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Kathmandu Places to See |
The Sights and Sounds of Kathmandu Valley with
its three fabled cities Yen ( Kathmandu ), Yala
( Patan) and khopa ( Bhaktapur) and seven UNESCO
World Heritage Sites. Once a big lake, the
valley was created by a Buddhist saint
Manjushree by draining out the water. The
valley's civilization over the centuries can be
seen at
A couple of palaces, temples and traditional art
of culture and it is protected as the Heritage
Site in the |
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social,
religious and urban focal point of the city. It is called as
Hanuman Dhoka. The site guarded by God Hanuman, the
temple-resident of Kumari (Living Goddes) as Kasthamandap, after
which the word Kathmandu is named. |
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Kathmandu Durbar Square |
This one
of the most popular tourist destination is enlisted in World
Heritage Sites. Clustered around the central Durbar Square are
the old Royal Palace (Hanuman Dhoka), numerous interesting
temples, the Kumari Chowk or Kumari Bahal (House of the Living
Goddess) and the Kasthamandap (House of Wood) from which
Kathmandu derived its present name. An inquisitive exploration
in the Durbar Square reveals the ancient art and architecture of
Nepal which has proved to be a masterpiece to everyone accepting
its genuineness. |
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Temple of Kumari |
The temple and the holy quadrangle
with a Buddhist stupa at the center form the residential
quarters of the Chaste Virgin Living Goddess called
KUMARI. The traditional building has profusely carved
wooden balconies and window screens. The non-Buddhist
and the non-Hindu visitors may enter the courtyard
called the 'bahal' but may not proceed beyond upstairs.
The KUMARI acknowledges their greetings from the central
window of the balcony particularly saved for Her alone
and snapshot is strictly prohibited. |
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Kastha Mandap |
Located nearby the Temple of Kumari,
this is a unique type of wooden temple also known as
Maru Satal. It was built in 1596 A.D. by King Laxmi
Narsingh Malla. They say the timber used for its
relevant construction was sawed out of a single tree. It
is also believed that the capital of Kathmandu derived
its new name from this very 'Kastha Mandap.' Today it
houses the Hindu God namely Gorakh-Nath. |
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Pashupatinath Temple |
Pashupatinath is the holiest Hindu
pilgrimage destination in Nepal.There are linga images
of Shiva a long with the statues,shrine and temples
dedicated to other deities in the complex.A temple
dedicated to Shiva existed at this site in 879AD.However
the present temple buil by King Bhupatindra malla in
1697AD.A gold plated roff,silver doors and woodcarvings
of the finest quality decorate the Pagoda
construction.There are rows of Shiva shrines and Hindu
pilgrims from all over south Asia offering( Puja)worship
to Shiva tile of lord of destruction.The Bagmati rivers
follows close by and the Arya Ghat cremation grounds are
there |
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Swayambhunath Stupa |
An impressive Buddhist Stupa, the
oldest shrine of Kathmandu valley often called Monkey
Temple, visitors not only get a good view of the valley
but come face to face with temples resident monkeys.
Painted on four sides of the spire are the all-seeing
eyes of Lord Buddha. |
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Boudhanath |
Possibly the world’s largest Stupa. Is
a site of a great veneration for Himalayan Buddhism.
Being on the old Tibet Nepal trading route and many
Tibetans living around the area has developed many
monasteries of the different scats of Tibetan Buddhism.
Walking around the Stupa will give you a little glimse
of Tibet |
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Changunarayan |
This is the most ancient temple of
Kathmandu valley.The temple built third century is
decorated by some of the best samples of stones,,wood
and metal crafts in the valley.A fifth century stone
inscription, the oldest to be discovered in Nepal, is
located in the temple compound and it tells of the
victorious King Mandev. |
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