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Kathmandu Durbar Square |
Kathmandu Durbar Square is in the heart of old city Kathmandu
in Basantapur. The complex was residence to Nepal's family
before the construction of the Narayanhiti Palace. The
founding of the Palace dates back to Licchavi times. With
considerable renovations by Malla rulers and later the
Ranas, construction was accomplished progressively over
many centuries.
There are around 50 temples in the vicinity including
the temple of titular deity, Taleju Bhawani. The Durbar
is divided into two courtyards, the outer comprising Kasthamandap,
Kumari Ghar, and Shiva-Parvati Temple, and the inner consisting
of Hanuman Dhoka and the main palace. It also houses two
museums. Important ceremonies, including the coronation
of the Nepali monarch, are held in the Kathmandu Durbar
Square. Most parts of the palace premise are open for
tourists throughout the week during office hours.
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Bhaktapur Durbar Square |
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the center of Bhaktapur.
The Square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces
of the Valley as it highlights some of the finest medieval
arts of Nepal. The main items of interest in Bhaktapur
Durbar Square are the Lion Gate, the Golden Gate and the
statues of kings on stone monoliths. The Golden Gate was
erected by King Ranjit Malla as the entrance to the main
courtyard of the Fifty-five Windowed Palace.
The Palace of Fifty-five Windows was built during the
reign of King Yakshya Malla in A.D. 1427 and was remodelled
by King Bhupatindra Malla in the seventeeth century. The
art gallery of Bhaktapur Durbar Square contains ancient
paintings belonging to the Hindu and Buddhist traditions
of various periods. This gallery is open everyday except
Tuesday.
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Patan Durbar Square |
Patan Durbar Square complex, situated in the center of
Patan city, houses the residence of the former family
of Patan. The Square and its surroundings provide very
good example of ancient Newari architecture. The palace
has three main courtyards the central and the oldest is
Mul Chowk. To the west of the complex are a dozen free
standing temples of various sizes and styles. Krishna
Temple, Bhimsen Temple, the Golden Temple of Hiranya Varna
Mahavira and Sundari Chowk mark the architectural excellence
of its era. The Sundari Chowk with the sunken bath of
Tusha Hiti, contains exquisite woodcarvings, stone, and
metal sculpture. Patan Durbar Square also houses a temple
of Taleju Bhawani. |
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Swoyambhunath |
Swoyambhu literally means 'Self-Existent One.' Swoyambhunath
is believed to have been established more than 2,500 years
ago. An inscription dated 460 A.D. states that the construction
was carried out by King Manadeva. By the thirteenth century
Swoyambhunath had developed into an important Buddhist
learning site.
The history of Kathmandu Valley is said to have started
with the beginning of Swoyambhu. The largest image of
the Sakyamuni Buddha in Nepal is in a monastery next to
the stupa. Behind the hilltop is a temple dedicated to
Manjusri of Saraswati - the goddess of learning. Statues
and shrines of Buddhist and Hindu deities dot the stupa
complex.
Large numbers of Buddhists and Hindus alike visit Swoyambhunath.
Swoyambhu is perhaps the best place to observe the religious
harmony in Nepal. The stupa is atop a hill, and requires
considerable walk. There is also a road that leads almost
to the base of the statue.
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Pashupatinath |
Pashupatinath is one of the four most important religious
sites in Asia for Shiva devotees. Pashupatinath, dedicated
to Shiva the Destroyer, is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage
destination in Nepal. Although the Pashupatinath Temple
was only built in the fifth century and later renovated
by Malla kings, the holy site is said to have existed
from the beginning of the millennium.
A gold-plated roof, four silver doors, and wood carvings
of the finest quality decorate the pagoda temple of Pashupatinath.
Temples dedicated to several other Hindu and Buddhist
deities surround the temple of Pashupatinath. Nearby is
the temple of Guheshwori dedicated to Shiva's consort
Sati Devi. Behind the temple is the River Bagmati. On
the banks of Bagmati are raised platforms used as cremation
sites for Hindus. Only Hindus are allowed inside the Pashupatinath
courtyard.
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Bouddhanath |
Bouddhanath is the center of Tibetan culture in Nepal.
The 36-meter-high stupa of Bouddhanath is one of the largest
stupas in South Asia. Bouddhanath Stupa was renovated
by Licchavi rulers in the eighth century. The mandala
design in Bouddhanath is a copy of the one in Gyangtse
in Tibet.
The stupa is located in the area of ancient trade route
to Tibet where Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers
for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet
in the 1950s, many decided to live around Bouddhanath.
Hence, a complete township has developed around Bouddhanath.
The stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kasyap sage
venerable both to Buddhists and Hindus. Smaller stupas
are located at the base. Gompa monasteries, curio shops,
and restaurants surround Bouddhanath.
Because of its location and size, it seems much larger
than the Swayambunath Stupa, with the same hemi-spherical
dome symbolizing the emptiness from which everything emanates.
On top is the harmika painted on each side with the eyes
of the Buddha symbolizing awareness, and above the spire
with its 13 stages to the canopy. At ground level there
is a brick wall with 147 niches and 108 images of the
meditational buddha inset behind copper prayer wheels.
Early morning and evening are the times to visit Bouddha
to join the local residents in kora (walking the pilgrim's
circuit, sometimes with Tibetan pilgrims on their hands
and knees).
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Changu Narayan |
Changu Narayan is the temple of Vishnu, the Preserver,
in the village of Changu in Bhaktapur. The origins of
Changu Narayan goes back to the fourth century. A fifth
century stone inscription in the temple proclaims it as
one of the oldest shrines of the Kathmandu Valley. The
temple is believed to be sixteen hundred years old. It
is embellished by the best examples of stone, wood, and
metal craft.
On the struts of the two-tiered Changu Narayan Temple,
are the ten incarnations of Narayan. A sixth-century stone
statue shows the cosmic form of Vishnu. Garuda, half man
and half bird, is the steed of Vishnu, and his life-sized
statue kneels before the temple.
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Lumbini |
Lumbini associated with the birth of Lord Buddha is of
extreme archeological importance and also a UNESCO Cultural
Heritage Site. It is said that Prince Siddhartha Gautam,
who later became Buddha the Englightened One, was born
in the gardens of Nepal's Lumbini in 623 B.C. The main
shrines of Lumbini are the newly restored Mayadevi Temple,
the Ashokan Pillar behind the temple and the Lake Shakya
Puskarini where Mayadevi is said to have bathed before
delivering the little Buddha into the world.
Several other places near Lumbini are linked with stories
connected to Buddha and Buddhism. Lumbini is about 300
kilometers southwest of Kathmandu. Bus and flights to
Bhairawa which is about 22 kilometers from Lumbini, are
available from major cities. From Bhairawa transport services
to Lumbini are easily available. Food and accommodation
facilities are available in Lumbini and Bhairawa.
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Chitwan National Park |
The Chitwan National Park, Nepal's first national park
lies at the foot of the Himalayas in the Inner Terai lowlands
of Chitwan. Covering an area of 932 sq. kilometers the
park extends over decidhuhh uous forest foothills and
river floodplains. The park is rich in its variety of
vegetation and wildlife. The park provides one of the
last habitats for endangered species like the Asiatic
one-horned rhinoceros and the Bengal tiger. Chitwan National
Park was officially established in 1973 and included as
Natural Heritage Site in 1984. |
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Sagarmatha National Park |
The Sagarmatha National Park with its rugged mountains,
glaciers, valleys and crowned by the highest peak on earth
Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters lies in Northeast Nepal. The
1,148 sq. kilometers of Sagarmatha National Park extends
across the region's river areas and the famous Sherpas'
homefront Khumbu. Forests of rhododendron, birch, blue
pine, juniper and silver fir are found up to an altitude
of 4,000 meters. Rare species of animals like the snow
leopard, pandas, lynx are seen in the region. Rare bird
varieties like snow cock, snow pegion and different species
of pheasant are also to be seen here. The park was declared
a Natural Heritage Site in 1979. |
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