Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath at night

Kathmandu has many things to attract a large number of visitors every year. Also called the city of Temples, it not only has Hindu Temples to visit to but also large number of Buddhist Destinations. Among numerous Buddhist Destinations, Boudhanath Stupa is the one which gives a sense of calm and peace to the visitors. Located in an accessible site of Kathmandu, it stands to be one of the oldest and the largest stupas in whole world. This place is only 11 kilometers far from Kathmandu and it falls in Boudha of Kathmandu Metropolitan. Boudha area is also known as the place where large population of Tibetans reside. 

Although situated in the middle of busy and crowded Boudha area, once visitors enter the Stupa premises they can feel the serenity and spirituality of the place. There are numerous stories related to the stupa. Among them Tamang Mythology is very convincing one. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Lichhavi Dynasty but Nepali records say otherwise. That is, it is also thought to have been built during the reign of King Mandev. This place is sacred to all Nepalese and the Tibetans in special. This place was enlisted by UNESCO in World Heritage Sites in 1979 A.D.

Structure of Boudhanath Stupa

The Boudhanath Stupa is dome shaped and its structure is simple yet fascinating. As it is one of the largest Stupa in whole world, its height is about 130 meters. It is found that five elements of the earth (air, water, soil, fire and space/ether) have been represented in its architecture. The first thing anyone notices is the eyes of the Budhha on all the four sides of the Stupa. The eyes of Buddha on all four sides represent the four cardinal points and represents the belief that Buddha sees everthing. This stupa has nine levels which mark the Mt. Meru (Center of the Cosmos) and the thirteen rings to the pinnacle represent the path to Buddha's enlightment.

The base with three large platforms decreasing in size represent the earth while the two circular plinths supporting the hemisphere symbolizes water. The triangle shape consiting the thirteen steps is the symbol of fire. Glided canopy at the top symbolizes the air with glided spire above it is the representation of last element i.e. space/ether.

Things to do

Visitor spinning the prayer wheels

An old monk in the state of meditation

Hustle and bustle of Boudha area does not affect the Stupa premises at all and visitors can see and feel the prayers and chants of the monks inside the stupa premises. So the first thing to do here is observe the monks pray and chant their slogans and mantras. Also visitors are always welcome to participate in Buddhist prayers, meditation and chants. Visitors can sit there whole day and observe the life there, people and their daily activities. There have been many monasteries established around the stupa with the passage of time. These are great places to gain new experiences with different environment which is not found at home. The little souvenir shops offer varieties of fascinating things such as Nepali T-shirts, Buddha related items such as statues, rings, necklace and many other fascinating things. The view of Buddhist monks rotating their prayer wheels and chanting slogans is quite fascinating to see.

Needs For Improvements

Needs For Improvements

Bhaktapur Durbar Area

Of course Nepal is a rich country regarding culture, arts, crafts, customs, traditions and heritages. There are hundreds of temples, monuments and structures of historical and religious importance in Kathmandu Valley alone. That is why it is called the City Of Temples. Also places out of Valley have numerous such religious sites. But they have not come to recognition yet and need more exploration and research. For now UNESCO has recognized only ten of our heritage sites and has enlisted them in World Heritage Sites.

Those heritages have passed to us by our Ancestors and they are the result of the hard-work of our ancestors alone. We have inherited them as a free gift. That may be the reason why we take them as granted. But it is completely wrong to do so. Those heritages must be well preserved in order to preserve our identity and a way to represent us in the outer world. We must be aware that as UNESCO has enlisted our heritages in World Heritage Sites, it can also remove them from the list. As we know that UNESCO has threatened to remove our heritages from its list several times, it is time we discuss about the weakness of our heritage sites and step forward to bring out the improvements.

Pedestrians in Basantapur Area

List of threatened Heritage Sites of Nepal

The act of threatening and taking back the threatening to remove from World Heritage Sites has been going on by UNESCO for quite a time. The following Heritage Sites have faced such situations:

1) Pashupatinath Temple

2) Kathmandu Durbar Square

3) Patan Durbar Square

4) Bhaktapur Durbar Square

5) Lumbini

Unorganized situation of Pashupatinath

Pashupatinath Temple

There are lots and lots of improvements to be done in the Temple premises. It is quite disappointing to see the cow dungs at the entrance of the premises which is quite odourful and unpleasant. Similarly, as Pashupatinath is situated on the bank of Bagmati River and the river is quite polluted, there is a need to make improvements in those sectors.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Although located at the Capital City, this area has not seen activities as it should have seen. We find quite disappointing to see vehicles running through the premises which makes visitors uneasy and irritated. Similary the structures are seen covered by dirt and dust which makes them unattractive.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Though considered one of the beautiful cities of the country, it is found to have been ignored in case of timely renovation and cleanliness . Here also we find vehicles plying in the premises and another thing is the increase in numbers of beggars and stray dogs in the area which of course drive the visitors away.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Basantapur Area and Nautale Durbar

Situated at the heart of Capital City Kathmandu, Kathmandu Durbar Square is another spectacular example of Nepalese art, crafts and architecture. This Square is also known as Hanumandhoka Dubar Square and it gets its name from the Statue of Lord Hanuman at the entrance of Hanumandhoka Palace. Old buildings in and around the palace are believed to be traced back to 17-18th Centuries. The best part of visiting the place is to see the lifestyles of local people there as the culture, attires and old lifestyles have been well preserved in those areas.

A temple in Basantapur Area

Visitors love the peaceful environment present at the square and hours pass there in a blink of eyes. Hundreds of visitors from in and outside Nepal come to visit this place and enjoy the incomparable beauty and uniqueness. Visitors can enjoy the spectacular carvings, arts and architecture of the Square Area. This place is believed to be the place for the Ancient Nepalese Royalties from where they used to rule the country. As it is in an accessible area, people choose to visit Kathmandu Durbar
Square first in comparison to other places.

Things to Observe

Hanumandhoka Area is a large area and has many things to observe. This first thing is the Hanumandhoka Palace itself. We can find museum inside the Palace which depicts the ancient glory, culture and religion of the area. Similarly the Nautale Durbar(Palace) is the one no visitor should miss. This Palace was built by King Prithivi Narayan Shah after the invasion of Kathmandu and the Palace is Nine Storeyed from where a spectacular view can be seen.

A view of Hanumandhoka Palace

Nautale Durbar

Other attractions of the place are Kasthamandap, Taleju Temple, Kumari Ghar, Shiva-Parbati Temple, Shiva Temple, Kal Bhairav, Jaishi Deval and many others. Kasthamandap is the temple believed to be built using the timber of a single huge tree which is known for its spectacular architecture. Also Kumari Ghar is one of the best example of Nepalese Temple Craft and in this house we can see Kumari or also known as the Living Goddess. This house is situated in Hanumandhoka Palace itself. Jaishi Deval is one another structure with erotic carvings in it and is famous for the same. So we can observe that most of the structures in and around the Palace are built using Pagoda Style which is believed to be originated in Nepal itlself.

Festivals of Hanumnadhoka Durbar Square

Another attractive aspect of the Durbar Square Area are the festivals celebrated in these areas. The environment of this area turns crowded and chaotic from calm and peaceful in the main festivals. The festivals when visitors should visit the Square area to gain a different experience are Dashain, Machhendranath Jatra, Shivaratri, Indra Jatra and many more. Hundreds of buffaloes and goats are sacrificed at Mul Chowk on the ninth day of Dashain and this chowk is open only on this day. Similarly chariot festivals such as Machhendranath Jatra and Indra Jatra are spectacular festivals to observe here.

Patan Durbar Square

Patan Durbar Square

Krishna Temple

There are several World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley alone such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Changunarayan Temple, Pashupatinath temple and others. Similarly Patan Durbar Square is one of the most important Heritage Sites of Nepal. Situated at the heart of Lalitpur and in an accessible area, this place is yet unique and spectacular to visit. This area is one of the best example of how talented and skillful our ancestors were. Thousands of tourists from in and outside the country pay visit to this Square every year. This place has its own unique presentation of their arts, crafts, culture, traditions and architecture. We can find numerous structures built in a small area which makes it different from any places in Nepal.

Also known as Lalitpur Durbar Square, it is considered the center of the culture and religion of the city. Filled by numerous exquisite temples, monuments, architectures related to both Hindus and Buddhists, it is also the main attractions for Hindus and Buddhists in and outside the country.

Things to Observe

Temples and structures in Patan Durbar Square

As one of the oldest city in the country, it has those ancient arts, crafts and eternal architecture to observe which make anyone fall in love with the place. Numerous Hindu Temples and Buddhist Structures surround the area. Some of the structures which need mention are Patan Museum, Mahaboudha Temple, Krishna Temple, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar and many more.

Patan Durbar Square

Krishna Temple is one of the most famous structures in the area and is the main attraction to the Hindus visiting the area as Lord Krishna is worshiped in Nepalese society with great faith and homage. We can see hundreds of Hindus coming to worship Lord Krishna during the Krishna Janmastami(Krishna's Birthday).

Patan Museum is yet another attraction of the Patan Area as it provides a sense of ancient lifestyles in the city, culture, traditions and customs. As this city is known as the oldest Buddhist City, it has many Buddhist attractions such as Hiranya Varna Mahavihar and Mahaboudha. Hiranya Varba Mahavihar is also known as the Golden Temple where Golden Statue of Lord Buddha is found.

Festivals of Patan Durbar Square

Equally rich in culture, traditions and festivals as Bhaktapur and Kathmandu Durbar Squares, this area provides different experience of festivals of the city.

Rato Machhendranath Jatra

Shree Krishna Janmastami is one of the most celebrated and famous festivals of this area. Thousands of devotees pay a visit to Krishna Temple to pay their homage to Lord Krishna. Similarly, Buddha Jayanti is also celebrated in a grand way here. As Dashain is the greatest Nepalese festival, it is celebrated in the Palace premises. Others like Bhoto Jatra and Rato Machhendranath Jatras are also the major attractions of the place. 

Holiest of Holy Pashupatinath

Holiest of Holy Pashupatinath

Pashupatinath Temple

Hinduism is one of the oldest religion of the world. It is known to everyone that Nepal was also a Hindu state not so long time ago. It simply means majority of people here are Hindus. In this sense Nepal is rich in Hindu culture, customs and traditions. Similarly lots of Hindu temples built in the names of numerous Gods and Goddesses are found in every nuke and corner of the country. But the holiest Hindu Temple considered in whole world is Pashupatinath Temple. The pilgrims all over the country as well as from outside the country visit the Temple every year.

Nandi facing towards main entrance of Temple

Pashupatinath is situated 5-7 kilometers north-east of Kathmandu and is easily accessible from any part of the Valley. This temple is the symbol of faith and has been built in the name of Lord Shiva(the destroyer). It is one of the oldest temple which is believed to have been built in 400 A.D. 

Built in Pagoda Style with two levels is considered a masterpiece in terms of Architecture and the sculptures, arts and crafts seen in and around the temple add beauty to the Temple. Also the temple has four entrances on four sides and at the main entrance we can find an idol of Bull(Nandi) facing the temple. Nandi is considered the vehicle of Lord Shiva.

Attractions of Pashupatinath

Inside the Temple there is a statue(called Chaturmukh) of Lord Shiva which represents four faces of Lord Shiva which is considered the most pious and is the main place where the pilgrims and visitors pay homage. That is why it is considered the main attraction of the place.

It is quite fascinating to visit the Pandra Shivalaya which are fifteen in numbers. It seems quite attractive by the arrangement of those Shivalayas. It is one thing every visitor has to see.

Pandra Shivalaya

There are two ghats to visit to. One is the Gauri Ghat where holy baths are taken by the pilgrims whereas other is the Arya Ghat where fire is given to the dead bodies of people so that their soul would rest in peace in heaven.

Other temples to visit there are Guheswari Temple, Kirateshor Mahadeva Temple, Gorakhnath and Bishworoop Temples. Also the peace forest in the Temple premises is a place to enjoy the nature and have sometime for oneself in calm and peaceful environment.

Occasions to Visit Pashupatinath

As majority of Nepalese are Hindus, they have high faith on Pashupatinath. Therefore they belief that once in lifetime Pashupatinath Temple must be visited to secure a place in Heaven. With this belief thousands of Hindus visit this temple to pay their homage every year. Though the local people offer prayers daily, others visit the Temple on special occasions such as Mahashivaratri, Teej, Ekadasi, Full Moons, Janai Purnima(Rakshyabandhan) and many other auspicious occasions.

Teej Festival in Pashupatinath

The day of Mahashivaratri is celebrated in a grand way. The hermits and sages from all over India and also the Indian Citizens visit this temple to offer Homage on this auspicious day. The day turns out to be no less than fair and we can see people in such a great numbers. All four doors of the Temple are open on this day and the temple is open for all night.

Another day when the Temple is overcrowded is the day of Teej which is considered the greatest festival for Women. On this day women and girls gather in the Temple Premises to enjoy dancing, singing and praying in their best attires and they do this the whole day. It is believed that fasting on this day helps in their happy married life and long lives of husband and children.

Stay in Lumbini( The Birth Place of Gautam Budddha)

Stay in Lumbini(The Birth Place of Gautam Buddha)

Ashoka Pillar

After a pleasant stay in Chitwan, we decided to go to Lumbini. Lumbini is considered the most holy places by Buddhists all around the world. Also known as the birth place of Gautam Buddha, this place is the identity of the country. It took around 6-7 hours to reach Butwal as we were once again stuck with bus similar to the one in which we left Kathmandu. It was taking longer than what we had expected. But the disappointment did not last too long. We were once again filled with excitement when we started climbing the hills  and seeing scenery all around.

When we reached Butwal, we were relieved of the tedious journey. Thank God. Also we came to learn that Lumbini was still 21 km farther than that place. So we boarded a local bus and headed towards Lumbini. To our disappointment, the bus was very uncomfortable followed by strange smell. Similarly, we were startled by the act of the bus-driver. What he did was he stopped the bus in a bus-stop and entered a small shop for a cup of tea. Anyway after an hour we safely reached Lumbini.

Shadow of Maya Devi Temple in Sacred Pond

Hunt For a Place to Stay

Now it was time to find place for stay. As usual we did not have any idea. We started looking every Lodge for rooms. But it was strange that we found none. It was also growing darker. Fortunately, a friend had connections and knew a person there through his grandfather. So luckily we got chance for stay in one of the Buddhist Ashrams. Later we got to learn that there was a Grand Puja going to be held in Lumbini by Lamas from all over the world and this was the reason we did not get any rooms for stay as all of them were booked.

The sun was already below the horizon and the gates to the Maya Devi Temple were closed for the day. So we were suggested to visit a Gumba nearby which was quite attractive and we were happy talking to the monks in the Gumba.

Final Day in Lumbini

The Peace Light( Shanti Dip)

Picture Inside Maya Devi Temple

Early in the morning the next day, we were ready as early as possible to explore Lumbini. We thought we would be the first to visit the Maya Devi Temple but we were amazed to see that Lamas had already started their Grand Puja and lots of people had reached there before us. So we hurried to have our chance. It was really a place of peace and the remains of Lord Buddha and his mother Maya Devi had been preserved well. Though pictures are not allowed inside Maya Devi Temple, we grabbed an opportunity to take a picture of the inside. The monks were meditating in the Temple. Then we visited the Sacred Pond and the Bodhgaya Tree under which Gautam Buddha meditated. When we reached to see Ashoka Pillar, we realized that we had missed to observe the 7 steps of Little Buddha and so we re-entered the Temple to have a glimpse of that.

After that we decided to fill our stomach and so we had our meal in a local restaurant. Lumbini is very big place to visit on foot. Therefore, we hired bicycles for all of us and set off to visit other attractions of Lumbini. 

First of all we visited Shanti Deep (Peace Light) gifted by the English Government. Then we found museum to be another attraction of the place. Peace Stupa, Chinese Gumba, Korean Gumba, German Gumba, Canadian Gumba and Royal Thai Gumba were other attractive places we visited. We were disappointed to see Korean Gumba was still under construction due to lack of Budget. Also we reached there at the time when those Gumbas are closed down for two hours for prayers which was to our disappointment. After all that time, we were all exhausted. Therefore, leaving other Gumbas for next visit, we headed to our place of stay. Anyway riding bicycle was the best part of the visit to Lumbini.

Peace Stupa of Lumbini

So the overall trip to Lumbini was both exciting and pleasant with few disappointments. But it was a great experience there and keeping in our mind that not everything works as planned headed back to Kathmandu the next morning.

A Visit to Chitwan National Park

A Visit to Chitwan National Park

Birds Seen While Canoeing

Well the plan to go to Chitwan had been going on for a long time but I had not got an opportunity to visit the place. Finally, the time had come. So as soon as my exams were over on 8th February, me and a few friends decided to hit the road on the 10th. 

As planned, we reached Gongabu Bus-park as early as possible and were in dilemma where we could find a bus to Chitwan. What surprised us is that many people approached us and it was as if there was a competition among themselves and we were the trophy. Everyone had their own opinion about which vehicle will go farther. Anyway we decided to have tea before boarding the bus. At last, we found a bus which would take us to as near as seven kilometers to Sauraha.

So our bus left Gongabu at around 8:00 am and thus our pleasant journey began.

Baby Elephant

Oh! wait. Did I just say pleasant?

The journey was not quite pleasant after all. The bus was not cozy as it seemed to be and furthermore, it ran like a snail. We were embarrassed to learn that it was a local bus on a long route. Nevertheless, this feeling did not last all way long as we got to experience the pleasant views of Trisuli river and the snow capped mountains. After 7 hours ride we were glad to reach Ratnanagar which was 7 km from Sauraha. So we caught a taxi to Sauraha.

Canoes parked

We had no knowledge about where to stay. So we relied on our taxi driver and he took us to Tiger Wildlife Camp.

Elephants heading towards destination

Adventures in Chitwan

Rare One horned Rhinoceros

After freshening up we decided to go to Rapti River Bank. When we reached there, we were excited to see long types of boats called Canoe. Also on the way to the Bank, we noticed Tanga( a ride pulled by horse) and Elephants heading to their destinations as it was growing darker. About 2 hours were left to sunset and so we decided to take a package which included the Tanga ride, Canoeing and a visit to Elephant Stables. 

Walking through Tharu Village

Tanga ride was the first one. So we rode Tanga upto the point where Canoeing was to start. Tanga ride was one of my first experiences. It was really fun bumping and laughing and talking to the rider who was a Native Tharu of that region. After that we got on Canoe. Truly speaking, the river was not so deep. It was around 3 to 4 feet deep but we were afraid as hell. Another thing is that the guide of ours told us the tale of crocodiles in that river. This was another reason we were terrified of . So the silly acts and laughing and taking photos continued for about half an hour. We got to see a lot of different types of birds, elephants taking bath in the river and fishermen fishing. After the Canoe ride, it was time for a little walk through the outskirts of Chitwan National Park. So we visited the places where elephants were kept and fed. Also we got to see the Tharu Communities and their unique lifestyles.

It was growing darker as the sun had already bade goodbye for the day. So we decided to go to Tharu Naach(dance) after freshening up. But as we reached our Hotel, we decided not to go to it as we were all tired and exhausted. Of course, we were sad to have missed an opportunity to watch such a spectacular dance which every person visiting Chitwan should have to see for. 

The Next Day in Chitwan

Deer Seen during Jeep Safari

Early in the morning, we had plans to go to visit the inner Chitwan National Park. So we waited for our jeep to arrive but it was late. For the timing we decided to drink tea. While waiting we got to see huge Elephants heading towards the National Park and also capture them in our cameras. Half an hour late, our jeep arrived and we headed our way to the Park. We pushed our way through the Tharu Villages and the cold of the early morning did not matter at all. Then our journey through jungle started with a hope to see as many animals as possible. At first wewere not so lucky but as time passed we started seeing animals and birds. Deer was the common animals we saw very often. Furthermore, we saw Wild Badel, Jackal, vultures, kingfishers and eagles. Also our driver showed us the tracks of tigers and rhinos at least. Also 20,000 Taal(Lake) was a pleasant place to visit. We felt 

 2 hours Jeep Safari gone in a blink of eye.

Although we missed certain things like Tharu Naach, Elephant Ride and also we did not get to see many animals we were still happy and satisfied. Therefore, with heavy heart and a promise to return someday soon, we pushed our way towards Lumbini.

A Day Spent at Swayambhunath Temple

A Day Spent at Swayambhunath Temple

It is known to everyone that Nepal is the birth place of Gautam Budhha and gets its identity all over the world through Buddha himself. It is no surprise that Hindus and Buddhists have been living in peace and harmony for centuries now. Both Hindus and Buddhists have respected each other for a long time. One of the indicators of this peace and harmony is symbolized by Swayambhunath Temple which also falls in the list of oldest Temples of Nepal. The story of this temple goes back to 5th Century A.D. At this time, it had already been established as pilgrimage for Buddhists but its origin is believed to be even older.

Swayambhunath alongside Hindu Temple

Stairway to Swayambhunath(about 365 steps)

So I decided to visit the Temple myself and explore the Temple Premises. This temple is in an accessible area and lies on the Ring Road which makes anyone reach the Temple easily. When I reached the Temple, I had to struggle climbing the never ending stairs of about 365 steps to the top. But the green forest around gives a pleasant feeling and thus at the top I got to witness the mighty Dome-shaped temple with equally attractive Golden Spires on the top of it. Similarly, the Buddha's Eyes on all the four sides of the temple simply made it wonderful.

Front View of Swayambhunath

Things to do in Swayambhunath

Well, while I was at the Temple, I got to do the following things and gain pleasant experience out there which every visitors should experience.

1) Observing Monks praying and meditating

It is one of the pleasant things to do while visiting the Temple. We can enjoy Monks prayers in their Buddhist Styles and Buddhist Musical Instruments. Also, anyone can take part in their prayers and get chance of new experience.

2) Site-seeing

The temple is located at great height and so it is clearly visible in comparison to other structures around. Therefore it is a great place to have a view of different angles of Kathmandu City from all around the Temple. Also the environment is pleasant with fresh air and peace which every person wants to enjoy.

3) Visiting Hindu Temple alongside Swayambhunath Temple

As I have already mentioned Hindus and Buddhist have lived in harmony among each other, the Hindu Temple built alongside the Swayambhunath is best example of my words. So visitors can offer prayers there too. And sadly, photographs are not allowed inside the temple.

Monkey carrying baby on its back

4) Watching and playing with the Holy Monkeys

Yes the monkeys of this place are called Holy Monkeys and it is quite fun lazing around to see the mischiefs of the monkeys. Sometimes they fight among themselves while sometimes they snatch foods from people and make children cry.

5) Visiting the wish pool

It is quite common to have wish pools in the Temples of Nepal. Similarly, here also there is a wish pool in which people throw coins and wish whatever they want with a belief that Swambhunath will fulfill their wills.

Buddha in the middle of wish pool

Weekend in Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Weekend in Bhaktapur Durbar Square

The smallest district of whole Nepal, Bhaktapur, does not seem small in terms of ancient culture, arts, crafts, architecture and heritages at all. This place is known as the Cultural Capital of Nepal. I had heard a lot about its Gaijatra Festival, Bisket Jatra and many more. I had heard a lot about Bhaktapur but had not got chance to visit this holy city. So this weekend me and some of my friends decided to spent the weekend in Bhaktapur. 

55 windowed Palace alonside Golden Gate

Bhaktapur Durbar Square was our first destination and we found it an accessible place from Kathmandu. It is about 8-9 kilometers far from Koteshwor. After getting off at Dudhpati, first we entered the Siddha Pokhari Premise and were shocked by the Pond looking at its size. Also the remembrable moment was feeding the fish. We got to know that there were seven well inside the pond and therefore the reason why this Pond never dried up. After making a round around the Pond, we had to walk upto the Square for about 10 minutes. We got to know that there was an office where the foreign tourists got the permit to visit Bhaktapur and thanked God as we did not have to pay a dime.

Golden Gate(one of the major attractions of Bhaktapur Durbar Square)

We were welcomed by the huge Entrance Gate to the Square. At the entrance we noticed a huge Shiva Linga which seemed quite attractive and also two storeyed Pagoda Temple which was a great piece of Art. The carvings and statues were magnificent. Then we explored Golden Gate. We thought it to be made of real Gold but to our disappointment it was just the Golden-coating. We got to learn that this Golden Gate was built with the aid of German Government. Inside the Golden Gate we found place where Queen and others took bathe in ancient time along with temple inside where only Hindus were allowed to enter and of course taking pictures was strictly prohibited.

Naag Pokhari inside Golden Gate

After the tour of inside premises of Golden Gate, we were pleased to see the huge Barking Bell. A belief was popular there that the barking bell was used to invite all Bhaktapurians in ancient time and also all the dogs barked because of the sound of the bell. Then we visited the Pashupati Temple which was also built in Pagoda Style. We were simply amazed by the beauty of 55 windowed Palace and also sad because we did not get to enter the Palace as it is open only on Tuesdays.

Other Places of Bhaktapur

Nyatapola Temple

Bhakatpur is an ancient cultural city and has many things to offer. Not only Bhaktapur Durbar Square but there are other several attractions which every visitor to Bhaktapur should pay a visit at least once. Taumadi Square is close to Bhaktapur Durbar Square where we can find one and only Nyatapola Temple( 5 Storeyed Temple). Similarly Dattatriya Temple is present to the north-east of Bhaktapur Durbar Square where prayers are offered by Women during fasting on Mondays and the Teej Festival.

Oldest Temple of Nepal, Changunarayan Temple, is located 8 kilometers far from Bhaktapur which is a must place to visit. The Last but not the least the scenic view of heavenly snow capped mountains to the north is the thing hardly anyone wants to miss. 

Therefore a visit to Bhaktapur was one of the great experiences and with a promise to return again, we bade farewell to Bhaktapur.

Changunarayan Temple (One of The Oldest)

Changunarayan Temple (One of The Oldest)

Picture of  Changunarayan Temple from entrance

Nepal is a country situated in the laps of the Himalayas and known all over the world for its natural beauty. This country is not only famous for its natural gifts but also for its cultural and traditional aspects. It is known to everybody that Nepal has hundreds of unexplored and unrecognized places and sites. However, there are few of them which have been well recognized. That is to say, UNESCO has enlisted ten of our heritage sites in World Heritage Sites which is a matter of pride to every Nepali. 

Among the recognized heritages, Changunarayan Temple is known to be the oldest temple of Kathmandu Valley. It is traced to be built in the 4th Century by Lichhavi Dynasty. Also it is believed to be built by Hari Dutta Verma and renovated by Mandev. This temple is one of the best examples of stone, wood and metal crafts of ancient Nepal.

The Legendary Temple is located on a small hilltop in Changu Municipality in Bhaktapur. It is about 22 kilometers east of Kathmandu and about 8 kilometers from Bhaktapur to the north. It is situated on height and so it gives a fantastic view of the Bhaktapur city as well as a part of Kathmandu.

Attractions of Changunarayan Temple

The main attractions of the Temple are of course the unique and magnificent sculptures and monuments in and around the Temple. The two storeyed-temple, built in Pagoda Style has many things to offer to the visitors. As this temple is of Lord Vishnu(the protector), this Temple premises has structures and idols related to him in large numbers.

1) Vishwaroop

Beautifully carved in stone this idol of Lord Bishnu is traced to be of 8th Century A.D.

2) Vishnu mounting Garud

Traced back to 10th Century A.D., this sculpture represents Lord Bishnu riding his vehicle.

3) Vishnu Vikrant

Traced back to 8th Century A.D., this is the most powerful avatar of Lord Bishnu.

A picture of  Narasimha

4) Narasimha Vishnu

This represents another avatar of Lord Bishnu which is half human and half Lion.

5) Vishnu Sculpture

This sculpture shows Lord Bishnu sitting on the back of his vehicle the Garud which is from 9th Century A.D.

Garuda kneeling in front of the main entrance of the temple

6) Garud

In ancient time Gods used to have vehicle of their own in which they traveled places. Similarly the vehicle of Lord Bishnu was Garud. There is a sculpture representing Garud which is a bird and preys snakes.

7) The Museum

Another attraction of Changunarayan Temple premises is the museum which presents the history of the temple, lifestyles of people in ancient time and a variety of antique things.

The Heritages Listed by UNESCO in World Heritage Sites of Nepal

The Heritages Listed by UNESCO in World Heritage Sites of Nepal

The Heritages Listed by UNESCO in World Heritage Sites of Nepal as stated by UNESCO

Nepal is a small and peaceful country situated in the lap of the Himalayas and is also known as The Country of Mount Everest and the birth place of Lord Buddha. Though still not exposed to the outer world as it should have been, it is surely exposed in case of heritages. Nepal has numerous heritages which attract the outside world. But among them 10 have been listed by UNESCO in world heritage sites which every Nepali should be proud of. It is surely amazing that within so small area of 147,181 sq. km, Nepal has heritages in large number. These heritages are so fascinating that large groups of tourists come to visit them yearly. These heritages have provided a unique identity to Nepal and the Nepalese people of which all Nepalese should be proud of. Also thanks to our ancestors for handing over those fascinating, majestic, godly heritages to us. There are few heritages in Nepal which are known to us whereas numerous heritages remain hidden, unexplored and out of our knowledge. Some of them are natural whereas others are man-made.

Top 6 cultural sites of Nepal

List of Top Ten Heritages of Nepal

As all of us know how rich Nepal is in its heritages, it is popular in outside world because of the same reason. Thousands of tourists visit Nepal every year in order to see and visit those fascinating and mind-blowing sites. There are hundreds of heritage sites here which remain unexplored and unknown to us. Among the known ones UNESCO has enlisted ten of our heritage sites in World Heritage Sites. It is a matter of pride to be given such a privilege. These sites have their own uniqueness and incomparable beauty. Of course due to those uniqueness, beauty and maleficence, UNESCO decided to enlist those sites in the most prestigious list of World Heritage Sites. 

The ten heritages sites consists of both natural as well as cultural sites of Nepal. Two of them are natural whereas remaining eight are cultural heritage sites built by our ancestors.

The natural heritage sites which UNESCO thinks is unique and incomparable in whole world are:

1) Sagarmatha National Park

Roof of the world(Mount Everest)

 Situated in the lap of the mighty Mount Everest, Sagarmatha National Park is the point of major attraction to the world tourists. The most important thing is the Mount Everest(8848 m) situated within this park which is known to be the roof of the world and highest point on earth. Apart from heart-touching views of snow capped mountains and glaciers, it has a vast biodiversity to provide. Snow Leopard, pandas and other rare species of animals along-with varieties of plant species continuously tend to attract people from outside as well as inside Nepal. Also the lifestyles of the native Sherpas of that region put a different taste to those who visit those areas.

Rare Snow Leopard

2) Chitwan National Park

Royal Bengal Tiger(cub)

Tourists observing one horned Rhino on Elephant back

This National Park is situated in subtropical region of the plain of Terai. Inhabited by the native Tharus, this is the area of rich and diverse biodiversity along-with the unique culture, customs and tradition well preserved by the Tharu Community of that region. Tharu Naach(dance) is very popular among tourists who visit this area. Talking about flora and fauna found there, One Horned Rhinoceros is the rarest species of animals found in this park along-with Royal Bengal Tiger and Gharial Crocodile.

As Nepal is famous for its natural heritages, it is famous for our cultural heritages too. Our cultural heritages are known all over the world for its uniqueness, magnificence and elegance. Those cultural heritages representing Nepal all over the world are as follows:

1) Kathmandu(Hanumandhoka) Durbar Square

View of 9 Storey Palace

Nepal's one of the topmost cultural sites is Kathmandu Durbar Square. Located at the heart of the capital city of Nepal, it surely reflects our ancient culture, arts, crafts and architecture. Major attractions of the square are Hanumandhoka Palace, 9 storey Palace built by Prithivi Narayan Shah, Kasthamandap, Shiva-Parvati Temple and many others. It provides a different and pleasant experience to visitors.

Pigeons in Kathmandu Durbar Square

Hanumandhoka Area

2) Patan Durbar Square

Situated in Lalitpur district of Nepal, this is another example of how brilliant and skillful our ancestors were in arts, crafts and architecture. One of the major attractions here is the Shikhar styled Krishna Temple which is the temple of Hindu God Krishna. Also there is museum to visit which presents every details of the lifestyle, culture and traditions of early Newar Communities.

View of Patan Durbar Square

3) Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Nyatapola Temple

Golden Gate and 55 windowed palace

Situated in the smallest district of the country, this square is the most attractive one with numerous magnificent structures and is attractive one. There are more things to see and learn about in this square. 55 windowed palace is one of the major attraction. Similarly, the Golden Gate is incomparable in whole world. Other things to see are Pashpatinath Temple, Barking Bell and Nyatapola Temple(5 storeyed ) also is nearby.

Changunarayan Temple

 4) Changunarayan Temple

Changunarayan Temple also falls in the holy places visited by the Hindus. Located to the north of Bhaktapur, this temple is one of the oldest temple of Hindus. It was built by Mandev. This is two storeyed-temple built in Pagoda Style and is famous for its uniqueness.

5) Pashupatinath Temple

There is no holy place holier than Pashupatinath for Hindus. Situated in the bank of the bagmati river of Kathmandu, it is believed that this temple was built hundreds of years ago. Thousands of pilgrims from India and other Hindu countries visit this temple every year. Also people of other religions are found to be visiting this holy temple with great enthusiasm and faith.

Light in Pashpatinath Temple

6) Shwayambhunath Temple

It is known to everyone that Lord Buddha was born in Nepal and obviously Buddhism too. Therefore, it is no surprise that Hindus and Buddhists have been living in harmony for more than hundreds of years in Nepal. The symbol of such harmony can be taken as Shwayambhunath Temple. The Dom-shaped temple is huge and magnificent and the center of attraction for the Buddhists all around the world.

Swayambhunath Temple alongside Hindu Temples

7) Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa is also situated in Kathmandu and is popular among both Buddhists and Hindus. This stupa is also Dom-shaped and attractive.

Ahoka pillar

8) Lumbini

It is known as Birth Place of Lord Gautam Buddha. Hundreds and thousands of Buddhist pilgrims from neighboring countries like China, Taiwan, Burma, Thailand and others come to pay visit every year. Maya Devi Temple is one of the major attractions here. Also Ashoka pillar, Light of Peace, Gumbas built by different countries and stupas are other attractions of the place.

Maya Devi Temple and Sacred Pond

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