Sightseeing Places in Kathmandu Valley:
KTM Durbar Square
 It
is also called Hanuman Dhoka (the gates of Hanuman)
which is divided into two principal chowks (courtryards).
The outer one is renowned for the Kumari Ghar (the
house of the Kumari or virgin, or the "living
goddess"), Kastamandap (the wooden house), Narayan
Mandir, the stone statue of Garuda (man-bird), and
Shiva-Parvati Temple House.
The inner chowk is the Hanuman Dhoka
and its durbar complex. The principal chowk-withinchowks
is Nasal Chowk, the seat of important national ceremonies,
including coronations. Mohan Chowk, Sundari Chowk
and Lohan Chowk are other courtyards. There are four
towers named after Basantpur, Kirtipur, Lalitpur (Patan)
and Bhaktapur.
There are many temples here; the
most notable being the Taleju Temple dedicated to
the female royal deity, Taleju Bhawani.Only the King
and certain priests can enter it. Kathmandu Durbar
Square has been declared a World Heritage Site by
UNESCO.
Patan Durbar
Square
Patan is also notable for the four stupas erected
by Emperor Ashoka at the four cardinal directions
of the city. The Palace Square sits somewhat between
these four milestones. The royal palace's sprawling
landmarks are Sundari Chowk, Tusha Hiti, Mul Chowk,
Bidhya Mandir, Taleju Shrine, Taleju Bhawani Temple,
Golden Gate, Keshab Narayan Chowk, and Degu Taslle.
The outer perimeters are noteworthy
for the Krishna Mandir in stone, Hari Shanker Temple,
statue of King Siddhi Narsingh, Char Narayan Temple,
Bishwanath Mandujier, Bhimsen mandir, Manga Hiti and
otheres. Patan Durbar Square has been declared a World
Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Bhaktapur
Durbar Square: (Bhadagaun)
It
is entered through the massive royal gate, and opens
up to Airlines most unspoiled complex of palaces,
shrines and other landmarks in the valley. On the
right are Airlines pair of statues in stone of Ugrachandi
with her 18 arms then there is the Rameshwor Temple.
In the middle of the square is the gilded statue of
King Bhupatindra Malla seated on Airlines tall stone
pillar, and faces the most exquisitely artistic Suun
Dhoka, or the golden gate, leading into the royal
palace. The royal palace is also known as the "palace
of 55 windows". next to which is the National
Art Gallery. The inner portion of the palace has the
Taleju courtyard and her house. Beyond is the Sundari
Chowk.
The outer perimeters of the complex
are replete with pillars and pavilions: Chyasalin
Mandap, Durga Temple, Taumadhi Tole and others. To
the right, and in another square, is the famed 30-meter
(98 feet) Nyatapola Temple, the tallest and most multi-roofed
edifice in Nepal. To its right is the Kashi Bishwanath
Temple. On the side of the square is the vantage Nyatapola
Café, and beyond it is the community of the
famous potters.
The itinerary leads to the distant
Dattatreya Square, but well within the city, which
is Airlines world of its own. Bhaktapur Durbar Square
has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Pashupatinath
Temple:
The most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal, it is dedicated
to Lord Shiva. In February-March, the site holds the
famed Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Shiva.
The Pashupatinath complex is very
large, with guesthouses, temples, shrines and other
landmarks. Its burning ghats on the riverbanks are
the holiest in Nepal. Pashupatinath has been declared
a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
Boudhanath:
This is another Buddhist stupa, but is built on flat
surface, and is the largest in Nepal. It is in various
levels of terraces, and its painted in pastel, and
is adorned with prayer flags. It is set in the mandala
design. Altogether 108 Buddha images and 147 insets
of prayer wheels adorn the base of the huge circular
edifice. The settlement of Boudhanath has the largest
community of tibetans-12, 000 in all. Boudhanath has
been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Swayambhunath:
Swayambhunath
is a Buddhist stupa on a western hill of Kathmandu.
More than 2,500 years old, this ancient landmark is
connected to the visit of Manjushree who created Kathmandu-a
lake then by draining its waters. The sage saw a celestial
lotus in bloom on the top of this hill and sanctified
it.
The stupa of Swayambhu is a hemispherical
mound of compacted earth, and is built to specific
rules and is replete with symbols. The mound represents
the four elements of earth, fire wind ad water. The
13 gilded rings of the spire symbolize the 13 steps
of the ladder leading to nirvana, the final salvation.
The shrine is bedecked in colorful prayer flags.
The pilgrim's progress to Swayambhunath's
holy premises is actually through a sylvan path of
365 steps. The entrance is graced by a huge vajra
(symbol of thunderbolt). Statues of Buddha are on
the four corners of the stupa. Statues of Goddesses
Ganga and Jamuna guard the eternal flame behind it.
There is a Tibetan gompa (monastery) and innumerable
chaityas (small stupas). The balconies of Swayambhunath
are ideal for viewing the entire Valley. Swayambhunath
has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Budhanilkantha:
About 8 kilometers north of Kathmandu, at the base
of Shivapuri hill as a remarkable colossal statue
of Lord Vishnu, recalling of the bed of Snake. This
is one of the stone sculptures of Lichchhavi period.
This fifth century statue is in the middle of a small
pond and seems to float in water.
Changu Narayan:
The temple of Changu Narayan is the oldest existing
pagoda in the Kathmandu Valley. It is situated atop
a ridge to one side of the valley and dates back to
the fifth century. The lavishly ornamented two-storied
temple offers one of the finest examples of pagoda
architecture. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.
Exquisite stone sculptures lie scattered around the
courtyard, most notably images depicting different
manifestations of Vishnu. Changu Narayan has been
declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Bungmati:
This is a classic 16th century Newari village overlooking
the Bagmati river. It is the birthplace of Rato Macchendranath
and also the home of the huge Machhendranath chariot.
Sanku And Vajrayogini Temple:
The village of sanku was once an important
trading post between Lhas and Kathmandu. Its former
prosperity shows with mandy woodcarved homes. High
above the valley surrounded by ancient trees is a
temple complex from 1665, includign a much older temples
to the tantric goddess Vajrayogini
Chovar:
A beautiful village, home to the Buddhist
temple of Dinah Lakeshore. Pharping a thriving and
still unspoiled Newari town. Dakshinakali situated
in a dark cleft between two hills and at the conference
of two rivers. Here stands the temple of the goddess
Kali, twince a week animal sacrifices are held here.
Dakshinkali:
The temple of Dakshinkali is situated about
two kilometers south of Shekha Narayan. Dakshinkali
is regarded as one of most important Hindu goddesses.
Pilgrims visits this temple to offer their prayer
and animal sacrifices to the goddesses. Pilgrims visit
this temple to offer their prayer and animal sacrifices
to the goddess. Besides, this place has been developed
as a popular picinic spot.
Kirtipur:
Kirtipur sprawls along the spine of a ridge and is
like a natural fortress. It was established as a satellite
town of Patan in the 12th century. Now a municipality
on its own, Kirtipur has a proud and courageous history.
The people are farmers, builders and weavers. The
Chilamchu stupa and the Bagh Bhairav temple are its
main cultural and artistic attractions, besides being
the focus of religious festivals. The town is criss-crossed
by winding streets lined with multi-storied houses
sporting rich woodcarvings.
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