Kathmandu , the name comes from a wooden three storied medieval building named “Kasthamandap” . It is one of the oldest continusly lived city in south asia . It is also the biggest city in Nepal and one of the biggest city inside Himalaya . Earliest evidence of the city starts from the 2nd century BC but the prominance of the city comes in the time of Malla Era when different cousin brothers of the dynasty ruled different parts of the kathmandu valley . At that time there was four kingdom kantipur , lalitpur , bhaktapur and the kirtipur . Kathmandu was called Kantipur , means “the city of Light “. Competition among this different kingdom makes their art , painting and music and dance in the highest standard. Local Newari people are most famous for their wood curving and Buddhist painting . Mandala painting is one of the famous artworks , people like to buy both for the artwork and religious purpose .The city at that time was the major transport hub of goods between India and Nepal .
The prominent dynasty that ruled the Kathmandu valley are Lecchvi Dynasty , Malla Dynasty , Shah Dynasty and Rana Dynasty . Lecchvi dynasty ruled nepal between the 400 -700 AD , later comes the Malla Dynasty , who fled from the Mithila to Kathmandu because of the foreign invaders . Later they intermarried in kathmandu and formed the Malla Dynasty . After 1768 Gorkha ruler fought the Kathmandu war and emerged the Shah Dynasty . Kot Massacre among the shah dynasty starts the Rana Dynasty .
Inside the Kathmandu valley there is seven UNESCO world heritage site . This are spread in Main Kathmandu and nearby cities in Bhaktapur and Lalitpur. This UNESCO sites are
- Kathmandu Durbar Square
- Patan Durbar Square
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square
- Pashupatinath
- Changunarayan
- Swambhunath
- Boudhanath
Kirtipur Durbar squre is not included in the UNESCO world heritage site . Kathmandu is also the starting point of the trek of world’s tallest mountain Everest . There is also lots of other tall mountain nearby to Kathmandu . For those reason Kathmandu is one of top destination for tourist in the world . Historical records of the Kathmandu valley begins from the Lecchvi Dynasty ( 400 – 700 AD) . Before that only mythology texts mentioned about the city . According the Shiva purana the city was named ” Nayapala city ” in Ancient time . From this name only the name “Nepal ” comes . For that reason Kathmandu is one of the most important city in Nepal . From here the culture and the lifestyle of Nepal originates .
According to Buddhist Swambhu Puran the city was made by the Buddhist Deity “Manjusri”. Previously in the Kathmandu valley there was a big lake called “Nagdaha” . This lake is named so because there was lots of snake . Manjusri cut the mountain with his sword and then all the water of that lake comes out From that Lake emerged the Kathmandu valley . Later a demon ” Banasura ” come to this place and choked the drain . Once again the city starts to drown and water fills up in the valley . For saving the citizen Sri Krishna come to this place and kill the demon . Once again Sri Krishna cut the mountain and reemerge the city . This is the mythological story of the Kathmandu valley .
Kumari puja has been one of the tradition in all kingdoms of Nepal . This are the puja of a living girl before menstruation . They belived that godess taluja(Nepali form of durga) is lived inside this girl . Girl has been choosen by a prist and Queen . After examining the 32 characteristic trait they choose a Kumari for Puja . In a certain time in the day Kumari sits before the general people .
Kathmandu is also major transport hub in Nepal . From here, there has been direct flights toward Pokhra , Lumbini , Janakpur and helicaptor service to major religious spot Muktinath . There is also bus service to all cities from Kathmandu . Gangabhu and Koteswar bus park are the major bus park here.
Tourist places in Kathmandu
Swambhunath
Swambhu was one of the earliest buddhist stupa in Kathmandu valley and situated in a Hill top . It is a big white hemi spehere and above that there is shikara type structure coated with gold . In all the four sides of this shikarah , there is four enlightened eyes of buddha . It is very sacred among the Newari and tibetan people .
Boudhanath
Boudha is the most sacred place for tibetan buddhism in Kathmandu Valley . Around the temple people are always circulating in clockwise direction . First , a small stupa was made by a old village woman and Later it become very popular as the days grown . Actually boudhanath stupa is depicted in the local art Mandala .
Pashupatinath
Pashupatinath is the most sacred temple in the Kathmandu valley dedicated to Shiv . In this temple shiv have five heads , four head in four sides and one head in the upper side . Beside the temple flows the Bagmati River where cremation happens of the Hindus . This temple complex is the biggest in the world . In the temple complex there is all total 500 small temple . Opposite side of the river there is a Gorakhnath temple and a shaktipeeth of Sati . Actual temple structure of 5 th century was destroyed by the Muslim Invaders and later in 18 th century this temple has been rebuild .
ChenguNarayan
Chengunarayan is the oldest temple in Nepal . It is a Vishnu temple situated in a Hill top near Bhaktapur . It was first build in 325 AD . In 2015 Earthquake it was totally devastated and if you go there now , then you can see how the building were restoring tillnow .
Kathmandu Durbar square:
Kathmandu durbar square was the kingdom palace and the public meeting place with the king . In this place there is numerous temples , palaces and courtyard . Hanuman dhoka , kumari Ghat , shiva parvati temple and the Kasthamandap are main temples though the kasthamandap was totally vanished in 2015 Earthquake. If you want to visit the museum and the inner chambers of the palaces you must buy a tickets . Though there is tickets for foreigners to just enter the premises , though most of the people don’t buy a ticket . There is also a big bell situated to alert the duelers of the city .
Patan Durbar Square
Patan’s previous name is Lalitpur . It is the centre point of the Newari Art . This is an another Durbar in the kathmandu valley .In this area there is diffrent palaces and chowk like sundari chowk , Keshab Narayan Chowk . There is lots of temple build by the royal family for the general public . Viswanath Temple , Bhimsen Temple , Krishna Temple and the Taleju Bhawani Temple are prominent . Nearby to this place , there is a buddhist temple called the Golden Temple by the Local people . That is very nice temple to watch .
In this place you can buy Singing Bowl and Mandala . Singing bowl is made by the combination of the different metals and used for healing of the different disease and meditation. Mandala is special type of painting made by local artist and also Buddhist religious symbol . Newari wooden art items are also very attractive .
Bhaktapur
In my mind Bhaktapur is the best city to visit if you want to experience a authentic Newari culture . It is mostly inhavited by the Hindus and people are very religious in this city . You can find a temple in the every corner of the city . Most of the building in this city are old and traditional . This city also famous for it’s pottery and Handicraft . Zu-zu curd is also famous in the Bhaktapur which is made of some honey with the Yogert . In the streets of the Bhaktapur you will found different local food . This city has been 12 km east of the main Kathmandu city . By giving passport in the Ticket counter of the monuments for the Bhaktapur they will allow the same tickets to be used for more than one days according to your requirement .
Under the Malla Kings this city was established in 12 th century . Talejuu Bhaeani temple , 56 window porch , peacock window and the Royal Palace are the most touristy place . Near to this Durbar you will find a another temple called “Natyapola Temple ” . It is the tallest temple in Nepal of traditional style .
Though there is lots more monuments and places to visit in Kathmandu , Nepal . But according to the point view of mine this are the the major places .
Summery
Kathmandu is the capital and the largest city on Nepal . It is also the oldest and most visited city in Nepal . In ancient time it was the major trade route between the India and Tibet . It has some of the UNESCO’s world heritage site , scattered in the Kathmandu Valley . Pashupatinath Temple is one of the holiest Temple for the Hindus . Newari population in Kathmandu are world renowned for their art works and the wood carving .
