Kathmandu Full-day Cultural Tour: Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath

Bhaktapur Durbar Square: Bhaktapur Durbar Square is entered through the massive royal gate and opens up to a most unspoiled complex of palaces, shrines and other landmarks in the Valley. On the right is pair of statues in stone of Ugrachandi with her 18 arms. Then there is the Rameshwor Temple. In the middle of the square is the gilded statue of King Bhupatindra Malla seated on a tall stone pillar, and it faces the most exquisitely artistic Suun Dhoka, or the golden gate, leading into the royal place. The royal place is also known as the “place of 55 windows”, next to which is the National Art Gallery. The inner portion of the palace has the Taleju courtyard and her house. Beyond is the Sundari Chowk. The outer perimeters of the complex is replete with pillars and pavilions: Chyasalin Mandap, Durga Temple, Taumadhi Tole and others. To the right, and in another square, is the famed 30-meters (98-feet) tall Nyatapole Temple (built in 1702). It is the tallest and most multi-roofed edifice in Nepal. To its right is the Kashi Bishwanath Temple. On the side of the square is the vintage Nyatapole Café, and beyond it is the community of the famous potters. There are marvelous pottery squares where you can see the living workshop in pottery turning the traditional wheel, making different items and drying them.

The itinerary leads to the distant Dattatreya Square; it is named after the triad deities Bharma (creator), Bishnu (presenter) and Mahesaor (emancipator). This square is famous place for wood carving as well. The peacock and lotus windows along the Pujari Math feature wood carvings consecrated to humanity representing in 16th century technology.

Pashupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath is the one of the most sacred Hindu temples in the world; it is dedicated to the Lord Shiva (god of the gods). The Pashupatinath complex is very large, with 492 temples, shrines, stupas Patis (public inn), Satals and other landmarks. There are more than thousand Shiva lingams (phallic symbol of Shiva) present. Its burning ghats on the riverbank are the holiest in Nepal. There is no dated record showing when the temple of Lord Pashupatinath was first build but some of unclrearify carving dated found first existed at 459 A.D. However, it has been rebuilt several times. The present temple was built by King Shiva Deva III around 1120 A.D and King Jayasthgiti Malla in the late 14th century. A gold plated roof, silver doors and woodcarving of the finest quality decorates the Pagoda construction. Many great festivals such as Teej (Women fulfill festival), Balachaturdasi, full moon day and Mahashivaratri are celebrated at the temple according to the lunar calendar. Mahashivaratri marks the great night of Lord Shiva, which is celebrated at all Shiva temples with devotion, enthusiasm and jubilation. Every year thousands of sadus and people on pilgrimage come from India and around the world. Ancient religious scriptures say that if you visit this holy site, you can find a clear way to heaven.

Bouddhanath: The Great Stupa of Bouddhanath is a jewel point in the center of a natural mandala, a store of secret energy. It is built on a flat surface and is the largest in Nepal. It is constructed in various levels of terraces, is painted in pastel shades, and is adorned with player flags. It is set in the mandala design. Altogether, 108 Buddha images and 147 insets of prayer wheels adorn the base of the huge circular edifice. It was built by the Lichavi King Man Dev in the 5th century.

Bouddhanath is one of the most sacred places for the Buddhist. For the Tibetan Buddhist, it’s even more sacred and therefore many Tibetan monks and nuns can be spotted here at all times. All pilgrims and devotes walk around and prostrate in a clockwise direction (this is known as kora), turn the mani wheels, and recite the holy mantras of the dates of compassion.

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