The Kathmandu Valley is surrounded by tier upon tier of green mountain walls above which tower mighty snowcapped peaks. It consists of three main cities of great historic and cultural interest: Kathmandu, Lalitpur (Patan), and Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon). The Kathmandu Valley covers an area of 218 square miles. It is situated at 1336 meters above the sea level. From the air, the oval shaped Kathmandu Valley looks like a large chess board with the sacred Bagmati River winding its way to the south. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is said to be named after Kasthamandap, an imposing pagoda near Human Dhoka palace. The city is said to be built in its present form by Gunakama Dev in 724 A.D. The major tourist attractions in Kathmandu include:
MACHCHHENDRA NATH TEMPLE: The temple of Sweta Machchhendra Nath is located at Machchhendra Bahal between Indra Chowk and Asan. It is a pagoda of considerable artistic beauty. It has a two-tiered bronze roof and a courtyard full of votive stupas and statuaries. It is surrounded by residential houses and busy shops. The god within the shrine is Padmapani Avalokiteshwor, worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists. This deity is also called Jammadyo or Machchhendra.
AKASH BHAIRAV TEMPLE: This temple is a three-story structure
located on a busy market street,
called Indra Chowk. The image of Akash Bhairav is displayed outside for a week during Indra Jatra, the
festival of Indra, the god of rain.
HANUMANDHOKA (DURBAR SQUARE): This large square is the historic seat of the Nepalese Royalty. The Square, with its old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here where Kings of Nepal are crowned.
Interesting things to see in the Square include:
There is also a temple of Pancha Mukhi Hanuman inside the old palace. This is one of only two such structures in Nepal; the other is in Pashupatinath. Opposite the entrance to the Hanuman Dhoka palace stands the Krishna Mandir. It is one of the few octagonal shaped temples in Nepal.
On the right hand corner, a large wooden lattice screen hides an enormous gilded face of Sweta Bhairav, a fascinating masterpiece of popular art. The screen is removed only during the Indra Jatra festival.
Just before entering the courtyard of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace there is a temple of Shiva - Parvati on the left. The deified couple, carved in wood and beautifully painted, look graciously down from the center window of the upper balcony.
There are also the Numismatic Museum and the Tribhuvan Museum inside the Hanuman Dhoka Palace building. Photography is prohibited inside both museums. Both museums are closed on Tuesdays and government holidays. A nominal fee is charged to enter the courtyard of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace where one can see carvings and moldings on the nine story pagoda of the palace. The main golden gate is guarded by the monkey god, Hanuman. With a ceremonial umbrella suspended above his head and wrapped in a scarlet cloak, he squats on a stone plinth. The image of Hanuman was kept by King Pratap Malla.
TEMPLE OF KUMARI (KUMARI GHAR): The temple and the residence of the Living Goddess, Kumari, is located in the vicinity of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace. The building has many carved wooden balconies and window screens. It was built by Jaya Prakash Malla, the last Malla King of Kathmandu. Although certain aspects of Kumari worship and her annual festival parade existed in ancient times, the modern-day chariot festival was inaugurated by Jaya Prakash Malla in the mid-eighteenth century. Non-Hindu visitors may enter the courtyard, but are not allowed beyond that point. The Kumari Goddess acknowledges greetings from well wishers from her balcony window. Photography is prohibited.
The Kumari Goddess, is also known as the Virgin Goddess. She is required to be from the Newari Shakya caste and a virgin with no body marks or injuries. When she achieves puberty she is replaced by another Kumari.
KASTHAMANDAP: This historical building lies near the temple of Kumari. It is said to have been built by King Laxmi Narsingha Malla in the beginning of the sixteenth century although it may be twice as old. Legend says it was constructed from the wood of a single tree, thus its name, Kasthamandap, or "Pavilion of Wood". The current structure dates back no more than 500 years and houses the beautiful images of four Vinayaks (Surya Vinayak, Chandra Vinayak, Jal Vinayak and Karna Vinayak) of the Kathmandu Valley.
ASHOK VINAYAK: The small but a very important temple of Ashok Vinayak is situated behind the Kasthamandap. It is also known as Kathmandu Ganesh or Maru Ganesh.
JAISHI DEWAL: It takes about five minutes to reach Jaishi Dewal from Kasthamandap. The Shiva Temple of Jaishi Dewal is famous for its erotic carvings. This areas is believed to have been the nucleus of the valley during the Lichchhavi period. It is still one of the main routes of the chariot festival of Indra Jatra, Gai Jatra, and other festivals.
TUNDIKHEL: This area is a huge open field that flanks one entire side of the old city. It is used for parades, national celebrations, numerous colorful festivals, and also for sports. At one end is the Ratna Park, the Open Air Theater, and the Royal Nepal Army Pavilion. At the other end is the Army Headquarters and Dasharath Stadium (Dasharath Rangashala).
MAHANKALSTHAN: On the western section of the Tundikhel is located the temple of Mahankal. This temple houses an ancient gigantic image of Mahankal. This image of Mahankal is one of the masterpieces of ancient Nepalese sculpture.
DHARAHARA AND SUNDHARA: The 59.29 meter tower of Dharahara was built by Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa in 1832 A. D. to "amaze the populace." Dharahara is also known as Bhimsen Stambha. Nearby, the giant Sundhara or "Golden Water Tap" is a popular bathing place for those without indoor water. Sundhara was also built by Bhimsen Thapa.
MARTYRS' MEMORIAL (SHAHID) GATE: It is located between the tower of Dharahara and Bhadrakali temple. The memorial arch contains the statue of the late King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah and the busts of four martyrs: Shukra Raj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Ganga Lal, and Dasrath Chand.
BHADRAKALI TEMPLE: 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 Bhagavati temples of Kathmandu City.
SINGHA DURBAR: This grand imposing palace was built in the neo-classical style. Once the private residence of Rana Prime Ministers, now it is the Secretariat building of His Majesty's Government of Nepal. In July, 1974, major parts of the building, except the facade, were destroyed by fire. Many portions have been rebuilt.
NARAYANHITY DURBAR: This large modern-looking palace is the present Royal Palace which inherited its name from the temple of Narayan. A famous historic water spout called Narayanhity is situated at the southern corner of the Palace grounds.
KAISAR LIBRARY: To west of the Royal Palace, located inside the premises of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Social Welfare, the Kaisar Library holds a huge and rare collection of books and old manuscripts. It also offers an opportunity to have a glimpse of the interior parts of a typical Nepali neo- classical palace. It is open to the public six days a week, except Saturdays and other government holidays.
BUDHANILKANTHA: About eight kilometers north of Kathmandu, at the base of Sivapuri hill, is a remarkable, colossal statue of Lord Vishnu, reclining on a bed of snakes. This stone sculpture is a Lichchhavi period, fifth-century statue. It sits in the middle of a small pond and seems to float on the surface of the water. It is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus. Buses for Budhanilkantha are available at Ranipokhari.
BALAJU WATER GARDEN: Balaju is situated about five kilometers northwest of Kathmandu, at the foot of Nagarjun hill. There is an attractive park at Balaju known as Mahendra Park. It is also known as Balaju Uddyan and features fountains with a 22 crocodile-headed water spouts dating from the mid-eighteen century. There is a beautiful image of a reclining Vishnu inside the garden which is a replica of Budhanilkantha. There is also a swimming pool inside the park. Balaju Industrial District is located nearby. Buses and tempos for Balaju start from Ranipokhari.
SWAYAMBHUNATH: This is one of the world's most glorious Buddhist
stupas. It is said to be 2000 years
old and visitors often call it the "Monkey Temple". The stupa, which forms the main structure, is made of a
solid hemisphere of brick and clay supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt.
Painted on the four sides of the spire are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is three kilometers west of
Kathmandu city, and is situated on a hillock about 7 meters above the level of the Valley. This hill is a
mosaic of small Stupas and pagoda temples.
NATIONAL MUSEUM: Located at Chhauni, two and half kilometers west of Kathmandu, a twenty-five minute walk from Hanuman Dhoka, 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 open everyday except Tuesdays and government holidays.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM: This Museum, the only one of its kind in Nepal, is situated three kilometers west of Kathmandu behind the famous Swayambhunath stupa. Run by Tribhuvan University, this museum houses a 14,000-piece collection of unique butterflies, fish, reptiles, birds, mammals, plants and fossil samples collected from within the country. Established in 1975, the museum provides detailed information to visitors about nature observations, the study of high altitude birds, alpine flora and fauna, etc. It is open during office hours everyday except Saturdays and government holidays. Entrance is free. Photography inside the museum is strictly prohibited.
PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE: Situated five kilometers east of Kathmandu on
the banks of the sacred
Bagmati river, the temple of lord Shiva Pashupatinath, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver doors, is
famous for its superb architecture. It is a center of annual pilgrimage on the day of Maha Shivaratri.
Entrance to the main temple is permitted to Hindus only, yet visitors can clearly see the temple and the
activities performed on the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river.
GUHESWARI TEMPLE: Near Pasupatinath is located the historic and holy temple of Guheswari. This is the shrine of the Goddess Sati (Parvati), Lord Shiva's consort. But the temple of Guheswari houses no image of any goddess. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple courtyard.
CHABAHIL: The stupa of Chabahil is built by the side of road on the way to Boudhanath. This stupa is said to have been built by Charumati, the daughter of the Indian Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C., after her marriage to a local prince named Devapala. That is why Chabahil is also known as Devapatan. There are some ancient statues around the Stupa.
CHANDRA VINAYAK: The temple of Chandra Vinayak is located about 200 meters west of the Chabahil stupa. This double-tiered brass-roofed temple holds a tiny image of Lord Ganesh. Chandra Vinayak is one of the four Vinayaks of Kathmandu Valley. The other three are Jal Vinayak of Chovar, Surya Vinayak of Bhaktapur, and Karya Vinayak of Bungmati (Patan).
BOUDHANATH: The stupa of Boudhanath lies eight kilometers east of Kathmandu. On this colossal and ancient stupa, one of the biggest in the world, are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is said to have been built by Lichchhavi King Mana Dev in the fifth century A.D. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels.
GOKARNA: This Royal Game Sanctuary, also known as Gokarna Safari Park, lies about ten kilometers northeast of Kathmandu. It is situated on the bank of the river Bagmati. Many wild animals such as spotted deer can be viewed in the sanctuary while riding on elephant back. An entrance fee is charged for the game sanctuary at the gate or by arrangement with a travel agency. On the northern side of Gokarna, on the way to Sundarijal, is a pagoda of Gokarneshwor Mahadev which stands on one side of the Bagmati gorge.
SANKHU: This town is a typical Newari town, with many fine old buildings and temples. Beyond the town, up a long flight of stone stairs, is Vajra Jogini, an historical temple with a view of the local area.
SUNDARIJAAL: Sundarijaal means, literally, "beautiful water", and is famous for its scenic beauty. At this site, there are magnificent waterfalls, cataracts, and rock formations. It is an ideal place for a picnic.
KIRTIPUR: It is a small town, eight kilometers southwest of Kathmandu, on the top of a hill. Tribhuvan University is located at the foot of the hill. This historic town has many things to see such as old shrines and temples, old houses, and people dressed in traditional costumes while working on ancient looms.
CHOBHAR: It is situated nine kilometers southwest of Kathmandu. This place is famous for its gorge. All the waters of the Valley drain through it. Legend has it that the god Manjushri cut the gorge to drain out Kathmandu Valley which was then a lake. There is a small but picturesque temple of Adinath on the top of a hill. From this point, one has a complete view of snow-capped mountain peaks. Just beyond the Chobhar Gorge, there is the 17th-century temple of Jal Vinayak. The main image of the temple is on a massive rock. Only a small part in front vaguely resembles an elephant's head. The image at Jal Vinayak is different from other images of Lord Ganesh.
SHEKHA NARAYAN: The picturesque shrine of Shekha Narayan stands on a hillock beneath a stalactite rock. Situated between Chobhar and Dakshinkali the temple of Shekha Narayan represents one of the four Narayans of the Kathmandu Valley. The other three Narayans are Changu Narayan of Bhaktapur, Visankhu Narayan of Patan, and Ichangu Narayan of Kathmandu. There are fish-filled ponds at the base of Shekha Narayan.
DAKSHINKALI: The temple of Dakshinkali is situated about two kilometers south of Shekha Narayan. Dakshinkali is an important place of pilgrimage, drawing over 400,000 pilgrims a year.
Pilgrims visit this temple to offer prayers and animal sacrifices to the Goddess Kali. Apart from the religious aspects, the site has also been developed as a popular picnic spot.
