Kathmandu

According to local legend, Nepal’s capital Kathmandu was once a mighty lake filled with serpents. This region was the basis of a battle of wits between Gods and demons, with the Gods eventually emerging victorious. It is said that Lord Krishna vanquished the demon Banasura, who villainously attempted to turn Kathmandu into an inland sea. Today, Kathmandu is a tourist haven and a base camp for most people who want to explore the mountainous peaks that surround Nepal.

Overview

The city of Kathmandu is a rich tapestry of art and culture. This treasure trove of well-preserved architectural monuments has even attracted the attention of UNESCO, which has declared the grouping of seven monuments as a "World Heritage Site." Although ravaged by a cataclysmic earthquake in 2015, this resilient city has limped back to normalcy. A number of monuments within the city have been affected by this earthquake, some of which can still be seen today.

Those who have a voracious appetite for history and culture will find themselves at home in this mountain capital. A sightseeing delight, Kathmandu promises to astound travellers with its plethora of temples, which have the folklore of the Gods etched within them.

Local Attractions

Kathmandu has many attractions that are worth exploring that includes the Swayambhunath temple, Pashupatinath temple, Buddha Nilkantha, Akash Bhairav and Dakshinkali temples, Boudhanath stupa, Kopan monastery, the Garden of Dreams, Thamel, Kathmandu Durbar Square, the Crematoria, Hanuman Dhoka, Basantpur Tower, Budhanilkantha, Kumari Chowk, Asan, Narayanhiti Palace museum, Kashthamandap and Kailashnath Mahadev statue.

●       The Hanuman Dhoka is a complex of structures within the royal palace. The word “Dhoka” means "Gate" in the Nepali tongue.

●       Kumari Chowk houses the living resident goddess of the city. This is in keeping with the tradition of worshipping young girls who have not yet reached puberty and are said to be a manifestation of the “devi” and divine energy.

●       The Garden of Dreams is a private, historical garden that is situated within the city limits. Formerly known as the Garden of Six Seasons, it was constructed by the late field marshal Kaiser Shamsher Rana in the early 1900s.

●       Thamel is a commercial complex in Kathmandu that’s bustling with tourists, hotels, food and shopping vendors. It not only has several entertainment options but also serves as a city base camp for trekkers and mountaineers.

Must Visits

●       The Kathmandu Durbar Square is a plaza in front of the old Royal Palace of Nepal. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, it consists of various courtyards and temples. It showcases the craftsmanship of the Newar people, an ethnic group in Nepal.

●       The Kasthamandap is a multi-storey temple built in the Pagoda-style that houses the deity of Goraknath. It is entirely made of wood and is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.

●       The Swayambhunath Stupa is perched on a hilltop with the eyes of the Buddha watching over the citizens of Nepal. Nicknamed “the monkey temple” for its larger-than-average monkey population, this is a site that can't be missed.

Where to eat

Due to Kathmandu’s proximity to India and a large number of Nepalis who work there, Indian cuisine is very easy to find here.

●       The Spice Garden Restaurant and Bar transports you back to the streets of Delhi. It offers mouth-watering tandoor foods and curries that will leave you gastronomically content.

●       The Third Eye is another Indian-themed restaurant that serves savoury delectables.

●       The Blueberry Kitchen and Coffee Shop has continental, Asian and Nepalese dishes along with special dishes that cater to vegetarian travellers.

●       The Yangling Tibetan Restaurant Restaurant is another vegetarian-friendly option in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu is an international destination that is convenient for the Indian traveller for many reasons and offers the right mix of heritage, architecture, shopping, adventure and scenery.