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Kathmandu
For most visitors of Nepal, they
enter their journey with the arrival point being the
capital Kathmandu. This is a small valley surrounded by
hills and mountains. Kathmandu is home to many large
palaces, lofty Buddhist pagodas, beautiful and intensely
crafted temples, museums, gardens as well as a royal
game sanctuary at Gokarna, a few minutes drive from the
heart of the city.
Being the largest and fastest
growing city in Nepal it is indeed a delightful mixture
of history and modernity.
For many traveling or beginning to
travel in Kathmandu can be confusing so we have
specialzed guides who can help you make your travel
easier in your native language. Here are some
interesting places that you can see while you are here.
In Alphabetical order:
Adko Narayan Temple : One of the
four most popular Vishnu TempleAnnapurna Temple :
Dedicated to the goddess of abundance
Ashok Binayak : One of the four
most important Ganesh Shrine
Bhagwati Temple : Triple roofed
temple next to the Gaddi Baithak
Gaddi Baithak : European style
building built during the Rana period
Ganesh Shrine : Brass Ganesh Shrine
in Indrachowk
Great Bell : To drive off evil
spirits
Ikha Narayan Temple : Temple with
four armed Vishnu figure
Indrapur Temple : Temple of great
antiquity
Jagannath Temple : Built during
1563
Jaisi Deval Temple : Shiva Temple,
as shown by the bull on the first few steps
Kakeshwar Temple : Temple built in
1681 with Indian shikhara style
Kal Bhairab : image of Black
Bhairab with six arms
Kalmochan Temple : On the side of
Bagmati River, known as kalmochan Temple
Kasthamandap : House of wood which
gave Kathmandu its name.
Kathesimbhu Stupa : South of
Thahiti Tole
King Pratap Mallas Column : Huge
platform with stone pillars
Kotilingeshwar Temple : A square
structure topped by a dome
Krishna Temple : Lord Krishna's
temple and two goddesses
Krishna Temple : Temple jammed
between buildings in Ason Tole
Kumari Bahal : House of the Living
Goddess
Lunchun Lunbun Ajima : Tantric
Temple
Mahankala Temple : The Temple of
Great Death
Mahavishnu Temple : Golden spire on
the roof, topped by a golden umbrella
Mahendreswar Temple : Temple
restored in 1963 and is dedicated to Shiva
Maju Deval : Temple known as shiva
lingam
Nara Devi Temple : Temple which
gave the street its name
Narayan Temple : Identified as
temple of Vishnu
Nava Durga Temple : A small two
storey pagoda
Pachali Bhairab : The image of
Pachali surrounded by tridents
Ram Chandra Mandir : This temple is
notable for the tiny erotic scenes on its roof
Saraswati Temple : Temple of the
Goddess of knowledge
Shiva Temple : Near the
kasthamandap
Shiva Temple : Smaller version of
Patan Krishna Mandir
Shiva-Parvati Temple : Images Shiva
& Parvati look out from the window
Stone Inscription : Stone
inscription written in 15 different languages
Stone Vishnu Temple: Next to the
bell is a small stone statue
Sweta Bhairab : Can be seen only
during the Indra Jatra
Sweta Macchendra Temple : Temple
attracts both Hindus and Buddhists
Taleju Temple : The squares most
magnificent temple
Tindeval Temple : It is recognized
by its three shikaras
Tripureshwar Mahadev : Along the
footpath of Tripureshwar
Ugratara Temple : A prayer at the
shrine said to work wonders for the eyes
Vishnu Temple : Tripled roofed
temple stands on a four-level base
Some of the places that should not
be missed while you are in Kathmandu:
Hanumandhoka
Hanumans statue marks the entrance or dhoka to
Kathmandu's old Royal Palace and has given the palace
its name. The place was originally founded during
Licchavi period , but as it stands today of it was
constructed by King Pratap Malla and his Queen.
Nasal Chowk
Nasal Chowk means dancing one and the courtyard takes
its name from a small figure of dancing Shiva. Inside
the nasal chowk, there is a large statue of Narshigha,
The Kabindrapur Temple, Pancha Mukhi Hanuman Temple,
Basantapur Tower, Mul Chowk, Degutaleju Temple, Mohan
Chowk and Rana museum.
Swoyambhu Stupa
Swoyambhu, the Buddhist temple is situated on the top of
a hill west of the city, is one of the popular and
instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal. The temple is
also known as the monkey temple after the large tribe of
monkeys which guards the hill. Although you can get to
the temple by vehicle, and save yourself is by far the
best way of approaching Swoyambhu. This huge stupa is
surrounded by other famous temples and gompas. The great
thunderbolt which is known as vajra is on the edge of
the stupa was built during the Malla kings period. On
the top of the stupa is a gold-colored square block from
which the watchful eyes of the Buddha gaze out across
the valley in each direction. The question mark-like
nose is actually the Nepali number ek or one is a symbol
of unity.
Pashupati Nath
Pashupati Temple is is one of the most importan t and
world renowned Hindu temple stand on the banks of Bagmati River , between the airport and Boudha. This
Shiva temple on the subcontinent draws numerous
devotees, sadhus and holy men from all around the world.
Lord Shiva is known as the destroyer and creator of the
Hindu religion and appears on many forms. Although Shiva
is often bloodthirsty god, no animal sacrifices are made
here. Outside the temple you will see numerous people
selling flowers, incense and other offering materials.
In-front of the temple there is a bull known as Nandi
facing towards the temple. Only Hindus are allowed to
enter the temple and you are not allowed to take
photographs of the Lord shiva inside the temple. Bagmati
River Bank on the side of Pashupati, is also a popular
place for cremation. Normally you see visitors taking
videos and photographs around this place. Just beside
this temple lies Guheyeshwari temple where you will seen
Hindus removing their shoes before entering.
Boudha
Just north of the airport and an interesting walk from
Pashupati, is the huge stupa of Bouda and is one of the
largest stupa in the world. This place is mostly
surrounded by Tibetan Buddhists. Prayer services are
held in the surrounding gompas and as the sun goes down
the community turns out to walk around the stupa. You
should always circle around the stupa in a clockwise
direction. While entering the surrounding gompas, do not
forget to remove your shoes and get permission before
taking photos. Make sure that you do not step over the
monks cushions. Enter quietly and stand by the main
entrance during the ceremonies. These gompas are
decorated with impressive mural paintings and thankas.
The wheel of life is represented in the porch of every
gompa. Listed here are the name of the gompas
surrounding Boudha.
Sakyapa Gompa
Chinya-Lama Gompa
Nyingmapa Gompa
Kargyupa Gompa
Gelugpa Gompa
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