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About
Kathmandu Valley |
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The
Kathmandu Valley is located in Nepal. Kathmandu Valley lies at
the intersection of ancient civilizations of Asia, and has at
least 130 important monuments, including several pilgrimage
sites for Hindusand Buddhists. Seven UNESCO World Heritage
Sites are within this valley.
Kathmandu Valley possess geographical, natural, and cultural
wonders which are unique to itself. The Valley has also served
as an important travel point for the traders and travelers
from Nepal, Tibet, and other South Asian Region. The valley
combines different culture and lifestyle practiced in the
region in its own way. The mountains surrounding the valley
enclose three medieval cities - Kathmandu, Patan and
Bhaktapur. Besides the three cities, there are also a number
of other important sites in the periphery of the mountains.
The Kathmandu valley holds a considerably high number of
places recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Besides
the cultural glory, Kathmandu Valley has a number of equally
peaceful natural sites. These sites contain temples, forts,
monasteries, gardens, and also a National Park. Each city
inside the valley has an imaginative exposition of graceful
temples, elegant palaces, brick-paved courtyards and charming
streets.
Historically, the valley and adjoining areas made up a
association known as Nepal Mandala. Until the 15th century,
Bhaktapur was its capital when two other capitals, Kathmandu
and Lalitpur, were founded. After the invasion of the valley
by the Gorkha Kingdom, and successive conversion of the valley
as the capital of their empire, the designation of "Nepal" was
extended to every land they conquered.
The Kathmandu Valley is the most developed and populated place
in Nepal. The majority of offices and headquarters are located
in the valley making it the economic hub of Nepal. It is
popular among tourists for its unique, rich, culture and
architecture; including the highest number of jatras in Nepal.
The valley itself was referred to as "Nepal Proper" by British
historians. |
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History of Kathmandu Valley |
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The
Kathmandu Valley may have been occupied as early as 300 BCE,
since the oldest known objects in the valley date to a few
hundred years BCE. The earliest known inscription is dated 185
CE. The oldest firmly dated building in the earthquake-prone
valley is about 1,992 years old. Four stupas around the city of
Patan, said to have been erected by a certain Charumati, a
purported daughter of Ashoka the Great, a Mauryan king, in the
3rd century BCE, attest to the ancient history present within
the valley. As with the tales of the Buddha's visit, there is no
evidence supporting Ashok's visit, but the stupas probably date
to that century. The Kirats are the first documented rulers of
the Kathmandu Valley; the remains of their palace are said to be
in Patan near Hiranyavarna Mahavihara (called "Patukodon"). The
Licchavi Dynasty whose earliest inscriptions date back to 464 CE
were the next rulers of the valley and had close ties with the
Gupta Dynasty of India. The Malla Dynasty ruled Kathmandu Valley
and the surrounding area from the 12th until the 18th century
CE, when the Shah Dynasty of the Gorkha Kingdom under Prithvi
Narayan Shah conquered the valley as he created present-day
Nepal. His victory in the Battle of Kirtipur was the beginning
of his conquest of the valley.
Newars
The Newars, usually acknowledged to be the native inhabitants of
the valley, are believed to be the descendants of the various
ethnic and racial groups that have inhabited and ruled the
valley in the two-millennia history of the place. Now, people
from other parts of Nepal have migrated to the valley for a
better life due to its high level of cultural and economic
development. |
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Geography |
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The
valley is made up of the Kathmandu District, Lalitpur District
and Bhaktapur District covering an area of 220 square miles
(almost the area of Singapore). The valley consists of the
municipal areas of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur
Submetropolitan City, Kirtipur Municipality, Bhaktapur
municipality, and Madhyapur Thimi Municipality; the remaining
area is made up of a number of Village Development Committees.
The valley is a cultural and political hub of Nepal. The
Kathmandu valley was accorded the status of a World Heritage
Site by UNESCO in the year 1979.The major river flowing through
the Kathmandu Valley is the Bagmati. |
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Mythology |
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According to Swayambhu Puran, the Kathmandu Valley was
once a lake. The hill where the Swayambu Stupa rests had
lotus plants with striking lotus flowers abloom. One story
says that the god Manjusri cut a gorge at a place called
Kashapaal (later called Chobhar) with a sword called
Chandrahrasha and drained away the waters in order to
establish a habitable land.
According to Gopal Banshawali, Krishna cut the gorge with
his Sudarshana Chakra to let the water out. He then handed
the drained valley to the Gopal Vansi people, who were
nomadic cow herders. |
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Places to Visit |
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Important monuments of Kathmandu Valley include:
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square
• Patan Durbar Square
• Kathmandu Durbar Square
• Thimi Durbar Square
• Changu Narayan
• Golden Window/Thimi
• Boudhanath Stupa
• Pashupatinath temple
• Chabahil
• Wakachhen Mahadev/Thimi
• Temple of Surya Binayak in Bhaktapur
• Amitav Bihar (White Gumba) in Kathmandu
• Manjushree Temple in Majipa, Manjushree Tole
• Aditnath Temple in Chobhar hill village
• Palanchok Temple in Kavre, east from middle of Kathmandu
• Bagbhairav Temple in Kritipur
• Rani Pokhari a Pond in Kathmandu
• Temple of Karya Binayak
• Dakshinkali Temple south of Kritipur
• Pacchali Bhairav in Kathmandu
• Ecchanju Temple in Kathmandu
• Balkumari Temple/Thimi
• Temple of Chandra Binayak in Kathmandu
• Swayambhunath Stupa |
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Etymology |
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The
city of Kathmandu is named after a structure in Durbar Square
called Kaasthamandap. This distinctive temple, also known as
Maru Satal, was founded in 1596 CE by KingLaxmi Narsingh Malla.
The whole structure contains no iron nails or supports and is
made completely from wood. Legend has it that the timber used
for this two story pagoda was obtained from a single tree. As
the city has many temples, it is also known as the City of
Temples. |
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Present |
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Kathmandu Valley hosts a UNESCO World Heritage Sites composed of
seven different Monument Zones: The centers of the three primary
cities Kathmandu Hanuman Dhoka, Patan and Bhaktapur, the two
most important Buddhist stupas, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath and
two well-known Hindu shrines, Pashupatinath temple and Changu
Narayan. Since 2003 the World Heritage List lists the site as
being "in danger" out of concern for the ongoing loss of
authenticity and the outstanding universal value of the cultural
property.
In the past, Tibetan Buddhist Masters including Marpa, Milarepa,
Rwa Lotsava, Ras Chungpa, Dharma Swami, XIII Karmapa, XVI
Karmapa and some others visited and traveled in the Kathmandu
Valley. However, the largest group of Tibetans came in the
1960s. Many settled around the Svayambhu and Baudha Stupas. Many
other famous Lamas known throughout the world have their
Buddhist monasteries and centers in the Kathmandu Valley.The 1500-year history of funerary architecture in the valley
provides some of the finest examples of stone architecture found
on this subcontinent. A caitya is placed in almost all
courtyards in cities like Patan.
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