Kathmandu is the largest city and national capital of Nepal. It situates at the center of the country, along Bagmati River in a bowl shaped valley at the foothills of Himalayas. The city that is made up of three districts (Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu) has rich history spanning nearly 2000 years. The valley is full of historical sites, ancient temples and shrines, golden pagoda and fascinating villages.
Kathmandu Valley has 7 groups of monuments zones in the city, including 3 historical palaces (Patan, Bhaktapur and Hanuman Dhoka), 2 Hindu temple sites (Pashupati and Changu Narangan) plus 2 Buddhist Stupa sites (Swayambhu and Bauddhanath).
Kathmandu was established by a late Lichchhavi King (5th-8th century) and went through a dark period between 9th to 14th century until in the hand of Mallas Kingdom. Bhaktapur City began to prosperous and became a major trading center in mid 13th, a period that medieval art and architecture started to flourishing. In year 1769, the place was conquered and united by an out coming leader Prithvi Narayan Shah who made Kathmandu as his royal city and Hanuman Dhoka Palace his residence. The valley was then divided into 3 rival kingdoms competing each other. In mid 18th, the valley reached its highest and most glorious period in the achievement of architectural arts and cultural traditions.
The name of Kathmandu was derived from the 12th century wood built Kasthamandap Temple that located in Hanuman Dhoka Durbar square. It means wood-covered sheltered.
The rich cultural heritage of the city is caused from its blending populations coming over from different places of the nation. Until today, religious influences and cultural traditions are still as alive as in the past. Religious and cultural festivals had become major part of the local lives.
Kathmandu Valley is inhabited with mostly Nepal ethnic people but the actual creator of Kathmandu's wonderful civilization were Newars, a group of its native inhabitants.
Kathmandu Valley surrounded by 4 main mountains, is nested in terraced green hills and ranges with about 2 million inhabitants living in it. Most of them are Hindus.
Kathmandu Valley, a political, commercial as well as a cultural hub of Nepal, is the most densely populated area in the country.
It was said that Kathmandu Valley was once an enormous lake called Nagdaha and the water was drained off by a gorge cut through the mountain walls by Bhodisattva Manjushri. The purpose of Bhodisattva to channel out the lake water was to make easy assess for human pilgrims to this holy site. It was believed that the place named as Manjupatlan was the first settlement.
Crown Plaza where we accommodated while in Kathmandu is one of the notable hotels in Kathmandu Valley.
Besides its abundant breakfast buffet and excellent service, hotel's laid out and decorations are its added value. I was impressed with its prayer wheels decorated walls at the entrance door.
Nepalese tradition set meal.
Meals were usually served with either vegetable soup or creamy soup.
Tradition dances.
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