Kathmandu, The City of Temples
Kathmandu is the arrival point for most of the visitors in Nepal.
This small mountain sheltered valley is the historic center and the capital
of Nepal. This is the place where kingdoms rose and fell, palaces and
temples are built and rebuilt, art and cultures are refined and protected.
Kathmandu city is the largest in Nepal and is surrounded by green hills
all over. Scattered around the valley are hundreds of temples and shrines,
traditional villages and agriculture scenes of timeless beauty. You can
see all these places by taxi, cycle, bus and by foot.
History
 The
Newars are regarded as the original inhabitants of this majestic valley,
but their origins are shrouded in mystery. They speak Newari language
and their physical features range from distinctively Mongoloid. Kathmandu
Valley has long been a cultural and racial melting pot with people coming
from both east and west. This fusion has resulted in the unique Newari
culture that is responsible for the valley's superb art and architecture.
Kathmandu was once run and ruled by Malla Kings during 1600s and 1700s.
The unification of Nepal in 1768 by Gorkhas King Prithivi Narayan Shah
singled the end of the Kathmandu Valleys fragmentation. Nepali language
spoken by the Khas of western Nepal, replaced Newari as the country's
language of administration.
Geography
Surrounded by the green hills, Kathmandu Valley is about 25 km from east
to west and 20km from north to south. It lies at the height of 1300m.
You can see Kathmandu Valley clearly while you are flying in. This valley
is specially known for growing rice, corn, wheat and vegetables. However,
nowadays this valley is increasingly dependent on imported food and fuels.
All the rivers drain towards the center of the valley and join the Bagmati
river. Geologist have confirmed ancient myths that claim the valley once
lay under water.
Climate
The Kathmandu Valley has the pleasant climate most of the year. Although
there are forests, snow is unheard of and the monsoons are nowhere near.
Between October and March it can become quite cold at night and the days
become short, although its sunny and warm between mid-morning and afternoon.
In April things start to heat up and there are often light storms in the
afternoon.
People
Still today, Newars form the largest single group in the valley as well
as in smaller towns and villages. Bahuns, Tamangs and Chettris live on
the surrounding hills. People living in Kathmandu Valley are mostly Hindus
and Buddhist and they are very much related to each others religion. People
living here speak Newari and Nepali mostly.
Religion
In Kathmandu Valley majority of people are Hindu and fall under a caste
system, although there are still second majority of Buddhists. This valley
is full of temples, shrines and stupas where both Buddhists and Hindus
go for their regular praying. Nepal is the only country where people worship
Gods of all religion.The Hindus and Buddhists coexist in a very homogenous
atmosphere. The best example of this coexistence is the Kumari Bahal,
House of the living goddess Kumari. The Kumari is considered a goddess
by both the Hindus and the Buddhists and both come here to pay homage
to her.
Kasthamandap  |
Temple of wood which gave Kathmandu its name.In
Sanskrit language, "Kastha" means "Wood"and
"Mandapa" means "House". Thus, due to this
very monument was the name Kathmandu derived. It is said that
this wooden house was made out of the timber of a single tree.
in 1596 AD. |
| Ashok Binayak |
One of the four most important Ganesh Shrines.
It is said that before this temple was made, in this very place
was an Ashoka tree in which the God resided. Once a Malla king
dreamt of the God who asked him to build a temple for him. The
king ordered to build a temple for this God. The Ashoka tree was
cut and the temple was built. When the workers were ready to put
the pinnacle, the King had a second dream. The God asked him to
put the shrine pinnacle less so that he could travel through the
opening in the roof to heaven. Hence, the pinnacle was not put
on the temple. In shape and size, the temple may look insignificant
but it is one of the most frequented temples in the city. During
the coronation, even the king has to come to the temple for Darshan
(pay homage) and blessings. |
| Shiva Temple |
Near the kasthamandap |
| Maju Deval |
Temple known as shiva lingam |
| Narayan Temple |
Identified as temple of Vishnu |
| Shiva-Parvati Temple |
Images Shiva & Parvati look out from the
window |
| Kumari Bahal |
House of the Living Goddess |
| Gaddi Baithak |
European style building built during the Rana
period |
| Bhagwati Temple |
Triple roofed temple next to the Gaddi Baithak
|
| Great Bell |
To drive off evil spirits |
| Stone Vishnu Temple |
Next to the bell is a small stone statue
|
| Saraswati Temple |
Temple of the Goddess of knowledge |
| Krishna Temple |
Lord Krishna's temple and two goddesses
|
| King Pratap Mallas Column |
Huge platform with stone pillars |
| Sweta Bhairab |
Can be seen only during the Indra Jatra
|
| Jagannath Temple |
Built during 1563 |
| Kal Bhairab |
image of Black Bhairab with six arms |
| Indrapur Temple |
Temple of great antiquity |
| Vishnu Temple |
Tripled roofed temple stands on a four-level
base |
| Kakeshwar Temple |
Temple built in 1681 with Indian shikhara style
|
| Stone Inscription |
Stone inscription written in 15 different languages
|
| Kotilingeshwar Temple |
A square structure topped by a dome |
| Mahavishnu Temple |
Golden spire on the roof, topped by a golden
umbrella |
| Mahendreswar Temple |
Temple restored in 1963 and is dedicated to Shiva
|
| Taleju Temple |
The squares most magnificent temple |
Hanumandhoka
Hanumans statue marks the entrance or dhoka to Kathmandu's old Royal Palace
and has given the palace its name. The place was originally founded during
Licchavi period , but as it stands today of it was constructed by King
Pratap Malla and his Queen.
Nasal Chowk
Nasal Chowk means dancing one and the courtyard takes its name from a
small figure of dancing Shiva. Inside the nasal chowk, there is a large
statue of Narshigha, The Kabindrapur Temple, Pancha Mukhi Hanuman Temple,
Basantapur Tower, Mul Chowk, Degutaleju Temple, Mohan Chowk and Rana museum.
| Nara Devi Temple |
Temple which gave the street its name |
| Ganesh Shrine |
Brass Ganesh Shrine in Indrachowk |
| Shiva Temple |
Smaller version of Patan Krishna Mandir |
| Sweta Macchendra Temple |
Temple attracts both Hindus and Buddhists |
| Lunchun Lunbun Ajima |
Tantric Temple |
| Krishna Temple |
Temple jammed between buildings in Ason Tole |
| Annapurna Temple |
Dedicated to the goddess of abundance |
| Ugratara Temple |
A prayer at the shrine said to work wonders for
the eyes |
| Ikha Narayan Temple |
Temple with four armed Vishnu figure |
| Kathesimbhu Stupa |
South of Thahiti Tole |
| Jaisi Deval Temple |
Shiva Temple, as shown by the bull on the first
few steps |
| Ram Chandra Mandir |
This temple is notable for the tiny erotic scenes
on its roof |
| Adko Narayan Temple |
One of the four most popular Vishnu Temple |
| Kalmochan Temple |
On the side of Bagmati River, known as kalmochan
Temple |
| Tripureshwar Mahadev |
Along the footpath of Tripureshwar |
| Tindeval Temple |
It is recognized by its three shikaras |
| Pachali Bhairab |
The image of Pachali surrounded by tridents |
| Nava Durga Temple |
A small two storey pagoda |
| Mahankala Temple |
The Temple of Great Death
|
Swoyambhu Stupa
Swoyambhu, the Buddhist temple is situated on the top of
a hill west of the city, is one of the popular and instantly recognizable
symbols of Nepal. The temple is also known as the monkey temple after
the large tribe of monkeys which guards the hill. Although you can get
to the temple by vehicle, and save yourself is by far the best way of
approaching Swoyambhu. This huge stupa is surrounded by other famous temples
and gompas. The great thunderbolt which is known as vajra is on the edge
of the stupa was built during the Malla kings period. On the top of the
stupa is a gold-colored square block from which the watchful eyes of the
Buddha gaze out across the valley in each direction. The question mark-like
nose is actually the Nepali number ek or one is a symbol of unity.
Pashupati Nath
Pashupati Temple is is one of the most important and world renowned Hindu
temple standing on the banks of the Bagamati River , between the airport
and Boudha. This Shiva temple on the subcontinent draws numerous devotees,
sadhus and holy men from all around the world. Lord Shiva is known as
the destroyer and creator of the Hindu religion and appears in many forms.
Although Shiva is often bloodthirsty god, no animal sacrifices are made
here. Outside the temple you will see numerous people selling flowers,
incense and other offering materials. In-front of the temple there is
a bull known as Nandi facing towards the temple. Only Hindus are allowed
to enter the temple and you are not allowed to take photographs of the
Lord shiva inside the temple. Bagamati River Bank on the side of Pashupati,
is also a popular place for cremation. Normally you see visitors taking
videos and photographs around this place. Just beside this temple lies
Guheyeshwari temple where you will see all the Hindus removing their shoes
before entering.
Bouddha
Just north of the airport and an interesting walk from Pashupati,
is the huge stupa of Bouddha and is one of the largest stupa in the world.
This place is mostly surrounded by Tibetan Buddhists. Prayer services
are held in the surrounding gompas and as the sun goes down the community
turns out to walk around the stupa. You should always circle around the
stupa in a clockwise direction. While entering the surrounding gompas,
do not forget to remove your shoes and get permission before taking photos.
Make sure that you do not step over the monks cushions. Enter quietly
and stand by the main entrance during the ceremonies. These gompas are
decorated with impressive mural paintings and thankas. The wheel of life
is represented in the porch of every gompa. Listed here are the name of
the gompas surrounding Boudha.
Sakyapa Gompa
Chinya-Lama Gompa
Nyingmapa Gompa
Kargyupa Gompa
Gelugpa Gompa |
