Kathmandu Durbar Square is a major tourist attraction in the Kathmandu, capital of Nepal. The
Square is the place of the complex of palaces, courtyards and temples
that are built between the 12th and the 18th centuries by the ancient
Malla Kings of Nepal. It is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. It is World heritage site in UNESCO list. Kathmandu Durbar Square is also one of the popular places to visit in Nepal. Kathmandu Durbar Square
is a beautiful heritage site full of cultural and ancient crafts,
drawing and handicrafts, etc. There is a Marushattal made of only one
single tree
This is known as the Kasthamandap. Kathmandu has got its
name after that Kahthmandap. The pleasant arts of Hanuman Dhoka, the
temple of Taleju Bhawani, Panchmukhi Hanuman temple, the temple of
Kumari (Living Goddess), the Shiva-Parbati Temple, Sri Ganeshsthan, Gaddi Baithak (Place for coronation) etc., have decorated the Kathmandu Durbar square.
Akash Bhairav Temple
–
It is a three-storey temple situated in the main Market Avenue called
Indra Chowk. The image of Akash Bhairav is displayed outside for a week
during Indra Jatra, the festival of Indra (the God of Indra). The head of the Aakash Bhairav was dug up several hundred years ago in Kathmandu. The head sits in a Hindu temple in Indrachok Kathmandu not far from Durbar Square. It is taken out once a year on the occasion of Indra Jatra Festival and is blessed by the Kumari
— the living goddess who lives in the nearby Kumarichok. This ceremony
is held in the month of August/September In the period of ceremony large
number of prayers come to visit the Aakash bhairav. During the ceremony
prayers offers peda (sweets made from milk), flowers, money and several
others things. The traditional Akash Bhairav Puja is accompanied by Upasana
and Anusthan. Sacred water, sandalwood, flowers, fruits, incense and
naibedya are some of the offerings for this puja. Legend has it that
worship of the Bhairav is usually a mark of safety and strength. In the
Nepali imagination, the Akash Bhairav symbolizes protection and goodwill
for the nation and its people
Kumari Ghar (Temple of Kumari)
– Kumar Ghar, the residence of Living Goddess, Kumari, the temple of Kumari is situated in the vicinity of Hanuman Dhoka PalaceThe Kumari Ghar, or House of the Living Goddess, was built in 1757 by King Jaya Prakash Malla. Known for his paranoia and weakness, the king offended a Kumari in some way (various stories speak of an act of sexual indiscretion or not believing a particular girl to be the goddess) and was so overcome by guilt that he built a home for her as an act of atonement. The temple was renovated in 1966.. Photography is prohibited
Tourists can enter the courtyard, where there are more beautiful reliefs over the doors, on the pillars and around the windows. Photos are permitted in the courtyard, but it is strictly forbidden to photograph the Kumari.
The Living Goddess sometimes appears in one of the first-floor windows, especially if her handlers are paid well enough, and is said to answer devotees' questions with the expressions on her face. She is most likely to appear in the morning or late afternoon.
The big three-story brick building houses Kumari the living goddess
of Kathmandu and is also famous for its magnificent carved wooden
balconies and window screens. Tourists are allowed to enter the
courtyard where you can find more magnificant reliefs of gods and
symbols over the doors, on the pillars and around the windows.Sometimes, most likely in the morning or late afternoon, Kumari the Living Goddess apprears in one of the first-floor windowNote that photos are permitted in the courtyard but to photograph the Kumari is strictly prohibited!The Kumari is a young girl who is believed to be the incarnation of the demon-slaying Hindu goddess Durga. Dating back at least to the Middle Ages, the cult of the Kumari is popular among both Hindus and Nepalese Buddhists - another notable example of the mingling of religious traditions in Nepal. There are about 11 kumaris across Nepal, but the Kumari Devi (or Raj Kumari - royal goddess) in Kathmandu is the most importan
Bhadrakali Temple
– It is at the eastern edge of the
Tudikhel, near Shahid Gate. This temple is one of the main “Shankta or
Shaktipeeth” temples of Kathmandu City. It is located near the Sahid Gate. The temple is at the eastern side of Tudikhel. This temple is also known as Shree Lumadhi Bhadrakali. It is one of the most renowned “Shaktipith” of Nepal. A form of the Goddess Kali, Bhadrakali in Sanskrit means “blessed, auspicious, beautiful and prosperous” and she is also known as “Gentle Kali”. Another name for the goddess is Lazzapith.The major festival celebrated here is Navratri, which takes place usually during the months of September–October (as per the traditional Hindu Calendar).
People worship the protector goddesses of Lumadhi Ajima, Watu Ajima and Kanga Ajima on three-day increments. Nyatamaru Ajima goddesses Jatra observed during 12 years of Nyata Maru Ajima Pahacharhe is one of the most important festival of Kathmandu.
Singha Durbar
(Nepali: सिंहदरवार) is a Rana palace in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The name Singha Durbar literally translates as Lion's Palace.The palace complex, located east of the Bhadrakali and north of Thapathali Durbar incorporated in an impressive and vast array of courtyards, gardens and buildings. This palace was built by Chandra Shumsher JBR immediately after accession to the post of Prime Minister in June 1908 .A grand imposing palace built on the
neo-classical style. It w.as the private residence of Rana Prime
Minister. Now it’s the Secretariat of Government of Nepal The palace complex lays in the centre of Kathmandu, to the north of the Babar Mahal and east of Bhadrakali.build by Chandra Shumsher JBR
initially as a small private residence in a property 350 Ropanis but
eventually grew bigger during the construction.Immediately after
construction Chandra Shumsher JBR sold this property to Government of Nepal for 20 million Nepali Rupee as the official residence of Prime minister. After Chandra's death in 1929, Singha Durbar was as used as the official residence of Prime ministers of Rana dynasty except Padma Shumsher JBR,who lived in his own Bishalnagar Durbar. The last Rana Prime minister to occupy Singha Durbar was Mohan Shumsher JBR .Even after the fall of Rana Dynasty in 1951, Mohan Shumsher JBR
used this place but, in 1953 he was later ordered by His Majesty's
Government to leave the palace claiming back Singha Durbar as a National
PropertyNarayanhity Museum
It was the Royal Palace of Sah Kings. The Shah kings moved to this palace from their old palace in the late 18th century. But it’ now been museum.
Narayanhiti
Palace Museum is the former royal palace in the centre of the Nepalese
capital, Kathmandu, It is the palace which long served as a primary
residence for the country's monarchs. Narayanhiti, in Narayanhiti
Palace, is made up of two words ‘narayan’ and ‘hiti’. 'Naryan' is a form
of Hindu god "Lord Vishnu” whose temple is located opposite to the
palace and ‘hiti’ means “water spout” which is also located to the east
of main entrance in the precincts of the palace, and which has a legend
associated with it. The entire enclosure surrounded by a compound wall,
located in the north-central part of Kathmandu, is called the
Narayanhiti palace. It was a new palace, in front of the old palace of
1915 vintage, built in 1970 in the form of a contemporary Pagoda. It was
built on the occasion of the marriage of King Birenda Bir Bikram Shah,
the then heir apparent to the throne. The southern gate of the palace is
located at the crossing of Prithvipath and Darbarmarg roads. The palace
area covers (30 hectares (74 acres)) and is fully secured with gate
controlled walls on all sides. The palace, as previously discussed in
Kathmandu's history, was the scene of a gruesome tragedy, termed
“Nepal’s greatest tragedy”, on June 1, 2001 the then king Birendra,
Queen Aishwarya and his family members were killed in a massacre. After
the massacre of King Birendra and his family, his brother Gyanendra got
opportunity to be the King of Nepal. The massacre of the then Royal
family is still mysterious. But it is believed that Gyanendra shoot the
then king Birendra and his family members. Another strong proof is that
none of the family members of Gyanendra were injured. If Birendra and
his son were not dead there would be no chance for Gyanendra to be the
King. All these proofs point to Gyanendra. And Nepalese believe that the
massacre was done by Ganendra. The newly elected assembly on 28 May
2008, after a polling of 564 constituent assembly members, 560 voted to
form a new government, with the monarchist Rastriya Prajatantra Party,
which had four members in the assembly, registering a dissenting note.
At that point, it was declared that Nepal had become a secular and
inclusive democratic republic, with the government announcing a
three-day public holiday from 28 to 30 May. The King was thereafter
given 15 days to vacate the Narayanhiti Royal Palace, to reopen it as a
public museum, until he was asked to move out of it. Now it has been
turned into a museum and is open for all to see.Other Details:
Nepali citizens: Rs 100
• Students: Rs 20
•SAARC nations,
Chinese: Rs 250 \
• Others: Rs 500
The Narayanhiti Palace Museum is open everyday except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and public holidays, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
The Narayanhiti Palace Museum is open everyday except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and public holidays, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Swoyambhunath Stupa:
It is holy Stupa of Buddhism
pilgrims. On clear days, one can even view a line of Himalayan peaks.
Swoyambhunath Stupa is a World Heritage Site A golden spire crowning a conical wooded hill, Swayambhunath Stupa is
the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu
valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spire are visible for
many miles and from all sides of the valley. Historical records found
on a stone inscription give evidence that the stupa was already an
important Buddhist pilgrimage destination by the 5th century AD. Its
origins however, date to a much earlier time, long before the arrival of
Buddhism into the valley. A collection of legends about the site, the
15th century Swayambhu Purana, tells of a miraculous lotus, planted by a
past Buddha, which blossomed from the lake that once covered Kathmandu
valley. The lotus mysteriously radiated a brilliant light, and the name
of the place came to be Swayambhu, meaning 'Self-Created or
Self-Existent'. Saints, sages and divinities traveled to the lake to
venerate this miraculous light for its power in granting enlightenment.
During this time, the Bodhisatva Manjushri was meditating at the sacred
mountain of Wu Tai Shan and had a vision of the dazzling Swayambhu
light. Manjushri flew across the mountains of China and Tibet upon his
blue lion to worship the lotus. Deeply impressed by the power of the
radiant light, Manjushri felt that if the water were drained out of the
lake Swayambhu would become more easily accessible to human pilgrims.
With a great sword Manjushri cut a gorge in the mountains surrounding
the lake. The water, draining away, left the valley of present day
Kathmandu.Budhanilkantha
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. Early morning is the best time to visit the temple
The basic festival of the year is when Lord Vishnu who sleeps
on the cosmic ocean during Chaturmasya periods wakes up on the
Haribodhini Ekadashi day in late October or early November period. Many
thousand of Hindu people come their day to celebrate their festival.
The
deity of Budhanilkantha was last for a while and was later rediscovered
by a farmer. It is believe that the farmer struck the buried deity with
his plough and that blood come out from ground.The morning puja between
Nine and ten am is interesting and enjoyable .The last deity of
Budhanilkantha was recovered and place in its rightful position. It is
common practice for the Hindus to walk down to Vishnu’s feet to touch
them but it is forbidden for foreign visitors to do the same. It is one of the wonderful deity of Hindus but there is some improve of environment of place rest things are beautiful place once you visit never forget lifetime.
Bouddhanath Stupa
It is the biggest Stupa in the Kathmandu, capital of Nepal. The Stupa is the World Heritage Site. It looms 36 meters high and presents one of the most fascinating specimens of stupa design. It is known as Khasti by Newars and as Bauddha or Bodh-nath by modern speakers of Nepali.
With a diameter exceeding 100 metres and a wall-to-wall length roughly equaling a football field, Boudha is among the largest stupa in the world- certainly the biggest in Nepal. The monument rises 36 metres above the street. The form and the alternated squares and circles represents a three-dimensional mandala, which is comprised of abstract religious concepts. Every portion has symbolic significance: the base, dome, square harmika, spire, and pinnacle represent the five elements; the 13 tiers of the spire stand for the stages to enlightment, while the umbrella atop is the symbol of royalty.
Boudhanath is both an eye of calm within capital's dusty pandemonium and a sancutary of Tibetan Buddhist culture amid a nation dominated by Nepal HIndus. Throughout its narrow streets, you can see posters of smiling Dalai Lama, Tibetan folk-medicine stores, traditional artisans' workshops, and restaurants serving everything from yak-cheese to Everest brand beer.
The painted, bow-shaped eyes of Boudhanath are variously described as mysterious, indifferent, compassioinate and knowing.
The
Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath dominates the skyline. The ancient Stupa
is one of the largest in the world. The influx of large populations of
Tibetan refugees from China has seen the construction of over 50
Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath. As of 1979, Boudhanath
is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with Swayambhunath, it is one of
the most popular tourist sites in the Kathmandu area.
Pashupatinath Temple
The Pashupatinath Temple is the largest Hindu temple of Lord Shiva (Pashupati) in the world and regarded as the most sacred. Located on the banks of the Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu, Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal and was established in the 5th century. The temple is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.
On both sides of each door are niches of various sizes containing gold-painted images of guardian deities. Inside the temple itself is a narrow ambulatory around the sanctum. The sanctum contains a one-meter high linga with four faces (chaturmukha) representing Pashupati, as well as images of Vishnu, Surya, Devi and Ganesh.
The priests of Pashaputinath are called Bhattas and the chief priest is called Mool Bhatt or Raval. The chief priest is answerable only to the King of Nepal and reports to him on temple matters on a periodic basis.By the later Middle Ages, many imitations of the temple had been built, such as in Bhaktapur (1480), Lalitpur (1566) and Benares (early 19th century). The original temple was destroyed several times until it was given its present form under King Bhupalendra Malla in 1697.
Gokarna
: It is situated far from ten-kilometer northeast of Kathmandu. Lovely Royal Game Sanctuary is also well known as Gokarna Safari Park. Many wild animals can be viewed in the sanctuary from an elephant bank. Gorkhā is a former kingdom in the confederation of 24 states known as Chaubisi rajya located in present-day western Nepal. The Kingdom of Gorkha extended from the Marshyangdi River in the west to the Trishuli River in the east, which separated it from the kingdoms of Lamjung and Nepal respectively. The inhabitants of Gorkha were known as Gorkhali.From the 16th century, Gorkha was ruled by the Shah dynasty. The Shahs installed themselves as rulers of Gorkha taking advantage of the confusion of an annual race held at a place called Liglig. It was the tradition of the local Ghale
people to choose as their king for the year the fastest runner in the
competition. In 1559, Dravya Shah attacked and captured Liglig when the
inhabitants were engrossed in the race. He displaced the Ghale king and
became king of Gorkha.
Similarly, the Gorkhali language was renamed as Nepali in 1933.The term Gorkhali in the former national anthem entitled "Shreeman Gambhir" was changed to Nepali in 1951. The government newspaper, launched in 1901, is still known as Gorkhapatra (meaning Gorkha gazette).
The Shah dynasty ruled Nepal until 2008 when it became a republic following a people's movement.Today, Gorkha District, roughly corresponding to the old kingdom, is one of the 75 administrative districts of Nepal.
Sankhu
It is a typical Newari town with many fine old buildings and temples. Beyond the village, up a long flight of stone stairs, is Bajra Jogini, a historical temple with a beautiful view of the local area.ankhu (alternative name: Sakwa (Nepal Bhasa: सक्व)) is the ancient Newar town located in the north-eastern corner of Kathmandu Valley in about 17 km from the capital city Kathmandu.
Sankhu, also known as Shankharapur for its famous ancient Sankha-shaped
town structure, was formerly divided into 3 Village Development
Committee namely Pukhulachhi, Suntol and Bajrayogini. Recently the town of Sankhu has been declared as Shankharapur Municipality merging 3 above mentioned VDCs and other neighbouring VDCs. At the time of the 2011 Nepal census it had a population of 4333 living in 928 individual households.
The town used to have 8 gates originally, at all the boundary entrances of the town. But at present, many got dilapidated and disappeared while 5 of them were reconstructed namely the Bhau Dhwaha, Mhyamachaa Dhwakha, Dhunlla Dhwakha, Mahadyo Dhwakha and Naari Dhwakha.
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