The
ancient history of Katmandu begins from Manjushree
( The Buddhist Saint). Before Manju shree came to
Kathmadnu it was a lake, he cut southern side of the
lake and drained out the water and made it in habitable.
many dynastic came and went. Trade and arts flourished.
There are seven heritage sites in the valley. Kathmandu
has an exotic setting. It is surrounded by tier of
green mountains wall above which tower mighty snow
-capped peaks in winter. It consists of three main
towns of great historic, artistic and cultural interest:
Kathmandu, Patan and Bhadgaun. The Valley covers an
area of 596sq. miles. It is situated at 1330m.above
the sea-level. The major tourist attractions in Kathmandu
include:
KATHMANDU
DURBAR SQUARE : Durbar in Nepali
means
"Palace" and in patan and Bhaktapur as well
as kathmandu there are durbar aquares in front of
their old palaces. The king no longer lives in the
old royal palace in Kathmandu. Actually durbar square
is the "Heart "historic seat of Royalty.
The durbar square, with its old temples and palaces.
Basantapur tower, Kumari (The living goddes), Kastamandap
(House of wood), Garuda, Shiva temple, Sweta and Black
Bhairab, Talaju Temple, Old royal palace,anuman statue
(God of monkey) and etc.
PATAN
: Also known as Lalitpur. An ancient city is situated
on the southern bank of the river Bagmati and is about
five kilometers southest of kathmandu. The city is
full of Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples, with
fine bronge gateway, gurdian deities and wonderful
carvings. Noted for its craftsmen and metel workers,
it is known as the city of artists.
BHAKTAPUR : Also known as Bhadgaon, 'city of
devotees' is 14 km east of Kathmadnu. The exquisitely
carved 55 windows palace. The Golden Gate an old palace,
5-stored Nyatapola temple and Bhairab Temple near
by and Duttatray aquere etc can be
observed.
SWAYAMBHUNATH
: An ancient stupa at the top of a steep hill.
Believed to be more than 2200 years old. The over
looking eyes of the Buddha on central stupa seen from
four sides is a glamorous view to watch. This temple
also call as Monkey temple.
BOUDDHANATH
: Possibly the world,s largest stupa and of Tibetan
Buddhist Culture in Nepal. Antique shops where you
can buy things of your interest relating to Buddhist
surrounded the monastery. During the Tibetan New year,
There are many Buddhist visiting Buddha.
PASHUPATINATH
: The Pashupatinath temple stands along the side
of Bagmati river. It is theholiest Temple for Hindus.
Many people from different part of Asia visit this
Temple. Temple dedicated to lord Shiva, is also a
site for Hindu cremation. During the festival Shiva
Ratri temple crowed by devotees.
PLACE
FOR SUNRISE : (Nagarkot)
About an hour driving passing Bhaktapur through beautiful
countryside taken you to the top of the Nagarkot (2175m.)This
place is very famous to view the spectacular Himalayan
Range from Annapurna to Everest
PLACE
FOR MOUNTAINS VIEW : (Dhulikhel) 30 km.east of
kathmandu Valley. The way to Tibet and is one of the
scenic sports of valley. Mt langtang to Mt. Everest
are to viwed from here.It has some interesting temples
and old house around the city.
PANAUTI
BAZAR :
Panauti is wedged between the Punyamata and Roshi
streams. Panauti forms the shape of a triangle with
a serpent (Naga) idol standing at each of its three
corners to protect from floods. Pride of this place
goes to the massive, three-tired Indreshwor Mahadev.
Some authorities believe this to be the original structure
that was raised here in 1294 AD, which would make
it the oldest surviving Nepal. The shrine area at
the sacred confluence called the Khware', is one of
those tranquil spots that can way lay a dreamer for
hours. The large 'battal', a favorite hang out for
the local pensioners, the collective range of fresco
depicting scenes from Hindu and some Buddhist mythology.
Vishnu in cosmic deep, Rama killing the ten-headed
demon-king Ravana and even Krishna being chased up
a tree by a pack of naked Gopis (milkmaids). On the
opposite back stands the recently restored 17th century
Brahmayani Mandir.
PALANCHOWK
BHAGWATI :
Palanchowk Bhagwati is situated over the hill overlooking
the valley of Panchkhal and 40 km north-east of the
Kathmandu city. This temple of Palanchowk Bhagwati
is said to have been constructed during the reign
of King Man Dev. The temple houses a 3 feet long beautiful
artistic idol of Goddess Bhagwati carved in a black
stone.
NAMO
BUDDHA 
This Namo Buddha is situated on a hill above Panauti
and requires either drive or good hike, walk is recommended
to visit this place. There is an amazing story concerning
Buddha being commemorated by an ancient stone slab
and a stupa with the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.
It is an ideal place for in meditation. Monsoon i.e.
May, June & July are not recommended. About two
and a half hours north of Dhulikhel on foot, the stupa
rest on a red-earth ledge near the tops of jungle
ridge. During February-March pilgrimage season, Tibetans
and Bhotias arrive by the vanload to circumambulate
it. Among the houses surrounding the stupa is a dinky
Tamang 'Gompa' when you can enter.
A
trial leads up to a bigger Tibetan gompa on top of
the prayer flag festooned ridge behind and in one
of the out buildings is preserved a famous stone relief
sculpture depicting the legend of Namo Buddha. According
to the fable Buddha, in on of his previous lives as
a hunter, encountered a starving tigress and her cubs
here, and moved by compassion, offered his own flesh
to her, a sacrifice that helped pave the way for his
eventual rebirth as the historical Buddha. The stupa
is supposed to contain the hunter's bones and hair.
KAKANI
:
Kakani is located 29 km north-west of Kathmandu at
an altitude of 1982 m above sea level and is famous
for the magnificent view over Kathmandu Valley and
the north-western Himalayas ranges against the vastness
of the sky. The fabulous area of Kakani features attractions
ranging from beautiful alpine scenery to the magnificent
Himalayan Panorama particularly the Ganesh Himal massif.
A close view of the other peak of Himalayas which
can be seen from here are Gaurishanker (7134 in),
Choba Bhamte (6016 in), Dorje
Lakpa,
Manaslu (8163 in), Himalchuli (7893 in), Annapurna
(8091 m) and the other several peaks. A majestic view
of the sunset can also be seen from this place. A
trip to Kakani along the beautiful highway of Trishuli
Road, is scenically rewarding with green forest and
mountains grandeur in one direction and fertile river
flats and terraces cultivation on the other. This
road begins from Balaju and terminates at Kaule from
where the road bifurcates.
LUMBINI
:
Lumbini is the birth place of Lord Buddha, the apostle
of peace and compassion. It is 21 km west of Bhairahawa
and 285 km south-west of Kathmandu. It is a place
of pilgrimage for Buddhist as well as place of reverence
for peace lovers of any religious faith throughout
the world. In Lumbini the central attraction is the
sacred garden with Maya Devi temple depicting the
birth of Lord Buddha, Ashoka Pillar pinpointing the
birth place of Buddha and Shakya Tank where Maya Devi,
the mother of Lord Buddha, is supposed to have taken
a dip before bringing forth the baby - Lord Buddha.
Around this holy site, there are remnants of Monasteries
and Chaityas built over the centuries following Buddha's
birth in 632 BC.
The
work is underway at Lumbini to transform three square
miles of flat, empty land into an expression of Buddha's
peace and compassion creating a sculpted landscape
to make the teaching of Lord Buddha accessible to
all humanities. The project area designed on a north-south
axis encompasses three zone each covering one square
mile. The Lumbini village lies as a gateway to the
outer world. The second zone, on either side of a
canal and walkway will be developed into a monastic
enclave where nations, institutions and organization
can build places of worship that reflect varying religious
ideals and styles. A meditation center will be the
highlight of this zone. The third and most important
zone is the sacred garden itself where the beauty
of its plant life will be restored to create a reverent
atmosphere in which one can experience Buddha's universal
message.