Real Nepal

Monday, December 19, 2011

Famous Places

Changu Narayan

One of the four Narayans of kathmandu valley. Changu Narayan lies 18 km east of kathmandu. Inscription found here are the frist epigraphic evidences of Nepal history. It is also called Madav narayan and in Magh every year it is given bath in sati river in Sankhu. Some important sculptures of Bishory are found here. Eg: Vishwaroop Murti, Garuda Narayan , Nrisingha Narayan, Kautibhaira, etc.

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.

Khokana Khokana is a Newari farming village lying 7 km south of the Ring Road that encircles the two cities of kathmandu and Patan. The village begins with a wide cobbled street and in the middle of the main street lies the temple of Shekali Mai, Kokhana's local mother Goddess. Khokana is famous for mustard oil, which is still made the traditional way, and spun woollen yarn.		Nagarkot Nagarkot is a popular tourist resort of Nepal. It is situated 32 km east of kathmandu at an altitude of 2,175 m above sea level. The panorama of the major peaks of the eastern Nepal Himalaya including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) can be seen from here. Nagarkot is famous for sunrise and sunset viewing.
Kakani Located 29 km northwest of kathmandu city, the fabulous holiday area of Kakani features attractions ranging from beautiful alpine scenery to the magnificent Himalayan panorama particularly of the Ganesh Himal massif. Other peaks that can be closely seen from Kakani are : Gaurishankar (7134m), Choba Bhamre (6109m), Manslu (8,163m), Himalchuli (7,893m), Annapurna (8091m), and several other peaks.		Gosainkunda One of the most famous pilgrimage destinations of Nepal is gosainkunda lake which is situated at an altitude of about 4,360m. The best approach to Gosainkunda is through Dhunche, 132km to the northeast of kathmandu by a motorable road. Surrounded by high mountains on the north and the south, the lake is grand and picturesque. There are other nine famous lakes such as Saraswati, Bhairav, Sourya, Ganesh Kunda, etc.

Dhulikhel

This ancient town is situated 30 km east of kathmandu on the side of the Arniko Rajmarga (kathmandu-Kodari Highway). The Newar town of Dhulikhel offers a traditional atmosphere along with spectacular views. Once an important link in the ancient trade route to Tibet, Dhulikhel has a glorious past which can be seen in the lovely buildings and intricate wood carvings in the shop-lined streets and temples. Pleasant climate (even during summer) is big attraction at Dhulikhel.

Namche Bazaar

The name of Namche Bazaar is generally associated with that of Sagarmatha or Mt. Everset, the higest point on earth. It is the entrance to the Everst region. Namche Bazaar is about 241 km from kathmandu the distance is generally covered within 15 days by trekking. Nowhere eles can you immerse yourself so totally among the higest mountains on earth and travel among the legendary Sherpas. One can fly from kathmandu to Lukla or Syangboche in the Everst region. Accommodations are available at Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Thyangboche, Pangboche, Pheriche, Lobuche and Gorakhshep.

Panauti It is a thriving Newari village with beautiful temples and interesting old house. The drive passes through the beautiful countryside.		Tatopani Tatopani is a small village in a picturesque setting. The hot springs of Tatopani are famous for their curative powers. A bungy jumping site is a few km away. There is a beautiful resort as well.
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 which is commemorated by an ancient stone slab and a stupa with the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.		Timal Narayan The route from Dhulikhel to Timal narayan is ideal fro a short trek. From here one can have a beautiful view of Gaurishankar Himal and other important peaks as well as the Sunkoshi river. A pleasant option is to visit the village of the Tamang people in this area.

Lumbini

Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam, the Shakya prince and the ultimate Buddha, the Enlightened One, is the pilgrimage destination of the world's millions of people faithful to all schools of Buddhism. This nativity site, identified by Indian Emperor Ashoka's comme-morative pillar is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The main attraction at the Lumbini remains the Sacred Garden spread over 8 sq km and possessing all the tresures of the historic area. The Mayadevi temple is the main attaction for pilgrims and archaeologists alike. Here we find a bas relief of Mayadevi, the Buddha's mother giving birth to him. Standing west to the Mayadeve shrine is the oldest monument of Nepal, the Ashokan Pillar. The pillar was erceted by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC to commemorate his pilgrimage to the sacred site. To the south of the pillar, we fine the sacred pond, Puskarni, where Queen Mayadevi had taken a bath just before giving birht to the Buddha.
There are other places of interest too nearby. It is accessible by air from kathmandu to Bhairawa. form kathmandu it takes about eight hours by bus or car.

Muktinath And Jomsom

It is believed that all miseries/sorrows are relieved once you visit this temple (Mukti=Nirvana, Nath= God). The famous temple of Lord Muktinath lies in the district of Mustang and is situated about 18 km northeast of Jomsom at an altitude of about 3,749m. The main shrine is a pagoda shaped temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Set into the wall around it are 108 water spouts from which pour holy water. The temple is situated on a high mountain range and is visited during fair weather. there are two ways to get to Muktinath from kathmandu. Either take a direct flight from kathmandu via pokhara to Jomsom and hike for a 7-8 hours via Kagbeni or to trek all the way from pokhara which takes 7-8 days. It is believed that one should visit this temple after competing pilgrimages of four of four Dhams in India. This temple held sacred by Hindus as well as Buddhists. The Jwala Mai temple nearby contains a spring and an eternal flame fed by natural gas underground. Jomsom is a major center is in the Annapurna region. There is a world-class accommodation facility in Jomsom from where one can enjoy remarkable natural beauty.

Gorkha Gorkha is the birthplace of King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great, the founder of modern Nepal. Situated on a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of the Himalaya is a beautiful old palace known as Gorkha Durbar. There are two attractive temples of Gorakhanath and Kali inside the palace precinct. Gorkha can be reached in about size hours by road from kathmandu and four hours from pokhara. A side trip to Manakamana temple on the way to Gorkha is very enjoyable and interesting.		Palanchowk Bhagawati It is a 42 km, one hour drive from kathmandu to Palanchowk on the Arniko Highway (Highway to Tibet border). This noted historic temple of goddess. Kali is located at a hilltop some 7 km north of Panchkhal. One can really enjoy the panoramic view of the landscape from this spot. This temple is said to have been constructed during the reign of King Man Dev. the temple houses a three feet high idol of goddess Bhagawati (Kali) artistically carved in a black stone which is one of the best examples of such intricate workmanship.
Helambu Helambu, situated about 72km northeast of kathmandu, is famous for its scenic grandeur and pleasant climate. There are many Buddhist monasteries amidst a rich and enchanting landscape. Sundarijal, the starting point to trek to Helambu, is a mere 11 km away from kathmandu. A four-five hour drive from kathmandu by a motorable road leads to Melamchi. Tarkegyang and Sermathan should not be missed.		Daman For those seeking the ultimate pan-Himalayan view, Daman is the place to go. Located 80 km southwest of the kathmandu Valley, Daman (2,400m) offers the only unimpeded view of the entire Himalayan range. Daman is located on the Tribhuvan Highway between kathmandu and the town of Birgunj. There is a view tower fitted with long range telescopes. Daman can be reached in four hours from kathmandu.
Biratnagar The second larest city of nepal, Biratnagar has some of the largest industrial undertakings in the country. There are a couple of pilgrimage spots in Dharan and Barahchhetra nearby the city. Biratnagar is linked with kathmandu by air and road.		Charikot Situated about 133 km form kathmandu, Charikot provides a spectacular view of Mt. Gaurishankar. In the eastern upper part of Dolakha township, there is a famous roofless temple of Dolakha Bhimsen.

Pokhara

Pokhara, an enchanting city nestled in the tranquil valley (827m), is the starting point for many of Nepal's most popular trekking and rafting destinations. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the fish-tail summit of Machchhapuchhre (6,977m) rising behind it create an ambience of peace and magic. The valley surrounding pokhara is home to thick forest, gushing rivers, clear lakes and the world famous views of the Himalaya. Situated 200 km west of kathmandu, pokhara is connected by air as well as by road from kathmandu and Bhairawa, a border town near India. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machchhapuchhre, five peaks of Annapurna and others.

Discover The Beauty of Pokhara

Pokhara is situated on the edge of the Pokhara Valley which is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in Nepal. Here the Seti River has dug incredible canyons in the floor of the Seti Gandaki Valley. Most of these canyons are only visible frm higher viewpoints but they are stunning to behold. If you wish to see what they look like, getting a little higher off the ground shouldn't be too difficult. The mountains here rise from 1000 m to over 8000 m over the short distance of only 30 kilometers. This astonishing fact makes them one of a kind! The Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu ranges can all be seen from Pokhara and make for a stunning backdrop. There is a fantastic waterfall known as David’s Falls where the water from nearby Phewa Lake thunders into a large hole and disappears mysteriously.

This astonishing fact makes them one of a kind! The Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu ranges can all be seen from Pokhara and make for a stunning backdrop. There is a fantastic waterfall known as David's Falls where the water from nearby Phewa Lake thunders into a large hole and disappears mysteriously.

Summers here are relatively hot and winters are mild. The region is sub-tropical because of the elevation and this means you can expect lots beautiful green shrubbery all year around. Pokhara has changed much since the 1960's. Back then it was a quiet little town which could only be reached by foot. Many considered it to be even more mystical than Kathmandu. The completion of the first road in 1968 soon brought a change to this. Tourism quickly became a major industry and the city grew rapidly. Though Pokhara is considerably bigger than it was only a few years ago, there are still a lot of green spaces which make the place feel peaceful and spacious. Most of the town's traffic is tourists traveling to the Annapurna Base Camp.

Since most of the city's growth has occurred in recent years, Pokhara is relatively modern. However, the old center known as Purano Bazaar is quite interesting and reminiscent of days gone by as are the mule caravans which arrive regularly from Mustang. There are lots of temples to visit in the region and lots of hiking trails to do. The lakes are generally not very good for swimming though boating is popular. There are a great number of natural attractions in the area which are well worth visiting.

Many tourists enjoy Pokhara as it is not as cramped as Kathmandu but it does not house as many cultural attractions as this city does. While it does have some great cultural sights, the focus tends more towards the many natural wonders around the city. Pokhara should definitely not be missed.

Chitwan

Chitwan is one of the finest national parks in Asia, renowned for its dense concentration of wildlife and top class tourist lodges, which provide the opportunity to see animals in their natural habitat. chitwan which means the 'heart of the jungle' is among the last surviving examples of the continuous band of forests and grasslands which once extended from the Indus river in Pakistan to the Burmese border. The main attraction here is the Royal Chitwan National Park, one of the largest forest regions in Asia teeming with wildlife such as the rare great one-horned rhinoceros, several species of deer, sloth dear, leopard, wild boar, fresh water dolphin, crocodile, more than 350 species for birds and the elusive Royal Bengal tiger. Royal Chitwan national Park is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site (natural) list. visitors to Chitwan may enjoy elephant back excursions, natural walks, canoe trips and jungle treks. There are several authorized agencies to organize such safaris. Visitors may also take a river raft, first driving from kathmandu to the river Trishuli or Seti Khola. The five-hour drive to Chitwan (165 km overland) from kathmandu is filled with thrilling views of the hills, rivers and plains with jungles on either side.

Basantapur Basantapur lies in Koshi zone in eastern Nepal at an altitude of 2,323m. It is famous for its natural beauty, diverse culture, beautiful landscape and cool climate. Tinjure Danda in Basantapur is forested with Rhododendron Trees. The place is ideal for sunset and surise viewing and also for viewing the majestic Himalaya.		Tanhu(Palpa) Palpa lies in Lumbini zone is the western regions of Nepla at an altitude of 2000m. Tanhu village has many attractions like natural beauty, farmlands and forests, great views of the himalayan peaks such as Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Machhapuchhare.
Hile It is situated about 13 km north of Dhakuta. The panorama of the major peaks of the easern Himalaya including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest), Makalu, Lhotse and Kumbhakarna can be viewed from here.		Antu Danda It is situated at an altitude of 1,677m in Ilam district and is famous for the splendid views of Mt. Everset and Mt. Kanchenjunga that it commands. It is one of the best places for sunrise and sunset viewing.
Tansen Situation at an altitude of 1,343m, Tansen is the most popular summer resrt in we4stern Nepal onaccount of its postion and climate. It has the most extensive views of the country's chief attraction, the Himalaya from Dhaulagiri in the west to Gaurishankar in the northest. It takes just seven hours by bus from Pokhara to reach Tansen.		Barahachhetra A few km from the main city of Biratnagar is Barahachhetra, a Hindu pilgrimage site, located at the confluence of the two rivers, the Saptakoshi and the Kokaha. There is a temple of Lord Baraha, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Historians have traced the existence of this image to the 12th centruy.

Bandipur

Located on a 1,000m ridge in Tanahu district some 140 km from kathmandu, Bandipur's hallmark is its beautiful scenery. At the eastern part of the town is the pagoda-foofed Bindabasini temple which houses go\ddess Durga, Bandipur's guardian deity. The rich wooden carvings and detailed brasss-work that adorned the tmple are replicas of those found in the many old pagoda structures of the kathmandu Valley. The other important temples and shrines in the vicinity include the Mahalazmi temple with its exquistite woodwork and the Khadga Devi teple which comes alive once a year during the Dasain festival.

Nuwakot

Nuwakot lies 72 km north of kathmandu. Nuwakot has the nine forts of the region namely Belkot, Kalikot, Malkot, Dhuwankot, Pyaskot, Simalkot, Dhaibunkot and Salynko. Nuwakot bears a special importace in the history of Nepal as King Privthvi Narayan Shah planned and launched several unification campaingns from this historic town. A pagoda-style building popularly known as the seven storey Nuwakot Palace stands as the landmark of Nuwakot. The Bhairavi Temple is the center piece of local religious practice there. Another temple in Nuwakot, the Taleju temple is situated on a small hill in the middle of the town.

Khaptad The Khaptad National Park covers 225 sq km of grassland and forested plateau. Khaptad Baba, a Hindu guru, lived here for many years. A 5 km area in the park has been reserved for meditation and tranquility, where butcherign, alcohol and tobacco are forbidden. The habitat at the park provides good cover for bear, leopard, common langur, musk deer as wellas many species of birds. Herbs with medicinal properties anad wild flowers grow in the national park.		Devghat Devghat is a popular pilgrimage spot situated at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Trisuli rivers. It lies just north of the Royal Chitwan National Park. During the Makar Sakranti festival in January, Hindu devotees gather here to take holy dips in the river. There are a number of sacred and historic sites around Devghat which provide interesting side trips: the Triveni temple and Balmiki ashram where the great sage Balmiki had his retreat, the Somewar Kalika temple and fort, Pandavanag where the protagonists of the Mahabharat once lived and the Kabilaspur fort built by the old kings of Palpa.
Janakpur A great religious place, Janakpur is famous as the birthplace of Sita, the consort of Lord Ram. Ther is an artistic marble temple of Sita (Janaki), popularly known as Naulakha Mandir. Religious festivals, trade fairs and other festivities are held here on Bivaha Panchami and Ram Navami. Janakpur is also linked with Kahtmandu by air and road.		Dhanusadham Dhanusadham lies in Janakpur zone in the Middle Develpment Region of Nepal. dhanusa is a district of temples and hermitages where devotees of Lord Ram and Sita pay obeisance. There are many religious and tourist attractions such as Ram Mandir, Ganesh Mandir, Panchamukhi Hanuman Mandir, Baba Makhandada Kuti, etc. Other main attaction are the Dhanusha pond and several other ponds.

Sirubari

Sirubari is a small village nestled on the southern slopes of a ridge at 1,700m above sea level. The height and aspect ensure a comfortable climate regardless of any season of the year.pokhara, about 20 km to the northest, is the nearest major center. The travel time for the average group to reach the village from pokhara is about 5 hours, an experiece in itself. The village which is inhabited entirely by the Gurung people, is small and compact with neat and clean trails connecting the mainly stone and slate built houses. Sirubari offers attractive valley views stretching away towards the Terai. A short walk above the villagte gives vistors a spectacular Himalayan panorama that is hard to rival from any viewpoint in the region. The living culture and tradition of the Gurings blended with their rich hospitality make for an unforgettable experiecne ofr any one who visits Sirubari.

Patan

The ancient city of Patan, lying 5 km southeast of kathmandu, is known as the city of fine arts.The city is full of Hindu temples and buddhist monuments. The diversity of the medieval culture that allowed both Hindusim and Buddhism to flourish has left a rich legacy of impressive sightseeing in the is vity for today's vistors.

Place of Patan

Krishna Mandir

Krishna Mandir, the three storeyed Shikhara type of stone Temple of Lord Krishna, is situated in the Durbar Square of Lalitpur. It was built by King siddhi Narsingha Malla of Lalitpur(Paten) in 1637 AD. It is the only temple having 21 golden spires, and is completely made of stone.The carvings on the walls of the second floor depict war second from ancient Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, and show the mastery of Nepalese medieval architects in stone works. In front of the temple, there stands a statue of an eagle, made of metal at the top of the stone pillar, representing the vehicle of Lord Krishna.This first ever temple in Shikhara style has eight sides, and the myth says that all these sides resemble the eight wives of a Mala King from Newar clam of Patan, who committed sati by burning themselves in the funeral pyre of their husband, when he died.During Krishnastami, thousands of devotees in their fine red garments and ornament, are seen in the Durbar Square of Patan, paying homage to Lord Krishna.It is supposed to be the first specimen of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal.

Patan Durbar Square Patan Durbar Square, situated in the heart of the city, costitutes the focus of visitors' attraction. The Square is full of anvient 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 a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal Bath called Tushahity. It was listed in the UNESCO WEorld Heritage Monument List in 1979.		Patan Museum This museum inside the Durbar Square specializes in bronze statues and religious objects. It is considered one of the best museums in Asi. Opens daily from 9:00 am to 5:pm. Entrance fee Rs. 120 for other foreign visitors and Rs.30 for SARRC nationals. It is cloed only for 3 days during Dashain and for 3 days during Tihar.
The Ashokan Stupas There are four ancient stupas popularly believed to have been built in 250 BC by Emperor Ashoka at the four cardinal directions of Patan. The four stupas are situated in Pulchok, Lagankhel, Ebahi and in Teta (way to Sano Gaon) respectively. These stupas are evidence of the city's ancient religious importance.		Patan Industial Estate Patan Industial Estate is situated at Lagankhel in Lalipur (Patan) near Sat Dobato. this industrial estate is well known for Nepali handicrafts such as wood carvings, metal craft, carpets and thangka paintings. For the convenience of tourists, there is a shopping arcade where all the handicraft products are exhibited.
Kumbheshwor This five-tiered temple of Lord Shiva was built during the reign of King Jayasthiti Malla. On the Janai Poornima day in August, a fair is held in Kumbheshwor.		Jagat Narayan Temple This tall, imposing temple of Lord Vishnu is situated at Sankhmul. The temple has many fine stone images and an artistic metal statue of Garuda on a stone pillar.
Rudra Varna Mahavihar This unique Buddhist monastery contains an amazing collection of images and statues in the ancient times were crowned in this monastery. Many of the treasures offered by the devotees can be seen here even today.		Mahabouddha A little further east from Patan Durbar Square lies this Buddhist temple made of clay bricks in which thousands of images of Lord Buddha are engraved. the terra-cotta structure is one of the fourteenth century Nepalese architectural masterpieces.
Achheswor Mahavihar It was established towards the beginning of the 17th century by one Achheshwor who built a temple to house an idol of Lord Buddha. The Mahavihar has recently been reconstructed. Situated behind the Ashokan Stupa at Pulchok, the Mahavihar commands a beautiful view of the kathmandu Valley.		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, Thiba and Badegaun. The only botanical garden in Nepal, it is open daily including weekends and government holidays.
The zoo Situated at Jawalakhel, the zoo has many animals, birds and reptiles in its collection representing mostly the Himalayan fauna. There is a beautiful pond built in the 17th century.		Bajra Barahi Situated in a small wooded park, it is about 10 km south of Patan near the village of Chapagaon. A visit to Tika Bhairav and Lele from here is worthwhile.
Hiranay Varna Mahavihar Located inside Kwabadehal, htis three-story golden pagoda of Lokeshwor (Lord Buddha) was built in the twelfth century by King Bhaskar Verma. It is famous as the Golden Temple. Inside the upper story of the pagoda, are the golden images of Lord buddha and a large prayer wheel.		Phulchowki Located about 10 km southeeast of Patan, this 2,758m hill, is a good spot for hiking. A Buddhist shrine is situated on the top of the hill which can be reached through a jeepable road.
Temple of Machchendranath and Minnath The pagoda of REd Machchendranath built in 1408 AD is situated in Tabahal. For six months, the deity is taken to its other shrine in Bungmati. The temple of Minnath is situated in Tangal on the way to tabahal.

Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon)

The smallest district of Nepal. Bhaktapur, originally known as Bhadgaon, was founded in the 12th century by King Ananda Dev Malla. Situated at an altitude of 1,401m, Bhaktapur covers an area of four square miles. Bhaktapur of the City of Devotees still retains a medieval charm and visitors to this ancient town are treated to myrian wonders of cultural and artistic achievements. The past glory of the Malla rulers continues to be reflected at the Durbar Square. Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. Bhaktapur is famous for woodcarving and the Bhadgaolen topi or cap. The city lies about 14 km east of Kathmandu and can be reached by public transport and by trolley buses.

Bhaktapur : For The People

Friends: Have you ever tasted Juju-dhau? Perhaps you have heard about the majestic sunrise of Nagarkot. What about Changu Narayan, the world heritage site, and Siddha Pokhari, the pond with pearl-blue water?

The Durbar Square is the most open public place of the city. Scattered around it are grand structures like temples and palaces, decorated with wonderful works of art. The 55 window palace, the golden gate and the national art gallery with rich scroll painting are other attractions here. The Nyatapola Temple, a fice-storied shrine of Goddess Laxmi, commonly known as Panch-tale Mandir,lies to the east of the Durbar Square. It is the tallest pagoda-style temple of the country, built in 1702 AD by Malla rulers.

The main inhabitants of Bhaktapur are Newars, who inherit a very rich culture. The excel in pottery, woodcarving and sculpture. The also undertake agriculture and trade for theire livelihood.

Amazed by the beauty of this historic city of living heritage, E.A. Powell, an Englishman once commmented, "Were there nothing else in Nepal, save the Durbar Square of Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur), it would stilll be amply worth making a joruney halfway round the globe to see."

Place of Bhaktapur

Durbur Square. It is the tallest pagoda-style temple of the country, built in 1702 AD by Malla rulers.Amazed by the beauty of this historic city of living heritage, E.A. Powell, an Englishman once commented, “Were there nothing else in Nepal, save the Durbar Square of Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur), it would still be amply worth making a journey halfway round the globe to see.”

Bkaktapur Durbar Square

The golen Gate is the entracne to the main courtyard of the Palace of 55 windows. Built by King Ranjit Malla, the gate is ont of the most beautiful and richly carved specimens of its kind in the entire world. This gate is embellished with deities and monsters with marbelous intricacy. The palace of 55 Windows was built in 1700 AD. Among the brick balcony 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 Monumnet List in 1979. As per Bhaktpur Municipality from 1 Jan. 2001 entrace fees has been increased to Rs. 750 per person for foreigners and Rs. 50 per person for SAARC nationals is charged. Children under 12 years of age will not be charged.

The National Art Gallery

Contains ancient and medieval painting belonging to Hindu and Buddhist schools depiction Tantrism of various perious periods and descriptions.

Nyatapola Temple

This five-story pagoda was built in 1702 AD by King Bhupatindra Malla. It stands on a five-terraced platform. On each of the terraces squat a famous for its massive structure and subtle workmanship.

Bhairavnath Temple

This temple was first built as a one-story pagoda but was later changed into a three storey temple in 1718 AD by King Bhupatindra mall. The temple is noted for its artistic graandeur. It is dedicated to Lord Bhiarv - the God of terror.

Dattatraya Temple

Built in 1427 AD, this temple is said to have been built from the trunk of a single tree. Near this temple is a monastery with exquisitely carved peacock windows.

Dattratraya Square

the Square takes its name from the Dattrataya Temple. The Square is famous for ornate monasteries known as Maths. The National Wood-working Museum and the Brass and Bronze Museum are housed here.

Surya Vinayak

Situated in a beautiful surrounding of Bhadgaon , the temple of Ganesh is placed in a sylvan settings to catch the first rays of the rising sun. It is a good picnic spot flanked by many attractive landscapes.

Thimi

Thimi is a farming town situated 8 km east of Kathmandu on the way to Bhaktapur . Thimi is famous for earthen pots, home spun cotton cloth and artistic masks.

Nepal

The Biggest Natural Museum In The World

Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and latitudinal variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60m above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848m, all within a distance of 150 km with climatic condition ranging from sub-tropical to arctic. This wild variation fosters an incredible variety of ecosystems, the greatest mountain range on earth, thick tropical jungle teeming with a wealth of wildlife, thundering rivers, forested hills and frozen valleys.

With in this spectacular geography is also one of the richest cultural landscapes anywhere.The country is a potpourri of ethnic groups and sub-groups who speak over 70 languages and dialects. Nepal offers an astonishing diversity of sightseeing attractions and adventure opportunities found nowhere else on earth. And you can join in the numerous annual festivals that are celebrated throughout the year in traditional style highlighting enduring customs and beliefs.

We are glad to extend our warm hospitality and hope your stay in Nepal is a memorable one.

About Nepal

Situated in the lap of the Himalayas, Nepal is located between the latitude 26*22' to 30*27' North and longitude 80*4' E to 88*12' East, and elevation ranges from 90 to 8848 meters. The average length being 885 km east to west and the average breadth is 193 km from north to south. The country is bordering between the two most populous countries in the world, India in the East, South, and West, and China in the North. Nepal is a land locked country and home place of natural beauty with traces of artifacts. The Northern range (Himalayas) is covered with snow over the year where the highest peak of the world, the Mount Everest, stands. The middle range (Hill) is captured by gorgeous mountains, high peaks, hills, valleys and lakes. Southern range (Terai) is the gangaitic plain of alluvial soil and consist of dense forest area, national parks, wildlife reserves and conservation areas. The temperature and rainfall differ from place to place. In the geographic diversity and varied climatic conditions 23.2 million people of more than 60 caste/ethnic groups are accommodated in the country. Nepal presents an example of being united in diversity over the history and has maintained it's pride as being an independent sovereign state. There is constitutional monarchy where people exercise right of adult franchise. The executive, legislative and judiciary bodies function and exercise their rights independently. There is two tier system of legislation, the upper house, called the Rastriya Sabha, consists of 60 members and the Lower House, called the Pratinidhi Sabha is the house of Representatives for which members are elected from 205 electoral constituency distributed in 75 districts of the country. The elected Prime Minister heads the government.

Geographically, the country is divided in three regions; Mountain, Hill and Terai accommodating 7.44 and 49 % of the population respectively. Based on area of districts these regions constitute 35, 42 and 23% of the total land area. There are 5 development regions and 75 administrative districts. Districts are further divided into smaller units, called Village Development committee (VDC) and Municipality.

Currently, there are 3914 VDCs and 58 Municipalities in the country. Each VDC is composed of 9 wards, Municipality ward ranges from 9 to 35. Kathmandu is the capital city.There are number of peaks, rivers and lakes in the country.

Nepal is the member of the United Nations and has established diplomatic relation with 113 (Jun 2001) countries of the world. Major export commodities are paste, Pulses, oil Cake, Catechu, Jute good Sacking, Twins, Carpets (Hand knitted wollen), Readymade garments, handicrafts, ginger.

Economic growth of the country has not improved markedly over time to over take population growth. As the country estimated population growth is 2.3 per annum, the gain achieved by developmental activities has been concealed by growing population. Little over half (57%)of the population of working age reported economically active in 1991 and among them 81% were engaged in agricultural activities. Contribution of non-agricultural activities are gradually increasing in the GDP. Per capita GDP is estimated in the order of US $ 240 (preliminary estimate) for 2000/01. The currency is Nepalese Rupee.

Nepal lies in between the most populous countries of the world, India and China and maintains very good economic rapport with her neighbors which are also excellent trading partners with huge potentials for Nepalese exports. While Nepal has preferential trading arrangement with India, she has very close economic ties with China. Other close neighbors of Nepal are Bangladesh and Pakistan. Nepal and Bangladesh have already started bilateral trade through land route. Nepal along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are the seven member countries of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The SAARC nations have a Preferential Trading Arrangement and are heading to free trade area under the SAARC framework.

Ageless traditions, legends, festivals and 'shrine' like the everlasting mountains and the tranquil peace of the Himalayas countryside make land-locked Nepal a living museum- a tourists' Paradise.

Visitors can relax and unwind in the soothing autumn sun to relieve- physically and mentally from their routine affairs. So, welcome to Nepal, where the saying goes, 'Every other house is a temple and every other day a festival'.
Namaste,

The Kingdom of Nepal is land of beautiful contrasting geography and rich culture historically dating as for back us the 7th Century B.C.

Likewise, among the fauna, the alpine region of the country harbors rare animals like snow leopards, Musk Deer, Blue sheep and Himalayan Tahrs. In the lowland Terai region while on a jungle safari, encounters with rhinos, tigers, leopards, Gaurs, Sloth Bears and crocodiles are not uncommon. the numerous glacier fed rivers that flow down from the Himalayas to the Terai lowlands provide exciting white-water courses for rafting and kayaking.

General Information

Nepal is predominantly a mountainous region with varied topographical terrain covering an area of 145,302 sq. km. Nearly 80% of its land is covered by hills and mountains and the rest by plains, lowlands and river valleys.

Adorned by the greatest heights of the Himalaya , Nepal is a land of awe-inspiring panorama, time-worn temples, and some of the best walking trails in the world and is a country rich in picturesque magnificence and cultural resources.

Nepal 's major industries are tourism, carpet, textile, small rice, jute, sugar, oilseed mills, cigarettes, cement, brick production, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, and the much delicious different modifications of buffalo meat.

Nepal also boast of diverse cultures flocking together in one country. It has a population of 26.46 million who are of different race altogether namely, Newars, Thakalis, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas, Bahuns, Chhetris and Tharus

Whether its trekking, white-water rafting, kayaking and mountain biking, or from the sight of a tiger or rhino through the dawn mist from atop an elephant in Chitwan National Park , Nepal . All of these activities are certain to make a big impression on you. Many visitors, drawn to Nepal by the promise of adventure, leave equally spellbound by the friendliness of the Nepali people and their amazingly rich and diverse culture.

Ancient Footsteps

Nepal is a mountainous kingdom, located in Southern of Asia. It is a land locked, situated between China to the North and India to the South East and West. The area of Nepal is 1, 47,181 sq. km - which covers 0.3 percent of Asia and 0.03 percent area of the world. It lies between latitudes of 26’ 22’ and 30’ 27’ North and longitudes of 80’ 4’ and 88’ 12’ East. The country is only about 880 km. from East to West and its breadth varies from 145 to 241 km.
The topography changes dramatically within a short lateral distance. There is a narrow strip of low lands in the south. Further north lie the Himalayan foot hills and ranges which run roughly east-west across the country and include eight of the highest peaks in the world - each over 8000m. Geographically, Nepal is divided into three main regions: The Himalayan Region, the Hilly Region and the ' Terai' plain region.

The mountainous region covers 15 percent of the total area of the northern side of the country, lying horizontally at altitudes of 4700m and higher. In this region snow falls every season and mountains such as Everest (8848m) have attracted adventurers for many decades. Another attraction of this region are the 'kundas' (big lakes) and several national parks and wild life reserves, including Sagarmatha National Park, which is a world heritage site. In this region, you can see Sherpa settlements and perhaps sightings of snow bears and Yeti footprints.

The hilly region forms 68 percent of the country, and is formed by the Mahabharat range that soars to touch mountain region, with altitudes of 600 to 4,700 m. In winter, snow may fall in the higher areas. This region is formed by beautiful valleys like Kathmandu and Pokhara and famous for its lakes, in Pokhara Phewa, Begnas, Rupa etc. and the Tilicho lake in Manang District, which are wonderful for swimming and boating. There are three major rivers, the Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali.

Additional attractions in this region are Nagarkot and Dhulikhel, where the heart-stopping beauty of a sunrise can be viewed as never before. Most of the snow covered mountain ranges can be enjoyed from hill tops of Nagarkot, Phulchoki and Pokhara.

The Terai region covers 17 percent of the total, with an altitude of 70m to 600m above sea level. This is the region of religious icons, national parks, and wild life reserves. The most famous holy places are Janakpur, Lumbini and Barahachhetra. Lumbini was the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the champion of world peace. There are four national parks and wild life reserves in this region. Among them the Royal Chitwan National park, with its rhinoceros. This region is also noted as the place where most trekkers take the first steps of their adventure.

PEOPLE

Nepal has a population of more than 22 million people made of different races and ethnic groups living in different regions, with diverse culture, languages and dialects. The Gurungs and Magars live mainly in the west. The Rais, LImbus and Sunwars inhabit the slopes and valleys of the eastern mid hills. The Sherpas live in the Himalayan region. The Newars constitute an inportant ethnic group of the capital valley- Kathmandu. There are Tharus, Yadvas, Satars, Rajvanshis and Dhimals in the Terai region. The Brahmins, Chhetris and Thakuis are generally spread over all parts of the Kingdom.

HISTORY

Nepal has always been an independent and sovereign country with glorious history, culture and tradition that date back to time immemorial. Before the campaign of national integration was launched by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Great, the Kathmandu Valley was ruled by the Malla Kings, whose contributions to art and culture are indeed great and unique. In 1768 AD, the Shah dynasty ascended the throne of the unified Kingdom. His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev is the tenth King in the Shah dynasty. the new Democratic Constitution of the Kingdom was promulgated on November 9, 1990. Nepal is one of the founder members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

RELIGION

Nepal enjoys the distinction of being the Hindu, Buddist, Christain etc. in the world. However, there is a harmonious blending of Hinduism and Buddhism.

GEOGRAPHY

Nepal, a sovereign independent Kingdom, is bounded on the north by the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, and on the east, south and west by India. The length of the Kingdom is 885 km east-west and its breadth bvaries from 145-241 km noth-south. The country can be divided into three main geographical regions.

Geographically, the country is divided in three regions; Mountain, Hill and Terai accommodating 7.44 and 49 % of the population respectively. Based on area of districts these regions constitute 35, 42 and 23% of the total land area. There are 5 development regions and 75 administrative districts. Districts are further divided into smaller units, called Village Development committee (VDC) and Municipality.

Nepal, A journey of the heart

Rich in cultures and natural landscapes, Nepal's marvels abound. Wildlife resorts, ancient cities, grandiose mountains and flourishing valleys, along with unique people of diverse history and heritage, all make Nepal a destination that will delight every traveler. Whether you are escaping the daily stress of the office or are in search of spiritual experiences, the best way to see Nepal is by walking to the heart of its enchanting countryside. And from mellow hikes through rolling hills, to intense trekking in the world's most awesome mountains, World Adventure Trekking and Mountaineering will make your visit to Nepal unforgettable.