Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal which is surely one of the world's most amazing cities, being gifted with a very large number of ancient monuments, historic temples and other interesting and remarkable places of interest.
Hanuman Dhoka
The Hanuman Dhoka Palace and temple complex is situated in the middle of the old city, which is probably the most interesting part of Kathmandu. Built during the Malla period, the area consists of a number of different monuments, the most wonderful of which are as follows.
The statue of Hanuman
Standing to the left of the main entrance to the Hanuman Dhoka Palace is an statue of Hanuman, the Hindu god who is always depicted in the form of a monkey. The Mallas (Pratap Malla) placed this statue of Hanuman in 1672 at their palace gate both to protect the palace and to bring them victory in war. The image is made of stone, but each year is coated with a layer of red pigment made by mixing oil and vermillion powder. The idol is always clothed in red, and is further honored by the golden umbrella placed over its head.
The Golden Door
To the right of the icon of Hanuman is the golden main door of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace. It is guarded by a pair of stone lions. Shiva sits on the lion, to the right, while Shakti sits on the lioness to the left. These guardians dated from the period of the Mallas; the golden door itself, however, is of a later period. The inscription above the door states clearly that it was erected in 1810 during the period of King Girbana Yuddha Bikram Shah. Such an extravagance at that particular period of Nepal's history must surely have a story to explain it, and without a doubt the story is found there in the inscription.
Nasal Chowk
Passing through the Golden Door one enters Nasal Chowk, the largest of ten courtyards found inside Hanuman Dhoka Palace. Nasal Chowk is frequently mentioned in the historical literature dealing with the Malla period as well as in the documents of different Shah Kings. Many of the buildings that surround this courtyard date from the Shah period, but fair proportions of them also date from an earlier period. Most of the art objects and images found in Nasal Chowk date from the Malla period. On the eastern side of Nasal Chowk there is a small memorial of Nasaleshwar, from which the courtyard gets its name. During the Malla period, Nasal Chowk served, among other purposes, as a sort of royal theatre, so that dances to be performed for the Palace were practiced and presented here. Nasal Chowk was also regularly used for meetings between the king and his subjects. During the Shah period, Nasal Chowk took on even greater importance than it did during Malla times: the Malla practice of conducting the coronation rites inside Mul Chowk was set aside during the Shah period and the coronation of the kings of Nepal has subsequently been held in the much larger and more public Nasal Chowk. This practice has been continued, even though the kings of Nepal have now lived for more than ninety years in another part of the city.
Mohan Chowk
To the north of Nasal Chowk lies Mohan Chowk, the residence of the Malla kings of Kathmandu. It was built in 1649 by King Pratap Malla (1641-74) and later repaired and 'modernized' during the reign of King Rajendra Bikram Shah in 1822. One of the central features of Mohan Chowk is the Sundhara or golden water spout. Bringing water from Budhanilkantha, eight kilometers north of the city, to the Palace was a major project in the seventeenth century Nepal, but nevertheless was accomplished. The Sundhara is about 3.5 metres below ground level, so one has to descend to it.
Basantapur Chowk
At the south-east corner of the Nasal Chowk is an exit through which one can pass into Basantpur Chowk. During the time of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Shah kings moved from the old quarters formerly occupied by the Malla kings into this section of the Palace. While the woodcarvings in the central courtyard are an especially outstanding feature, the whole building is of equal historic value to all Nepalese. The nine-storeyed Palace of Prithvi Narayan Shah, called the Basantpur Tower, is on the south-west of the quadrangle. The tower on the south-east corner is known as the Lalitpur Tower; Bhaktapur Tower is on the north-east corner while Kirtipur Tower is on the north-west. Lalitpur Tower rises two storeys above the roofs of the quadrangle. Bhaktapur Tower also rises two storeys above the general level of the quadrangle. The Kirtipur Tower has its own special fascination. The copper roof of this tower is of most unusual design and complexity and is unparalleled in Nepalese architecture. The Basantapur Palace is a work of art in its own right, and even today there is hardly a spot in Kathmandu that can compare with the upper terrace of the Basantapur Chowk for observing finely carved roof struts, excellent windows, and the poetry of roof rising upon roof.
Taleju Temple
Built in 1564 by King Mahendra Malla, this is the most famous of the three Taleju temple built by the Malla kings. It is situated in Trishul Chowk, an appendage of Hanuman Dhoka Palace, but can also be approached by way of the Singha Dhoka or Lion Gate. The temple stands over 36.6 metres high, resting on a twelve stage plinth.
Mul Chowk
Mul Chowk was the scene of almost all the truly important functions of the Malla period. Religious rites of all descriptions, royal weddings, and the investiture of the crown prince as well as the coronation of the king himself, all took place here. According to the Bhasha Vamsavali, the Mul Chowk was built by Mahendra Malla in 1564 while he was building the great Taleju Temple; Bhaskar Malla then rebuilt it in 1709, giving it its present appearance.
Apart from the above mentioned courtyard and temples of the Hanuman Dhoka complex, there are also a number of other interesting and historic temples in the vicinity. Some of the more important ones are described here.
Kumari Chowk
Kumari Chowk is the home of the living goddess who is considered to be an incarnation of the goddess Taleju. It was built in 1757 by King Jaya Prakash Malla (1746-68). The Kumari Chowk is a three-storeyed quadrangle decorated with fine woodcarving. It is the third storey of the building that is especially attractive with its fine bay windows, in which the Kumari appears from time to time in the company of her guardian priestess to see and be seen by her admirers.
Trailokya Mohan Temple
Built in 1680 by Parthibendra Malla (reigned 1680-87), the Trailokya Mohan Temple is built on a five-stage plinth and has three roofs. The roof struts are carved with different images, while the temple as a whole is dedicated to Vishnu.
Kasthamandap
Known locally as Maru Sattal, this open temple has a long history. The Kasthamandap was built with the permission of King Laxmi Narsingh, from the wood of the single Sal tree; Kathmandu has derived its name from Kastha Mandap. Kastha Mandap is a three storeyed building which has an open ground floor, highlighting its original purpose as a public building. The decorations and carvings added over the years have greatly enhanced the original design, bringing it closer to the appearance of a memorial. The central reflection in Kasthamandap is of Gorakhnath. At each of the four corners is an image of Ganesh, the elephant-headed god.
Bhagawati Temple
This temple has perhaps the most interesting history of any temple in the Hanuman Dhoka area. It is at present dedicated to the goddess Bhagawati and consequently is also known as the Nuwakot Bhagawati temple. Its special importance stems from the fact that King Prithvi Narayan Shah had a great devotion to Nuwakot Bhagawati and is said to have brought her image with him when he unified Nepal under one flag. The temple itself was built long before he took over Kathmandu. Apparently King Jagajjaya Malla (1722-36) built it and named it Mahipatindreshwar in memory of his grandfather Mahipatindra Malla. The image of Mahipatindra Narayan was subsequently stolen (1766), and the memorial was empty when King Prithvi Narayan Shah entered the city in 1768. Since Prithvi Narayan had with him the image of Bhagawati, it was quite normal for him to place it in this empty sanctuary close to the Palace.
The Great Bell
Without the great bell erected by King Rana Bahadur Shah in 1787, the Palace area would have seem incomplete. The bells in the Patan Durbar Square and the Bhaktapur Durbar Square date from 1736. For some reason Kathmandu did not imitate this achievement immediately though it was in the same year that Jaya Prakash Malla came to power. Sixty years later, King Rana Bahadur Shah filled the deficiency by providing this bell to drive off the evil spirits. The bell is rung only when worship is being offered in Degutaleju.
The Great Drums
Located close to the great bell, two huge drums were made during the reign of Girbana Yuddha Bikram Shah (1799-1816) and are played only during the worship of Degutaleju. An inscription on copper plate, in the keeping of the one who plays the drums, specifies that a buffalo and a goat must be sacrificed for them twice a year.
The Statue of Kala Bhairab
This huge stone image of Bhairab represents Shiva in his destructive manifestation, hence its terrifying expression and the symbols of death and destruction. It is undated, but was set in its present location by Pratap Malla after it was found in a field north of the city. The image is a single stone, though the portion on the upper right hand side was damaged and repaired by adding another stone. The sun and moon to the left and right, and the heads of lions in the upper portion also seem to have been later additions. Such large statue made of a single block of stone are very rare in Nepal.
Apart from the Hanuman Dhoka Palace and temple complex and other monuments in the surrounding vicinity, some other places worthy of mention are.
Machchhendranath Temple
This pagoda of significant artistic beauty is situated in lndra Chowk on the way to Asan when coming from Hanuman Dhoka. The temple is surrounded by residential homes and busy shops.
Akash Bhairab Temple
This is a three-storeyed temple located in the same area as the above temple. The image of Akash Bhairab is displayed outside this temple for a week during lndra Jatra, the festival of the god of rain, Indra.
Ashok Vinayak
The small but a very important temple of Ashok Vinayak is situated behind the Kasthamandap - also known as Kathmandu Ganesh or Maru Ganesh.
Jaishi Dewal
Five minutes from Kasthmandap the Shiva Temple of Jaishi Dewal is famous for its erotic carvings, It is still one of the main routes of the chariot festival of lndra Jatra, Gal Jatra and other festivals.
Bhadrakali Temple
As the eastern edge of the Tundikhel, near Shahid Gate stands the temple of Goddess Bhadrakali. This temple is also known as Lumarhi Temple and is one of the main "Shakta' temples of Kathmandu city.
Swayambhunath
This is one of the world's most glorious Buddhist Chaityas. It is said to be 2000 years old. Painted on the four-sides of the spire bases are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is three kilometers west of Kathmandu city and is situated on a hillock about 77m. above the level of the Kathmandu Valley. It is known as monkey temple.
National Museum
Two and half kilometers west of Kathmandu, the National Museum has a splendid collection of weapons, artifacts from ancient, medieval and modern Nepal. Its archaeological and historical displays are worth seeing. The museum is open everyday except Tuesday and government holidays.
Natural History Museum
Situated three kilometers west of Kathmandu city behind the famous Swayambhunath hillock this museum has a unique collection of butterflies, fish, reptiles, birds, mammals, plants and a variety of fossils collected within the country. Photography inside the museum is prohibited.
Pashupatinath Temple
Situated five kilometers east of Kathmandu, the temple of lord Shiva- Pashupatinath with two tiered golden roof and silver doors is famous for its superb architecture. Visitors can clearly seen the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river. Only Hindus are permitted to enter inside the temple.
Guheswari Temple
Near Pashupatinath is located another historic and holy temple of Guheswari. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple courtyard.
Chandra Vinayak
The temple of Chandra Vinayak is situated about 200m. north of Chabahil Stupa. This double tiered brass roofed temple houses a tiny image of Lord Ganesh, the elephant -headed god.
Stupa of Chabahil
The lovely Stupa of Chabahil is believed to have been built by Charumati, the daughter of the Indian Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. There are ancient statues around the Stupa.
Bouddhnath
The Stupa of Bouddhnath lies eight kilometers east of Kathmandu. This colossal and ancient Stupa is one of the biggest in the world.
Budhanilkantha
About eight kilometers north of Kathmandu, at the base of Sivapuri hill is a remarkable colossal statue of Lord Vishnu, reclining of the bed of snakes. This is one of the masterpieces of stone sculptures of Lichchhavi period. This fifth century statue is in the middle of a small pond and seems to float in water.
Tundikhel
It is the huge greenfield that flanks one entire side of the old city. It is used for parades, national celebrations, and numerous colorful festivals, and also for sports and general exercise. At its one end is a popular garden known as Ratna Park, and at the other are army barracks.
Singha Durbar
Singha Durbar is a magnificent palace built in the neoclassical style. It was once the private residence of Rana Prime Ministers and is now the official seat of government. It used to be a huge building with many courtyards; however, most of it was destroyed by fire and is now being rebuilt.
Dharahara
Also known as Bhimsen Stambha (Tower), Dharahara is a 50.5 metre tower built by Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa in 1832. This tower is one of Kathmandu's best known monuments. From the top of the tower, one has a panoramic view of the whole Kathmandu Valley.
Kesher Library
Located near the Narayanhity Royal Palace, Kesher Library has got a huge and rare collection of books and manuscripts collected during the last century. It also offers an opportunity to have a glimpse of the inside of Nepal's numerous palaces. It is open for the public during normal office hours.
Narayanhity Durbar (Royal Palace)
This is the present Royal Palace. At the south there is the famous historic water spout of Narayanhity from which the Palace derives its name. Special permission has to be obtained to go inside the Royal Palace compound.
Martyr's Memorial
Located on the way to Singha Durbar the memorial's arch contains statue of the martyrs, and the statue of the Late King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah. It was he who led the revolution of 1950-51, and laid the foundation for today's democratic system.
Balaju Water Garden
Situated about five kilometers North-west of Kathmandu, Balaju Garden features fountains with 22 crocodile -headed water spout dating from the mid eighteenth century. There is also a swimming pool inside the park.