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Kathmandu

Where the Gods Live

General Information
Other Name: -, District: Bagmati , State: Central Region (Madhyamanchal) , Nepal
Area: 0 -
Languages Spoken: Nepali,Newari
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: It has the old palace of Newar kings, Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is listed as UNESCO world heritage site.
Best Time to Visit: September to March and -
International Access: -

Description
The first thing many visitors may notice about Kathmandu is the general lack of street names (except for major roads such as Tri Devi and Ring Road) and address numbers. In most cases directions are given relative to the nearest chowk or tole (an intersection or square, often with a market) or a noteworthy building such as a temple or restaurant. In the tourist district of Thamel, the Kathmandu Guest House and Hot Breads bakery are two main landmarks. It is possible to get across the city by foot, but it is not always a pleasant walk and you may want to consider a rickshaw for anything more then wandering around a specific area. Rickshaws are bicycle driven; the motorized ones have been banned from the valley in a bid to check rising pollution. Rickshaws can hardly be found outside the tourist area of Thamel, however, since they are mostly only used by the tourists. Negotiate on a price before you get in, if you can''t agree, just look for another driver. Prices go up after dark and in less busy areas. Taxis are easy to find; they park near all major streets and have fare-meters. There are also buses and taxis for longer trips (see Kathmandu Valley for information on getting to Patan and Bakhtapur), and can be used for trips in town. For longer trips and to hire them by the day negotiate with the driver.
Location
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Climate
Climatic conditions vary to a large extent in view of several geographical factors (topography and altitude). Five major climatic regions have been deciphered in Nepal, out of which Kathmandu valley falls under the Warm Temperate Zone (elevation ranging from 1,200–2,300 metres (3,900–7,500 ft)) where the climate is fairly pleasant, atypical of the region. This zone is followed by the Cool Temperate Zone with elevation varying between 2,100 metres (6,900 ft) and 3,300 metres (10,800 ft). In the Kathmandu valley, which is representative of its valley’s climate the average temperature during the summer season varies from 28–30 °C (82–86 °F). During the winter season the average temperature is 10.1 °C (50.2 °F). The city generally has a salubrious climate with comfortable warm days followed by the cool mornings and nights. Unpredictability of weather is expected as during winter, temperatures during the winter months have dropped to 3 °C (37 °F). The rainfall which is mostly monsoon based (about 65% of the total concentrated during the monsoon months of June to August), which decreases (100 cm to 200 cm) substantially from eastern Nepal to western Nepal, has been recorded as about 1,400 millimetres (55 in) for the Kathmandu valley and an average of 1,407 millimetres (55.4 in) specifically for the Kathmandu city. On an average Humidity is 75%.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

A very old Hindu text has described Kathmandu as the land of gods surrounded by beautiful mountains around. Some two hundred years ago a western Visitor wrote that there were as many temples as there were houses and many idols as there were people. In fact Kathmandu boasts one of the largest congregations of magnificent historical monuments and shrines ever built. Duly recognized as a world Heritage Site by UNESCO- this particular area best known as Kathmandu Durbar Square lies in the heart of this city. Locally also called as Hanuman Dhoka Palace Square-an ancient seat of the Nepalese Royalty.Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex consists of a huge Royal Square imposing a tremendous variety of temples dedicated to different Hindu gods and goddess. Most of the buildings we see here date from 15th to 18th century

Achheswore Mahavihar

It was founded towards the beginning of the 17th century. The Mahavihar has recently been reconstructed and it commands a beautiful view of the Kathmandu Valley. It is located behind the Ashokan Stupa at Pulchowk.

The Bronze and Brass Museum

The museum is housed in a fifteenth-century Math opposite the Pujari Math at Tachapl Tol. It has a rich collection of domestic and ceremonial metalwares such as inkpots, spittoons, ordinary and ritual lamps. It opens daily, except Sundays, Mondays and holidays from 9 am to 4 pm.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

The main square of the city contains innumerable temples and other marvelous architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, the Picture Gallery, the Golden Gate, the Batsala temple and the Bell of Barking Dogs. An intriguing part of this square is the fifteen-century Palace of 55 windows. There is an entrance fee of Rs. 30 for SAARC nationals and Rs. 300 for other foreign visitors.

Remarks: Heritage Place

Budhanilkantha

Situated below Shivapuri hill at the northern end of the valley, Buddhanilkantha temple is 9 km from Kathmandu city. The temple consists of a pond in which lies a great stone figure of the Hindu god Vishnu reclining on the coils of a cosmic serpent. The huge statue of sleeping Vishnu is carved from the single block of black stone of a type not found in the valley. It is believed that ages before the two hardworking farmers (husband and wife) discovered the statue when they were ploughing their field.
Besides Budhanilkantha temple, there are other two sets of exactly similar, but smaller statues of ''sleeping Vishnu'' in the Valley. One set is in the Balaju garden and the other is hidden in the old garden of Hanuman Dhoka Palace of Kathmandu city. A prophetic dream of King Pratap Malla generated the belief that the King of Nepal should never visit Buddhanilkantha temple on threat of death. He then built the similar statue in two places.
The huge massive statue is one of the finest masterpiece of art that should be seen. One can get to the temple by hike, bike, taxi or take a public bus from bus stop at Kathmandu city or catch a three- wheeler tempo to Budhanilkantha from Jamal at Kathmandu. It takes around an hour from Kathmandu to reach here. Early morning is the best time to visit the temple. The priest performs daily puja around nine o'' clock in the morning.

Remarks: Sleeping God

Boudha Nath Stupa

One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal, Boudhanath is an imposing structure standing some 36 meters. The Stupa stands on the massive three level mandala style Platforms surrounded by colourful private family houses.
The basic feature of this great stupa is very much like that of Swoyambhunath stupa except its finial displaying. It is much bigger than Swoyambhu stupa and lies on the valley floor whereas the former one stands on the hill top. This stupa is said to have been built in 5th century A. D. The site is considered very much like Mecca for the Tibetan Buddhists and every year tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the Himalayan region visit the stupa.
According to a very popular legend long time ago the kingdom of Kathmandu was under terrifying draught. King Dharma Deva was very worried. An astrologer advised him that only the sacrifice of an ideal man with 32 virtues in front of the dry royal water spout could make the rain fall in the country. And in the following night he commanded his son to go to the dry water spout inside the royal palace compound at mid night and behead the person shrouded in white robe without looking at him. The Prince obeyed his father but to his great horror only to find it was none other than his own father.
In order to atone the big sin and in removal the prince said to have built this great stupa. As an entry point of ancient Nepal-Tibet trade rout, the site is popularly frequented by Tibetan visitors.

Bhairavnath Temple

This temple was first built as a one-storey pagoda but later changed into a three storey temple in 1718 AD by King Bhupatindra Malla. The temple is noted for its artistic grandeur. It is dedicated to Lord Bhairav- the god of Terror.

Durbar Square

Kathmandu`s Durbar Square is the largest of the palace squares in the three royal cities and is designated by UNESCO as a protected cultural asset. The old palace alone covers an area three times the size of the precincts in Bhaktapur and Patan. Also on Durbar Square are some 50 temples and monuments of varying shapes, sizes, styles and faiths.It include the Mahendreshvara Mandir,Jagannath Mandir,Mohan Chowk etc.

Remarks: It is largest collection of temples,monuments,gardens etc.

Dattatraya Square

The square takes its name from the Dattatreya temple dedicated to a three-headed combination of the Hindu deities Bhrama, Vishnu and Shiva. Dattatreya square is a perfect place to experience the feel of the traditional urban layout of Bhaktapur. Set in a maze of streets lined with richly ornamented houses, the square is framed for its many ornate Hindu monasteries known as Math. The National Woodworking Museum is also housed here and the Brass and Bronze Museum is across the street.

Jagannath Mandir

The Jagannath Temple, recognized as the finest of the group near Hanuman Dhoka, is entered via three gates with elaborate triple frames. Exquisite wood-carvings embellish the doors, windows and roof struts, depicting a panoply of gods from the Hindu pantheon.

Remarks: this is one of the famous temple of kathmandu.A large number of tourist visit every year.

Kumbeshwor

The five-storey pagoda of Kumbeshwor is one of the oldest temple of Patan. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was orginally constructed in 1392 as a two storied shrine, but later in the 17th century Srinivasa Malla added the upper three tiers of the temple. Hence this is one of the Valley''s two five-storied temples (the other is Bhaktapur''s Nyatpola). The two ponds here (Konti) are believed to be connected by a subterranean channel to the holy Gosaikund lake, which lies several days'' walk north of Kathmandu. On the festival of Janai Purnima (usually the August full moon) thousand devotees of Lord Shiva come to worship the embossed silver sheath worn by the temple''s sacred linga (phallic symbol), which is placed in a special pavilion in the middle of the tank in the hub of temple.
On the southern side of the temple complex is the single storey shrine of goddess Baglamukhi with green painted woodwork. The goddess Baglamukhi is embodied in a tiny image beneath an elaborate silver torona and canopy of snakes. Baglamukhi is considered as the wish-fulfilling goddess. Many devotees visit the temple with hopes that their wishes get rewarded and fulfilled by goddess Baglamukhi at one point of their life. The temple is unusually crowded by many devotees on every Thursdays of the weeks. The Ashokan Stupas
Emperor Ashoka of India visited Nepal in 250 B.C and built four ancient stupas at the four corners of Patan. The four stupas are situated in Pulchowk, Lagankhel, Ebahi and in Teta (way to Sano Gaon) respectively. These stupas give evidence to the city''s ancient religious importance.

Krishnamandir

Krishna Mandir is Nepal''s finest piece of stone architecture. Siddhi Narsingh, a passionate devotee of Krishna, built this temple in the 17th century when he dreamed Krishna and Radha being union at this spot. This magnificent temple is a delicate, airy creation which defies its heavy material. The first storey of the temple consists of scenes from the Hindu holy book Mahabharat; the second storey pavilions are banded by friezes from the Ramayana. Atop a stone pillar in front, a brilliantly executed large metal Garuda (the bird on which Lord Krishna rides) kneels in homage.

Remarks: Oldest Mandir of God Krishna

Kumari temple

17th century Kumari temple, an example of the highly developed Nepalese temple craft. It the house of the Royal Kumari acknowledged to be a Living Goddess. The building has profusely carved wooden balconies and window screens. Two painted stone lions stand guard at the entrance.

Kwa Bahal Golden Temple

This Buddhist monastery is a three storey golden pagoda of Lokeshwor (Lord Buddha). The monastery, built in the 12th century by King Bhaskar Verma, is embellished with exceptionally fine woodcarvings and repousse work. Inside the upper storey of the pagoda, there are the golden image of Lord Buddha and a large prayer wheel. It is a five-minute walk west and north from the northern end of Durbar Square

Lohan Chowk

Towers at the four corners of Lohan Chowk symbolize the valley`s former city-kingdoms, by which they are said to have been endowed. Each tower has a distinctive shape, the Kirtipur Tower in the north-west corner being domed, the Bhaktapur Tower in the north-east corner octagonal, and the Lalitpur (Patan) Tower in the south-east corner square. Symbolizing Kathmandu the Basantpur Tower in the south-west corner is tallest as well as being most splendid of all.

Mahaboudha

A little further east from the southern end of Durbar Square and then turning right at the sunken water taps lies this Buddhist monument. The temple, made of clay bricks with thousands of images of Lord Buddha engraved, is an excellent example of terra cotta art form. The terra-cotta structure is one of the fourteen-century Nepalese architectural masterpieces.

Mount Everest

The highest mountain in the world, and also one of the best known, Mount Everest is situated at a lofty 8,848 metres high (29,029 feet). It is in the Himalayan range.Popular activities around Mount Everest include trekking around Base Camp.

Remarks: It is the highest mountain in the world.

Nyatpola Temple

King Bhupatindra Malla built this five-storey pagoda in 1702 A.D. It stands in a five-terraced platform. On each of the terraces squats a pair of figures: two famous wrestlers, two elephants, two lions, two griffins and Baghini and Singhini (the tiger and the lion) goddesses. This is one of the tallest and is famous for its massive structure and subtle workmanship.

Patan Durbar Square

Patan Durbar Square:
The square, situated in the heart of the city, consists of enchanting melange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. The former royal palace complex is the center of Patan''s religious and social life and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects. There are three main courtyards or chowks, so named central Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk in the square. The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal bath called Tushahity

Remarks: Heritage Place

Pashupatinath

One day Lord Shiva got tired of his glittering place on Mt.Kailash, his armies of ghosts and spirits, and even Parbati - his beautiful wife. Through his cosmic powers, he searched for a perfect place where he could holiday. Without telling anyone, he ran away from his place and came to live in Slesmantak Forest in the Kathmandu Valley. He gained great fame here as Pashupati - Lord of the animals - before other gods discovered his hiding place and came to fetch him.
The Pashupati where he stayed has received the attention of worshippers for at least fifteen hundred years; it is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destination in Nepal. There are linga images of Shiva along with statues, shrines, and temple dedicated to other deities in the complex. A temple dedicated to Shiva existed at this site in AD 879. However, the present temples were built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1697. A gold-plated roof, silver doors, and wood carvings of the finest quality decorate the pagoda construction. Guheswari Temple, restored in AD 1653, represents the female "force". It is wife, who gave up her life in the flames of her father''''s fire ritual.
Lord Shiva once more escaped from Kailash and came back to Pashupati as a hunter, but Parbati followed him disguised as a beautiful huntress. Shiva tried to seduce her, and discovering her true identity returned home shamefully. Kirateswar Temple commemorates this rather unfortunate jaunt.
A circuit of the Pashupati area takes visitors past a sixth-century statue of the Buddha, an eighth-century statue Brahma the creator and numerous other temples. Some other places to visit are Rajrajeswari Temple, built in 1407, Kailash with lingas more than 1,400 years old, Gorakhnath temple, and the courtyard of Biswarup. There are rows of Shiva shines and Hindu pilgrims from all over South Asia offering puja worship to Shiva, the Lord of Destruction.
Boudha Nath Stupa : One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal, Boudhanath is an imposing structure standing some 36 meters. The Stupa stands on the massive three level mandala style Platforms surrounded by colourful private family houses.
The basic feature of this great stupa is very much like that of Swoyambhunath stupa except its finial displaying. It is much bigger than Swoyambhu stupa and lies on the valley floor whereas the former one stands on the hill top. This stupa is said to have been built in 5th century A. D. The site is considered very much like Mecca for the Tibetan Buddhists and every year tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the Himalayan region visit the stupa.
According to a very popular legend long time ago the kingdom of Kathmandu was under terrifying draught. King Dharma Deva was very worried. An astrologer advised him that only the sacrifice of an ideal man with 32 virtues in front of the dry royal water spout could make the rain fall in the country. And in the following night he commanded his son to go to the dry water spout inside the royal palace compound at mid night and behead the person shrouded in white robe without looking at him. The Prince obeyed his father but to his great horror only to find it was none other than his own father.
In order to atone the big sin and in removal the prince said to have built this great stupa. As an entry point of ancient Nepal-Tibet trade rout, the site is popularly frequented by Tibetan visitors.
During Lhosar festival the pilgrims worship the Buddhist deities, light the increase and butter lamp day and night. Every twelve year a special ceremony is observed with great gusto and fervor . During that time they dance, play musical instruments, chant and hymns.

Remarks: -Oldest Hindus Famous Temple

Potters Square

A two-minute walk south of Durbar Square brings you to Bolachhen, also known as Potter''s Square because of the many potters seen here molding wet clay into different kinds of earthenware. It has a display if fresh pottery left out to dry in the open square. This place can be approached from Taumadhi Square also. The elephant-headed Lord Ganesh is the patron of potters, thus the Jeth Ganesh temple in the square.

Rato Machhendranath Temple

Bungamati is the birthplace of Rato Machhendranath. He is regarded as the patron guardian of the valley. There is a shikhara-style temple in the middle of the village square. He spends six months a year in this temple and the other six months in the Rato Machhendranath Temple in Patan.
The courtyard around the temple has a large prayer wheel and many chortens (Tibetan Buddhist stupas).
When the deity of Rato Machhendranath moves to and from Patan and Bungamati is on of the biggest festivals of the year.

Surya Binayak Temple

This temple, located between Bungamati and Khakna, is dedicated to Ganesh. Ganesh is a natural stone. There are some great views from the temple of the Bagmati Valley and of Bungamati

Remarks: Ganesh Temple

Swyambu Nath Stupa

Located in a lovely little hill rock Swoyambhu Nath Stupa middle of city is one of the most fascinating architectural jewels of the world. This great Stoup is said to have been built around 250 B.C.Generally a holy memorial site Stoup represents a typical Buddhist architecture. Its main feature the white dome is identified with a spotless pure jewel of Nirvana and a thirteen tiered golden spire in conical shape surmounted on the dome. Underneath this towering structure are a pair of all seeing eyes of Buddha painted on all four sides of the Stupa.
The Stupa of Swoyambhunath stands on a typically stylized lotus mandala base-a long time ago believed to have originated from a legendary lake of Kathmandu Valley.
As the ancient legend goes Kathmandu Valley was a lake a long time ago. Right in the centre of this lake was a full blown lotus with the divine light a top. When Maha Manjushri a saint from China heard about this he came rushing all the way from China to the Valley. He cut through the southern wall hill of the valley with his divine sword. The cleft made by the sword immediately drained the entire lake water making the valley floor open for a close up view of the divine lotus light.
This holy site in fact is the massive stupa complex ever built in Nepal. Hundreds of votive shrines and other historical monuments built in and around this stupa speak a lot about the significance and antiquity of this famed stupa.
It lies about 3k.m. west of down town Kathmandu. There are two different ways to reach for this site. One is from the west side which is relatively a short cut and another is from the east side where it leads to the main entrance with 360 steps leading all the way to the top, where the most venerated Swayambhu Stupa stands-commanding a magnificent view of Kathmandu Valley and the breathtaking panorama of the north eastern Himalayan range.
Other important things to be seen here include a magnificent two tiered golden temple dedicated to Harati. She is the grand mother deity of children and small pox who was said to be the Ogress until Lord Buddha converted her to be the great caretaker of the children.
Not to far from this temple is Dewa Dharma monastery-noted for a bronze icon of Buddha and traditional Tibetan paintings .
The huge gold plated vajra '''' tha priestly symbol of Vajrayana Buddhism set on the Dharmadhatu mandala at the side of the stupa is worth a close look.
Important to visit
• Buddha Purnima, the birth day of Lord Buddha which fails on the full moon day of Baishak (April-May)
• Gunla the holy Buddhist month according to Newari calendar (Aug.-Sept., early Morning).
• Kojagrath Purni (Sept.-Oct.)
• Samyak day of the Magh (Jan.Feb.) (every twelve years Swayambhu.)

Shiva Parvati Mandir

The long low building on the northern side of Durbar Square contains a shrine to Shiva and Parvati, figures of whom can be seen gazing down from an upper window posed like a normal couple. The lower part of the façade is embellished for almost its whole length with a five-bayed carved wooden screen.

Surya Vinayak Temple

Situated in a thick forest to the south of Bhaktapur, the temple of Ganesh is placed in a Sylvan setting to catch the first rays of the rising sun. It is one of Kathmandu''s most popular pilgrimage spots. It is also a good picnic spot flanked by many attractive landscapes.

Thimi

Situated 8 km east of Kathmandu city, Thimi is a farming town with a population of 32,000. Exquisite temples and other religious shrines dot its streets. It is known for its artistic masks and earthen pots, often seen spread out on the streets to dry in the sun. Homespun cotton cloth is another specialty of Thimi.

Details

Best of Kathmandu and Pokhara / NEP-028 (6 Days / 5 Nights)
Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu

Best of Kathmandu and Pokhara

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Kathmandu
Day 2 : Kathmandu
Day 3 : Kathmandu-Pokhara
Day 4 : Pokhara
Day 5 : Pokhara-Kathmandu
Day 6 : Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Nepal Tours