Swoyambhu Nath

Located on a lovely little hillock, Swoyambhu Nath Stupa lies about four kilometers west of Kathmandu City Center. There are 360 steps leading all the way to the top commanding a magnificent view of Kathmandu valley and the breath taking panorama of the snow-cold Himalayan range. The tradition in the stupa follows the Vajrajana form of Buddhism. Some literary work credit the Lichchhavi King Mandev to be the founder of Swoyambhu Stupa. The stupa of Swoyambhu stands on a typically stylized lotus mandala base. The hemispherical part of chaitya is made of brick and stone and on top of the hemispherical part lies the hermika which carries the eyes of Vairochana watching in all the directions. The stupa is also laden with the 13 gold plated spires which symbolize the 13 stages to Salvation. The spire is crowned by a golden umbrella supported by a pole. Some of the important sculptures are as:

1. Harati Temple,
2. Anantapura and Pratapaura,
3. Bajra Bhatu,
4. Forms of Buddhas and their consorts,
5. Five elements of Life.

Important days to visit this Holy Sites are:

1. Buddha Purnima (Birthday of Load Buddha, April-May)
2. Gunla (the Holy Buddhist Month. Aug-Sept, early morning)

Changu Narayan Temple

This is located on a magnificent hill top commanding a fantastic view of Kathmandu valley. The Changu Narayan –the temple of Lord Vishnu –is six kilometer north of Bhaktapur City. The temple is full of magnificent of art works in metal and wood. In fact it is one of the finest examples of Nepalese architecture. The first epigraphic evidence of Nepalese history found in the temple premises during the reign of the Lichchhavi King Mandeva dating back to 464 A.D. shows that Changu had already been established as a sacred location in the 3^rd century. The present structure was probably constructed in the 17^th century, though older elements have been incorporated during the restorations. The pagoda style temple has several master pieces of 5^th and 12^th century Nepalese art. Some of the important sculptures here as:

1. Viswo Roop,
2. Vishnu Vikranta,
3. Vishnumounted in his Vehicle Garuda
4. Narsingh Vishnu

Garden Fountains

If any one interested then you can visit this link.
garden fountains

Rafting in Nepal >>> Nepal Rafting

Nepal has many different ranging graded rivers for white water paddlers as many as Himalayan ranges for trekkers. River running is virtually as old as civilization itself but Rafting and Kayaking as recreational activities are relatively new in Nepal. A river journey in an exotic country like Nepal makes traveler's journey unique and unforgettable. This recreational activity gives visitors extra ordinary way of discovery it's civilization, rural areas, cultural, flora and fauna by floating on rubber boat on the river and coming into contact with village people the conventional traveler hardly ever get to meet.

Pleasure of River running is complemented. A river trip is often an adventure but not always. An amateur with a little sense of adventure can equally enjoy it. A river trip also provides an opportunity for geological surveys and fishing. You are provided with whitewater life-vest to put on all the time while on the river. You are also provided with a helmet. A trained professional river guide heads the rafting team, drifting easily oftentimes paddling away in a frenzy whooping and screaming with waves crashing in through powerful, fast flowing rapids. Even the stability, sturdiness and buoyancy of Modern self-bailing rafts enable to safety challenge on these exiting rivers.

Pashupati Nath Temple

Pashupati Nath Temple

This temple is situated five kilometers east of Kathmandu city center. Pashupati literally means “Lord of Animals” and is considered to be the patron deity of Nepal. Pashupati Nath is regarded as one of the holiest sites for Hindus all over the world.

Pashupati Nath temple is a pagoda style two-tiered golden roof with exquisitely carved four silver doors containing in its sanctum a phallic idol with four faces facing each directionand the 5^th one is looking up towards the Zenith. A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was constructed at the present site by Lichchhavi King Supushpa Verma according to an ancient chronical. However the present temple is claimed to have been built by King Bhupatindra Mall in 1697 A.D. Legend has it that a cow would frequently escape from its herds and offer milk on a Jyotirlinga which denotes the paint where the temple stands today. It is said that a certain cowherd much to his surprise found the self-generated Jyotirlinga when he dug the spot where the cow would give milk. The spot immediately became the center of worship that has been continued till today.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square (world heritage sites)

 Bhaktapur meaning the city of devotes, was founded by King Ananda Dev in 1197 A.D. according to the Lichchhavi period (185-750 A.D.). There are many monuments including pagodas, palace, shikhara style monuments, courtyards and Buddhists shrines and monasteries. The Durbar Square was the seat of the Mall Kings and the present structures were erected from the 12^th to the 18^th century. Bhaktapur is located at around 12 kilometer away from the Kathmandu City. Bhaktapur city is believed as oldest city of Nepal. It symbolizes whole Nepalese traditions. While you are visiting Bhaktapur you can see traditional houses, traditional dress up, monuments, Pagoda temples, culture and their activities. Most of the people are engaged in farming beside this some people are busy in making wood sculpture,  paintings and stone sculpture. Tourist at least buy one things from Baktapur for memory to whole life. So Bhaktapur is the best places among the historical places of Nepal. Some prominent monuments are listed as below:

Prominent Monuments:

1. The Lion Gate,
2. Golden Gate,
3. Four Pilgrimage Sites,
4. Stone Column,
5. Fifty Five Windows Palaces,
6. Vastala Temple,
7. Yakchescuar Mahadev,
8. Taumadi Square,
1. Nayatapola,
2. Bhairab Nath Temple,
3. Teel Mahadev Narayan Temple.
9. Dathareya Square.
1. Dattareya Temple,
2. Bhimsen Temple,
3. Pujari Nath.

Patan Durbar Square(world heritage sites)

Patan Durbar Square

Patan also known as Lalitpur means the city of arts. It is located across the river Bagmati only five kilometers south of Kathmandu City Center. This city founded in 3^rd century, by King Veera Dev, has a distinction of being the home of the finest craft and is considered as an oldest city of all the three cities of Kathmandu Valley. Most of the monuments in this square date back to the medieval Malla Period from 16^th to 18^th century and the monuments in the area are mostly credited to King Siddhi Narsingh Mall, Shri Niwas Mall and Yog Narendra Mall. Main chowks (courtyards); Patan Durbar Square consists of three main courtyards –Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Mani Keshab Narayan Chowk which houses the Patan Museum. The Sundari Chowk built by King Siddhi Narsingh Mall in 1647 A.D. contains the master piece of stone sculpture. Some of the famous monuments are listed as below:

Prominent Monuments:

1. Bhimsen Temple,
2. Vishwa Nath Temple,
3. Jagatnarayan Temple,
4. Harishankar Temple,
5. Taleju Temple,
6. Stone Column,
7. Krishna Mandir,
8. Golden Temple,
9. Kumbheshwor Temple,
10. Mahaboudha.   

Patan Durbar Square

 

Tourism: Most visited place by Tourists

Tourism: Most visited place by Tourists: "Kathmandu Durbar Square Kathmandu Durbar Square lies in the heart of the Kathmandu city. The locals know this are by its old name Hanuman D..."