Kathmandu valley is the central capital of Nepal which is situated at an altitude of 1336 meters above seas level and covers an area of 218 Square Miles. Kathmandu Valley comprises the three ancient cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur which were once independent states ruled by the Malla Kings from the 12th to the 18th Centuries. The three cities are the house of seven UNESCO World Heritage shrines which are together listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The valley is also home to more than hundreds of other exquisite monuments, sculptures artistic temple and magnificent art reminders of the golden era in Nepal's Architecture.
The Seven world Heritage Shrines include the Kathmandu Durbar Squares (Hanuman Dhoka), Patan Durbar Squares, and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares, the Buddhist stupas Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, the Hindu temples Pashupati Nath and Changu Narayan.
Satellite treks and Expedition is the renounced operator of the tour combining with the best attractions of Nepal. The UNESCO listed heritage sites of Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan National Park and Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha with the combination of the world-famous natural city Pokhara are enclosed in this rectangular tour package itinerary. This package is designed for all kind of natural, cultural, religious and adventurer travellers in Nepal. We offer varies categories of the trip as per the interest and requirement of concerns to meet their expectation and dreams true as a lifetime achievement.
Pashupatinath Temple Situated at 5 KM east of Kathmandu City. Pashupatinath temple is one of the holiest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the holy Bagmati River, the temple built in pagoda style has a jilted roof and richly carved silver doors. It is a powerhouse of a Hindu spiritual. Visitors are permitted to view the temple from the east bank of the Bagmati River, as an entrance to the main temple is strictly prohibited from all non-Hindus. The big festival that occurs once a year called “MahaShivaratri” in spring attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees from within Nepal and from India which falls in the month of February or March. The surrounding heritage complex of Shaivite shrines, Lingams and Ghats (stone steps) is fascinating and definitely worth the visit.
This Stupa, situated at 8KM east of Kathmandu City and it is one of the biggest stupas in the world. It stands with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal directions keeping watch for righteous behaviour and human prosperity. This Buddhist Stupa was built by King Man Deva at the advice of the Goddess Mani Jogini. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels. The shrine is encircled by houses of Lamas or Buddhist priests.
Swayambhunath is situated approximately 4 KM west from tourist centre Thamel and this Buddhist Stupa is said to be 2000 years old. This is a place that offers one of the definitive experiences in Kathmandu. This sacred locale, a monkey temple, is always mobbed by monkeys and is a chaotic jumble of Hindu and Buddhist iconography. A gleaming white Stupa makes for its centre and is topped by a gilded spire painted with the eyes of the Buddha. What makes it an absorbing experience are the ancient carvings made into every spare inch of space and the smell of incense and butter lamps hanging heavy in the air.
Patan Durbar Square, like its counterpart in Kathmandu, is an enchanting mélange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. Listed as a World Heritage Site, the former royal palace complex is the centre of Patan’s religious and social life and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects. One remarkable monument here is a 17th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu god Krishna, built entirely of stone.
The attractions of Patan
Besides the above-mentioned places to visit there are other significant sites to be visited:
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Just about 8 miles which are 13 km away from the capital to the east of the Kathmandu valley is an ancient Newar city, Bhaktapur. It is a place where you get to see the majestic art and architectures of the local community ancient Newar city is very rich in cultural traditions, art and architecture. Various cultural traditions are the main attraction of this place. Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nyatapol temple are some of the major tourist spots of this place. Bhaktapur is not only famous for its art and architectures but also for its local cultures, festivals and traditions which have been attracting tourists for a long time now. The massive earthquake of 2015 might have damaged a lot of heritage sites but the tourism of this place is still intact.
Popular Places to visit in Bhaktapur
UNESCO World's heritage site Kathmandu durbar square is situated in front of the old Royal Palace, at the heart of the ancient city of Kathmandu which is surrounded by both Hindu and Buddhist temple. It is the main attraction of Kathmandu valley. Previously palaces were held by the Malla and Shah Kings who ruled over the city. The name Hanuman Dhoka Durbar square came from the statue of Hanuman (the monkey devotee of Lord Ram), was established by King Pratap Malla in 1672 A.D. Besides with this Durbar (royal palaces), the squares are surrounded by quadrangles, reviling courtyards and temples.
Apart from that, Kathmandu Durbar Squares popularly known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square. The squares inside of the palaces are considered as the major section because the royal coronation of King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in 1975 and King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in 2001 was held here. The palace is designed with high details of the carved wooden window, panels and houses are made up of pagoda style. Only limited parts of the palace are open for the visitors whereas Taleju temple is only open for people from Hindu and Buddhism faiths. The major interesting things around the outer complex that perceive with the eyes is of Kumari (The living Goddess), Maru Ganesh, Shiv Parvati temple etc. Besides these, other interesting aspects are various festivals, cultural trends that have been followed from centuries, which are presented in the durbar square. These major festivals include Gai Jatra, Indra Jatra, Machhendranath Jatra etc
The stone circa of 8th century of sleeping Narayana (God Vishnu) with the larger size than human living body, on the coils of a cosmic serpent on the infinite ocean from which the world emerges located in the North part from central Kathmandu in Nepal is known as Budhanilakantha. The Lord is shown lying down on a thousand-headed snake named Shesha Nag (Ananta- Nag) means timeless or ageless snake. “This primal insight into the dreamlike nature of the world of appearances has an oddly contemporary resonance given the direction of modern scientific thought.
