Kathmandu
Valley |
The Kathmandu
Valley is indeed a unique type of valley, wearing an
exotic setting. Twenty-five centuries back it stood as a
titanic lake. It is completely surrounded by a tier of
green mountain walls above which to the north tower the
mighty snow-capped peaks during the winter. It consists
of four major cities carrying great historic, artistic
and cultural interest. They include Kathmandu, Patan,
Bhadgaon and Kirtipur. Ironically speaking, Kathmandu
Valley was an empire owning four petty kingdoms till
1769 A. D. The four kingdoms of Kantipur, Lalitpur,
Bhaktapur and Kirtipur have today appeared as
independent modern cities. The Valley with an
approximate population of a million and a half (i.e.
counting the Tibetans and the Indians as well) covers an
area of 218 square miles and is situated at an elevation
of 4,423 feet above the sea-level as part of the
Shangrila. Kathmandu (Kantipur)-the Capital.
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Sky Vairab Temple |
| Also referred to
as the Blue Bhairab sometimes, it is a three-storied
temple in the principal market called Indra Chowk. The
divine image of the Sky Bhairab is displayed outside for
a week-long period during the great festival of Indra
Jatra. The celebration of Indra Jatra honors Indra-The
King of Heaven & The God of Rain. The Newars call Him 'Aajudyo.' |
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Hanuman Gate |
| This falls to be
the historic seat of the past royalty, particularly
belonging to the Malla dynasty. The Durbar Square, which
is itself the old Royal Palace Complex dedicated to the
Malla monarchs, is today classified as a World Heritage
Site of Culture. The age-old temples and palaces
epitomize the religious and cultural life-style of the
people. The interesting things to view include Taleju
Temple built by late King Mahendra Malla in 1549 A.D., a
gigantic stone figure exposing the fearful manifestation
of the Black Vairab which the Hindus regard as the God
of Destruction, the tall stone pillar on the plinth-top
of which sits late King Pratap Malla with his two
beloved queens on either sides plus an infant child in
the middle, the colossal image of the White Vairab the
lattice of which is removed for a week during the Kumari
Yatra festival, the nine-storied Basantapur Palace
(literally meaning the spring season palace), the
Gigantic Bell and the Great Drums. The main golden-gate
is guarded by the Monkey-God called Hanuman . He is the
King of the Monkeys and a faithful servant to Lord Ram
Chandra-the unanimous Hero of the ancient epic "Ramayan."
Being guarded by a sole protector, the gate itself has
come to be known as Hanuman Gate. With a commercial
umbrella suspended above his head and wrapped in a
scarlet cloak, he squats on a stone plinth to be
respected by hundreds of Nepalese Hindus plus Indian
Hindus. (He is actually blind-folded as he was a chaste
bachelor and wishes not to come in vision of any female
figures.) |
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Temple of Kumari |
| The temple and
the holy quadrangle with a Buddhist stupa at the center
form the residential quarters of the Chaste Virgin
Living Goddess called KUMARI. The traditional building
has profusely carved wooden balconies and window
screens. The non-Buddhist and the non-Hindu visitors may
enter the courtyard called the 'bahal' but may not
proceed beyond upstairs. The KUMARI acknowledges their
greetings from the central window of the balcony
particularly saved for Her alone and snapshot is
strictly prohibited. |
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Kastha Mandap |
| Located nearby
the Temple of Kumari, this is a unique type of wooden
temple also known as Maru Satal. It was built in 1596
A.D. by King Laxmi Narsingh Malla. They say the timber
used for its relevant construction was sawed out of a
single tree. It is also believed that the capital of
Kathmandu derived its new name from this very 'Kastha
Mandap.' Today it houses the Hindu God namely
Gorakh-Nath. |
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Pashupati Nath Temple |
| It is a pagoda
style Hindu temple with gilt roofings and richly carved
silver doors dedicated to Lord Shiba and is situated at
the bank of the holy Bagmati River. One of the most
sacred temples in the entire Hindu world, Pashupati Nath
Temple is the nerve center of pilgrimage on the day of
Shibaratri. The minute religious town itself which
houses the great temple is known as Debpatan and is
situated 5 kilometers east of the capital city. Only
Hindus are permitted to enter the main courtyard of the
temple. Alien tourists can view the temple from the
eastern side of the Bagmati River. Guheshwori Temple :
On a forested knoll further behind Pashupati Nath Temple
to the eastern direction and also by the side of the
bending or winding Bagmati River appears the gracious
temple of Guheshwori sometimes known as Akash Yogini. It
is another famous spot of Hindu pilgrimage. It houses
the shrine of Goddess Parbati who is Lord Shiba's
spouse. In this case also, only Hindus are authorized to
enter the premises. |
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Swayambhu Nath Shrine |
| This is believed
to be 25 centuries old and stands as one of the world's
oldest Buddhist Chaityas. The Great Stupa of Swayamvu is
the wonder that was Nepal, the glory that was Nepal. It
is indeed listed a World Heritage Site of Culture to
prove that it serves as the nerve center of faithful
worship for all the devout Buddhists of the universe.
Swayamvu embraces the authentic philosophy of Bajrayan
in particular and honors Lord Adi Buddha. It is
dedicated to the self-originating flame God. The stupa
which forms the salient structure is well composed of a
solid hemisphere of terra-cotta bricks and soil
supporting a cornice of copper and gilt. Painted on the
four-sided base of the spire are the all-seeing eyes of
Lord Buddha, keeping an eternal watch on the Valley
distinguishing between vice and virtue. It is some two
miles west of Kathmandu City proper across the holy
Bishnumati River. Situated on the top of a hillock, it
is about 500 feet above the level of the Valley. The
whole hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas and pagoda
temples possessing great dignity plus beauty. There also
exist six big Buddhist monasteries in all-five Mahayan (Lamaist)
and one Hinyan (Therbadist). On the hind hill is located
another important Buddhist shrine; it is called
Manjushree. This compassionate Chinese Buddha is the God
of Knowledge. |
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Boudha Nath Stupa |
| This is declared
to stand as the largest Buddhist shrine of South Asia.
The ancient colossal chhorten was built in the 6th
century A.D. by King Man Deb belonging to the Lichhabi
dynasty. It rests on a series of three terraces and from
the bird's eye view it takes the relevant shape of a
lotus flower which indeed remains a very holy object for
the devout Buddhists of the entire world. The chhorten
is surrounded by a circular market which forms a part of
Tibet Town. In this case also the four pairs of the
Buddha's eyes give a vivid flash to the four cardinal
directions, meaning to keep a diligent watch over the
people and their commitments all day all night. The
chhorten embraces the authentic philosophy of Mahayan
the faith of which is known as Lamaism in Sikkim, Ladakh,
Bhutan and Tibet. It also proves a World Heritage Site. |
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Buddhanilkantha |
| Situated in the
northern suburbs of the Valley just at the foot of Mt.
Shibapuri, this is an enchanting Hindu temple dedicated
to Lord Bishnu Narayan. So the locality is also known as
Narayanthan. He lies in a bed of serpents amidst the
pious pool and seems to float on water. The surrounding
pond actually represents the sea. The reclining statue
was built in the 5th century A.D. The season of
religious celebration here takes place right after the
festival of Tihar. Although it is a renowned spot of
worship, the reigning king of Nepal (may it be
contemporary or any Hindu monarch) may not visit this
place for reasons particularly unknown. Thus to please
the king a replica of it has been built elsewhere if he
wishes to visit it much. |
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Dachhin Kali |
| Kali is a
bloodthirsty Hindu Goddess. This particular temple lies
in the southernmost suburbs of the Valley, beyond
Furping downward in a solitary ravine. So She is termed
'Dachhin-Kali' meaning South Kali. The important days
for religious pilgrimage include Tuesdays and Saturdays.
A ritual worship attached by animal sacrifice would not
be an uncommon scene here the practice of which is
totally against Buddhism in the birthland of Lord
Buddha. The poor victims include the fowls, birds and
sheep in general. |
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