Kathmandu valley contains three royal cities-kathmandu, Bhaktapur, patan.There are seven UNESCO world Heritage sites in the valley. Kathmandu is capital and largest city of Nepal which is sheltered by small mountain. This is a historical center of Nepal It originally known as a kantipur, the city of flourished during the malla reign. Initially it was an independent city within the valley but in the 14th century the valley was united under the malla king of bhaktapur city. In 15th century the valley divided once again in to the three independent kingdom of kathmandu, patan and bhaktapur. In 1768 the invasion of the valley by prithvi narayan shah luler of gorkhakingdom then shah dynasty unified Nepal and made the kathmandu a new capital.
Kathmandu Darbar square:
Most of the cultural of Nepal lies in the Kathmandu valley; among those cultural sites, the important one is the Hanuman-dhoka Durbar Square. The name Hanuman-dhoka Durbar came from the statue of Hanuman established by the King Pratap Malla at the entrance The Hanuman-dhoka Royal Palace is included in the Protected Monument Zone along with other private building .The site is enlisted in the World Heritage Site of UNESCO along with other six monument zones of the Kathmandu Valley in October 1979. King Prithvi Narayan shah in 1770, build Basantapur Durbar. The whole complex is also known as Kathmandu Durbar Square. Located at the heart of ancient city Kathmandu , it is a complex of beautiful temples and shrines.
Swayambhu Stupa:
It is also a world's heritage site in the summit of the kathmandu valley.One of the holliest Buddhist sites in Nepal , its establishment is linked to the creation of kathmandu valley.Sengu is it's another name. It is a holy place of Buddhists that lies in Kathmandu district. One of the biggest, images of Buddha in Nepal has been recently erected there. Apart from this, there are different types of temples, stupas and images as well. This is a picture of beautiful Shyambhunath Stupa located at Shyambu ringroad in Kathmandu near on the way of New Bus Park to Kalanki near Chhauni. Pashupatinath:
One of the holliest shrine of the Hindus, lies 5 km east of the city centre.This is also the site which is in world's heritage and importance for shiva linga(phallic symbol).Most of the Hindus visits the temple from all around world in the auspicious occasion of Shivaratri(Name of festivals).The complex contains many other temples and the holy Bagmati river flows besides it. Pashupatinath is the guardian spirit and the holiest of all Shiva shrines in Nepal. Lord Shiva is known by many different names; and Pashupati is one. Pashu means living beings, and Pati means master. In other words Pashupati is the master of all living beings of the universe. This is how lord Pashupati is eulogized in the Vedas, Upanishad and other religious books.
Bhaktapur Darbar Square:
The golden Gate is the entrance to the main courtyard of the Palace of 55 windows. Built by King Ranjit Malla, the Gate is one of the most beautiful and richly carved specimens of its kind in the entire world. This gate is embellished with deities and monsters with marvelous intricacy. The Palace of 55 Windows was built in the 17th century. Among the brick walls in their gracious setting and sculptural design, is a balcony of 55 windows. This balcony is a masterpiece of wood carving. The stone temple of Batsala Devi which is also located in the Durbar Square is full of intricate carvings. This temple also sets a beautiful example of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. There is a bronze bell on the terrace of the temple which is also known as the "Bell of Barking Dogs ". This colossal bell, placed in 1737 A.D. was rung to signal curfew during those days. The main square of the city contains innumerable temples and other architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the Batsala temple, etc. A magnificent statue of King Bhupatindra Malla in the act of worship is placed on a column facing the palace of the many.Baudhanath :
Boudha, one of two major Buddhist temple in Kathmandu, is endlessly fascinating, with people of all ages circumnavigating the world-famous stupa in a clockwise fashion. Dawn and dusk are the busiest times with a constant river of human traffic in colorful clothes. Smiling amah-las give candy to pouty children, Bells clang, monks chant, kids play soccer with a plastic bottle. This is a world class spot to people watch. These sounds drift in and out as you circle the stupa. The smell of incense fills the air, the prayer flags flap in the wind, the prayer wheels spin.
Patan Darbar Square :
(World Heritage Site), an enchanting mélange of palace buildings, courtyards and pagoda temples, is the center of Patan's religious and social life. An entrance ticket which costs Rs.200 (SAARC Rs.25) entitles you to visit the palace and other sites in Patan like Oku Bahal, Mahabouddha.Krishna Mandir built in the 17th century, the temple of Lord Krishna holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan. It is supposed to be the first specimen of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. It is the only temple in Nepal having 21 spires and is completely made of stone.
Nagarkot :
Among all the places for mountain viewing in the Kathmandu Valley, Nagarkot is one of the best. Nagarkot is 32 kilometres east of Kathmandu, on the northeast edge of the Valley at an elevation of 2,175m. You views Dhaulagir in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east from Nagarkot. On a clear day you can see Mt. Everest, You can also see Manaslu , Ganesh Himal , and Langtang etc. Many people go up to Nagarkot in the afternoon, stay in a hotel in Nagarkot, and then get up at dawn to see the Himalaya Mountains during the sunrise. It is best to view the mountains in the early morning because it is more likely to be clear. There is a viewing tower next to the Club Himalaya Resort, where you get good views that has a coffee shop where you can sit inside. Many of the hotels also have good views.
