Sankhu is a very old Newar city and lies 23
km from Kathmandu. It derives its name from
Sankhapura, which means Conch City. It lies
on the famous route to Tibet. The traders
used this route from 7th to 9th centuries
AD. This legendary city is worth a visit,
because of its old houses, beautiful wood-
carved temples and old stone water taps.
The famous temple of Goddess Ugratara Bajrayogini
is situated at a 45 minute walking distance
from here.
The Goddess Bajrayogini is the Hindu - Buddhist
parallel manifestation of Goddess Kali. The
temple complex is supposed to be as old as
Changunarayan (467 AD). It is mentioned in
Gopal Vamsabali, a research manuscript, which
states Manadev, performed penance at this
place. The present three- tier structure
or the temple is the contribution of King
Pratap Malla.
Nagarkot is a famous place to see the mountain
ranges and sunrise. It lies at an altitude
of 2211m and is located 30 km north east
of Kathmandu. If weather is good, one can
see great views of Himalayas including
Annapurna, Langtang, Dorje Lakpa and Gauri
Shanker, Ganesh Himala. The mountain flight
that goes each day to show Everest and
other Himalayas from Kathmandu goes via
the Nagarkot route.
Many visitors go to Nagarkot to see sunrise.
Once the sun begins to rise from behind the
Himalayas, it looks spectacular as mountain
changes its color. However to see the sunrise,
visitors has to go to Nagarkot 4 o'clock
in the morning.
Changunarayan is situated at the end of a
long ridge which runs well into the valley,
it is said to have been built in 323 AD
by King Hari Datta Varma. The temple is
richly decorated with sculptures and carvings.
It is said to be the oldest temple in the
valley.
Bhaktapur (1,401m) covers an area of four
square miles. Bhaktapur or the city of
devotees still retains a medieval charm
and visitors to this ancient town are treated
to myriad wonders of cultural and artistic
achievements. The past glory of the Malla
rules continues to be reflected at the
Darbar Square. Pottery and waving are its
traditional industries. Bhaktapur is famous
for woodcarving and the traditional topi
or cap. The city lies about 14 km east
of Kathmandu. The places of interest include
Bhaktapur Darbar Square, the National Art
Gallery, Nyatapola Temple, Bhairavnath
Temple, Dattatreya Temple and Dattatreya
Square.
The main square of the city contains innumerable
temples and other architectural showpieces
such as lion gate, the golden gate, the
statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, Dattatraya
Temple etc.
A magnificent statue of King Bhupatindra
Malla in the act of worship is placed on
a column facing the palace. It was listed
in the UNESCO world Heritage Monument List
in 1979.
Being built by King Yaksha Mall in 1427 A.D.
and remodeled by King Bhupatindra Malla
in 17th Century, the balcony and the windows
are intricately carved is a masterpiece
of wood carving.
This five storied Pagoda Style temple was
built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1708
A.D. well known for its massive structure
and subtle workmanship. It is the tallest
pagoda structure in the Kathmandu valley.
Known as Kantipur, Kathmandu is the capital
of the Kingdom of Nepal. Here you will
visit the temple of the Living Goddess
who acknowledges the greetings of the devotees
from the balcony of her temple residence.
Kashtamandap - the source of the name Kathmandu
and supposed to be made from the timber
of a single tree and the Durbar Square
are with its array of temples overlooked
by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient
place of the Nepalese Royalty.
This day you will visit Kathmandu Durbar
Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath.
Though there are other places worth to be
visited such as Machchendranath Temple, Akash
Bhairab Temple, Kumari Temple, Ashok Vinayak,
Jaishi Dewal, Tundikhel, Marty'r Memorial,
Bhadrakali Temple, Singha Darbar, Narayanhiti
Darbar, Kaiser Library, Budhanilkantha, Balaju
Water Gardens, the National Museum, Guheswari
Temple, Chabahil and Chandra Vinayak.
Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the most
popular tourist destination is enlisted
in World Heritage Sites. Clustered around
the central Durbar Square are the old Royal
Palace (Hanuman Dhoka), numerous interesting
temples, the Kumari Chowk or Kumari Bahal
(House of the Living Goddess) and the Kasthamandap
(House of Wood) from which Kathmandu derived
its present name. An inquisitive exploration
in the Durbar Square reveals the ancient
art and architecture of Nepal which has
proved to be a masterpiece to everyone
accepting its genuineness.
Swayambhunath is located approximately 4
kilometers of Kathmandu city and this Buddhist
Stupa is said to be 2000 years old. The
Stupa which forms the main structure is
composed of a solid hemisphere of brick
and earth supporting a lofty conical spire
capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted
on the four sided base of the spire are
the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. This
hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas and
Pagoda temples.
Boudhanath Stupa is 8 kilometers east of
Kathmandu City and is one of the biggest
in the world of its kind. It stands with
four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal
direction keeping watch for righteous behavior
and human prosperity. This Buddhist Stupa
was built by King Man Deva at the advice
of the Goddess Mani Jogini. It is built
on an octagonal base inset with prayer
wheels. The shrine is ringed by houses
of Lamas or Buddhist priest.
Situated 5 kilometers east of Kathmandu City,
Pashupatinath temple is one of the holiest
temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated
amidst a lush green natural setting on
the bank of the sacred Bagmati river, the
temple built in pagoda style has jilted
roof and richly carved silver doors. Visitors
will be permitted to view the temple from
the east bank of Bagmati River, entrance
in the temple being strictly forbidden
to all non Hindus. Pashupatinath is the
centre of annual pilgrimage on the day
of shivaratri which falls in the month
of February/March. Behind the temple are
the cremation grounds.
Kirtipur situated on the top of
hillock is 6 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu.
The ancient township is a natural fortress
and has a proud and courageous history.
It was founded by Shiva Deva between
1099 and 1126. It was apart of kingdom
of Patan after the division of Kathmandu
valley in 1482. Historically, this city
is famous for its resistance against the
invasion of Gorkhas. The King of Gorkha,
Prithivi Narayan Shah attacked there time
to conquer this city. The city is historically
and artistically important. There are many
small and big temples and stupas scattered
around the city. The Chilamchu Stupa
and the temple of Bagh Bhairav are major
sights here. Kirtipur offers quaint streets
lined with artistic houses and temple squares.
The people are known for their skill
in building and weaving.
The temple of Dakshinkali is dedicated to
the Hindu goddess Kali and is one of the
most popular places of worship in Kathmandu.
Located 22 km from the city center on the
southern rim of the valley past Pharping
village, the shrine is especially crowded
on Tuesdays and Saturdays when animal sacrifices
are offered to the deity. According to
a mythology the Goddess Durga has killed
the demon and drank the blood of animals.
This is the reason blood is scarified to
her. The temple was built by Pratap Malla
during 17th century, but the construction,
seems to be very new.
Next you stop at Chobhar gorge. Legend has
it that Manjushree cut out the gorge to drain
out Kathmandu valley was then a lake. There
is a small but picturesque temple of Adinath
on the top of a hill. From this top one can
have a completed view of snowcapped mountains
peaks.
The ancient city of Patan, lying 5 km southeast
of Kathmandu, is known as Lalitpur or the
city of fine arts. The city is full of Hindu
temples and Buddhist monuments. The diversity
of medieval culture that allowed both Hinduism
and Buddhism to flourish has left a rich
legacy of impressive sightseeing in this
city. At Patan you explore Patan Durbar Square,
Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor temple, Krishna
Temple, Golden Temple and many other places
of Patan, you feel as if Patan has been unveiled
before you as an open museum showcasing intricately
carved windows, intrinsic roof struts, statues
of gods and goddesses, temples designed in
pagoda style with erotic carvings and repose
metalwork facades and many other exquisite
facets. You will also get to see handicraft
centre in Patan.
Patan is probably one the oldest Buddhist
City in the world. It is believed that
the city was founded in the 3rd century
A.D. Patan is situated on a plateau across
Bagmati River. Another name of Patan, is
Lalitpur. This city is known for its finest
traditional crafts and rich artistic heritage.
Patan is designed and built after Buddhist
Dharma Chakra. It is surrounded by 4Stupas
as 4 corners of Patan, one at each corner
of its cardinal points. These stupas are
said to have been built by the famous Emperor
Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. It is also
said that the ancient city got its name Lalitpattan
after the Lalitadhara forest was cleared
by king Biradava. It must be remembered that
the name of Patan used by Newars in Yala.
It is said that King Yalamber named this
city after himself. Before Malla Dynasty
ascended the throne in 1480 the Muslim Emperor
Sam Suddin Iliyas destroyed the temples and
monuments of Patan. When King Siddhi Nar
Singh Malla ascended the throne in 1618,
he started to rebuild the city and Shrinivas
and Yog Narendra Malla made further contributions
to it. These days one can see the beautiful
palace complex and squares built during the
Malla period.
The Krishna Mandir is dedicated to lord Krishna
and was build by Siddhi Narsingha Malla
in 1637. Many writers have considered this
temple as and ornament of Patan. This temple
was built in Shikhara style, which is considered
to be of Indian influence in Nepal. The
temple is three storied and important scenes
from the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics
have been carved inside the temple. The
statue of Krishna lies in the first floor
and only Hindus are allowed to go in. It
is one of the most visited temples in Patan.
On the occasion of Krishna Janmasthanmi
(Lord Krishna's Birthday), thousands of
devotees come to the temple. The other
importance of this temple is a statue of
Garuda)(the vehicle of Krishna or Vishnu)
in front of the temple.
The Golden Temple or Hiranya Varna Mahavihar
is the richest temple in Patan. The temple
is just tow minutes walk towards, the north
f the Durbar Square. The temple, built
in the 12th Century, is popular among the
Buddhists of Patan. At the main entrance
tow lions are guarding the temple. The
building has three roofs with copper golden
facades. Inside the temple, there are images
of Buddha and Boddisattvas. IN the courtyard,
there is a small temple with beautifully
decorated pinnacle.
Other interesting things to see here are
Mulchowk, Jagat Narayan Temple, Big Bell,
Pillar of Yognarendra Malla, Hari Shanker
temple, Vishwanath temple, Bhimsen temple,
Marga Hiti, and Mani Mandap, Café Pagoda,
Kumbheswor Temple, Rato Machhendra Temple,
Minnath, Rudra Varna Mahavihar and so on.
Chapagaun is a very old Newar Village in
southern Patan. The main attraction of
this village is the Bajra Barahi Shrine.
Barahi is the name of one of the Mother
Goddesses Ajima. It lies in the center
of a thick grove, three hundreds meter
from the center of the village. The temple
was built 500 years ago.
About 6 kilometers South of Patan lays the
two medieval village of Bungmati and Khokana.
To reach these villages one has to follow
the straight road from the Tibetan refugee
Camp on Jawalakhel. About 5000 people live
in Bungmati and 3000 inhabitants in Khonkana.
Most of the people are Newars. From Khokana,
Bungmati is 15 minutes walk. In these villages
on can see typical Newari houses. Also these
villages are popular for chilly and mustard
oil. The best time to visit Bungmati and
Khokana is in October and November because
at that time the whole village looks colorful.
They hand red chilly garland from the top
floor to the ground floor in the whole village.
Most of the farmers in these villages are
either involved in spinning or oil pressing
business. The mustard oil of Khokana is still
popular in Kathmandu valley
