Kathmandu, the largest city of Nepal, is the political as well as cultural capital of the country. Kathmandu is a city where ancient traditions rub shoulders with the latest technological advances.
The valley is also home to hundreds of other exquisite monuments, sculptures, artistic temples and magnificent art – reminders of the golden era in Nepal’s architecture.
Places Of Touristic Interest In Nepal: (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Situated in the heart of old Kathmandu city at Basantapur, Kathmandu Durbar Square never fails to impress first time visitors with its ensemble of palaces, courtyards and temples built during the Malla period. The Durbar Square includes the Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace, the historic seat of the royalty; the magnificent Taleju Temple towering more than 40 meters; Kumari Ghar, the residence of the Living Goddess, Kumari; Ashok Vinayak, also called Kathmandu Ganesh, a temple without a filial ; and Kal Bhairav, the God of Wrath. The capital takes its name from the giant pagoda of Kasthamandap, which is said to have been built out of a single tree. Since the time of the Malla kings, the Durbar Square has been the city’s social, religious and political focal point.
Swayambhunath Stupa
Resting on a hillock 3 km west of Kathmandu, it is one of the holiest Buddhist Chaityas in Nepal. It is said to have evolved spontaneously when the valley was created out of a primordial lake more than 2,000 years ago. This stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal and has numerous shrines and monasteries on its premises.
Pashupatinath Temple
Situated 5 km east of Kathmandu, the temple of Lord Shiva is considered one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world. The two-tiered pagoda with golden roofs and silver doors houses the sacred linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord Shiva. Chronicles indicate the temple existed before 400 A.D. Near the Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River lies Guheswari, where, according to mythology, a portion of Sati Devi, Lord Shiva’s consort, fell when a grief-stricken Shiva wandered aimlessly across the earth carrying her dead body on his shoulders following her self-immolation.
Bouddhanath Stupa
Situated 8 km to the east of downtown Kathmandu, Bauddhanath is one of the most imposing landmarks in Kathmandu, visible as soon as you land at the Tribhuvan International Airport. It is the largest stupa in the Kathmandu Valley and is the center of Tibetan Buddhism.From the top of this temple you can take a magnificient view of the entire city of Kathmandu.
Pokhara
Pokhara is situated in the northwestern corner of the Pokhara Valley.
Fewa Lake: Is a freshwater lake in Nepal located in the south of the Pokhara Valley.
Seti gorge: Is a remarkable natural beauty in exotic valley Pokhara. Seti River means white water river. It is silently flows in centre part of Pokhara.
Davis Falls: Is a waterfall located at Pokhara in Kaski District, Nepal. An interesting aspect of the falls is that the water travels through a natural tunnel .
It is known as Patale Chango in Nepali.
Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave : It contains a huge stalagmite worshiped as a Shiva lingam. If you look at the ceiling of the cave, you can see branches and other detritus, forced into cracks by the force of the waters when the cave floods every monsoon.
Bindabasini Temple - The temple itself is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga, who is Pokhara's chosen guardian deity. Durga, also known as Shakti or Kali has numerous manifestations and at the Bindabasini temple she is seen as Bhagwati, a blood-thirsty aspect of the goddess. Durga appears in the form of a Saligram. A Saligram, according to Hindu mythology is an propitious stone.
Other Recreational Activities In Nepal:
1. Mountain Flight: This a wonderful flight which helps you to look at the Mountain peaks and have a close look at the MT Everest.There are three airlines you can choose from.The cost is around Rs 6000 per minute and the duration of the flight is 45min.It is a rare opportunity but depends on the climatic conditions as many a times the mounatain peaks are covered by clouds and hence we cannot get a clear view of the mountains.
2.River Rafting: This is done on the river Trishuli.It is fun and covers a distance of about 8km.It starts from a place called MUGLING and ends at MANKAMANA temple.
3.Cable Car ride: This is a long and wonderful joy ride in which you cross over the mountains in a cable car.The cable car ride is one of the longest in Asia.It takes you the famous Mankamana Temple.It is believed the wish made in this temple comes true.
4. Nepalese Cultural Show: Here you get to experience the traditional Nepali food and get to know their culture, which is presented in the form of dances.
The place Nepal is not only abode of Gods and Goddess but a place to spend some quality time with your family. We left from Mumbai via Delhi to Kathmandu and had a wonderful stay in Radisson group of hotel. It was a great experience. A tour meant for all ages.