Royal Chitwan National Park

Royal Chitwan National Park stands today as a successful testimony of nature conservation in South Asia. This is the first national park of Nepal established in 1973 to preserve a unique ecosystem significantly valuable to the whole world. The park covering a pristine area of 932 sq. km. is situated in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of southern central part of Nepal. The park has gained much wider recognition in the world when UNESCO included this area on the list of World Heritage Site in 1984.
Formerly, the Chitwan valley was well known for big game and was exclusively managed as a hunting reserve for the Rana Prime Ministers and their guests until 1950. In 1963, the area south of Rapti was demarcated as a rhinoceros sanctuary. In 1970, His late Majesty King Mahendra had approved in principle the creation of Royal Chitwan National Park.
The park consists of churia hills, ox-bow lakes, flood plains of Rapti, Reu and Narayani rivers. The Churia hill rises gradually towards the east from 150 m to over 800 m. The lower but most rugged Someshwor hills occupy most of the western portion of the park. The flood plains of Chitwan are rich alluvial. The park boundaries have been delineated by the Narayani and Rapti rivers in the north and west, and the Reu river and Someshwor hills in the south and south-west. It shares its eastern border with Parsa Wildlife Reserve.

Maya Devi Temple

Only recently archeologist have found a commemorative stone atop a platform of seven layers of bricks five meters below where the temple once stood, that was demolished to make way for the dig in 1993. Buddhist scripts say Ashoka placed a stone on top of the bricks on the birth place of Lord Buddha

Lumbini

Lumbini, the place where Lord Buddha was born, it has been a popular destination for Buddhist pilgrims along side visitors from many parts of the world, which has become a symbol of peace and understanding for the world community. Lumbini like Buddha stands peacefully and calm, away from the crowds of the cities, on the southern plains of the country, surrounded by forests. Buddha was believed to be born in Lumbini as Prince Sidhartha, when his mother Queen Mahamaya of Kapilbastu stopped to rest on her way to her parent's palace in a neighboring country some 2,600 years ago. People here also believe that she chose the place because of its peaceful setting. Although there are no cities or heavy population nearby, there are plans to develop the area, with gardens, trees, canal, accommodation facilities and even a library. Adequate lodging is available to the visitor and pilgrims, including a luxury hotel made by the Japanese.

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.

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 one of the most important 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.

Climate

The Kathmandu Valley has the pleasant climate most of the year. Although there are forests, snow is unheard of and the monsoons are nowhere near. Between October and March it can become quite cold at night and the days become short, although its sunny and warm between mid-morning and afternoon. In April things start to heat up and there are often storm in the afternoon.

People

Still today, Newars form the largest single group in the valley as well as in smaller towns and villages. Bahuns, Tamangs and Chettris live on the surrounding hills. People living in Kathmandu Valley are mostly Hindus and Buddhist and they are very much related to each others religion. People living here speak Newari and Nepali mostly.

Religion

In Kathmandu Valley majority of people are Hindu and fall under a caste system, although there are still second majority of Buddhists. This valley is full of temples, shrines and stupas where both Buddhists and Hindus go for their regular praying. Nepal is the only country where people worship Gods of all religion.

Temples and Palaces in Kathmandu
In Durbar Square
Kasthamandap
House of wood which gave Kathmandu its name.
Ashok Binayak
One of the four most important Ganesh Shrine
Shiva Temple
Near the kasthamandap
Maju Deval
Temple known as shiva lingam
Narayan Temple
Identified as temple of Vishnu
Shiva-Parvati Temple
Images Shiva & Parvati look out from the window
Kumari Bahal
House of the Living Goddess
Gaddi Baithak
European style building built during the Rana period
Bhagwati Temple
Triple roofed temple next to the Gaddi Baithak
Great Bell
To drive off evil spirits
Stone Vishnu Temple
Next to the bell is a small stone statue
Saraswati Temple
Temple of the Goddess of knowledge
Krishna Temple
Lord Krishna's temple and two goddesses
King Pratap Mallas Column
Huge platform with stone pillars
Sweta Bhairab
Can be seen only during the Indra Jatra
Jagannath Temple
Built during 1563
Kal Bhairab
image of Black Bhairab with six arms
Indrapur Temple
Temple of great antiquity
Vishnu Temple
Tripled roofed temple stands on a four-level base
Kakeshwar Temple
Temple built in 1681 with Indian shikhara style
Stone Inscription
Stone inscription written in 15 different languages
Kotilingeshwar Temple
A square structure topped by a dome
Mahavishnu Temple
Golden spire on the roof, topped by a golden umbrella
Mahendreswar Temple
Temple restored in 1963 and is dedicated to Shiva
Taleju Temple
The squares most magnificent temple

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.

Nara Devi Temple :Temple which gave the street its name
Ganesh Shrine : Brass Ganesh Shrine in Indrachowk
Shiva Temple :Smaller version of Patan Krishna Mandir
Sweta Macchendra Temple :Temple attracts both Hindus and Buddhists
Lunchun Lunbun Ajima :Tantric Temple
Krishna Temple :Temple jammed between buildings in Ason Tole
Annapurna Temple :Dedicated to the goddess of abundance
Ugratara Temple :A prayer at the shrine said to work wonders for the eyes
Ikha Narayan Temple :Temple with four armed Vishnu figure
Kathesimbhu Stupa :South of Thahiti Tole
Jaisi Deval Temple :Shiva Temple, as shown by the bull on the first few steps
Ram Chandra Mandir :This temple is notable for the tiny erotic scenes on its roof
Adko Narayan Temple :One of the four most popular Vishnu Temple
Kalmochan Temple :On the side of Bagmati River, known as kalmochan Temple
Tripureshwar Mahadev :Along the footpath of Tripureshwar
Tindeval Temple :It is recognized by its three shikaras
Pachali Bhairab :The image of Pachali surrounded by tridents
Nava Durga Temple :A small two storey pagoda
Mahankala Temple :The Temple of Great Death

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.


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.

Place to see Nepal/kathmandu

Kathmandu is the arrival point for most of the visitors in Nepal. This small mountain sheltered valley is the historic center and the Capital of Nepal. This is the place where kingdoms rose and fell, palaces and temples are built and rebuilt, art and cultures are refined and protected. Kathmandu city is the largest in Nepal and is surrounded by green hills all over. Scattered around the valley are hundreds of temples and shrines, traditional villages and agriculture scenes of timeless beauty. You can see all these places by taxi, cycle, bus and by foot.

History

The Newars are regarded as the original inhabitants of this majestic valley, but their origins are shrouded in mystery. They speak Newari language and their physical features range from distinctively Mongoloid. Kathmandu Valley has long been a cultural and racial melting pot with people coming from both east and west. This fusion has resulted in the unique Newari culture that is responsible for the valley's superb art and architecture. Kathmandu was once run and ruled by Malla Kings during 1600s and 1700s. The unification of Nepal in 1768 by Gorkhas King Prithivi Narayan Shah singled the end of the Kathmandu Valleys fragmentation. Nepali language spoken by the Khas of western Nepal, replaced Newari as the country's language of administration.

Geography

Surrounded by the green hills, Kathmandu Valley is about 25 km from east to west and 20km from north to south. It lies at the height of 1300m. You can see Kathmandu Valley clearly while you are fly in. This valley is specially known for growing rice corn, wheat and vegetables. However, nowadays this valley is increasingly dependent on imported food and fuels. All the rivers drain towards the center of the valley and join the Bagmati river. Geologist have confirmed ancient myths that claim the valley once lay under water.

Place to see Nepal/kathmandu