|
Kathmandu:
Kathmandu Valley, an area of 360 sq. km, is situated at an
altitude of 1336m above sea level. If you fly in, you will
clearly see how isolated and unusual the valley is: embedded
like a jewel amongst endless rugged mountains. An extra ordinary
richness of culture enveloped during the centuries of isolation
has endowed the ancient cities of the valley with a legacy of
temples, shrines and places of magnificent form and unequaled
craftsmanship. Kathmandu (Kantipur), Patan (Lalitpur), Bhaktapur
(Bhadgaon) and Kirtipur are the cities of Kathmandu Valley. The
valley has often been described as an open-air art gallery.
Thousands of shrines in brick, stone, metal and wood are
scattered throughout the valley. Several of them have been
designated as UNESCO world heritage sites.
Places to visit in Kathmandu Valley are:
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Baudhnath
Pashupatinath
Swayambhu nath (monkey temple)
Budhanilkantha
Changunarayan
Pokhara:
Pokhara is said to be paradise of Nepal. The Pokhara Valley is
one of the most picturesque places. The lakes- Phewa, Begnas,
and Rupa enhance the beauty of the Valley, which have their
source in the glacial region of the Annapurna Range of the
Himalayas. Pokhara is situated 200 kilometers northwest of
Kathmandu and is connected by air as well or by a five-hour ride
from Kathmandu. Pokhara Valley is situated at an altitude of 827
meters from the see-level. For mountain viewers, Pokhara offers
the magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, and
five peaks of Annapurna range. Pokhara is one of the few places
in the world to provide such a dramatic view in a subtropical
setting. Machhapuchhre also called Fish-Tail Mountain, that is
situated only 28 kilometers from Phewa Lake, and not a single
mountain range intervenes between the two natural enties.
Pokhara's numerous lakes, known as "Tal" in Nepali offer
tourists facilities like fishing, boating and swimming.
The major Sightseeing places in Pokhara are:
Devid's Fall
Mahendra Cave
Seti River
Bindabasini Temple
Tibetan Refugee Camp
Lake Side
Lumbini:
This sacred place is the birthplace of Buddha, is situated 250
kilometers southwest of Kathmandu. A broken pillar erected in
249 BC by the first major Buddhist ruler of India, Emperor
Ashoka, proclaims in a now-extinct script that the emperor made
three pilgrimages to the holy site. Lumbini recognized all over
the world and its development is being undertaken by Buddhists
from everywhere. In the same spirit, His Majesty's Government of
Nepal formed the Lumbini Development Trust in 1985 to oversee
this development of the entire Lumbini area as a religious and
pilgrimage center.
Around an hour’s drive northwest from Lumbini lies the
interesting archaeological site of Tilaurakot. This has been
identified as Kapilvastu, the capital of King Suddhodhana
(Prince Siddhartha’s father) where the Buddha as Prince
Siddhartha spent the early years o his life.
Nagarkot:
Nagarkot is a popular and very beautiful hill station that is
situated 32 kilometers east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2,175
m above the sea level. It takes an hour’s drive to get there
following the same route till a kilometer before Bhaktapur City
from where the road turns left towards Nagarkot. The panorama of
the major peaks of eastern Nepal Himalayas including Sagarmatha
(Mt. Everest, 8,848m), can be seen from here. The breath -
taking view of Himalayan peaks like Manaslu (8,463), Ganesh
Himal (7,111 m), Langtang (7,246 m), Choba Bhamre (6,016 m),
Gaurishanker (7,134 m) and Numbur (6,975 m) are also clearly
seen from Nagarkot. These mountains can be clearly observed
during sunrise.
Chitwan:
Chitwan is situated about 130 Kilometer southwest of Kathmandu.
It is very famous for consistence of Royal chitwan National park,
which provided habitat for one horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal
Tiger, wild elephant, deers, sloth bear, leopard, wild boar,
crocodile, more than 500 different species of birds and many
more. Only this not only the features of Chitwan, Tharu culture
and people are another feature too. Tharus are the main
indigenous ethnic groups in chitwan. They are well known for
their resistance to malaria. A stroll or a ride through the
Tharu village will provide an opportunity to see their tradition
and culture. Chitwan offers wide ranges of accommodation and
jungle safari tours.
Tansen:
Tansen (1371m) lies in western part of Nepal, is popular for its
natural beauty and as summer resort due to it exotic setting and
favorable climate, . It is one of the largest hill towns in
Nepal Tansen served as the capital of the tiny Kingdom of Palpa
before it was annexed into the unified Nepal. Nestled on top of
the highest hill in the area, Tansen offers a breathtaking view
of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manasalu to the north contrasted
by the forests and valley farmhouses to the south. The town is
rich in ancient temples and other places of historical and
cultural interest.
Gorkha:
Gorkha Durbar a fort, palace and temple complex, is the
highlight of a visit to Gorkha. It lies almost midway between
Kathmandu and Pokhara after traveling from Kathmandu towards
Pokhara for 118 Kilometers, the diversion to Gorkha is on the
intersection at Abu Khairahani, and from there it is a short 18
Kilometers drive northward to the birthplace of king Prithivi
Narayan Shah, the first ruler of the Shah Dev Dynasty.
Situated on a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of the Himalaya
is the beautiful Gorkha Durbar, a fort, palace and temple
complex. It was built during the reign of King Ram Shah
(1606-1636). It was from this very palace the king Prithivi
Narayan Shah began his campaign to unify the kingdom of Nepal.
The temples of Gorkhnath and kali are the outstanding examples
of Nepal of Nepali architecture.
Dhulikhel:
Dhulikhel is a Newar town situated 30 km southeast of Kathmandu
on the side of the Arniko Raj marga (Kathmandu-Kodari Highway)
on the way to the Nepal - Tibet boarder. Dhulikhel is popular
for natural beauty ancient tradition. one can have a panoramic
view of the Himalayas from Karyolung in the east to Himalchuli
in the west .
Janakpur:
This is a religious city in south Nepal famous as the
birth-place of Sita who is the divine consort of Lord Ram
Chandra and the unanimous heroine of the great Hindu epic “Ramayan.”
A marble temple popularly known as Noulakh Mandir is dedicated
to Sita (sometimes Janaki). In ancient days Janakpur was ruled
by late King Janak. Being the daughter of Janak, She has
eventually come to be called Janaki—a feminine gender usage of
the oriental term. Religious festivals, pilgrimages, comely
fairs and other merry festivities are held here especially
during two great occasions which include Bibaha Panchami and Ram
Nabami. Janakpur is linked with Kathmandu by air plus road. A 45
kilometer railway brings you to Janakpur from Jaynagar, another
town of Indian nature in the scorching plains of the Terai. This
is the only train route existing in all the kingdom of Nepal.
Bardia:
Located southwestern Nepal, Bardia National Park has the
reputation of having best chance of tiger sighting. More
secluded and less developed than Chitwan, Royal Bardia is alive
with wildlife, deer, tiger, rhino, leopard, wild elephants,
fresh water dolphins, crocodiles, a variety of snakes and over
400 species of birds are found here. Tucked away and exclusive,
the easiest way of reaching the park is a flight from Kathmandu
to Nepalgunj.
|