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.