Nepal Sights

The main attraction of Nepal Mountain. In Nepal, are wholly or partly, eight highest peaks of the world famous Annapurna massifs and Machapukchi, as well as thousands of routes for mountain hiking trips, passing through the most picturesque places. Equally popular rafting on mountain rivers on rafts, kayaks or other boats. But apart from the usual image of the "Mecca of mountaineering, you should pay attention to the history and culture of Nepal - ancient and unspoilt country. Monasteries and temples, thousands of religious rites, rich history and mythology of the country, a unique co-existence of dozens of nationalities and religions, hundreds of festivals and religious ceremonies - this is another no less interesting image of the country.

Kathmandu Valley - the most populated part of the country. There are three main cities of the country, three of the capital - the modern Kathmandu, as well as two old - Lalitpur (Patan) and Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon).

Kathmandu - big enough city, but despite its metropolitan functions, it has remained practically the way and was a hundred years ago - the narrow streets, many houses most unusual architecture, hundreds of temples and stupas, the eternal fragrance of incense and a strange alien life rhythm. Places in a small valley is clearly not enough, so it is difficult to see where it ends and begins Kathmandu, for example, Lalitpur. And at the same time on the surrounding hills, a lot of greens, and just at the side of the capital destroyed a small reserve Nagarzhun.

In the city, hundreds of attractions, among which the most interesting city gave its name to a wooden temple Kasthamandal (723), the Jagannath Temple, Ashok Vinayak (Maru Ganesh, III in. BC. E.) Jaishi Deva (Shiva temple, famous for its erotic carvings content), Light Machchhendranat (Dzhanmadio), the temple of the god of the sky Akash Bhairav, a huge temple Taledzhu (1549, open only for the Nepalis every year), which lies on an island in the middle of the pond Rani Pokhara (XVII century.) Kumari Ghar (Temple goddess Kumari, which is home to a living personification of the deity), as well as many smaller places of worship, often located in the most unexpected places. Deserve special attention famous stupas of the capital - a colossal Svayambunat (Swayambhu, "Temple of the Apes", was founded more than 2 thousand years ago) on a hill in the northwest part of town (the legend is here from an abandoned Shiva lotus seed emerged land), Budnat (the biggest stupa in Nepal and a recognized center of Buddhism), and a huge area of monasteries in the north-eastern outskirts of the city, nearby Kopan Monastery on the eponymous hill, Pashupati temple complex (Pashupatinath, the temple of Shiva) on the banks of the sacred Bagmati river, the famous two-tiered golden roof and silver doors, Temple Lumarhi (Bhadrakali) etc.

Center City is surrounded by about fifty churches Palace Square (Hanuman Dhoka) Nautalle the palace (now a museum of the dynasty, Numismatic Museum and Tribhuvan Museum), an "ideal city" Newari (one of the peoples of Nepal) with thousands of miniature temples (in nearly every yard is stupa or a temple dedicated to any deity), a grand palace Singha Durbar (now here is the Secretariat of Government) and the modern residence of the King of Nepal - Narayanhiti Palace Darbar with the legendary source of Narayanhiti. In the area centered around a huge number of markets and small places of worship, so that you can wander for hours.

Also interesting area Taumadhi-Tole with the five-storied pagoda Nyatapole, "old town" with a tower Tundikhel Dharahara (59 hours, 1832) and fountains whose water flows from the gold taps, a unique center of rare books and manuscripts - Library Kaiser tourist quarter Tamelo with many shops for tourists and the famous hotel Yak-Yeti-end (the first hotel of the country, opened by the Russian traveler B. Lisanevichem), the National History Museum at the foot of the hill Svayambunat, Ratna Park, etc.

In the vicinity of the city is also a huge number of interesting places - the famous statue of Vishnu, lying on a bed of snakes in the middle of the pond - Budhanilkantha (V in.), A water garden Balaji (XVIII century., 5 km. North-west of Kathmandu) with a cascade of 22 fountains, Gokarnatsky temple, temple complexes and Guheshvari Vishvarut, magnificent stupa (III century. BC. e.) and the temple of Chandra Vinayak in Chabahile with a large "sculpture garden" around picturesque town of Kirtipur, the temple of Dakshinkali, the National Museum with a good historical and weapons collection (located at 2,5 km. west of the capital), the valley with a magnificent temple Chobhar Adinatha, mountain resort of Nagarkot (35 km. east of Kathmandu) and the Royal Park Gokarna (Gokarna Safari Park) with pagoda Gokarneshvar Mahadev.

Across the river Bagmati begins satellite city Kathmandu - Lalitpur and Patan ( "city beautiful"), which until 1768 the capital of Nepal (founded in 229 g.). Here are four interesting stupa of Asoka (III century. BC. E), the unique terracotta Temple of a Thousand Buddhas, the five-storied Shikharev Kumbeshvar (in 1392, the oldest temple of the city), the temple of Krishna Mandir (1723), a Buddhist monastery Rudravarna Mahabihar in which crowned the kings of Nepal, the temple Akshesvor Mahabihar (XVII cent.) surrounded by stupas central Durbar Square and the Royal Palace, the Temple Dzhagannarayya decorated with sculptures of Ganesha and Krishna's city gates, the sanctuary of Hiranya Varna Mashavishar, Mahabodhi temple (a copy of a temple in Bodhyaga in India, where Buddha found enlightenment), Visankhu Narayan temple, the only zoo in the country, as well as many jewelry and art workshops (the town has been famous for its smiths and chasers). 10 km. south-east of Patan is situated Pulchouk mountain (2758 meters) on top of which is a Buddhist monastery, and at the foot - Royal Botanical Garden of Godavari.

Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon, "the city of believers") - another ancient capital of Nepal (XIV-XVI centuries)., Populated mostly by Hindus, which is clearly reflected in the local architectural monuments. Now this is the third major city of the Kathmandu Valley, although its size is small. In Bhaktapur are more than a dozen temples of Vishnu (Narayana), the famous Gold and Lion's Gate, a unique palace of Malla dynasty (VII cent.), A few sacred ponds, the famous temple of Shiva-Parvati with bas-reliefs of animals copulating, Batsala Devi temple with the "Bell of barking dogs" (1737), National Art Gallery, etc.

Pokhara - the second largest city of Nepal and one of the most popular resorts in the country, situated on the shores of beautiful Lake Feva Tal (the second largest in Nepal) at an altitude of 827 meters often called the "Gateway to Annapurna, the city is well suited to serve the tourists -- along the entire coast of the lake is the area of countless hotels, restaurants and shops of Lakeside, on the island in the middle of the lake is a Hindu temple on the opposite shore - a magnificent stupa and monastery Bishva Shanti, Shanti, and around the city - many monasteries, the "sacred" cave Mahendra Gufan or Rupa, Lake Venas-Talsi and unique waterfall Davis-Fall. But most importantly, for what tourists come to Pokhara - a magnificent panorama of the Annapurna massif zanezhennyh peaks and trekking in the surrounding mountains.

In the south is the town of Lumbini - a place which is considered the birthplace of Buddha. In memory of the event represented a pond where the mother of Siddhartha Gautama bathed before birth, a temple in her honor, many Buddhist temples built in different architectural styles of the countries on whose territory the Buddhist. The temples are scattered throughout the vast park that surrounds this sacred place for every Buddhist. Interesting and Martha (2600 m) - place of residence of the Tibetan people, famous for its apple orchards, apple cider and pies, as well as the existing temple. After the annexation of Tibet by China in the country have settled many refugees brought with them their traditions and customs. Monasteries Tyangpoche, Pangpoche Devuche and are recognized centers of Tibetan Buddhism and the variety of Lamaism.

Chitwan National Park - a traditional place in the past hunting aristocrats and relatively modern recreation center. Here in zone predgimalayskih rain forests with unique flora and fauna, characteristic of ancient Asia - rhinos, elephants, spotted deer, leopards, crocodiles and other amazing inhabitants of the forest, as well as the unique freshwater dolphins. You can take a walk on the Magar of Rapti river in a canoe, enjoy the beautiful lake Twentieth-Thousand Lake, visit the elephant farm or take a safari on elephants (preference should be given to public service companies, whose elephants allowed to pass directly into the park).