The Valley of Kathmandu
Discover a unique religious heritage, which draws from two ancient religious traditions – Hinduism and Buddhism combined with Tantric influences from Tibet. The Durbar squares of the three major towns – Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur are masterpieces of urban composition – pagoda roofed palaces, temples, shrines, sacred pillars and fountains and are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Secular houses built of brick and wood with tiled roofs have richly decorated facades with carved wooden windows, doors and roof struts and add to the quaint ambience of these medieval towns.
Attracting Buddhist devotees from the world over, the two monumental stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath give an instant impression of powerful simplicity with their structures of massive whitewashed hemispherical mounds, surrounded by glittering spires of gilded brass. The spires symbolise the Thirteen Heavens, from which four pairs of painted eyes follow the movements of the pilgrim.
The Shiva temple of Pashupatinath, by contrast, leaves you contemplating on the cycle of birth and the after-world. Life and death unite on the burning pyres at the banks of the river Bagmati, while palmists and snake-charmers give the place a magical air.
Combine your 4 days of sightseeing with a short trek along one of the several routes along the ridges that circle the valley. The temple of Changu Narayan en route to Nagarkot in the north east of the valley, lies on the ridge of the surrounding hills and makes for walks through pine forests strung with prayer flags, allowing for dazzling views of the valley and of sunrises and sunsets from the crest. The entire Himalayan range gleams in the horizon as you walk and take in the scenery. |
