Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Squae is a historic seat of Royalty. The Durbar Square, with its old temples and places, epitomizes the religions and cultural life of the people, It is here that the kings of Nepal are crowened and their coronations solemnized. Recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO, this particular area lies in the heart of the city. The locals knew this area by its old name "Hanuma Dhoka" places an ancient seat of the Nepalese royalty, The place complex consists of a huge royal square exposing a tremendous variety of temples dedicated to different Hindu gods and goddesses. Most of the buildings we see here date from 15th century. Most building complex are known for the intricately carved wooden doorways roof, struts and massive lattice windows full of mythical figures.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan, which is located 7Km south east of Kathmandu, is known as the city of fine arts. This medieval city is famous for arts and crafts. The city founded in the 3rd century AD by King Veera Dev, is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments. Both Hinduism and Buddhism diversity of the Medieval cultural has left a rich legacy of impressive sight seeing for today's visitors. The most important monument area of course is Patan Durbar Square, which is situated in the heart of the city constitutes the focus of visitors' attractions. Recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, the square has been described as one of the most picturesque collections of building that have been set up in so small a place by the piety of oriental man. The square is full of ancient places, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings. Most of the monuments in this square date back to the golden period of Nepalese art and date back to the golden sights to be seen in this area includes architecture. The important golden window of the old palace, the beautiful piece of traditional metal craft, the famed Krishna temple (built in 17th century and s supposed to be the first specimen of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal) with 21 golden pinnacles, the royal bath of Sundari Chowk, a perfect piece of the classic work in stone. Royal Taleju temple, Vishwanath Temple and the Char Narayan Temples are the finest examples of the unique craftsmanship in wood. Similarly, the temple of Bhimsen with the magnificent golden balcony overlooking the square outside plus many others shrines and sculptures scattered in and around are the main attractions of the square.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Founded by King Ananda Dev in 889 AD, Bhaktapur is the third major town of the valley and in many ways the mediaeval. Situated at an altitude of 1401 meters above sea level and is also know as Bhadgoan or the city of Devotees. It is also said to have been built in the shape of a couch shell, a sacred symbol; of Lord Vishnu. The urban city covers an area of 4 square miles. Pottery and waving are its traditional industries
Swayambhu Nath
Located 3 km west of Kathmandu and recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO, this is one of the world's most glorious Buddhist chaityas. This great stupa is said to have been built around 250 BC located in a lovely little hillock, Swyombhunath stupa is one of the most fascinating architectural jewels of the world. Generally, a holy memorial site the stupa represents a typical Buddhist architecture. It's main feature, the white dome is identified with a spotless pure jewel of Nirbana and a thirteen-tiered golden spire in a conical shape surrounted on the dome. Underneath this towering structure is a pair of all seeing eyes of the Buddha painted on all four sides of the stupa.
Boudha Nath
Boudhanath is among the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has become This Ancient colossal Stupa is one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world, which lies 8 km northeast of the valley.Being the center of Tibetan Buddhism, you can meet Monks and Pilgrims, Nuns and Lamas from the farthest corners of the Tibetan cultural world, many dressed in traditional attire. The stupas looms 36 meters high and presents one of the most fascinating specimens of Stupa design. The painted Buddha eyes are striking, as is the sound of bells and Monks chanting as devotees circle the monument spinning its hundreds of prayer wheels. Being listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO on 1979, the Stupa is also known as Khasti. There are more than 45 Buddhist monasteries in the are where one can also visit grand Monasteries filled with golden, Buddha statues and observed the monks during their daily prayers.
Changu Narayan
Located on a magnificent hilltop at an altitude of 5000 ft. commanding a fantastic view of Kathmandu valley. The temple is 32 KM east of Kathmandu and is said to be the oldest temple in the valley and has been listed on the world heritage site by UNESCO. The temple of Changunarayan is decorated with magnificent art work in metal and wood. In fact, it is one of the finest examples of Nepalese architecture. The temple has its distinct historical and architectural significance
Nagarkot:
It is 32 km from Kathmandu it is provide to you a very beautiful, charming, breathtaking, armchair panorama of the high Himalaya including Mt Everest, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Choba Bamare, Gauri Sankar and Other. It is very popular for viewing of sunrise and sunset.
Pashupati Nath
Pashupatinath is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destination in Nepal. There are linga images of Shiva along with statues, shrines, and temples dedicated to other deities in the complex. A temple dedicated to Shiva existed at this site in AD 879. However, the present temple was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1697. A gold-plated roof, silver doors, and woodcarvings of the finest quality decorate the pagoda construction. Guheswari Temple, restored in AD 1653, represents the female "force". It is dedicated to Satidevi, Shiva's first wife, who gave up her life in the flames of her father's fire ritual.
A circuit of the Pashupati area takes visitors past a sixth-century statue of the Buddha, an eighth-century statue of Brahma the creator and numerous other temples. Some other places to visit are Rajrajeswari Temple, built in 1407, Kailash with lingas more than 1,400 years old, Gorakhnath temple, and the courtyard of Biswarup. There are rows of Shiva shrines and Hindu pilgrims from all over South Asia offering puja worship to Shiva, tile Lord of Destruction.
The Bagmati River flows close by and the Arya Ghat cremation grounds are here. We strongly advise photographers not to take photos of cremations and of bereaved families. Sadhus, sages who follow the lifestyle of Shiva, may be seen covered in ashes and loin-cloths. They ask for money in case you want to take their photos. The main Pashupatinath courtyard may be entered by those of Hindu faith only.
Pokhara
Pokhara is 200km from Kathmandu. This is one of the very nice and beautiful palace of Nepal .It is also a one of the tourist place. In here you can enjoy with nieces now copped panoramic enhanced by its lovely lakes like Rupa Phewa and Begnas which reflect the mountain Vistas in the all their grandeur also the nice waterfall and temples.
Dhulikhel
Dhulikhel is an ancient small town situated 30km away from Kathmandu. The drive from Kathmandu to Dhalikhel is very scenic and beautiful rice terraces on both sides of the road are spectacular. It is a popular panoramic Himalayan viewpoint, which is also a good starting place for short treks where visitors can stretch their legs before starting for a longer one.
Daman
The small village of Daman is an interesting place to see mountains. One can see whole mountain range of 400km from Dhaulagiri to Mt.Everest.Daman lies 2323m above the sea level. It is 85km away south West from Kathmandu and It also one of the most spectacular mountain-bike routes in the world.
Gorkha
Gorkha is a scenic and historical hill town lying almost midway between Kathmandu and Pokhara. King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great, the founding father of Modern Nepal was born here. It was from this very place that the King began his campaign to unify all the then small kingdoms formulating the present kingdom of Nepal. Situated on a hill overlooking the snowy Himalayan peaks is the beautiful Gorkha Durbar, a fort and an artistic temple complex built in the 16th century. Treks to the Manasalu Region start from Gorkha and treks to the Annapurna Circuit can be started from here too. Gorkha is also best combined with wildlife safari tours in the Royal Chitwan National Park.
Lumbini
Lumbini is the symbol of peace for all humanities and is the most Holy ground for the whole Buddhist world. Queen Maya Devi gave birth to prince Siddhartha at this place in 623 BC, who later on became the Buddha. The first major Buddhist ruler of India, Emperor Ashoka erected a pillar In 249 BC to commemorate his visit to this holy place. Now it stands proudly right in front of the Mayadevi Temple as a historical monument. The Maya Devi Temple has a stone image of Maya Devi giving birth to Lord Buddha as she holds onto a branch. Excavations have turned up a stone bearing a "foot print" indicating the exact place of birth. Adjacent to the Mayadevi temple is a sacred pond called "Pushkarni Pond" where Queen Maya Devi is said to have bathed and Prince Siddhartha was given his first purification bath after his birth. Around an hour's drive northwest from Lumbini lies the interesting archeologically important site of TILAURAKOT. This has been identified as the ancient Kapilvastu, the capital of King Suddodhana, Buddha's father, and where the Buddha himself as Prince Siddhartha spent the first 29 years of his life.
