Highlights
of Nepal
The
Kathmandu Valley
The old city of Kathmandu is located on a bluff
at the confluence of the Bagmati and Vishnumati Rivers –
an easily defended site with rich soil and a plentiful water
supply.
KATHMANDU
Durbar Square
Kathmandu’s number one tourist attraction swarms with
life. Though a few of the square’s 50-plus monuments date
from the 12th century, most are from the time of the Malla Kings.
Probably the most famous building here is the Kumari Bahal,
a building richly decorated with beautiful woodcarvings, which
is home to the Royal Kumari, the Living Goddess, a manifestation
of the great goddess Durga. Nearby the former Royal Palace is
a Mall Dynasty dwelling, once considerably more extensive than
today. Within, the courtyard Nassal Chowk, originally hosted
dramatic dance performances, now it is the coronation site of
the Shah kings and contains some of the finest wood carvings
you will see anywhere in the kingdom.
The 14th century Jagannath Mandir is the oldest temple in the
area, its steps carved with inscriptions in many languages,
nearby Telaju Mandir is one of the largest and finest temples
in the Valley. It is dedicated to the patron deity of the royal
family, Taleju Bhawani, a wrathful form of Durga who once demanded
human sacrifices.
Swayambhunath
The most ancient and enigmatic of the Valley’s holy shrines
the golden-spired stupa of Swayambhunath tops a wooded hillock.
Records of its history date as far as the 5th century, but its
origins are believed to be older. It is the Kathmandu Valley’s
most sacred Buddhist shrine and whilst its worshippers include
the Vajrayana Buddhists of northern Nepal and Tibet, Newari
Buddhists are the most fervent devotees.
Pashupatinath
This is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the
subcontinent’s great Shiva sites. The supreme holiness
of the site stems from the Shiva linga enshrined in its main
temple and its location. It expresses the very essence of Hinduism
as pilgrims, priests, devotes, temples, ashrams, images, inscriptions
and cremation ghats intermingle with the rituals of daily life,
all sprawled along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. The
temple’s origins are obscure, an inscription dates from
477, but a shrine may have stood here for 1000 years before
that.
Boudhanath
This great stupa is one of Nepal’s most distinctive monuments
and one of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal and, with
a diameter of over 100 meters, amongst the largest in the world.
There are a number of legends accounting for the stupa’s
construction, but it is generally believed to date from the
5th century. All stupas contain holy relics and Boudha is said
to contain the remains of the past Buddha Kasyapa.
Boudha is a particular focus for Kathmandu’s Tibetan community
and throughout the day there is a constant stream of people
circling the stupa spinning prayer wheels and reciting mantras.
Surrounding the stupa are six major monasteries and a host of
smaller ones as well as cafes, restaurants and shops selling
Tibetan carpets and Newari silversmiths.
PATAN
This ancient city, once a kingdom in itself, is situated across
the Bagmati River to the south of Kathmandu. Approximately 80%
of the inhabitants are Newars and they fiercely retain their
identity as separate to Kathmandu.
Patan’s origins are clouded in mystery. It claims its
place as capital of the mythic Kiranti Dynasty and association
with the great Indian emperor, Ashoka, who is credited with
the building of the 4 grass-covered stupas surrounding the city.
For many centuries Patan’s importance eclipsed that of
Kathmandu and by the 7th century was one of the major Buddhist
centers of Asia attracting pilgrims, scholars and monks from
India, Tibet and China. Medieval Patan was the largest and most
prosperous of the three Valley kingdoms. It was annexed to Kathmandu
in the late 6th century and most of its magnificent architecture
dates to the late Malla era (16th-18th centuries).
Durbar Square
Patan’s Durbar Square offers the finest display of Newari
urban architecture in Nepal. There are temples devoted to Shiva,
Krishna, Ganesh and Vishnu all actively visited by residents
and visitors. At the northern end of the square the ancient
sunken water tap has been restored and is still in use with
young girls filling huge jugs from the carved stone waterspouts.
The courtyards of the Royal Palace with their ornamented windows,
columned arcades, shrines and sunken royal bath are amongst
the most lovely in all Kathmandu.
Back streets
Old Patan comprises a small area with individual neighborhoods
dedicated to metalworking, stone carving, and woodwork as well
as some lovely old temples. One of the most lovely is the Kwa
Bahal or ‘Golden Temple’, a lavish, gilt-roofed
shrine – the main façade covered in gilt and silver,
the whole surrounded by images of real and mythical beasts,
scenes from the Buddha’s life.
BHAKTAPUR
Once the capital of the Valley, Bhaktapur is the most unchanged
of the three cities. Retaining something of its medieval atmosphere,
Bhaktapur embodies the essence of the Newari city. Despite frequent
rebuilding as the result of earthquakes the city’s architecture
and organization remain an excellent example of town planning.
Neighborhoods, roughly organized by caste, are centered on a
main square with a public water source, temples and a Ganesh
shrine. The 12th century the King of Banepa moved his capital
here and it ruled a unified Valley for the next 3 centuries.
It was the last of the cities to fall to Prithvi Narayan Shah
in 1768 and since then its importance has diminished considerably.
Durbar Square
Much of Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square was destroyed in the
1934 earthquake and appears much emptier than those of Kathmandu
or Patan. Amongst its many attractions are substitute shrines
for the four great Indian pilgrimage sites and the Golden Gate.
This is the most famous piece of art in all Nepal, an exquisite
monument of gilded metalwork constructed in 1753.
Potter’s Square
The neighborhood of the potter caste, where hundreds of clay
vessels are set to dry in the sun before being fired in makeshift
kilns. Families work in the open producing tiny oil lamps, teacups,
bowls, vases and water jugs.
Taumadhi Tol
This square is more important to the locals and more intimately
tied to daily life and festivals than Durbar Square. It is dominated
by the 5-roofed, 30-meter high Nyatapola Temple, the tallest
in Nepal.
Main Bazaar
This brick paved street and its offshoot alleys reveals the
heart of Bhaktapur as life spills into the street – women
pond laundry, children play, old men squat in doorways for a
chat and shopkeepers sell all the necessities of daily life.
Tachapal Tol
The original town center, dating from the 8th century. Many
of the pilgrim rest houses and those that sheltered ascetics
have become private dwellings others remain as fully-fledged
temples. The famous ‘Peacock Window’ is down an
alley off the square.
Outside
the Valley
BANDIPUR
Bandipur is a charming hill town midway between Kathmandu and
Pokhara. It is an ancient trading post inhabited by Magars (the
original inhabitants of the area) and Newars. Nestled in the
hills Bandipur offers excellent opportunities for day hikes
or relaxing enjoying the panoramic mountain vistas. Untouched
by modernization, and laced with an abundance of ancient houses,
temples of great significance, and historical architecture,
this medieval-era town boast festivals all year around, besides
plethora of cultural offerings. Neighboring Magar, Gurung, Bahun,
Chhetri, Damai and Sarki villages all contribute to the cultural
diversity of the region. The hilltop town not only overlooks
the incredible expanse of the Marsyanngdi river valley, but
also offers a breathtaking sweep of the Himalayan range, from
Langtang in the east to Dhaulagiri in the west. From nearby
hilltops, one can see as far as Manakamana and Gorkha to east
the great Chitwan plains to the south, among others.
DAMAN
The tiny ridge-top village of Daman offers some of the best
Himalayan views in Nepal – a panorama from Dhaulagiri
to Kanchenjunga, including all five Annapurna peaks. 75 kilometers
southwest of Kathmandu it is reached by a rugged mountain road,
which is lauded by many mountain bikers as one of the best rides
in Nepal.
DHULIKHEL
Once an important stop on the trade route between Kathmandu
and Tibet, the wealth amassed through trade is depicted in the
handsome buildings with intricate woodcarvings. Sadly many of
these fine structures have been neglected, but this is an xcellent
place if you are interested in collecting fine pieces. The population
of Dhilikhel is a mixture of Newar, Tamang and Brahman-Chhetri.
The main square includes a Narayan shrine and a rare temple
to the deity Harasiddhi. The best mountain views are from a
small Kali shrine on a ridge above the town – sunrise
is the most spectacular.
GORKHA
This typical hill town is the ancestral home of Nepal’s
ruling family. It was from Gorkha’s hilltop fortress that
King Prithvi Narayan Shah (1723-1775) launched his attempt to
unify the independent states of Nepal. Gorkha's centerpiece
is the magnificent Gorkha Durbar with a fort, a palace and a
temple with excellent views of the surrounding valleys, and
the Mansalu range.
Gorkha Bazaar is primarily a cobbled street market place where
by people from neighboring hill dwellings come to trade. There
are a few temples near about and it is worth a visit as it provides
a very good vista of the quiet charm that soaks a typical hill
village of Nepal.
Gorkha Durbar is the main attraction of Gorkha, an hour steep
walk up a hill from the bazaar area. It used to be the dwelling
of King Prithvi Narayan and his ancestors. The Durbar itself
is a humble, yet quite impressive, complex of a temple, fort,
and a palace built in the Newar style of Kathmandu. The view
of the Himalayan range and the deep valleys from up there is
quite breathtaking.
Gorakhnath Cave, ten meters below the palace's southern side,
is the sacred cave temple of Gorkhanath. The cave is is carved
out of the solid rock and is among the most important religious
sites for mainstream Brahmins and Chhetris of Nepal.
LUMBINI
Situated in the Terai of southern Nepal, Lumbini is the place
where Siddhartha Gautam, Buddha of this era, was born in 623
BC. This sacred place is marked by a stone pillar erected by
Emperor Ashoka of India in 249 BC, is listed as a World Heritage
Site and is being developed as a place of pilgrimage and symbol
of world peace. Many countries have built shrines and monasteries
here reflecting the architectural traditions of their respective
cultures.
Near the Ashoka pillar is the Mayadevi Temple which houses a
bas relief depicting the birth. Recent excavations have turned
up a stone bearing a "foot imprint", indicating the
exact place of birth. The Puskarni pond, where Queen Mayadevi,
the Buddha's mother, had taken a bath before giving birth to
him lies to the south of the pillar. Kushinagar is the place
where Lord Buddha passed into Mahaparinirvana. The Muktabandhana
stupa is believed to have been built in the Malla dynasty to
preserve the temporal relics of Lord Buddha. A smaller shrine
nearby contains a reclining Buddha, which was brought from Mathura
by the monk Haribala. Bodhgaya is the place where Buddha attained
enlightenment. The tree under which Buddha attained wisdom is
called the Bodhi tree, while the temple marking the sacred spot
is known as Mahabodhi temple.
The Lumbini Museum, located in the Cultural Zone, contains Mauryan
and Kushana coins, religious manuscripts, terra-cotta fragments,
and stone and metal sculptures. It also possesses an extensive
collection of stamps from various countries depicting Lumbini
and the Buddha.
Lumbini International Research Institute (LIRI), located opposite
the Lumbini Museum, provides research facilities for the study
of Buddhism and religion in general. Run jointly by the Lumbini
Development Trust (LDT) and the Reiyukai of Japan, LIRI contains
some 12,000 books on religion, philosophy, art and architecture.
Kapilvastu Museum is situated 27 km west of Lumbini in the village
of Tilaurakot. The museum holds coins, pottery and toys dating
between the seventh century BC and fourth century AD. The museum
also has good collection of jewelry and other ornaments of that
period.
NAGARKOT
Situated at 2300 meters, on the valley’s eastern rim,
Nagarkot offers an excellent view of the Nepal Himalaya including
Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Manaslu. It also has sweeping
panoramas of the terraced hillsides so typical of Nepal. It
is a popular place for sunrise views.
PANAUTI
This ancient Newar town is built at the confluence of two streams,
with a third visible only to sages. The confluence is a famous
bathing and pilgrimage site where a festival is held on the
first day of the month of Magh and a month-long Mela once every
12 years. The centerpiece of this charming, unspoiled village
is the Indresvar Mahadev temple. Dating back to 1294 this is
the oldest extant example of a Newari Temple. Along the river
there is a collection of more recent shrines and ghats, including
an old Krishna temple, a suspension bridge leading to a recently
renovated 17th century Brahmayani Mandir dedicated to the patron
goddess of Panauti and a rest house popular with old men. Add
ducks, laundry and drying grain and you have a truly lovely
corner of old Nepal.
POKHARA
Pokhara is a place of remarkable natural beauty. The enchanting
city has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panaromic
views of Himalayan peaks. The serenity of the lakes and the
magnificence of the Himalaya rising behind them create the ambience
that has made Pokhara such a popular place to relax and enjoy
the beauty of nature. Tourism focuses on the districts of Damside
and Lakeside (or Pardi and Baidam, in Nepali, respectively).
These two areas, packed with hotels and restaurants, are a few
kilometers southwest of the main Pokhara bazaar.
Pokhara lies on a once vibrant trade route extending between
India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped
on the outskirts of the town, bringing goods to trade from remote
regions of the Himalaya. This is the land of Magars and Gurungs,
hardworking farmers and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide
fame as Gurkha soldiers. The Thakalis, another important ethnic
group here, are known for their entrepreneurial skill.
The climate of Pokhara is slightly warmer than Kathmandu with
daytime temperature hovering around 15 degrees Celsius in winter
and 35 degrees in summer. The monsoon season which lasts from
mid-June to mid-September is very wet; in fact Pokhara records
the highest rainfall in the country. Best time to visit is between
October and April. The activities of foreign visitors to Pokhara
focus around two districts
TANSEN
Tansen, an ancient hill town, with architecture strongly influenced
by Newari migrants from the Kathmandu valley is waiting to be
discovered. Situated at the southern slope of the Mahabharat
range the town offers an opportunity to experience genuine Nepalese
culture, away from westernized places like Thamel in Kathmandu
or Lakeside in Pokhara. Though the Newar community forms one
of the major communities in this place now, the place originally
belonged to the Magar community, one of the most delightful
ethnic groups of Nepal. Old artistic Newari houses and cobbled
streets shape the townscape. The town's hill, Shreenagar, allows
breathtaking views of the Himalayan range from Dhaulagiri in
the west to Ganesh Himal in the east.
Tansen is the district administrations headquarter of Palpa
district, and is itself often referred to as Palpa, and its
people as Palpalis.
Amar Ganj Ganesh Temple is a beautiful three-storey
pagoda style temple. The large rest house has been converted
into a school and within the grounds is a small old temple of
Bhairab. The mask of Bhairab, which is worshipped here, was
snatched from Kathmandu by Mukunda Sen, King of Palpa.
Amar Narayan Temple is one of the largest temples
in Tansen. The whole temple complex, including the temples,
the ponds and the park was built under the reign of Amar Singh
Thapa, the first governor of Palpa. According to a legend, a
holy spring (or lake) is hidden under the three-storey pagoda
style Narayan Temple. The two other temples of the ensemble
are dedicated to Vishnu (to the west, next to one of the ponds)
and to Shiva (to the south, next to the staircase). The remarkable
huge dry stone masonry wall surrounding the whole premises is
called "The great wall of Palpa".
Sital Pati (shady rest place), near Ason Tole,
is the most popular square in Tansen and is named for the white
octagonal shaped building at its center. The Sital Pati was
built under the order of the governor of Palpa (1891-1902) an
ambitious politician who was exiled from Kathmandu after plotting
against the Prime Minister
The gate opposite to the palace leads to Makhan Tole, the main
bazaar of Tansen that focuses the town's commercial activity,
notably the sale of Dhaka cloth. Of woven cotton or muslin,
this cloth is characterized by jagged, linear designs originally
made famous in Bangladesh. With principal colors of red, black
and white, the cloth is used to make saris as well as "topis"
(Palpali topi), the hat that is an integral part of the national
dress for men.
Taksar is an interesting area where, for centuries,
the famous bronze and brass works of Tansen were produced. One
can have a look at how the famous ancient articles such as Karuwa
(water jug), Hukka (water pipe), Antee (jug for Nepali brandy)
etc are produced.
Shreenagar Hill (1525m) is about an hour from
the town center. The top reveals a breath-taking panoramic view
of the Himalaya from Dhaulagiri in the west to Ganesh Himal
in the east. The hill is covered by forest, pine plantations
and beautiful rhododendron flowers. At the eastern end of Shreenagar
ridge there is a statue of the Buddha with a monkey and an elephant,
donated by Thai monks, which commemorates one of the eight great
events in the Buddha’s life.
|
