Nepal Heritage

A. Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the biggest Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The temple served as the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath, until Nepal was secularized. The temple is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

Believers in Pashupatinath (mainly Hindus) are allowed to enter the temple premises. Anyone not born in Nepal or India is considered a non-Hindu by the temple authorities. Non-Hindu visitors are allowed to have a look at the temple from the other bank of Bagmati river.

It is regarded as the most sacred among the temples of Lord Shiva

B. Boudhanath

Boudhanath (also called Bouddhanath, Bodhnath or Baudhanath or the Khasa Caitya) is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is known as Khasti by Newars as Bauddha or Bodh-nath by modern speakers of Nepali.[1] Located about 11 km (7 miles) from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa's massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal.

The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath dominates the skyline. The ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world. The influx of large populations of Tibetan refugees from China has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath. As of 1979, Boudhanath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with Swayambhunath, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Kathmandu area.

The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner, passes by Boudnath Stupa to the ancient and smaller stupa of Ca-bahi (often called 'Little Boudnath'). It then turns directly south, heading over the Bagmati river to Patan - thus bypassing the main city of Kathmandu (which was a later foundation).[1] Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Bouddhanath. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kasyapa sage venerable both to Buddhists and Hindus.

C. Swambhunath Stupa

Swambhunath Stupa is a Buddhist stupa situated on a west of Kathmandu city and about 7 kilometers above the level of the valley. This hill is a mosaic of small stupa and pagoda temple. It is one of the most fascinating architectural jewels of the world. It is said to be 2000 years old and visitors often call it the "Monkey Temple." The stupa, which forms the main structure, is made of a solid hemisphere of brick and clay supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gift. This Swambhunath stupa stands commanding a magnificent view of Kathmandu Valley and the breath taking panorama of the north eastern Himalayan range. Swayambhunath Stupa is a golden spire crowning a conical wooded hill. It is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu Valley. It has a lofty white dome and a glittering golden spire that are visible from all sides of the valley. Historical records found on a stone inscription give evidence that the stupa was already an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination by the 5th century A.D. i.e. before the coming of Buddhism in the valley.

Mythology
SwayambhunathAccording to Swayambhu Puran, the entire Kathmandu valley was once filled with an enormous lake, out of which grew a mystical Lotus. The valley came to be known as Swayambhu, meaning 'Self-Created' or 'Self-Existent'. The Bodhistava Manjushri had a vision of the lotus at Swayambhu and traveled there to worship it.

In order to make the site more accessible to human pilgrims, Manjushri cut a gorge through the mountains surrounding the valley. The water drained out of the lake, leaving the valley in which Kathmandu now lies. The lotus was transformed into a hill and the flower become the Swayambhunath stupa.

D. Patan Durbar Square

Patan located on lovely little plateau across the river Bagmati is only 7 kilometers south east of Kathmandu. The city is considered as the oldest of all 3 cities of the Kathmandu Valley. This city founded in 3rd century AD by King Veera Dev has a distinction of being the home of the finest Newar crafts since time immemorial. Meaning the city of fine arts has hundred of fascinating Hindu and Buddhist monuments scattered in and around. Nowherelse can be seen such a compression of marvellous monuments within a limited space like in the Patan Durbar Square. Recognized by UNESCO as a world hiritage site, the square has been described as one of the the most picturesque collections of buildins that have been set up in so small place by the piety og oriental man.

E. Bhaktapur

The Durbar Squares are the historic cores of the three major towns within the Kathmandu Valley. Durbar means palace and the squares were developed around the former royal palaces and a series of important temples and shrines, linked together by an open public space. They were and still are the center of public life in the cities. It is one of the world heritage sites listed by UNESCO in 1979. However, Bhaktapur Durbar Square is an assortment of pagoda and shikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The square is part of a charming valley as it highlights the idols of ancient kings perched on top of stone monoliths, the guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the wood carvings in very place - struts, lintels, tympanums, gateways and windows - all seem to form a well orchestrated symphony.

F. Kathmandu Durbar Square

A very Hindu text has described Kathmandu as the land of gods surrounded by beautiful mountains around. Some two hundred years ago, a western visitor wrote that there were as many temples as there were houses and many idols as there were people. Duly recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO, this particular area best known as Kathmandu Durbar Square lies in the heart of this city. The locals know this area by its old name Hanuman Dhoka Palace Square, the seat of the late Nepalase Royalty.

A Cluster of Temples and Palaces
Durbar Square Kathmandu NepalListed as one of the eight Cultural World Heritage site by UNESCO, Kathmandu Durbar Square is a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that date back to the 12th and 18th centuries. The square is known to be the social, religious and urban focal point of the Capital City.

The Palace Complex was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and is the site of important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels an. It houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial Museum and the Mahendra Museum.

G. Changu Narayan

Changu Narayan is the name of the deity enshrined in the Changu Narayan Temple, located near the Changunarayan village in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples of the valley, and is believed to have been constructed in the 4th century. Changu Narayan is the name of Vishnu, and the Temple is dedicated to him. A stone slab discovered in the vicinity of the temple dates to the 5th century, and is the oldest such stone inscription discovered in Nepal. The Changu Narayan Temple is one of seven structures cited by UNESCO as demonstrating the historic and artistic achievements that make the Kathmandu Valley a World Heritage Site.[1]

Known as the biggest among the Narayans, Changu Narayan has greater importance than the others. It is situated at the top of the hill. One can view the beautiful white Himalayas and hills in the north and the whole panoramic view of the Kathmandu valley. The steep green hill of pines adds to its beauty.

G. Chitwan National Park

At the foot of the Himalayas, Chitwan is one of the few remaining undisturbed vestiges of the 'Terai' region, which formerly extended over the foothills of India and Nepal. It has a particularly rich flora and fauna. One of the last populations of single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros lives in the park, which is also one of the last refuges of the Bengal tiger.

Chitwan National Park is the first national park in Nepal. Formerly called Royal Chitwan National Park it was established in 1973 and granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. It covers an area of 932 km2 and is located in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal in the Chitwan district. In altitude it ranges from about 100 metres (330 ft) in the river valleys to 815 metres (2,674 ft) in the Churia Hills. In the north and west of the protected area the Narayani-Rapti river system forms a natural boundary to human settlements. Adjacent to the east of Chitwan National Park is Parsa Wildlife Reserve, contiguous in the south is the Indian Tiger Reserve Valmiki National Park. The coherent protected area of 2,075 km2 represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) Chitwan-Parsa-Valmiki, which covers a 3,549 km2 huge block of alluvial grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests.

I. Sagarmatha National Park

The prime attraction in the Sagarmatha Nationl park is Mt. Everest, the highest peak of the world. The park was added to the list of world Heritage Site in 1979. The park, a part of the Himalayan ecological zone, has several other prominent peaks most of which are above 6000 meters. With most of the park above 3000 meters, Sagarmatha is full of rugged terrain with dep gorges, glaciers and huge rocks. With its Himalayan terrain and its unique culture, the park offers a blend of natural and cultural tourist products here. The vegetation at lower elevation is dominated by pine and hemlock forests, while above 3500 meters the forest is dominated with silver fir, birch, rhododendron, and juniper trees. During spring and monsoon the varieties of rhododendron flowers are seen. The common wildlife in the park are Himalayan tahr, ghoral, musk, deer, pikka(mouse here) weasel,, jackal etc. Other rarely seen animals are Himalayan black bear, wolf, lynx, and snow leopard. Birds inhabiting the park are of over 193 species. Common ones among them are the impeyan pheasant(Danfe), blood pheasant, red billed chough, yellow-billed chough, snow ncock snow pigeon, Himalayan griffon and lammergeyer. The national park also showcases the cultural trophies with the warm Sherpa hospitality and its many monaseries and cultural landmarks.

J. Lumbini

Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha, is the centre of holy faith for the millions of Buddhists all over the world. Located in south-western Nepal, Lumbini holds several reminders of Lord Buddha. One of the most important historical sites in Nepal is endowed by nature with rich natural beauty. The holy site of Lumbini became the World Heritage Site in 1997 and was nominated for World Heritage Program where the archaeological remains, ancient ruins and antiquities, found associated with the birth of the Lord Buddha. This place has become one of the most-visited sites of the world where not only the followers of Buddhism make their religious trip but followers of other faiths visited to explore the historical evidence of the Buddhism which spread not only in the Indian subcontinent but also in other parts of the world like Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Laos, Vietnam, Japan, Macau, Taiwan etc. the holy place of Lumbini is divided into two zones where eastern zone contains only the Theravadin monasteries and western zone having Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries.