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About Kathmandu
The Valley is situated at an altitude of 1,336m above sea level and covers an area of 218 sq. miles. The rich tapestry of the cultural heritage of Nepal is synthesized in the Kathmandu Valley, the home of the ancient and sophisticated Newari culture. The Newars are the indigenous inhabitants of the Valley and the creators of the splendid civilization of its three cities - Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. The skillfully-built temples and palaces, delicately-engraved stone and metal images, carved wooden columns and pillars, and the history laden shrines and chaityas of these three historical cities stand testimony to the Newar's artistic achievements.
The name Hanuman Dhoka Durbar came from the statue of Hanuman established by King Pratap Malla at the entrance of the royal palace in 1672 A.D. The nine storeyed residence built by King Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1770, is called Basantapur Durbar. The whole complex is also known as Kathmandu Durbar Square. The palace complex was originally founded during the Lichchhavi Period, but as it stand today most of it was constructed by King Pratap Malla in 17th century. It is the historic seat of royalty. The Durbar Square, with its old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized.
Interesting things to see here are: Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD, the temple of Kal Bhairav, the god of destruction, Nautally Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the Big Drum and the Jagannath temple. On the right hand corner, a large wooden lattice screen hides an enormous gilded face of Sweta Bhairav. The screen is removed only during the Indra Jatra festival.There are also the Numismatic Museum and Tribhuvan Museum inside the Hanuman Dhoka Palace building. Photography is prohibited inside the museums. Both the museums remain closed on Tuesday and government holidays. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.
Besides the magnificent temples and shrines, other interesting aspects are various festivals, cultural activities and traditions people are following from centuries, which are presented in the Durbar Square. The major festivals include Indrajatra, Dashain , Gaaijatra, Machchhindranath jatra etc. These are the occasion when the people from all over the city gather here to mark their centuries old tradition. All the carvings and architecture in the is area are exceptionally fine which make the architecture in this Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square among the most important sights for travellers to see the mystical charm of the Durbar Square allures the visitors to spend hours wondering around the area. Among dozens of temples.
Built in 1564 by King Mahendra Malla, this is the royal deity of Malla kings. The temple stands 36.6metres high, resting on a twelve stage plinth. Its three roofs soar abobe the rest of the Hanuman Dhoka complex, and untile very recent times, it was considered very inauspicious to build a house higher than this temple. At the eighth stage of the plinth, the step broadens out into a platform with twelve miniature temples. This ultra-sacrosanct temple is opened only once a year during Dashain for the people.
The temple of Vansagopal (which means Krishna in the act of playing the flute) was built in 1649 by Pratap malla in memory of his two dead queens. It is architecturally interesting becauses of its octagonal plan. Along with deity Krishna, Rukmini & Satyabhama with deity Krishna, Rukmini & Satyabhama are inshrined.
Basantapur Durbar also called Nau-talle Durbar was built by King Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1770. This dominant nine-storeyed Basantapur Durbar (Kathmandu Tower) was built along with three other towers named after three other ancient cities of the valley the Kirtipur tower, the Bhaktapur tower and the Lalitpur tower.
This big bell is supported by two stone pillars and has a tiled roof. King Rana Bahadur Shah and his queen Raj Rajeswori built it in 1797. The bell is rung only when worship is being affered in Degutaleju.
This huge stone image of Bhairav represents deity Shiva in his destructive manifestation. It is undated, but was set in its present location by King Pratap Malla after it was found in a field north of the city. This is the most famous Bhairav and it was used by the government as a place for people to swear the truth.
The kneeling figure of Hanuman, the Hindu God who is always depicted in the form of monkey, sits on a tall stone pedestal. It was consecrated by Pratap malla in 1672 AD. To the right of this image is the golden main door of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, guarded by a pair of stone lions.
This temple is the oldest structure of the square and is noted for the erotic carvings on its roof struts. The image of Jagannath situated inside temple dates back to 1563 during the rule of Mahendra Malla. The temple has a three-tired platform and two storeys.
this temple forms part of the old palace complex domination the view of Palace Square. The enshrined deity is mystic goddess of Tantric origin and was a family divinity of the Malla Kings. The temple is built over the second storey and has a restricted access only from the palace.
This little uncommon shrine is built on a three step brick platform. The two wooden figure, Mahedev and Parvati, looking from the open central window on the first floor constructed during the reign of King Rana Bahadur Shah.
Built in 1757 by King Jaya Prakash Malla, Kumari (Vestal virgin), or the Living Goddess, whoconsidered to be an incarnation of the goddess Taleju. The Kumari ghar is a three storeyed quadrangle lavishly decoratd with fine woodcarving. It is the third storey of the building that is especially attractive with its fine bay windows, in which the Kumari appears form time to time in the company of her guardian priestess to see and be seen by her admires. The temple of Kumari is situated in the vicinity of Hanuman Dhoka Palace. The building has intricately carved wooden balconies and window screens. The Kumari acknowledges greetings from her balcony window. Once a year, during Indra Jatra festival, the King of Nepal seeks the Kumari's blessing.
Located near the temple of Kumari, it is said to have been built by King Laxmi Narsingha Malla in the beginning of the 12th century. It is said to be constructed from the wood of a single tree. This three storyed building has an open ground floor, underlining its orignial purpose as public building. The central image in Kasthamandap is of Gorakhanath and at each of the four corners is an image of Ganesh. The city of Kathmandu derives its name from this temple.
The small but very important temple of Ashok Vinayak is situated behind the Kasthamandap. It is also known as Kathmandu Ganesh or Maru Ganesh. It is one of the four most important Ganesh shrines of the valley. It is worshiped both by Hindus and Buddhists. The construction date of this temple is not recorded, but its gilded roof was added in the 19th century. The unique freature of this shrine is that it has no finial.
Built in late 17th century this temple is most impressive one in the storeyed style. Its nine step brick base gives it the size which dominates the skyline of the square. The wooden doorway, pillars, windows and struts are all beautifully carved. There are images of Hindu deities both inside and outside the shrine.
This large house is located south of Kasthamandap. According to legend it was built with the wood left over from the constructiono f Kasthamandap. This three storeyed building enchouses a small temple of Harikrishna, used primarily for singing bhajans.
Also called Kabindrapur is built by Pratap Malla in 1673 to start a new masked dance of Narasimha, an incarnation of Vishnu. This multi storeyed building serves as shrine as well as guthi house and enhouses a number of 17th century Hindu sculptures.
Built in 1690 by Queen Mother, Riddhi Laxmi, this temple stand on five-stage plinth and has three roofs. The roof struts are carved with different images, while the temple as a whole is dedicated to Vishnu. There is a large kneeling image of Garud in the western side. The temple is connected with Indrajatra festival, during which large crowd come to see the ten incarnations of Vishnu, which are enacted on its pedestal. Also called Das-abatar mandir.
The eastern side of the palce is closed off by this white neoclassical building. This imported European style building was built as a part of the palace by Chandra Shamsher in 1908 A.D. during the reign of Prithivi Bir Bikram Shah.
This temple dates back 1562, during Mahendra Malls's reign. This temple lies at the extreme north of the Durbar Square and is dedicated to Shiva. Insidethere is a Linga and small image of Shiva's Bull Nandi fronts the temple. This is one of the famous temples of the valley.
The temple of Sweta Machchhendranath is situated at Machchhendra Bahal between Indra Chowk and Asan. It is a pagoda of considerable artistic beauty. The deity is also called Janmadyo or Machchhendra.
A three-story temple in the main market avenue, called Indra Chowk, the image of Akash Bhairav is displayed outside for a week during of Indra Jatra, the festival of Indra, the god of Rain.
A five-minute walk from Kasthamandap is the Shiva Temple of Jaishi Dewal which is famous for its erotic carvings. It is still one of the main routes of the chariot festival of Indra Jatra and other festivals.
A huge green field known as Tundikhel flanks one entire side of the old city. Some of the important landmarks of the Kathmandu Valley are located in the periphery of this area. At the south-western end of Tundikhel is a 59.29 m tower built by Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa in 1832 AD. The Tower is known as Dharahara or Bhimsen Stambha. The Sundhara fountains with golden water spouts, situated at the foot of this great tower, also belong to the same period.
It is located between Bhimsen Stambha and Bhadrakali temple. The memorial arch contains the statue of the late King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah Dev and the busts of four martyrs.
At the eastern edge of the Tundikhel, near Shahid Gate, stands the temple of goddess Bhadrakali. This temple is also known as Lumarhi temple and is one of the main "Shakta" temple of Kathmandu city.
A grand imposing palace built in the neo-classical style, Singha Durbar was the private residence of a Rana Prime Minister. Now it is the Secretariat of His Majesty's Government of Nepal.
It is the present Royal Palace. A famous historic water spout called Narayanhity is situated at the southern corner of the Palace. Foreigners are allowed to visit the Royal Palace on Thursdays from 13:00 hrs - 15:00 hrs.
Located inside the premises of the Ministry of Education, Kaisar library is a great center of rare and valuable books and manuscripts. It is open for the public except on Saturadays and other government holidays. The l;ibrary is open from 9:00 hrs - 17:00 hrs.
About 8 km north of Kathmandu , at the base of Shivapuri hill is a remarkable colossal statue of Lord Vishnu, reclining on a bed of snakes. This is one of the masterpieces of stone sculptures of the Lichchhavi period. This fifth century statue is in the middle of a small pond and seems to float in water.
Situated about 5 km north-west of Kathmandu, Balaju Garden features fountains with 22 crocodile-headed water spouts daring from the eighteenth century. there is also a large swimming pool inside the park.
Located about 2 km west of Kathmandu, the National Museum has a splendid collection of weapons and artifacts from ancient, medieval and modern Nepal. Its archaeological and historical displays are worth seeing. The museum is closed on Sunday, Monday and government holidays. Entry Fee for SAARC nationals is Rs. 10 and for other foreign tourists is Rs 50.
Situated 3 km west of Kathmandu city behind the famous Swaymbhunath hillock. This museum has a unique collection of butterflies, fish, reptiles, birds, mammals, plants and a variety of fossils collected within the country. Photography inside the museum is prohibited.
This is one of the world's most glorious Buddhist Chaityas. It is said to be 2,000 years old. Painted on the four sides of the spire's base are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is 3 km west of Kathmandu city and is situated on a hillock about 77m above teh level of the Kathamndu Valley and hence commands an excellent view of the Valley. This Stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.
The temple of Lord Shiva. Pashupatinath lies about 5 km away from Kathmandu. Two tiered golden roof and silver door is considered one of the holiest shrines for Hindus. Although only Hindus are allowed inside the temple, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river. The Temple was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.
Near Pashupatinath Temple is another historic and holy temple of Guheswari. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple courtyard.
The lovely Stupa of Chabahil is believed to have been built by Charumati, the daughter of the Indian Emperor Ashok, in the 3th century BC. there are ancient statues around the Stupa.
the temple of Chandra Vinayak is situated about 200m north of Chabahil stupa. This double tiered brass-roofed temple houses a tiny image of Lord Ganesh, the elephant headed god.
The Stupa of Bouddhanath lies 8 km east of Kathmandu. is also called khasti. It stands on a massive mandala style platform and has features similar to swoyambhu thought it is bigger. It has 108 niches (khowpa) which houses idole of different gods and goddesses and 147 more niches around the stupa which contain prayer wheel.This ancient colossal Stupa is one of the biggest in the world, and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979. Entrance fee at bouddhanath for SAARC (South Asian) nationals is Rs. 15 and for other foreigners Rs.50.
This lovely Royal Games Sanctuary, also known as Gokarna Safari Park, lies about 10 km north-east of Kahtmandu. Many wild animals such as spotted deer can be viewed int the sancturary. On the northern side of Gokarna, is a pagoda of Gokarneshwor Mahadev.
It is a typical Newari town, with many fine old buildings and temples.Beyond the village, upon a long flight of stone stairs, is Bajra Jogini, a historical temple, which offers beautiful view of the local area.
It is famous for its scenic beauty. There are magnificent waterfalls, cataracts and rock formations. It is an ideal picnic spot, just a short hike away from motorable road.
It is a small town, 8 km southwest of Kathmadu and situated atop a hill, Tribhuvan Cuniversity, Nepal's premier seat of education, is located at the foothills of Kirtipur. Thsi historic town has many things to offer like old shrines and temples and old houses. Some of the folks are typically dressed in traditional costumes, and can be spotted working on looms.
Situated 9 km south-west of Kathmandu, this place is famous for its gorge. All the water of the Valley drains through it. There is a small butr picturesque temple of Adinath on the top of a hill from where one can take in a panoramic view of snow-capped mountain peaks.
Situated between Chobhar and Dakshinkali the temple of Shekha Narayan represents one of the four Narayans of the Kathmandu valley. The other three Narayan are Changu Narayan of Bhaktapur, Visankhu Narayan of Patan and Changu Narayan of Kathmandu.
The temple of Dakshinkali is situated about two km south of Shekha Narayan. Dakshinkali is regarded as one of most important Hindu goddesses. Pilgrims visit this temple to offer their prayers and animal sacrifices are made to the goddess. This place is also a popular picnic spot.