Kathmandu

Kathmandu Valley
This valley roofs to the three major cities of Nepal; Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur

Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal located in the northwest part of Kathmandu valley. The city encompasses the total area of 50.67sq km. This city is in the average elevation of 1,350m from the sea level.  It is bounded by the Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan City in its south, Kirtipur Municipality in south-west, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality in east and different Village Development Committees of Kathmandu in north, west and north-east.

It is the cultural, political, economic and administrative hub. It is like a bowl of salad with the mosaic ethnic communities. People from each district of Nepal questing different opportunities are sheltering around this city.
Stunning temples and palaces built during the rule of different rulers and dynasties such as Kiratis, Lichhavis, Malla, and Shah have contributed for the cultural promote.

It has been a beacon for travelers ever since Nepal first opened its borders to foreigners in 1950s. It is being the tourist destination since then. Travelers from all around the world come to Kathmandu in search of the enlightenment and the ultimate Shangri-la at the end of the overland trail. Thamel area in Kathmandu is the hub of foreign travelers.

Sights to visit
Kathmandu nestles under the roof of Kathmandu valley. It was listed under world heritage site by UNESCO since 1979. The entire city is an open-air museum, with hundreds of medieval temples, palaces, shrines and statues dotted around the narrow streets.

Thamel, a district of hotels, restaurants, bars, Internet cafes and souvenir shops to the west of the Royal Palace where most travelers center around. From here, the winding alleys of Old Kathmandu sprawl south to Durbar Square, with its stunning Newari temples and palaces.

Divided from Kathmandu by the Bagmati River, Patan (Lalitpur) has its own Durbar Square with more remarkable temples and palaces. Further from the center are the famous Buddhist stupas at Swyambhunath and Bouddhanath and the city of Bhaktapur, with another collection of fascinating palaces and shrines.

Places of interests in Kathmandu

Kathmandu Durbar Square
An atmospheric complex of palaces, courtyards and temples in the heart of the old city. Locally this area is known as Hanuman Dhoka, an ancient seat of the Nepalese Royalty. This area consists a huge Royal Square imposing a tremendous variety of temples dedicated to different Hindu Gods and Goddess. The entire palace complex 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). Hanuman is taken as the preserver of entire palace precinct. The bricks and stone monuments date back to the 12th century and the whole area is preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Inside Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kasthamandap
It is the temple of wood, which was made out of the timber of a single tree in 1596 AD by a person named, Biset. The Kathmandu valley was named after the same temple. In Sanskrit language, "Kastha" means "Wood” and "Mandapa" means "House".

Taleju Temple
This temple was pillared in 1549AD. It is the tallest of all structure built by King
Mahendra Malla.

Mahendeshwar Temple
Shiva temple. Restored in 1963.

Mahavishnu Temple
Golden spire on the roof. Topped by a golden umbrella.

Kotilingeshwar Temple
A square structure topped by a dome.

Stone Inscription
It is carved in 15 different languages.

Kakeshwar Temple
This temple was erected in 1681, following the Indian Shikhara saili.

Vishnu Temple
Three storied temple. Stand on a four level base.

Indrapur Temple
Temple with antique significance.

Kal Vairab
Image of six armed black Vairab. It is one of the largest stone idols in Kathmandu which reflects the terrific aspects of Lord Shiva.

Jagannath Temple
Built around 1563, the later 16th century. This temple is best known for fascinating wooden carved erotic figures.

Sweta Vairab
The image of this God gets exposed only during the festive of Indra Jatra.

Stone statue of King Pratap Malla
Statue of King Pratap Malla in genuflecting position to Digu Taleju, the Royal family deity right across.

Krishna Temple
This temple abode lord Krishna along with two other goddesses.

Saraswati Temple
This temple simply dedicates to the goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of entire Knowledge.

Bhagawati Temple
This is the three storied temple next to Gaddi Baithak.

Gaddi Baithak
Built during Rana regime. It replicates the European style.

Shiva Parbati Temple
In this temple, the images of Shiva and Parbati are made to look outside from a window.

Narayan Temple
This is the temple of Hindu God, Vishnu.

Manju Dewal
The temple known as Shiva Lingam.

Shiva Temple
This temple is standing near the Kasthamandap.

Ashok Binayak
It is one of the four major Ganesh Shrines. It is believed that before the erection of this temple, this holy palace was covered with an Ashoka tree where the God believed to be housed. Once a Malla king was made convinced in his dream by a God to build a temple as a place to abode for that very God. As per the God’s command, the king built the temple by clearing the Ashoka tree. When the workers were ready to put the pinnacle, the King once again commanded by God in the dream. The God commanded him to pillar the pinnacle of low elevation in the Shrine area so that he could get an easy access to the yard of Heaven. This temple carries the higher significance though looks scant in shape and size. During coronation acts, the then kings of Shaha Dynasty used to visit this temple to pay homage and get blessed.

Kumari Ghar
This ornate 18th-century palace is the official residence of the living goddess Kumari - a young girl worshipped by Nepali Hindus as an incarnation of the goddess Taleju. The child goddess can occasionally be seen on the carved wooden balcony. This temple reflects the peaked Nepalese temple craft.

Hanuman Dhoka
Constructed by King Pratap Malla in the 17th century, the former Royal Palace is open to the public as a museum of Nepali ceremonial architecture. As well as historic buildings and courtyards, you can view the personal effects of the kings of Nepal.

Narayanhiti Palace Museum
People’s movement of Nepal 2006, swept up the monarchial system from Nepali yard. After the event, the residential Palace, Narayanhiti of Shaha dynasty officially turned in to a national Museum in 2009. The area of this palace is partly occupied by foreign ministry and remaining other is by the museum. From the very day of nationalization, this museum is opened to all to observe. One can get an access to the massive halls, gardens and bamboo bushed surroundings inside the palace area.  

Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple)
Perched on a conical hilltop just west of Kathmandu, this revered Buddhist temple is a vantage point to look over the whole valley. This huge stupa is surrounded by other famous temples and gompas. The great thunderbolt which is known as vajra on the edge of this stupa was built during the Malla regime. On the top of the stupa is a gilded square block from which the watchful eyes of the Buddha gaze out across the valley in each direction. The two eyes of Buddha symbol to ‘Karuna and swogyan’. Swayambhunath is often called the ‘Monkey Temple’ because of the wild monkeys that crowd the stone stairway to the shrine.

Pashupati Nath temple
This is one of the central temples of Hindus located on the bank of Bagmati River, near to International airport and Buddha Stupa. Numerous devotees, center around this temple form all around the world in each day. Lord Shiva, the pillar of Hindu religion represents this temple.  Though Shiva is taken as bloodthirsty god, no animal sacrifice take place here. In-front of the temple there is a bull known as Nandi facing towards the temple. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple. No photographs of Shiva are allowed to take inside the temple. Bagmati, a holy river flows on the side of Pashupati Nath. On its bank, the cremation acts take place.

Bouddhnath Stupa
Topped by a gilded spire and decorated with paintings of the eyes of Buddha, this famous stupa dates back to circa 600AD. The 36m- (118ft-) high stupa is an important religious center for Tibetan refugees and thousands of devotees circumnavigate the monument every day at sunset. It is one of the largest Stupa in the world which lies near to Pashupati Nath temple.

Budhanilkantha Temple
It lies at about eight kilometers north of Kathmandu, at the base of Shivapuri hill as a remarkable colossal statue of Lord Bishnu, reclining of the bed of Snake. This is one of the masterpieces of stone sculptures of Lichchhavi period. This fifth century statue is in the middle of a small pond and seems to float in water.

Balaju Water Garden
It is located below the Nagarjun hill, a part of Shiva puri National Park, about 5 Km. Northwest of Kathmandu city. The garden is well known for its bank of 22 stone waterspouts carved in the shape of sea-dragons. It also encompasses the religious shrines, fish ponds and a replicated statue of Budhanil Kantha, Lord Narayan. Even a swimming pool can found inside the garden area.