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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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Places of
interest around Kathmandu: Boudhanath,
Soyambhunath,
Pashupatinath. |
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