A historical place and present capital city of Nepal Kathmandu is home to immense culture, numerous world heritage sites and amazing landscapes. So, there are plenty of options when it comes to places to visit in Kathmandu.
Kathmandu is an ancient city where you can enjoy from arrival to departure visiting its old and new places. Kathmandu is the historical & present capital and also the main hub of Nepal. The valley is always an interesting place to be.
Despite its small area, Kathmandu is home to numerous cultural, historical and religious places listed even as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Kathmandu is probably the one and only city in the world where both religions Hindu, Buddhist and other religions blend in perfect and peaceful harmony with temples and monasteries close to each other. Let’s start right in and find out places to visit in Kathmandu.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Old Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Old Durbar Square includes historical Palace temples and historical monuments, a famous Temple of Kumari (a living Goddess of young virgin girls). Newars have been worshipping Kumari as the tradition started in the ancient Malla period.
The area also comprises old Malla to late Shah Royal Palaces turned into museums. The other places of interest are Kastamandap Temple, the name Kathmandu means a temple built of the wood of a single tree. People of Kathmandu are also engaged in artworks like art in stores and wood around Kathmandu Durbar Square and there are plenty of them on the site.
Swayambhunath Stupa
Swayambhunath Stupa, another must-visit in Kathmandu, is a Buddhist site of great significance and it offers amazing vibes. The stupa symbolizes Buddhism and Buddha’s enlightenment. It is a hillock and you can view the panorama of the city. It has also been known as Monkey Temple since the 1970s. The area also hosts temples, monuments and museums dating back to the Lichhavi period.
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the main three gods of Hinduism after Vishnu and Brahma. Once a year a great religious festival takes place in the month of February called ‘Shiva Ratri’ (Shiva’s birth anniversary). Thousands of pilgrims from Nepal and India visit the temple during the festival.
Although non-Hindus cannot enter the main entrance, you can observe the golden-roofed temple with four silver cardinal doors and religious activities from the side of the Bagmati River even if you are not Hindu. Dead bodies are burnt at the bank of the river and it is believed that the ashes flow to the Ganges.
Bauddhanath Stupa
Famous Bouddhanath Stupa is also known as ‘Little Tibet’. The place is famous as it is one of the best places that offer good vibes and energy even in the midst of the city. Boudhanath Stupa is a wonderful place to be especially in the evenings. There are Buddhist people with a similar culture to Tibetans known as the Nyinpa (Red Hat) sect of Buddhism.
The four mystical eyes of Lord Buddha have four cardinal sides which are believed to watch people from wrongdoing and the painted white with saffron colours make the image of a lotus flower which is regarded as purity.
People enjoy walking around the huge dome-shaped Stupa. It is considered the world’s largest of its kind and is believed to have been built by Lichchhavi King Mana Dev in the 5th A.D. The stupa is constructed on an octagonal base with prayer wheels around it.
Dakshin Kali
Dakshin-Kali has located about 10 km from Kathmandu. Dakshin-Kali holds religious importance and thousands of devotees visit the temple a year to offer prayers. It is also known for animal sacrifices to the ferocious-looking Goddess Kali. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful and serene spot within the green forest away from the crowds. The way to Dakshinkali also offers panoramic views of Kathmandu. These are only a few, to be honest, and Kathmandu does not fail to offer a lot of things. There are plenty of places and every traveller has a choice.
