The small Asian country , Nepal is known in the world for her captivating beauty. One need not travel far and wide to experience the charm of diverse sceneries and to face different historical ages. The area of 147,181 square kilometers treasures some of the most precious and grandest things of the world and gracious monuments of the different phases of human civilization are juxtaposed in the same place. Having entered this country, one can leave hustle bustle of a busy world behind him and recline in the cosy lap of mother Nature orexplore many wonders with the heart °fan inquisitive child. Things and places worth seeing are innumerable and the text of this size may not be able to do justice to all of them. Ours is an endeavour to present a brief view of some of them.
KATHMANDU VALLEY
The exotic valley of Kathmandu is surrounded by ties upon the green mountains with the snow-peaked Himalayas towering graciously over them. Sprawled in the area of 218 square miles , 1310 meter above the sea level, the valley of Kathmandu houses reminiscences of different ages. Culture, traditions, art and architecture, modern and ancient, matched with the blessings of natural beauty send a silent invitation to the responsive hearts. The valley consists of three cities of great historical and cultural significance. They are : Khwapa, Yela and Yen later named as Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and Kathmandu, these days respectively.
KATHMANDU:
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, plays very important significant role from the point of view of culture, religion art and architecture and scenic beauty. Some of the historians of the opinion that the city acquired its present form around 723 AD. during the regime of the famous king Gunkamdev. The name of the city , is commonly believed, is derived from the name KASTHAMANDAPA, in Nepal Bhasa refers to Maru Satta, which literally means ” Wood-Covered Shelter”. This was a three-storied public shelter that included a shrine consecrated to Gorakshanath situated at Maru, Kathmandu. The city contains many beautiful places including many world famous historical and religious significance. Some of such places are described in the section devoted to Pilgrimage’ and some are described below. Some of the places are also recorded in the list of World heritage.
Hanuman Dhoka ( Durbar Square )
Hanuman Dhoka is one of the most important historical places. Literal meaning of Hanuman Dhoka is’ the gate of the monkey god’. The name is rightly chosen because a gorgeous image of the deity stands on the main gate. The palace square contains many interesting things of artistic merits and religion, cultural, values. They are:
1. Taleju temple built by Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD.
2. The huge Image of Kaal bhairav.
3. A Nine storied Temple
4. Coronation Temple (Nasal Chowk)
5. The hall of public audience (Gaddi Baithak).
6. The Statue of King Pratap Malla,
7. The Big Bell,
8. The Great Drums, also knows as Nagara
9. Jagannath temple,
10. Shiva Parvati temple,
11. The face of Sweta Bhairav
12. Numismatic museum and Tribhuvan museum. Both the museums remain closed on Tuesdays and government holidays.
A nominal entrance fee is required to enter the courtyard of the palace square.
Sources:
The article credit: Tourist information Directory, Late Er. Ramesh Chandra Bandhu Bhattarai. MA Sociologist & Anthropologist.
Reviews: Er. Rajesh Rajopadhyaya and Er. Harshana Shrestha
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