Kathmandu Heritage Sightseeing

Heritage sites are the attraction that includes both natural and artificial monuments, listed by UNESCO as an endangered property of the world. The heritage sites have their own unique features and value which differentiate from other sites. Explore the unique art and architecture, culture, and tradition, and unparalleled features of the landscape of Nepal which is a UNESCO-listed world-famous site. For the detail, the information goes through the following itineraries.

Swayambhu Stupa

Swayambhu Stupa is the most sacred among the Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the Kathmandu valley. The monument is listed under the UNESCO world heritage sites.

The myth of Swayambhu is closely related to the origin of Kathmandu valley and it is also the oldest religious site in the valleys. Swayambhu stupa is famous among the Newari Buddhists but the sites are the center for all the Buddhist and Hindu people of the valley. There is a long stair from the eastern side of the stupa which is said to be 365 steps and was built by King Pratap Malla who was the famous king of Kathmandu. You will have a spectacular view of Kathmandu valley from the hilltop of Swayambhu stupa.

Patan Durbar Square

The Kathmandu valley consists of three main cities Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. Before the unification of the greater Nepal done by King Prithvi Narayan Shah in the 18th century, these three cities were independently ruled as a separate kingdom. These old cities of Kathmandu Valley have Durbar Square (Royal Palace) to each.

Among them, Patan Durbar Square exhibits the fine wood and metal art and craft on the struts, windows, and doors of the palaces. There are beautiful courtyards in the palace peripheral where you will see the fine art and architecture of typical Nepalese Artists. The Patan museum inside the palace is the finest and the well-managed collection of wooden and metal art where you will also observe the detailed procedure of making metal statues in the museum. The palace frontier is filled with different styles of temple structures. Due to the fine art and architecture which fills the Patan city, it is also known as Lalitpur (The city of Beauty)

Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath temple is the holiest Hindu temple in the whole of Nepal where devotees far from India and other Hindu people come to visit these holy sites. Pashupati means the Lord of the beast and people believe that if once in a lifetime they visit the temple, in their next life they don’t need to rebirth as a beast or animal. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the main sanctum of the temple is decorated with the Shiva Lingam. Non-Hindu people are not allowed to enter the main temple and only could peep from the outside. But one can visit the whole temple peripheral from the viewpoint which lies opposite of the temple across the river.

The temple is situated near the holy river of Bagmati and the cremation activities are done aside from the holy river by the Hindu people. You will see a series of white temples across the river to the opposite side of the main temple. These stone-made temples are the shelter for the Sadus who are the followers of Lord Shiva. While visiting the holy sites, at the same time you will see the ritual activities done by the family priest, which is done for their deceased  family members. You will see both the culture and art in these holy sites of Pashupatinath temple.

Boudha Stupa

Boudha stupa is the largest stupa in Nepal and somehow in the whole world. The stupa is decorated with golden polish on the harmonica and the white dome constructed on the mandala shape of the base and small mani wheel surround it. The stupa is the center of the Buddhist followers but non-Buddhist also worship these sites because in Nepal people respect each other religion. You will see people from the Himalayas of Nepal and the Tibetan people making circumambulate to the huge stupa.   

The stupa area is very congested but you will find a neat and calm environment inside the main gate of the stupa. There are many shops of Thanka paintings, statues, prayer beads around the stupa. A rooftop cafe that offers a wonderful view of the stupa and the monasteries where you will see the ritual activities done by the Tibetans Buddhist lama. The big statues of Buddha and other Bodhisattva have magnificently decorated the main chapel of the monastery. The ambiance of the Boudha stupa will really give you a positive vibrant to your spirituality.