Posted by FLORIDNEPAL on Thursday, December 25, 2008
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The political,
commercial and cultural
hub of Nepal, is the
first stop for the
majority of visitors to
the country. Once a
separate kingdom in
itself, it contains
three fabled cities -
Kathmandu (population
550,000); Patan
(160,000); and Bhaktapur
(population 75,000).
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There are seven UNESCO
World Heritage Sites in
the Valley. The history
of the Valley begins
with the Buddhist saint
Manjushree who slashed a
passage through the
surrounding hills to
drain out the primordial
waters and make it
inhabitable
Over the centuries, a
refined urban
civilization emerged,
built on a unique
synthesis of Hinduism
and Buddhism. Dynasties
came and went. Trade and
the arts flourished. Its
deeply religious Newar
inhabitants built
fabulous cities and
artistic temples that
attracted devout
pilgrims as well as
rampaging invaders. In
the late 18th century,
following the founding
of modern Nepal within
more or less the present
boundaries, Kathmandu
was made the capital. |
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Itinerary in Details |
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Day 01 |
Arrival at Kathmandu Airport
and transfer to hotel. You
stay overnight at hotel in
Kathmandu.
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Day 02 |
Full day sightseeing tour of
Pashupatinath Temple,
Boudhanath, and Bhaktapur,
and drive back to Kathmandu.
You stay overnight at hotel
in Kathmandu. Situated 5 kms
east of Kathmandu City,
Pashupatinath temple is one
of the holiest temples
dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Situated amidst a lush green
natural setting on the bank
of the sacred Bagmati river,
the temple built in pagoda
style has jilted roof and
richly carved silver doors.
Visitors will be permitted
to view the temple from the
east bank of Bagmati River,
entrance in the temple being
strictly forbidden to all
non Hindus. Pashupatinath is
the centre of annual
pilgrimage on the day of
shivaratri which falls in
the month of February/March.
Behind the temple are the
cremation grounds.
Boudhanath Stupa
It is 8 kms east of
Kathmandu City and is one of
the biggest in the world of
its kind. It stands with
four pairs of eyes in the
four cardinal direction
keeping watch for righteous
behavior and human
prosperity. This Buddhist
Stupa was built by King Man
Deva at the advice of the
Goddess Mani Jogini. It is
built on an octagonal base
inset with prayer wheels.
The shrine is ringed by
houses of Lamas or Buddhist
priest.
Bhaktapur
(1,401m) covers an area of
four square miles. Bhaktapur
or the city of devotees
still retains a medieval
charm and visitors to this
ancient town are treated to
myriad wonders of cultural
and artistic achievements.
The past glory of the Malla
rules continues to be
reflected at the Darbar
Square. Pottery and waving
are its traditional
industries. Bhaktapur is
famous for woodcarving and
the traditional topi or cap.
The city lies about 14 km
east of Kathmandu. The
places of interest include
Bhaktapur Darbar Square, the
National Art Gallery,
Nyatapola Temple,
Bhairavnath Temple,
Dattatreya Temple and
Dattatreya Square. Bhaktapur
Durbar Square: The main
square of the city contains
innumerable temples and
other architectural
showpieces such as lion
gate, the golden gate, the
statue of King Bhupatindra
Malla, Dattatraya Temple
etc. A magnificent statue of
King Bhupatindra Malla in
the act of worship is placed
on a column facing the
palace. It was listed in the
UNESCO world Heritage
Monument List in 1979.
Palace of 55 Windows
Being built by King Yaksha
Mall in 1427 A.D. and
remodeled by King
Bhupatindra Malla in 17th
Century, the balcony and the
windows are intricately
carved, is a masterpiece of
wood carving.
Nyatapola Temple
This five storied Pagoda
Style temple was built by
King Bhupatindra Malla in
1708 A.D. well known for its
massive structure and subtle
workmanship. It is the
tallest pagoda structure in
the Kathmandu valley.
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Day 03 |
Full day sightseeing tour of
Swayambhunath, Patan +
Tibetan village & Nepali
handicraft center, and
Kathmandu durbar square. In
the evening you drive from
Kathmandu to Nagarkot. You
stay overnight at hotel in
Nagarkot. Swayambhunath is
located approximately 4 kms.
and this Buddhist Stupa is
said to be 2000 years old.
The Stupa which forms the
main structure is composed
of a solid hemisphere of
brick and earth supporting a
lofty conical spire capped
by a pinnacle of copper
gilt. Painted on the four
sided base of the spire are
the all seeing eyes of Lord
Buddha. This hill is a
mosaic of small Chaityas and
Pagoda temples.
Patan
The ancient city of Patan,
lying 5 km southeast of
Kathmandu, is known as
Lalitpur or the city of fine
arts. The city is full of
Hindu temples and Buddhist
monuments. The diversity of
medieval culture that
allowed both Hinduism and
Buddhism to flourish has
left a rich legacy of
impressive sightseeing in
this city. At Patan you
explore Patan Durbar Square,
Mahaboudha Temple,
Kumbeshwor temple, Krishna
Temple, Golden Temple and
many other places of Patan,
you feel as if Patan has
been unveiled before you as
an open museum showcasing
intricately carved windows,
intrinsic roof struts,
statues of gods and
goddesses, temples designed
in pagoda style with erotic
carvings and repose
metalwork facades and many
other exquisite facets. You
will also get to see
handicraft centre in Patan.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
It is one of the major
attractions in Kathmandu
Valley. The word Durbar
Square translated in English
as Palace Complex. The
Durbar Square, with its old
temples and palaces,
epitomizes the religious and
cultural life of the people.
Interesting things to see
here are:-
Kumari (The Living Goddess)
Gar
At the West end of the
square, is a beautiful house
full of woodcarving of
different God and Goddesses.
This Palace is three storied
and in this palace, lives
the very famous living
Goddess Kumari. Both Hindus
and Buddhists equally
venerate her. For Hindus she
is the reincarnation of
Hindu Goddess Kali. She is
equally worshiped by
Buddhists because she is
chosen from Buddhist family.
This shows the harmony
between Buddhist and Hindus
in Nepal.
Kastha Mandap
One of the popular temples
of Kathmandu Durbar Square
is Kashamandap locally known
as Maru Sattal. It is
believed that the name of
Kathmandu City is derived
from the name of this
temple. Kastha means wood
and Mandap means pavilion.
And it is said that this
temple is built by one
single Sal (sorea robusta)
tree. At the center of this
temple, one can see the
statue of a Hindu God
Gorakhnath and in the four
corners of the temple one
can see Ganesh Statues.
Maru Ganesh
Small yet the most visited
temple of Kathmandu is Maru
Ganesh. The people of
Kathmandu valley believe
that the four Ganesh in four
corners of Kathmandu valley
protect the peoples living
in Kathmandu. Every day
people go to worship this
temple and especially on
Tuesdays one can see a long
queue of people waiting for
hours to worship. Tuesday is
considered the day of
Ganesh.
Other interesting things to
see here are Mahadev Temple,
Shiva Parvati Temple,
Bhagwati Temple, Old palace,
Saraswoti temple, Krishna
Octangular Temple, Big
drums, Kal Bhairav,
Jagannath Temple, and Taleju
Temple etc.
In the evening, you will
head towards Nagarkot. On
your way to Nagarkot
breathtaking panoramic
Himalayan views of Mt.
Everest, Manaslu and Gauri
Shankar will have completely
smitten. Nagarkot
accommodates finest of
resorts, hotels, restaurants
and cafes. You will spend
your night at one of the
best resort or hotel in
Nagarkot.
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Day 04 |
Enjoy Sunrise view at Nagarkot
and hike to Dhulikhel. Drive
from Dhulikhel to Kathmandu
and stay overnight at hotel
in Kathmandu. You wake up
early in the morning at
birds’ melodious chirpings.
As you eye the nature, most
heavenly sight of sunrise
view rejuvenates your
senses. You spend your day
amidst the natural
surroundings of Nagarkot.
After you have your share of
experiencing the magic of
Nagarkot, you are guided
along the hiking trails to
Dhulikhel. As you approach
Dhulikhel, a plethora of
cultural diversities,
interesting traditional
practices, lush vegetation
and rich birdlife unfolds
before you. | | |
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