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Kathmandu
- Nepal
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Kathmandu (Capital):
Kathmandu means 'A Wooden
Mandap' or 'Temple'
believed to been constructed from the wood of
single tree,
built by King Laxmi Narsingh Malla at the
beginning of the 16th century.
This
wooden Mandap is situated in the heart of city near
Darbar Square. Kathmandu is infested with Temples, there
are more than 2000 temples, big and small both. Spread
across an area of 360 square kilometers, the Kathmandu
Valley is the political, commercial and cultural hub of
Nepal.
It consists
of four major cities carrying great historic, artistic
and cultural interest. They include Kathmandu (Kantipur),
Patan (Lalitpur), Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon) and Kirtipur.
Ironically speaking, Kathmandu valley was an empire
consisting of for petty kingdoms till the Seventeenth
Century A.D. The four kingdoms of Kathmandu, Patan,
Bhaktapur and Kirtipur have today appeared as
independent modern cities. |
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Places of interest in Kathmandu: |
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Durbar Square Kathmandu. It is the historic seat of
royalty. The durbar square, with its old temples and
places, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of
the people. It is here that Kings of Nepal are crowned
and their coronations solemnized. Interesting things to
see here are; Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla
in 1549 A.D. Kal Bhairav Temple (the God of
destruction), Nautalle Durbar (old Royal Palace),
Coronation Nasal Chow, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of
King Pratap Malla, the Big Bell, Big Drum and, the
Jaganath Temple. |
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Kasthamandap. Located near the Temple of Kumari, it
is said to have been built by King Laxmi Narsingha Malla
in the beginning of the sixteenth century. It is
believed to be constructed from the wood of a single
tree. The city of Kathmandu derives its name from this
temple. |
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Kumari House. This residence of Living Goddess
consists of a three storied structure built round an
enclosed courtyard and the main entrance is guarded by
two huge stone lions. The external facade and inside
facade facing the courtyards are embellished with the
exquisite wood carved windows and doors. The main shrine
is directly opposite to the entrance and there is a
Buddhist stupa in the central of the courtyard. Kumari
House is considered as the shrine of the living goddess
'Kumari' a Buddhist girl - chosen and worshipped as an
carnation of Hindu mother deity. |
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The
National Museum. Located about 2 km west of
Kathmandu, the National Museum has a splendid collection
of weapons and artifacts from ancient, medieval and
modern Nepal. Its archaeological and historical displays
are worth seeing. The museum is closed on Sunday &
Monday and government holidays. |
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Kakani. Located 29 kilometers northwest of Kathmandu
city, the fabulous holiday spot of Kakani features
attractions ranging from beautiful alpine scenery to the
magnificent Himalayan panorama(subject to weather
condition)particularly of the Ganesh Himal massif. Other
peaks that can be closely seen from Kakani are Mt.Gauri
Shanker(7,134 meters), Choba Bhamare(6109 meters),
Manasalu Peak(8163 meters), Himalchuli Peak(7893
meters), Mt. Annapurna I(8091 meters), Langtang(7246
meters)and other snow-capped peaks. |
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of interest around Kathmandu:
Boudhanath,
Soyambhunath,
Pashupatinath. |
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