Kathmandu
Valley :
The Kathmandu Valley, the political, commercial
and cultural hub of Nepal, is the first stop
for the majority of visitors to the country.
Originally known as the Nepal Valley and a
separate kingdom in itself, it contains three
fabled cities, each an artistic exposition
of graceful temples, elegant palaces, brick-
paved courtyards and quaint streets.
Bouddhanath
Stupa : (World Heritage Siste)
Lies about six km to the east of downtown
Kathmandu and is the largttyest stupa in the
Valley. It looms 36 meters high and presents
one of the most fascinating specimens of stupa
design. Bouddhanath is also known as Khasti,
or dew drops, after an account that builders
had to use dew to mix the mortar as Kathmandu
was suffering from a severe drought during
its construction.
Swoyambhu Stupa : (World Heritage Site)
Watches
over the Valley from the top of a hillock
on its western side. The huge stupa is one
of the holiest Buddhists sites in Nepal and
its establishment is linked to the creation
of the Kathmandu Valley out of a primordial
lake. Swayambhu is also known as Samhengu.
The National Museum and the Museum of Natural
History are situated at the foot of the hill.
Budhanikantha :
Is
situated below Shivapuri hill at the northern
end of the Valley. It is about nine KM from
the city center. The hub of the temple complex
is a pond in which lies a great stone figure
of the Hindu god Bishnu reclining on the coils
of a cosmic serpent. It is also known as Bhuijasi.
Pashupatinath Temple : (World Heritage Site)
One
of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world,
Pashupatinath lies five km east of the city
center. The richly-ornamented pagoda houses
the sacred linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord
Shiva. Chronicles indicate the temple's existence
prior to 400 AD. Devotees can be seen taking
ritual dips in the holy Bagmati river flowing
beside the temple.
Changu Narayan Temple : (World Heritage
Site)
Is situated on a ridge overlooking the Valley,
about 12 km to the east of the city. It is
dedicated to the Hindu god Bishnu. One of
the finest and oldest specimens of pagoda
architecture, the temple is embellished with
exquisite wood and stone carvings.
Kathmandu Durbar Square : (World
Heritage Site)
This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples,
built between the 12th and 18th centuries,
used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings
of Kathmandu. An intriguing piece here is
the 17th- century stone inscription set into
the wall of the palace with writings in 15
languages. The Durbar Square is the social,
religious and urban focal point of the city.
There are also three museums inside the palace
building.
Patan
Durbar Square : (World Heritage Site)
Like its counterpart in Kathmandu, is an enchanting
melange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards
and graceful pagoda temples. The former royal
palace complex is the center of Patan's religious
and social life, and houses a museum containing
an array of bronze statues and religious objects.
One remarkable monument here is a 17th-century
temple dedicated to the Hindu god Krishna,
built entirely of stone.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square : (World Heritage
Site)
As you walk in, you cannot but be overcome
by a feeling of inner harmony. Such is the
art and architecture and the spatial layout
here. The 15th-century Palace of 55 Windows,
situated to the left as you enter through
the city gate, inspires admiration. The National
Art Gallery is also housed inside. The entrance
to the palace, the Golden Gate, is a masterpiece
in repousse art. In front of the palace building
is a medley of temples of various designs.
Nagarkot :
Nagarkot(altitude 2,175m)is by far the most
popular.Located 30kms east of Kathmandu.nagarkot
is popular for sunrise and sunset tour. At
sunrise,the Himalayan range,stretching from
Dhaulagiri in the west all the way past Everest
to kanchenjunga in the east.
Dhulikhel :
The hill resort of Dhulikhel lies 32 kms east
of Kathmandu on the arniko Highway that leads
to Tibet. In the old days, Dhulikhel flourished
as a trading center handling commerce Kathmandu
and Lhasa. Today it delights visitors with
its enchanting cultural and stunning Himalayan
views.Dhulikhel means luxuriating in unspoiled
natural splendor and becoming oblivious to
the cares of the world.
Dakshinkali and Chobhar :
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, the shrine is especially
crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays when animal
sacrifices are offered to the deity. On the
way back, stop at Chobhar gorge. The narrow
gash in the hills was made by Lord Manjushree
to drain out the lake which once covered the
Kathmandu Valley.
Pokhara :
If
Kathmandu is the cultural hub of Nepal, then
Pokhara is its center of adventure. An enchanting
city nestled in a tranquil valley (altitude
827 m), it is the starting point for many
of Nepal's most popular trekking and rafting
destinations. The atmosphere on the shores
of Phewa Lake is one of excited vitality as
hipster backpackers crowd the many bars and
restaurants exchanging recommendations on
guest houses and viewpoints, both by the lake
and above the clouds. Pokhara is a place of
remarkable natural beauty. The serenity of
Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the fish-tailed
summit of Machhapuchhre (6,977 m) rising behind
it create an ambiance of peace and magic.
Lumbini
:
Lumbini, the place where the Buddha was born
in 623 BC, is situated in the Terai plains
of southern Nepal. The nativity site is marked
by a stone pillar erected by Indian Emperor
Ashoka in 249 BC to commemorate his pilgrimage
to the sacred spot.
Shopping :
Nepal is famous for Handi-crafts items. Handi-crafts
from Nepal were coveted across Central Asia
in ancient times for their superior quality
and intricate workmanship. Today, the skills
inherited from the old masters continue to
be practiced with the same devotion to bring
you works of art which you will forever cherish.
Garments, Gems, Jewelry, Khukuri, Metal-ware,
Music cassettes and CDs of Nepalese classical,
folk and sacred tunes, Paper products,Paubha,
Pottery, Spices, Tea, Wood carving, Woolen
carpets Statues. The casting of bronze, brass
and copper statuary in Nepal dates back to
the 13th century. Casters in Nepal use the
ancient and labor intensive "lost-wax
method" in which ornate figures, modeled
in bees-wax and used to create the earthenware
molds, are melted away and "lost"
prior to the actual casting.