The Valley is situated at an altitude of 1,336 m above sea level and covers an area of 218 sq. miles. The rich tapestry of the cultural heritage of Nepal is synthesized in the Kathmandu Valley, the home of the ancient and sophisticated Newari culture. The civilization of its three cities-Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. The skillfully-built temples and places, delicate- engraved stone and metal images, carved wooden columns and pillars, and the history laden shrines and charity’s of these historical cities stand testimony to the Newark’s artistic achievements.

Pashupatinath
Pashupati Situated 5 km east of Kathmandu, the temple of Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath. With two tiered golden roof and silver door is considered one of the holiest shrines for Hindus. Although only Hindus are allowed inside the temple, visitors can clearly seen the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River. The temple was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.

The temple of Pashupatinath is located on the western bank of Bagmati river in Kathmandu, the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. In its sanctum is placed a Jyotirlinga (believed to have self appeared), the like of which is not found existence anywhere else in the world.

Machchendranath Temple
The Temple of Sweta Machchhendranath is situated at Machchhendra Bahal between Indra Chowk and Asan. It is a pagoda of considerable artistic beauty. The deity is also called Janmadyo or Machchhebndra.

Akash Bhairav Temple
A three-story temple in the main market avenue, called Indra Chowk, the image of Akash Bhairav is displayed outside for a week during Indra Jatra, the festival of Indra, the God of Rain.

Hanumandhoka (Kathmandu Durbar Squaare)
It is the historical seat of royalty. The Durbar Square, with its old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that the kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized. Interesting things to see here are: Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD, the temple of Kal Bhairav, the God of destruction, Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the big Drum and the Jagannath Temple. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.

On the right hand corner, a large wooden lattice screen hides an enormous gailded face of Sweta Bhairav. The screen is removed only during the Indra Jatra festival.
There are also the Numismatic Museum and Tribhuvan Museum inside the Hanuman Dhoka Place building. Photography is prohibited inside the museums. Both the museums remain closed on Sundays, Mondays and government holidays.

Temple of Kumari (Kumari Ghar)
Kumari (vestal virgin), or the Living Goddess, who represents a very ancient Hindu deity of Nepal locally known as Taleju, is Buddhist by birth. The temple of Kumari is situated in the vicinity of Hanuman Dhoka Place. The building has intricately carved wooden balconies and window screens. The Kumari acknoeledges greetings from her balcony window. Once a year, during Indra Jatrafestival, the King of Nepal seeks the Kumari’s blessing.

Kasthamandap
Located near the temple of Kumari, it is said to have been built by King Laxmi Narsingha Malla in the beginning as the sixteenth century. It is said to be constructed from the wood of a single tree. The city of Kathmandu derives its name from this temple.


BhadrakaliTemple
At 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 “Shakti” Temple of Kathmandu city.

Budhanilkantha
About 8 km north of Kathmandu, at the base of Shivapuri hill is a remarkable colossal statue of Lord Vishnu, reclining on a bed of snakes. This fifth century statue is in the middle of a small pond and seems float in water.

Swayambhunath
This is one of the world’s most glorious Buddhist Chaityas. It is saidto be 2,000 years old. Painted on the four sides of the spire’s base are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is 3 km west of Kathmandu city and is situated on a hillock about 77m above the level of the Kathmandu Valley and hence commands an excellent view of the Valley. This Stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.

The NationalMuseum
Located about 2 km west of Kathmandu, the National Museum has a splendid collection of weapons and artifacts from ancient, medieval and modern Nepal. Its archaeological and historical displays are worth seeing. The museum is closed on Sunday/Monday and government holidays.

Bouddhanath
The Stupa of Bouddhanath lies 8 km east of Kathmandu. This ancient colossal Stupa is one of the biggest in the world, and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.

Gorkarna
This lovely Royal Games Sanctuary, also known as Gokarna Safari Park, lies about 10 km north-east of Kathmandu. Manu wild animals such as spotted deer can be viewed in the sanctuary. On the northern side of Gokarna, is Pagoda of Gokarneshwor Mahadev.

Kirtipur
It is a small town, 8 km southwest of Kathmandu and situated at a top of hill. Tribhuvan University, Nepal’s premier seat of education is located at the foothills of Kirtipur. This historic town has many things to offer like old shrines and temples and old houses. Some of the folks are typically dressed in trasitional costumes, and can be spotted working on looms.

Dakshinkali
The temple of Dakshinkali is situated about two km south of Shekha Narayan. Dakshinkali is regarded as one of most important Hindu goddesses. Pilgrims visit this temple to offer their prayers and animal sacrifices are made to the goddess. The place is also a popular picnic spot.

Patan Durbar Square
Situated in the heart of the city, constitutes the focus of visitor’s attraction. The Square is full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings. The Square is full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings. The Patan Durbar Square consists of three main chowks or courtyards, the Central Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshar Narayan Chowk. The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal Bath called Tushahity. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.

Krishna Mandir
Built in 1637 AD the temple of Lord Krishna holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan. It is supposed to be the first specimen of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. It is the only temple in Nepal having 21 spires and in completely made of stone.

Godavari
Situated at the foothills of Phulchowki, the Royal Botanical Garden of Godavari has splendid natural beauty. The road from Patan city runs to Godavari to the southeast, passing through the small old towns of Harisiddhi, Thaiba and Badegaun. The only botanical garden in Nepal, it is open daily including weekends and government holidays.
 
Bhakapur Durbar Square
The Golden Gate is the entrance to the main courtyard of the Palace of 55 Windows. Built by King Ranjit Malla, the gate is one of the most beautiful and richly carved specimen of its kind in the entire world. This gate is embellished with deities and monsters with marvelous inticacy. The palace of 55 Windows was built in 1700 AD. Among the brick walls of 55 windows, this balcony is a masterpiece of wood carving. The stone temple of Batsala Devi, which is also located in the Durbar Square, is full of intricate carvings. This temple also sets a beautiful example of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. There is a bronze bell on the terrace of the temple which is also known as the “Bell of Barking Dogs”. This colossal bell, placed in 1737 AD, was rung to signal curfew during those days.
The main square of the city contains innumerable temples and other architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, the Picture Gallery, the Batsala temple, etc. A Magnificent statue of king Bhupatindra Malla in the act of worship is placed on a column facing the palace. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in1979.
 
NyatapolaTemple
King Bhupatindra Malla built this five-story pagoda in 1702 AD. It stands on a five-terraced platform. On each of the terraces squat a pair of figure. This is one of the tallest pagodas and is famous for its massive structure and subtle workmanship.
 
DattatrayaTemple
Built in 1427 AD, this temple is said to have been built from the trink of a single tree. Near this temple is a monastery with exquisitely carves peacock windows.
 
Surya Vinayak
Situated in a beautiful surrounding of Bhadgoan, the temple of Ganesh is placed in a sylvan setting to catch the first rays of the rising sun. It is a good picnic spot flanked by many attractive landscapes.

Changu Narayan
Situated at the end of a long ridge which runs well into the Valley, it is said to have been built by King Hari Dutta in 323 AD and said to be the oldest temple in the Valley. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.
 
Namo Buddha
It is situated on a hill above Panauti. It requires an easy drive or good walk to get there. There is an amazing legend related to the Buddha.


Outside Kathmandu Valley


LUMBINI

Buddhists literature declared that the newly born Prince Siddhartha took seven steps and utters some precious words as epoch-making message to the suffering humanity. It happened in the beautiful sal grove of Lumbini. The garden was renowned for the beauty of its shady grove of lush green trees and colorful flowers. Maya Devi, the queen of Shakya King Suddhodna of Kapilavastu, on the way to her maternal hometown Devadaha, was passing through the Lumbini Garden. It was the Vaisakha Poornima (Full Moon Day) of 623 BC, while the queen was walking to the garden and took bath in the Puskarini. After bath she proceeded toward the north, felt labor pain and took support of the branch of a tree. While holding the branch of a tree, she gave birth to the Prince.

Today devotees and visitors from all over the world come to Lumbini, the timeless place where ancient monuments gloriofy the birthplace of Sakyamuni and bear witness to the record of the noteworthy visits by famous dignitaries. The pilgrims deeply immerse themselves in the serene spiritual atmosphere of Lumbini.

The famous Maurya Emperor Asoka guided by his spiritual teacher Upagupata made a pilgrimage to this holy site in249 BC. He erected a stone pillar bearing an inscription stating clearly Hiba Budhe Jate Sakyamuniti (here Sakyamuni Buddha was born). He worshiped the nativity tree and Puskarini (the holy pond). He also visited other surrounding historic sites of Kapilavastu, Ramgrama and Devadaha.

Three famous Chinese pilgrims- Tseng Tsai(4th century AD), Fa-Hsien (5th century AD) and Hiuen-Tsang (7th century AD) also visited Lumbini. Of them, Hiuen Tsang’s travel account gives the detail description of Lumbini. He had seen the stump of the nativity tree, a chaitya, the Asokan Pillar, the holy pond puskarini, the Telar(oily) River and the source of warm and cool water springs.

King Ripu Malla (1312 AD) of Karnali, west Nepal, visited Lumbini and left the mark of his visit engraved on the top of the Asokan Pillar-Om Mani Padme Hum Ripu Malla Ciranjayatu. The association of Lumbini with the Buddha went slowly to oblivion and the name Lumbini gradually changed to Rupandehi (the present name of the district).

General Khadga Shumsher Rana, the Governa of Palpa and Dr. Alois Fuhrer, an imminent archaeological surveyor in British India, discovered the Asokan Pillar in 1896. As the pillar was discovered and the famous inscription deciphered, more and more people were interested in the archaeology and history of the site. P.C. Mukherji conducted an excavation in 1899 and identified the Nativity Sculpture as well as some of the structural remains in and around the birthplace. In 1930’s, General Kaiser Shumsher Rana carried out a large-scale excavation at the holy complex of Lumbini and covered up the archaeological site with a view to strengthen the Maya Devi Temple.

The Department of Archaeology (DOA)/Nepal undertook the responsibility of conducting excavation, research and conservation since 1972. After the formation of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) in 1985, the development activities at Lumbini including the excavation and conservation of the holy complex have been continued. In the 1990, LDT, DOA and JBF excavated the Maya Devi Temple complex.