Kathmandu Durbar
Square is in the heart
of old city Kathmandu
in Basantapur. It is
famous for arts and
architecture and has
great importance from
religion, historical
and cultural point of
view. The complex was
residence to Nepal's
Royal family before
the construction of
the Narayanhiti Palace.
The founding of the
Palace dates back to
Licchavi times. With
considerable renovations
by Malla rulers and
later the Ranas, construction
was accomplished progressively
over many centuries.
The Durbar Square, protected
as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, is the social,
religious and urban
focal point of the city.
Even to date, all the
major state and social
ceremonies, including
the solemnization of
coronations are performed
in one of the courtyards
in this complex.
There are around 50
temples in the vicinity
including the temple
of titular deity, Taleju
Bhawani. The Durbar
is divided into two
courtyards, the outer
comprising Kasthamandap,
Kumari Ghar, and Shiva-Parvati
Temple, and the inner
consisting of Hanuman
Dhoka and the main palace.
It has two museums.
Important ceremonies,
including the coronation
of the Nepali monarch,
are held in the Kathmandu
Durbar Square. Most
parts of the palace
premise are open for
tourists throughout
the week during office
hours.
|
Swayambhunath
is situated on the hill
west of Kathmandu. It
is the mostly recognized
as a monkey temple by
the foreigners. Swayambhu
literally means 'Self-Existent
One.' Swoyambhunath
is believed to have
been established more
than 2,500 years ago.
It is the holiest place
for Buddhist and Hindus
as well. The history
of Kathmandu Valley
is said to have started
with the beginning of
Swoyambhu. The largest
image of the Sakyamuni
Buddha in Nepal is in
a monastery next to
the stupa. Behind the
hilltop is a temple
dedicated to Manjusri
of Saraswati - the goddess
of learning. Statues
and shrines of Buddhist
and Hindu deities dot
the stupa complex. 
religious sites in Asia
for God Shiva devotees.
It is listed on world
heritage site. Pashupatinath,
dedicated to Shiva the
Destroyer, is the holiest
Hindu pilgrimage destination
in Nepal. This temple
stands on the banks
of Bagmati River, between
Kathmandu and Tribhuwan
Airport.
Boudhanath
Stupa lies about 6 km
east of downtown Kathmandu
and is the largest stupa
in the Valley and one
of the largest in the
world. It looms 36 meters
high and presents one
of the most fascinating
specimens of stupa design
with hundreds of prayer
wheels bearing mantra
‘om mani padme
hum’ and 108 small
images of Buddha all
around. Just like the
Swayambhunath, the stupa
here is too has four
sides with the watchful
eyes of Lord Buddha.
A number of monasteries
can be seen on the alley
of Boudhanath Stupa.
It can be reached easily
through the local bus,
micros or car within
a 30 minutes. 
end
of the Valley. It is
about 9 km from the
city center. The 5m
long image of Lord Vishnu
as Narayan reclining
on the coil of a cosmic
serpent. The figure
has been estimated to
have been found buried
in the ground in its
original state more
than thousand years
ago. It is also known
as Bhuijasi Narayan.
Hindus throng to this
sacred pilgrimage almost
everyday to perform
puja but a great number
of worshippers can be
seen in various festivals,
especially on Haribodhini
Ekadashi that falls
between October/November,
the day supposed that
lord Vishnu wakens from
the his long slumber.
The
temple of Dakshinkali
is dedicated to one
of the most important
Hindu Goddess Kali and
is one of the most popular
places of worship in
Kathmandu. Located 22
km from the city center
on the southern rim
of the Valley past Pharping
village, the shrine
is especially crowded
on Tuesdays and Saturdays
when animal sacrifices
are offered to the deity.
On the way back, stop
at Chobhar, the famous
gorge, just 8 km south
west of Kathmandu. The
narrow gash in the hills
was made by Lord Manjushree
to drain out the lake
which once covered the
Valley. A majestic view
of snow clad mountain
can be viewed from the
hilltop close by.
