Kathmandu

Visiting Kathmandu is like visiting legendary shrines as every monument or tourist attraction has a legend associated with it. The cities of Kathmandu, Bhaktpur, and Patan are so close in distance but so distinct in their architecture and landscape that it is difficult to imagine that they are close neighbors. One common aspect that brings them together is the existence of the Durbar Square around which most of the attractions are located. Kathmandu has four World Heritage sites, namely, Durbar Square, Swaymbhu Nath, Boudh Nath, and Pashupati Nath Temple.

Swayambhunath

The hilltop Stupa of Swayambhunath, considered 2,000 years old, is one of the holiest places for Newari Buddhists. The hilltop is a pleasant spot to view the valley and is home to hordes of monkeys. On major Buddhist festivals like Buddha Punima or Tibetan Losar (New Year), Buddhists throng to the stupa.

Pashupatinath

The Pashupatinath Temple, situated on the banks of River Baghmati around 8 km from the city, is one of the holiest Hindu shrines. The presiding deity here is Shiva, who is worshipped in the form of the lingam. However, only Hindus are allowed inside. An annual pilgrimage on the occasion of Shivaratri is organised here every year in the month of February.

Boudnath

Boudnath is one of the largest stupas in the world and an important Buddhist pilgrimage. Today, Boudnath bustles with Tibetan population, busy with carpet manufacture, trade, and prayers at the several monasteries belonging to different sects of Tibetan Buddhism.

Hanuman Dhoka

The name of the old royal palace has been derived from the statue of Hanuman (the monkey god of Hindu mythology) that guards the entrance. The building has remained uninhabited from the days of its first construction in the 13th century. Most of the older structures are now gone and the present building is a highly modified version of the earlier one. It is now used mainly for royal ceremonies. The main attractions here include the...