PLACE OF INTEREST FOR SIGHTSEEING

Introduction: Nepal has been on the tourist map for well over quarter of a century. Very few in fact would not know where Nepal is located, where the Himalayas are or where the Gorkha soldiers originated from. The purpose of this site, is to bring to our customers not only the traditional items of Himalayan holidays but new items keeping in time with the true opening up of the country for multi-faceted tourism. We endeavor to introduce to you this new face of Nepal.

Kathmandu Valley: Situated between the Himalayas to the North and the Mahabharat range of mountains to the South, Kathmandu valley has long been the center of culture, trade and learning in Nepal. Kathmandu valley comprises the 3 cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Each of these medieval cities varies with the other in the beauty of its architecture, the colors of its festivities, the grandeur of its historical monuments and the hospitality of its inhabitants. Tour highlights in and around Kathmandu valley are:

Budhanilkantha: The reclining stone image of Vishnu 16 ft. long - is only a few kilometers away from town center. It dates back 1400 years to the Lichhavi period.

Pashupatinath: The holiest of the holy Hindu temple in South Asia is the focal point of pilgrimage from all over the sub-continent. The holy river of Bagmati flowing nearby is the cremation ground of the Hindus. Funeral pyres can be viewed from across the river bank.

:Boudhanath: Probably the largest stupa in the world is also found in Kathmandu valley - the great stupa of Boudhanath. Again the omni-present eyes of the Buddha stare at all directions. This stupa is the place of worship of Tibetan Buddhists predominantly.

Swoyambhunath:  Legend has it that Manjushri, founder of Kathmandu valley, discovered the lotus of an ancient valley lake on which site the great stupa of Swoyambhunath was later built. The omni sighted stare of the Buddha greets visitors and residents alike with compassion. Swoyambhunath has been an important center for Buddhist learning undergoing construction and renovation throughout the centuries by prominent historical figures like the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great and King Manadeva I. Changu Narayan another Vishnu temple is the oldest known temple existing in the valley dating back to the 4th century.

Dakshinkali  temple located at the foothills south of the valley is the most important venue of animal sacrifices to the Goddess Durga.

Dhulikhel is situated on the Arniko Highway to Tibet. This is a perfect place for acclimatization on your overland journey into Tibet.

Godavari  the venue for summer residence of Rana prime ministers of Nepal, boasts today the Royal Botanical Gardens in the laps of Phulchowki (9,062 ft.), the highest hill surrounding the valley.

Chobhar Gorge through which the water of the primeval lake was drained by Manjushree to create the valley of Kathmandu is 20 km away to the South.

Kirtipur is a fortress town on a southern hill overlooking Kathmandu valley which is noted for the resistance by its people during King Prithvi Narayan Shahs efforts to unite Nepal.

Kakani  is a quiet hilltop resort west of the valley from where magnificent views of the Ganesh Himal and Annapurna range can be seen.

Nagarkot hilltop is 37 km away from Kathmandu offers vantage views of the Himalayan range including, Mt. Everest. It is also best point to be free from the kathmandu's polution and busy traffic.

Panauti  is one of the finest existing specimens of an all Newari settlement in Kathmandu and boasts of the 15th century Indreshwar Mahadev Temple, one of the most important temples associated with Newari culture and a Narayan shrine.

Sankhu is a post on the old trade route from Kathmandu to Lhasa famous for many fine Newari houses with elaborately carved window frames. Nearby is the temple of the tantric Goddess Bajra Jogini.

Tika Bhairab  is situated on the rim of the valley in the villages of Sunakothi, Thecho and Chapagaon. This is 5th centure temple and dedicated to an incarnation of Shiva.

Pokhara  is a picturesque town situated in the laps of the mighty Annapurna Himalayan range. Staging point of many fascinating treks in the Annapurna region, Pokhara boasts of the beautiful Lake Fewa and magnificent views of the Fishtail Mountain among others.

Gorkha  is the historical town located south-west of Pokhara where the seed of the birth of modern Nepal was sown. Conquering kings of the Shah dynasty launched their campaigns from Gorkha and ultimately unified Nepal. The famous Gurkha soldiers carry their name as a tribute to their valor during these conquests.

BUDDHIST Pilgrimage Sites in Nepal
Kapilbastu/Lumbini : Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini in Southern Nepal. Now accessible by road from the southern town of Bhairahawa 13 miles to the east. Lumbini rests on the plains of Kapilavastu, the ancient kingdom of the Sakya clan of rulers. There are numerous buildings of religious significance in Lumbini. A massive stone pillar was erected by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in 250 BC. The Maya Devi shrine houses a stone sculpture of Buddhas nativity scene and is said to be located in the exact place Buddha was born in a palace garden.

Tilaurakot was the capital city of the Sakya Kingdom now in ruins. This is the place where Lord Buddha spent 29 years of his life before he left the comforts of his palace on the quest of Nirvana. The area is about one sq. miles. In the eastern side we see the remains of the Mahaviniskramana Dwara (the gate from which Buddha departed seeking the Truth, leaving behind all worldly life). There is a museum which at the moment is housing all the archaeological remains excavated from these areas.

The other sites of interest to pilgrims are Dharampaniya, Gotihawa, Kudan, Niglihawa, Ramagriam and Sagarhawa in the Kapilvastu region.

 In the Kathmandu Valley: After the main Buddhist Stupas and Monasteries of Swoyambhunath and Boudhanath, the following sites for pilgrimage are important:

Hiranya Varna Mahavihar  located in Patan this Golden Temple is, in fact, a monastery. Within the shrine are many images of Gautama Buddha and Avalokiteshwor including a golden frieze depicting the life of Buddha immediately in front of the main shrine. The monastery is actively patronized by Buddhist communities.

Mahaboudha: This architectural masterpiece is intended to be a copy of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya in India. It is located close to Sundhara (Golden Taps) square in Patan. It was a victim of the great earthquake of 1934 and the reconstruction did not do justice to its former glory, losing both its beauty and height. Literally translated it is the temple of the thousand Buddhas and plays an important part in the daily religious rites of the inhabitants of Patan.

Namobuddha Situated atop a hill three hour walk to the south of Panauti, this place is celebrated as the meditation ground of Nama Buddha, one of the Buddha incarnates of ancient times. There is an amazing story concerned with the Buddha which is commemorated by an ancient stone slab and a Stupa with all-seeing eyes.

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