Legends say Kathmandu Valley used to be a large pond and it became habitable only after Manjushree cut a hill to drain the water out. The Valley is a treasure trove in terms of art and architecture, culture and tradition. An old saying says: ‘There are more temples than houses and more idols than people in Kathmandu.’ You can find numerous temples dedicated to different gods and goddesses in every nook and corner of the Valley. Most of these temples are built in pagoda style – often multi-storied with slanting roofs but each successive roof is smaller. The three cities in the Valley – Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur – used to be three independent kingdoms about 300 years ago. They used to be ruled by the Malla kings. They built many temples and palaces which are standing tall even today. This special tour package takes you to the Kathmandu Valley architectural grandeurs.
Kathmandu Valley has seven archaeological and historical sites inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage list spread within a radius of 25km which include Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Swyambhunath, Boudha Nath, Pashupatinath and Chagunarayan.
Note: For a one-day Kathmandu Valley Tour, you can explore only four out of these iconic sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Each site offers a glimpse into the valley's rich cultural and historical heritage.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square used to be the palace of the Shah kings after the unification of Nepal about 270 years ago. This is the place where Nepali kings used to be crowned and legitimized until 2007 when the country adopted a republican setup. The area, which is also known as Basantapur or the Hanumandhoka Durbar, because of the idol of Hanuman at the entrance, has many pagoda temples like Maju Deval, Jagannath, Shiva Parbati, Kasthamandap and Taleju, among others. These temples are rich in wooden architecture dating back to centuries. Another attraction here is the Kumari Ghar or the house of Kumari – the living goddess. It is also the place where the famous Indra Jatra festival is organized. The area suffered major damages in the 2015 earthquakes with most of the tall monuments floored. But reconstruction work is going on to rebuild the temples in the previous shape and style.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur, also known as Bhadgaon, translates into city of devotees. It is an old city founded in the ninth century. It used to be one of the three Malla kingdoms in the Kathmandu Valley before the unification of Nepal. Located east of Kathmandu, the core areas of the city are inhabited by Newars who still follow age-old customs and traditions. Houses here are the best examples of Nepali stone and wooden craft. The 55-window Palace built in 1697, the five-storied Nyatapola Temple, the Kashi Biswanath Temple, and the Dattatreya Temple, among others, are the major attractions in Bhaktapur. Considered a living museum, one can witness ancient traditions carried out even today as they were centuries ago in many areas of the city such as in Potters Square where the local potters use age-old techniques to make clay pots. You can catch them in action at Taumadhi Square.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan is one of the cities of the Kathmandu Valley. It used to be an independent state before Nepal was unified. The city is best known for its artistic heritage. The city is surrounded by four Ashokan stupas built in four corners. The city is full of temples and monuments, bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings, among others. The main palace has three courtyards -- Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk. Patan Museum and the golden temple of Hiranaya Varna Mahavihar are the other attractions in and around Durbar Square.
Swoyambhunath
Seated on a hilltop in the southwestern part of Kathmandu Valley, Swoyambhunath Stupa is an important pilgrimage for Buddhists and a must-visit site for tourists. The nearly 2,000-year-old stupa is a whitewashed dome -- 20 meters in diameter and 32 meters in height. A conical spire sits on the top of the dome capped by a golden pinnacle. At the base of the spire are four pairs of eyes looking in the four directions. There are many temples dedicated to Buddhism and Hinduism in the Hindu premises – the perfect example of religious harmony existing in Nepal. The hill is surrounded by dense forests – a habitat for monkeys, giving it the nickname ‘Monkey Temple’. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers a sweeping view of the Kathmandu Valley. On sunny days, you will be rewarded with the view of the Himalayas glittering on the northern horizon.
Bouddhanath
Bouddhanath is one of the largest stupas in South Asia and a focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The 36-meter-high whitewashed dome sits on a big mandala. A spire is erected on the top of the dome and capped by a glittering pinnacle. At the base of the spiral lies four pairs of eyes looking at the four directions. The stupa, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is believed to have been built in the 5th century. It is believed to entomb the remains of a sage Kasyap who is venerated by both Buddhists and Hindus. The environment in the stupa complex is always vibrant. Walk along devotees as they circumambulate the stupa, rotating prayer wheels. You can see monks and lama wearing maroon robes circumambulating the stupa and chanting mantras. The area is also the best place to buy Tibetan souvenirs – ranging from colourful thankas to trinkets and rugs. Eateries with rooftop patios serve you good food, offering fantastic views of the stupa and the surroundings.
Pashupatinath
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath is the holiest shrine in Nepal and one of the four important shrines for Hindus all over the world. Believed to have been built in the 5th century and later renovated during the reign of the Malla kings, the site is believed to have existed from the beginning of the millennium when a Shiva lingam was discovered here by cow herders. This largest temple complex in Nepal sits on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. The main pagoda temple is two-storied with a golden pinnacle and has four silver doors and intricate wood carvings. There are temples and idols of several Hindu and Buddhist deities on the temple premises. Located just 3 kilometers from the city center, the Pashupatinath Temple premises is a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is also a cremation site on the banks of the Bagmati River where the last rites of Hindus are performed. In the evening, a special aarti is offered to Lord Shiva amidst chanting of sacred mantras and the performance of the Tandava dance by young priests.
