Kathmandu: Valley is surrounded by wooded hills in all four sides. Around the Kathmandu valet rim, Phulchowki is the highest point in the south towering at an altitude of 2,765 meters, Shivaouri is the north rises to an altitude of 2,732 meters, Chandragiri is the south-western part of the valley has an altitude of 2,561 meters, Nagarkot in the northeast part has an altitude of 2.188 meters, Champadevi in the western part has an latitude of 2,097 meters and Pokhari Thumko in the south eastern part has an altitude of 2,005 meters. So near, yes so far from the noise, pollution and smog covered bustling capital various hiking and biking activities can be organized around the valet rim.
In ancient period, Kathmandu valley was called Nepal and Nepal was called Kathmandu valley, Kathmandu Valley is made up of three districts, Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, These districts are largely dominated by Newar community. Newari arts, architecture, culture and tradition can be observed throughout the valley. These three ancient Malla kingdoms remain a center for arts and crafts, and artisans ancient to preserve and promote them. In Kathmandu valet, you can visit three Durbar Squares a beguiling complex of buildings. Temples and courtyards, Kathmandu valley is a fascinating mixture of different religions and cultures. The visit to Kathmandu valley offers an excellent introduction to the Buddhist and Hindu -religion.
There are more gods than people, as the saying goes, in the Malla civilization with number of temples mote then the number of house, the Kathmandu valley has seven UNESCO world heritage sites separated by the distance of roughly 28 km. But refreshingly and unlike so many of the world’s great archaeological areas, here thee ancient temples and monuments are still alive charged with the energy of constant daily worship. The Himalayas may take you higher then you have ever before the valley takes you deeper.
Pashupati Nath Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site):- Also it is one of the Biggest and famous Hindu -Lord Shiva's Temple in the world. So every year thousands of Hindu pilgrimage & Tourist visit in the Temple. The two-tiered pagoda with golden roofs and 4 silver doors houses the sacred linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord Shiva. Chronicles indicate the temple existed before 400 A.D. It is listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Guhyeshwari Temple :- It also spelled Guheswari or Guhjeshwari, is one of the revered holy temples in Kathmandu, Nepal. This temple is dedicated to Adi Shakti. The temple is a Shakti Peetham near the Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River ,where, according to mythology, a portion of Sati Devi, Lord Shiva’s consort, fell when a grief-stricken Shiva wandered aimlessly across the earth carrying her dead body on his shoulders following her self-immolation.
Budhanilkantha (Jal Narayan ) :- The largest of Vishnu’s stone statues, (Budhanilkantha)Jal Narayan lies at the foothills of the Shivapuri hills, 8 km north of the Kathmandu city center. The large granite figure of Lord Vishnu, reclining on a bed of serpents known as ‘Nagas’, seems to float in a pond. This shrine dates back to the 5th century.
Bouddhanath Stupa (UNESCO World Heritage Site):- Bouddhanath Stupa is one of the most imposing landmarks and the biggest stupa in Nepal, lies about 7 km east of the capital. The Bouddhanath stupa, also called by many as Khasti Chitya, is one of the oldest stupas in the country. The stupa, a well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site, is included in World Heritage Cultural site list by UNESCO. In Bouddhanath stupa, there are many monasteries or Gompa attractions. They are all impressively adorned and colorfully painted .Nepalese chronicles date it to the reign of King Mānadeva (464-505 CE).
Swoyambhunath Stupa (UNESCO World Heritage Site):-The Buddhist temple of Swoyambhunath, situated on the top of a hillock ,3 km west of Kathmandu. It is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley .A collection of legends about the site, the 15th century Swyambhu Purana, tells of a miraculous lotus, planted by a past Buddha, which blossomed from the lake that once covered Kathmandu valley. The lotus mysteriously radiated a brilliant light, and the name of the place came to be Swyambhu, meaning 'Self-Created or Self-Existent'. Saints, sages and divinities traveled to the lake to venerate this miraculous light for its power in granting enlightenment. Atop Swyambunath hill is another fascinating temple called Shantipur, popularly known as the 'Palace of Peace'.We can see the panoramic view of Kathmandu over here.
