 |
 |
Kirtipur - Nepal
|
Kirtipur: On the other
side of the valley, 6 kilometers southwest of downtown
Kathmandu, Kirtipur looks out over the bowl-shaped
expanse of the valley from the top of a hill. Built
like a fortress and once surrounded by a wall, the
hilltop farming town colorful history. Its
inhabitants are renowned for putting up fierce
resistance against invaders in the past, and the
name Kirtipur itself translate as “valorous town”.
Kirtipur has a population of
33,000. The town occupies the tops of two hills with
a low saddle in the middle. The summit of the
southern hill is crowned by the splendid Buddhist
shrine of Chilamchu Bihar. Stupas, statues and other
shrines are strewn over the area.
|
|
Places of interest
in Kritipur: |
|
Bagh Bhairav. The cultural and social center of
Kirtipur is the magnificent temple of Dhun Baira-dyo
(Bagh Bhairav) situated atop the northern hill. The
triple roofed pagoda is sacred to both Hindus and
Buddhists. An idol of the deity Bhairav in his tiger
manifestation is enshrined inside the temple.
Weapons used against invaders in the past are hung
on the upper balconies. Throngs of devotees come to
worship the deity bearing ritual offerings like
rice, flowers and butter lamps on their brass trays.
Many colorful festivals are also held here. A walking tour through the
winding streets of the town offers a stroll into the
past. One can’t help but think: This is what
Kathmandu must have looked like in medieval times.
Cobble stones, charming brick houses, carved wood
windows, and inhabitants in homespun attire hurrying
to their fields on the outskirts. Almost every house has a
handloom and there are wood carving workshops
everywhere. The people of Kirtipur are also known as
expert builders and the services of its bricklayers
are sought in all the towns of the valley. |
|
Chobar Gorge.
Chobar is situated 9 kilometers southwest of
Kathmandu, this place is famous for its gorge. All
the water of the Kathmandu valley drains through it.
There is a small but picturesque temple of Adi Nath
on a top of a hill from where one can enjoy the
panoramic view of snowcapped peaks as well as
Kathmandu valley. |
|
Places of interest
around Kritipur:
Pharping-Dakchinkali Temple |
|
