|
World > Asia > Nepal >
Kathmandu
|
 |
|
|
|
Durbar Square |
The Durbar Square tour will take visitors to the well-known places,
having housed kings of different dynasties and temple symbolising
the finest examples of Hindu and Buddhist architectures.
|
|
Kumari Temple |
It is the residence of the Living Goddess and is built in
traditional design with intricate woodcarvings. The virgin Goddess
comes from the Newari Shakya caste, should not have any body marks,
injuries and should be fearless to live alone in a dark room. She is
replaced by another when she reaches puberty.
|
|
Swayambhu |
One of the world’s most ancient, glorious, enigmatic and the holiest
of Buddhist Chaityas, dating back more than 2,000 years. Located on
a little hill, Swayambhunath, literally “the Self-Created or
Existent”, is a mixture of small stupas and pagoda temples
contributed over time by the succession of kings and noblemen. The
major construction of the stupa is built with a solid hemisphere of
brick and clay, sustaining a very high conical spire and capped by a
pinnacle of copper gilt. Painting on the 4 sides on the base are the
“All Seeing Eyes” of Lord Buddha. The key features of Swayambhunath
are “The Five Buddhas.”
|
|
Pashupatinath |
A short stroll will take visitors to the temple of Lord Shiva-Pasupatinath
with a two-tiered golden roof and silver doors. This construction is
renowned for its grand Newari architecture, and is located close to
the riverside of the sacred Bagmati River. Entrance to the temple
area is allowed to “Hindus Only”; however, travellers can see the
temple from the eastern riverfront of the Bagmati River.
|
|
Bouddhanath |
This massive and ancient Stupa is one of Nepal’s most stunning
monuments and believed to be the world's biggest. It interests
Nepalese pilgrimage of Tibetan stock from as far as Dolpo and Mugu
including Tibet, Ladhak in India and Bhutan. Baudhanath Stupa, with
all seeing eyes of the Adi Buddha on all the 4 sides of the stupa,
is said to support the remains of Kasyapa - the Buddha of the former
time. The monument is 100 metres in diameter and was constructed on
an octangular base.
|
|
Bhaktapur |
Also known as Bhadgaon, at an altitude of 1,401 metres, is home to
medieval art and architecture and was the site for Burtoluchhi’s
Little Buddha. The urban city covers an area of 4 square miles.
Shaped like a conch-shell, Bhaktapur, meaning city of Devotees,
produces pottery and weaving as its traditional industries.
Bhaktapur is in essence the Newari City and is 14 kilometres east of
Kathmandu, one of Nepal’s greatest treasures. Further is the Patan
(The City of Finest Arts).
|
|
Hanuman Dhoka (Old Royal Palace) |
This palace was originally established during the Licchavi period,
even though King Pratap Malla constructed most of it in the 17th
century. Marking the entrance is Hanuman's statue, which is as
memorial to the monkey god's brave help Rama during the events of
the Ramayana. Protected under an umbrella, the statue's face is
smeared with red splodges, a paste applied by faithful followers.
There are stone lions on each side of the palace gate, one ridden by
Shiva, the other by his wife Parvati. Instantly above is a brightly
painted niche illustrated with a ferocious Tantric figurine.
There are many chowks or courtyards inside the palace as well as
Nasal Chowk. During the Rana dynasty, this courtyard was used for
coronations - a practice which continues today. Mul Chowk is the
place of sacrifices made to Taleju Bhawani, the royal goddess of the
Mullas, that takes place during the Dasain festival. |
|
|
