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Kathmandu Durbar
Square (World
Heritage Site): -
Durbar Square is
an overwhelming
frenzy of art
and
architecture.
The medieval
palace complex
is erected in
different styles
at the right
hand side of the
Kumari temple.
This palace
complex is
locally known as
the Basantapur
Durbar or
Nautale Durbar
and the street
is called
Basantapur after
it. This
monument was
constructed in
1770 A.D. in the
initiation of
King Prithivi
Narayan Shah
after capturing
the Kathmandu
Valley in 1768
A.D. The massive
pagoda structure
houses the
tutelary deity
of the Malla
Kings. The
palace building
is labyrinth of
stone paved
quadrangles. The
coronation
ceremony is
still performed
in the main
courtyard at the Nyasal Chowk.
The palace
facade is
tapestry of
intricately
carved windows,
shaded by gently
sloping roofs of
shimmering brown
tiles.
Swayambhunath/Monkey
temple (World
Heritage Site): -
The Swayambhu
Stupa crowns a
hillock to the
west of
Kathmandu. A
massive white
dome surrounded
by a 13 stage
spire, the stupa
is one of the
most sacred
Buddhist sites
in Nepal. It is
said to be 2000
years old. Its
origins are
linked to the
founding of the
Kathmandu
valley, draining
the water out of
the lake by
Bodhisattva
Manjushree.
Swayambhu
manifested in
the lake as a
brilliant light
emanating from a
lotus and
Manjushree let
the water out by
slashing a
passage through
the surrounding
hills to
facilitate
paying homage to
Swayambhu, thus
making the
valley
inhabitable.
Bouddhanath
(World Heritage
Site): -
It is the
world’s biggest
stupa located
about 2
kilometers to
the north of
Pashupatinath
temple. This
colossal Stupa
is known by the
name of
Bouddhanath, the
god of wisdom.
It is difficult
to assign a
period to it, as
some believe
that it was
built during the
reign of either
Shiva Dev or
Anshu Verma in
the 7th century
A.D. The design
is much like the
Swayambhu Stupa,
except that the
final consists
of receding
squares instead
of circles.
Bouddhanath
attracts the
Buddhist
pilgrims from
all over the
world.
Pashupatinath
(World Heritage
Site):-
One of the
holiest Hindu
shrines in the
world, the
temple of
Pashupatinath is
the focus of
pilgrims from
all over Nepal
and India. The
temple is
dedicated to
Lord Shiva and
is in the
familiar Pagoda
style.
Chronicles
indicate the
temple’s
existence prior
to 400 A.D. It
lies 5 kms east
of the city
center. This
holy place is
picturesque
collection of
temple and
shrines. All the
dying persons
are brought to
Pashupatinath
for cremation.
Only the Hindus
are allowed to
go inside.
Patan Durbar
Square (World
Heritage Site):-
Most of the
monuments in
this square
belong to the
medieval Malla
period 15th to
17th century.
Important things
to be seen in
this area
include the
Golden gate and
the Golden
window of the
old palace, the
beautiful piece
of traditional
metal craft, the
famed Krishna
temple with 21
golden
Pinnacles, the
Royal bath of
Sundari Chowk, a
perfect piece of
the classic work
in stone, the
Royal Taleju
temple, Vishwa
Narayan temple
are the finest
examples of the
unique
craftsmanship in
wood, the temple
of Bhimsen with
the magnificent
golden balcony
overlooking the
square outside
including many
other shrines
and sculptures
scatter in and
around the
square.
Bhaktapur Durbar
Square (World
Heritage Site):-
The city of
Bhaktapur lies
14 km to the
east of
Kathmandu.
Bhaktapur is the
ancient capital
of Mallas.
Historically,
the city was
built in the 9th
century (889
A.D.) during the
reign of King
Ananda Deva. The
city was
originally built
in the shape of
a sacred conch
shell, which is
associated with
Lord Vishnu, the
lord protector.
Its Durbar
Square is a
symphony of art
and
architecture.
The centerpiece
is the 55-window
palace
overlooking the
square which is
paved over with
brick. The
history of the
palace dates
back to the 12th
century.
Changunarayan
(World Heritage
Site):-
The temple of
Changunarayan is
situated on a
peninsular ridge
to the north of
Bhaktapur. It
was built in the
3rd century and
is dedicated to
Lord Vishnu. The
temple is most
ancient specimen
of Pagoda-roofed
shrine in the
valley. It is
decorated with
some of the
finest stones,
metal and
woodcrafts. Most
of the
architectural
wealth was put
together during
the reign of the
Malla king who
ruled the
Kathmandu Valley
from the 13th to
18th centuries.
The temple is
thought to have
been built by
Vishnu Gupta,
and was later
added to it by
Hari Dutta Verma
in 323 A.D. The
surrounding
views are
splendid and the
temple is the
living museum.
From Kathmandu,
it is 8 miles in
the eastern
direction.
Himalaya peaks
like Manaslu
(8156m), Ganesh
Himal (7111m),
Langtang
(7246m), Choba
Bhamre (6016m),
Gaurishankar
(7134m) and
Numbur (6957m)
are also clearly
seen from
Nagarkot. A
motorable road
links Nagarkot
with Bhaktapur.
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