The Valley consists of three main cities of great historic and cultural interest Kathmandu, Lalitpur (Patan) and Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon). Situated at an altitude of 1336 meter above the sea level, the Kathmandu Valley covers an area of 218 sq. miles. These three cities were part of different empires in the period of the Mallas (1200AD), great rulers of the area. Kathmandu is the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. It is surrounded by a tier of green mountain wall above, which tower mighty snow – capped peaks. The Kathmandu valley hosts seven World Heritage Sites declared by the UNESCO in Nepal. The valley is famous for the scenery, beautiful countryside, ethnic clans, monasteries and thousands of temples. The city is also called the city of temples. The major tourist attractions in Kathmandu include:
Pashupati Nath Temple:
The temple of Lord Shiva, Pashupati Nath, with tow tiered golden roof and silver door is considered one of the holiest shrines for Hindus, although only Hindus are allowed inside 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 AD.
Guheswari Temple:
Near Pashupatinath is located another historic and holy temple of Guheswari. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple courtyard.
Boudha Nath Stupa:
The stupa lies 8 km. east of Kathmandu. This ancient colossal Stupa is one of the biggest in world, and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. It was listed in the UNESCO World heritage Monument list in 1979 AD.
Budhanilkantha Temple (Sleeping Vishnu):
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 Lichchavi period. This fifth century statue is in the middle of pond and seems top.
Balaju Water Garden:
Situated about 5 km. north-east of Kathmandu, this garden features fountains with 22 crocodiles-headed water spouts dating from eighteenth century. There is also a large swimming pool inside the park.
Swoyambhu Nath Stupa:
This is one of the world’s most glorious Buddhist Chaityas. It is said to be about 2000 years old. Painted four sides of spire’s base are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is 3 km. west of Kathmandu city and situated on a hillock about 77 m. above sea level of Kathmandu 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 AD.
Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanumandhoka):
It is the historic seat of royalty. The Durbar square, with its old temples and places, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of people. It is here that kings of Nepal are crowed and their coronations solemnized. Interesting things to see her are Taleju Temple built by Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD, the temple of Kal Bhairav, the god of destruction, Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Mall, the Big Drum, the Jagannath temple and Kasthmandap. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument list in 1979 AD.
Goddess Kumari (the only living goddess in the world):
Kumari (Vestal Virgin) or the only living Goddes in the world, who represents a very ancient Hindu deity of Nepal locally known as Taleju, is Buddhist by birth; The temple 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 President of Nepal seeks the Kumari’s blessing.
Martyr’s Memorial (Sahid) Gate:
It is located between Bhimsen Stambha and Bhadrakali temple. The memorial arch contains the statue of the late King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah and the busts of four martyrs.
Bhadrakali Temple:
As 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” temples of Kathmandu city.
Singha Durbar:
A grand imposing palace built on the neo-classical style. Singha Durbar was the private residence of Rana Prime Ministers. Now it is the Secretariat of Government of Nepal.
Narayanhity Palace Museum:
Narayanhiti Palace Museum is the former royal palace in the centre of the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, It is the palace which long served as a primary residence for the country’s monarchs. In 2008, Nepal ceased to be a monarchy, and the royal palace in Kathmandu was converted into a museum open to the public. Narayanhiti, in Narayanhiti Palace, is made up of two words ‘narayan’ and ‘hiti’. ‘Naryan’ is a form of Hindu god “Lord Vishnu” whose temple is located opposite to the palace and ‘hiti’ means “water spout” which is also located to the east of main entrance in the precincts of the palace, and which has a legend associated with it. The Narayanhiti Palace Museum is open every day except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and public holidays, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Patan:
Patan is an ancient city on the southern bank of the river Bagmati and is about 5 km. southeast of Kathmandu. It is also known as the city of artists. The city is famous for the monuments, temples, gateways and wonderful carvings.
Patan Durbar Square:
Patan Durbar Square situated in the heart of the city, constitutes the focus of visitors’ attraction. The Durbar Square is full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings. The Patan Durbar Square consists of three main chowks or courtyards, the central Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Kesar Narayan Chowk. The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpieces of stone architecture, the Royal Bath called Tushahity. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument list in 1979 AD.
Krishna Temple:
Built in 1637 AD. The temple of Lord Krishna holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan. It is supposed to be the first specimen of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. It is the only temple in Nepal having 21 spires and is completely made by stone.
The Zoo:
Situated at Jawalakhel, the zoo has many animals, birds and reptiles in its collections mostly representing the Himalayan fauna. There is a beautiful pond built in 17th A.D.
Pashupati Nath Temple:
Guheswari Temple:
Near Pashupatinath is located another historic and holy temple of Guheswari. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple courtyard.
Boudha Nath Stupa:
The stupa lies 8 km. east of Kathmandu. This ancient colossal Stupa is one of the biggest in world, and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. It was listed in the UNESCO World heritage Monument list in 1979 AD.
Budhanilkantha Temple (Sleeping Vishnu):
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 Lichchavi period. This fifth century statue is in the middle of pond and seems top.
Balaju Water Garden:
Situated about 5 km. north-east of Kathmandu, this garden features fountains with 22 crocodiles-headed water spouts dating from eighteenth century. There is also a large swimming pool inside the park.
Swoyambhu Nath Stupa:
This is one of the world’s most glorious Buddhist Chaityas. It is said to be about 2000 years old. Painted four sides of spire’s base are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is 3 km. west of Kathmandu city and situated on a hillock about 77 m. above sea level of Kathmandu 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 AD.Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanumandhoka):
It is the historic seat of royalty. The Durbar square, with its old temples and places, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of people. It is here that kings of Nepal are crowed and their coronations solemnized. Interesting things to see her are Taleju Temple built by Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD, the temple of Kal Bhairav, the god of destruction, Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Mall, the Big Drum, the Jagannath temple and Kasthmandap. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument list in 1979 AD.
Goddess Kumari (the only living goddess in the world):
Kumari (Vestal Virgin) or the only living Goddes in the world, who represents a very ancient Hindu deity of Nepal locally known as Taleju, is Buddhist by birth; The temple 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 President of Nepal seeks the Kumari’s blessing.
Martyr’s Memorial (Sahid) Gate:
It is located between Bhimsen Stambha and Bhadrakali temple. The memorial arch contains the statue of the late King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah and the busts of four martyrs.
Bhadrakali Temple:
As 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” temples of Kathmandu city.
Singha Durbar:
A grand imposing palace built on the neo-classical style. Singha Durbar was the private residence of Rana Prime Ministers. Now it is the Secretariat of Government of Nepal.
Narayanhity Palace Museum:
Narayanhiti Palace Museum is the former royal palace in the centre of the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, It is the palace which long served as a primary residence for the country’s monarchs. In 2008, Nepal ceased to be a monarchy, and the royal palace in Kathmandu was converted into a museum open to the public. Narayanhiti, in Narayanhiti Palace, is made up of two words ‘narayan’ and ‘hiti’. ‘Naryan’ is a form of Hindu god “Lord Vishnu” whose temple is located opposite to the palace and ‘hiti’ means “water spout” which is also located to the east of main entrance in the precincts of the palace, and which has a legend associated with it. The Narayanhiti Palace Museum is open every day except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and public holidays, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Patan:
Patan is an ancient city on the southern bank of the river Bagmati and is about 5 km. southeast of Kathmandu. It is also known as the city of artists. The city is famous for the monuments, temples, gateways and wonderful carvings.
Patan Durbar Square:
Patan Durbar Square situated in the heart of the city, constitutes the focus of visitors’ attraction. The Durbar Square is full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings. The Patan Durbar Square consists of three main chowks or courtyards, the central Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Kesar Narayan Chowk. The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpieces of stone architecture, the Royal Bath called Tushahity. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument list in 1979 AD.
Krishna Temple:
Built in 1637 AD. The temple of Lord Krishna holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan. It is supposed to be the first specimen of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. It is the only temple in Nepal having 21 spires and is completely made by stone.
The Zoo:
Situated at Jawalakhel, the zoo has many animals, birds and reptiles in its collections mostly representing the Himalayan fauna. There is a beautiful pond built in 17th A.D.
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