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.

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.

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