bath
with itswalls embellished with
stone carvings. The Golden Window
in the palace is a masterpiece
in repousse art. UNESCO has declared
Patan Durbar Square a World Heritage
Site.
Golden Temple
The
Golden Temple, locally known as
Kwa Bahal, is one of the most
renowned Buddhist monastery courtyards
in Patan. Its origin goes back
to the 12th century. The monastery
complex consists of a rectangular
building with three roofs and
a facade embossed with gilded
copper. The many ancient Buddha
images here attract throngs of
worshippers.
Kumbheshwor
The Kumbheswar temple in Patan
is one of the only three pagoda
temples in the Kathmandu Valley
with five roofs. It is ornamented
with elaborate carvings and the
site is strewn with sacred statues.
There are two pond in the courtyard
believed to be filled with water
flowing through a sub-terranean
channel from the holy lake Gosaikund,
several days' trek north of Kathmandu.
It is the oldest existing temple
in Patan built in the 14th century.
Mahaboudhha
The Mahabouddha temple of Patan
is unusual for its obelisk design
in a city of pagoda-shaped temples.
Terracotta plaques depicting the
Buddha cover the entire structure,
which is why it is also known
as the Temple of the Thousand
Buddha's. A visit to Mahabouddha
is also an opportunity to get
the feel of traditional Patan
with its quaint streets and hidden
courtyards. Mahabouddha was built
towards the end of the 16th century.
It is said it had taken three
generation to complete the temple.
The whole temple raised by 9999
Buddha images in terracotta bricks
is the specialty of this temple.
BHAKTAPUR
DURBAR SQUARE
The
Golden Gate is the centre of attraction
at Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The
main entrance of the former palace
building here depicts master art
at its best. The magnificent workmanship
on the tympanum with its images
of various deities points to the
skill of ancient masters. The
Fifty-five Window Palace here
used to be the residence of Bhaktapur's
old kings. The many courtyards
inside contain shrines dedicated
to various deities, which are
all richly carved. The Durbar
Square has a large open brick-paved
area in the centre surrounded
by temples arranged in a harmonious
layout. UNESCO has declared Bhaktapur
Durbar Square a World Heritage
Site.
Taumadhi
A narrow alley leads from the
Durbar Square to Taumadhi Square
that contains the pride of Bhaktapur
and the symbol of the artistic
and architectural supremacy of
the Kathmandu Valley - the Nyatapol
temple. Built atop a massive terraced
plinth, the splendid five-roofed
pagoda is the tallest in Nepal.
Its stone, woodcarvings, and graceful
design display sacred architecture
at its height. The stairs leading
up to the temple is flanked by
stone figures of deities and mythical
animals.
Dattatreya
The Dattatreya Square of Bhaktapur
used to be the centre of town
in ancient times. The streets
are lined with traditional houses
ornamented with elaborately carved
wooden windows. The Dattatreya
temple, which draws both Hindu
and Buddhist worshippers, dates
back to the 15th century. The
Bhimsen temple here was erected
in the early 1600s. The famed
Peacock Window of Bhaktapur is
set into a wall of the Pujari
Math where Hindu priests reside.