Kathmandu Nepal

Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal, a landlocked country between India and China. It sits in a valley that was once home to the ancient kingdom of Nepal. Today, it’s a bustling metropolis of around 1 million people, and while it’s not the largest city in the country, it is by far the most important. As the seat of government, it hosts all the key ministries and embassies and it is home to Nepal’s Supreme Court, parliament and the president’s residence. The city is also home to several renowned universities, including Tribhuvan University that was established in 1959 and it is the oldest and largest university in the country.

However, for most travelers, the real draw of Kathmandu is its religious significance. According to Hindu mythology, it’s one of the seven sacred cities of Nepal, with the other six being Pashupatinath, where Lord Shiva is believed to have performed his first miracle; Bhadrapur, home to a temple dedicated to Shiva’s consort, Parvati; Sitalanath, known for a temple that was once visited by the goddess Durga; and the holy lake city of Rara, among others. It’s said that bathing in the sacred Bagmati River here will wash away all sins, and the main temple at Pashupatinath is one of the biggest pilgrimage sites for Hindus all around the world. Every year, thousands upon thousands of Hindu sadhus or holy men come here to bathe in the river and burn incense and make offerings to Lord Shiva.

Another major attraction for tourists is the numerous stupas and temples found throughout the city. Many are devoted to the various manifestations of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, the embodiment of compassion, and no place embodies this more than the Simian Temple, also called the Swayambhunath Stupa. Legend has it that the self-sprung simian god Hanuman visited this site, which is said to have originally been a lotus bud that floated down from heaven. He cleaned the area by picking up all the dirt and debris and flung them over his shoulder, accidentally creating a hill. This is why the temple is built on top of a hillock, something you won’t find in many other parts of the Kathmandu Valley. Another popular temple is the 2500-year-old Bauddhanath, one of the largest spherical stupas in the world. Built over the site where Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment, it’s a major pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists alike. Because of its shape, the structure has become a powerful symbol of Nepal and appears on the country’s new banknotes.

There is also the Changunrayan, a complex of five temples dedicated to the various aspects of Lord Vishnu. Built in 1673 by Lichhavi kings, they represent a unique architectural style of pagoda topped by a shikhara or spire. All these sites are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes many other places around the Kathmandu Valley.

All in all, Kathmandu is an amazing place to visit especially for those who want to sample the true uniqueness of Nepal.