Kathmandu World Heritage Sites Sightseeing Tour

One-day cultural tour in Kathmandu offers you a picture of Nepal, its rich culture, its architectural marvels. You can make your trip for Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Bauddhanath, Swayambhunath temples, religious and cultural heritages.

In one day tour in Kathmandu, you can start your visits to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath and Bauddhanath. Kathmandu Durbar Square depicts Nepalese art and architecture of the Malla dynasty from the 12^th to 18^th century.

The Swayambhunath Temple is the symbol of harmony of both Hindu and Buddhist shrines and stupas. Pashupatinath Temple along with other small temples of numeruous Hindu dieties is situated on the banks of river Bagmati. The Bouddhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in South Asia, was built on the ancient trade route to Tibet. The stupa built in a Nepali Buddhist style and over fifty Tibetan monasteries around the area built by Tibetan merchants and refugees over the years are added features. Mountain Layeras Treks and Expedition Pvt. Ltd is proud to organise this Kathmandu World Heritage Sightseeing Day Tour.

Kathmandu Valley and  World Heritage Sightseeing Day Tour Itinerary

08:00 AM:Drive to Swayambhu Nath Stupa, also known as Monkey Temple.

10:00 AM: Drive to Pashupati Nath Temple, famous Hindu pilgrimage of Lord Shiva.

12:00 PM:Drive to Boudha Nath Stupa.

02:00 PM:Kathmandu Durbar Square sightseeing and back to hotel.

Pashupatinath :-

Pashupati Nath Temple is considered one of the holiest shrines of all Hindus. It is 6km. east of downtown Kathmandu. The temple has remained the presiding deity of ruling Nepalese Royalty. The two tier magnificent golden temple, with four triple silver doorways, is a unique example of the Nepalese temple architecture. It is one of the largest Hindu temple complexes in South-Asia with hundreds of Shiva Lingam shrines and icons Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The temple is spread out over a large area. The main entrance, for Hindu people only, is on the western side. Tourists may peak inside, or go on the other side of the river to have a glimpse of the temple complex from above. During the festival of Shivaratri (February – March) 10,000’s of devotees and pilgrims (many from India) visit this temple and make   ceremonial fires. The most sacred of all Hindu temples in Nepal, Pashupatinath is situated on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it draws tens of thousands of pilgrims and devotees from Nepal and India during the festival of Mahashivaratri (the night of Lord Shiva) that takes place in early spring. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple precincts but may look in from the opposite bank and walk around the outer complex,

Bouddhanath:-

Possibly the world’s largest Buddhist stupa, Boudhanath is a site of great veneration for Buddhists. It is one of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monument ever built in the Himalayan Kingdom it is 36m high. Around the stupa are numerous monasteries of the various sects of Tibetan Buddhism including one (on the west side of the stupa) that houses an enormous seated statue of Maitreya Buddha (future Buddha), splendidly adorned. The stupa is unique with its three level, madala style, platforms. The structural features of the stupa is somewhat similar to the Swayambhunath stupa. It was built around the 5^th century A.D.

What Mecca is to the Muslims, this Boudhanath Stupa is for Tibetan Buddhists. Every year thousands of pilgrims flock here from all over the Himalayan region. During the Buddhist festivals, listed with Swayambhunath above, pilgrims gather to celebrate with great reverence to all Buddhist deities.

Swayambhunath:-

A Buddhist stupa on a western hills of Kathmandu. The 2,500 year old monument is a holy site replete with symbols. The mound represents the four elements of earth, fire, wind and water. The 13 gilded rings of the spire symbolize the 13 steps of the ladder leading to Nirvana, the final salvation. The shrine is bedecked in colorful prayer flags. Pilgrims and tourists pass to Swayambhumath’s holy premises through a path of 365 steps. Close to the stupa is the Dewa Dharma monastery, noted for bronze icon of the Buddha and traditional Tibetan paintings.

Below are some important dates when pilgrims visit this holy site to take part in religious activities.

1. Buddha Purnima, the birth of Lord Buddha – full moon day of Baisakh (April-May)
2. Gunla, the holy Buddhist month, according to Newari calender (August – September)
3. Kojagrath Purnima (September – October)
4. Samyak Day of the Magh (January – February) every 12 years!

Kathmandu Durbar Square:-

Kathmandu Durbar Square “UNESCO World Heritage Site” also known people as Hanuman Dhoka  Durbar square is one of the major attractions in Kathmandu Valley.Among those cultural sites, the important one is the Hanuman-Dhoka Durbar Square. The name Hanuman-dhoka Durbar came from the statue of Hanuman established by the Malla Dynasty’s  King Pratap Malla at the entrance of the royal palace in 1672 A.D. storeyed residence built by Shah Dynasty’s  King Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1770,is called Basantapur Durbar(palace). The whole complex is also known as Kathmandu Durbar Square. Kathmandu it is srounding both Hindu and Buddhist temple. Most of  them are built in the pagoda style embellished with intricately carved exteriors as well as Most of the buildings we can see here date from 15th to 18th century. The major Interesting things to see here are “Kumari” (The Living Goddess) “Kastha Mandap”  Maru Ganesh, Mahadev Temple, Shiva Parvati Temple, Bhagwati Temple, Old palace, Saraswoti temple, Krishna Octangular Temple, Big drums, Kal Bhairav, Jagannath Temple, and Taleju Temple etc..

 The outer complex is renowned for numerous interesting temples as Kumari Ghar ( House),

Kasthamandap , Shiv-Parbati Temple, Jagannath Temple, Big Bell etc ,while the inner complex comprises the old palace area ,Hanuman-Dhoka and its courtyards as Nasal Choke ,Mul Choke ,Sundari Choke, Basantapur Durbar and other. Besides the magnificent temples and shrines, it has other interesting aspects are various festivals , cultural activities and traditions people are following from centuries, which are presented in the Durbar Square. The major festivals include mainly newari cultutres  like Indrajatra, Dashain, Gaaijatra, Machchhindra-nath Jatra ets. These are the occasion when the people from all over the city gather here to mark their centuries old traditions.

Patan Durbar Square:-

Situated on a little plateau across the river Bagmati river, Patan is only 7.8km south-east of Kathmandu city. This city is considered one of the oldest among the three cities of Kathmandu Valley.The city was founded in 3^rdcentury by King Veera Dev and has the distinction of being the home of the finest Newari craft. The finest Hindu and Buddhist monuments are scattered around but the most important monuments are in the square or close by.Other features like the Golden window, the royal bath of Sundaru Chowk, the Taleju Temple, and Keshab Narayan Chowk are worth visiting. The four stupas, located in the four cardinal directions, were erected by Indian Emperor Ashoka the Great

Bhaktapur Durbar Square:-           

This is a unique city located east of Kathmandu at 1,400m above sea level. With an area of 5 sq. kms. This unique city is divided into 24 traditional localities. It was founded by King Ananda Dev in 889 A.D. Bhaktapur in supposed to have been built in the shape of a conch shell, a scared symbol of Lord Vishnu. The world Bhaktapur means The City of Devotees. Bhaktapur; at one time an independent city, was ruled by the Malla Kings. They were very religious and gave importance to their artistic heritage which is evident throughout the city. Some of the significant monuments here are:

1. The Lion Gate: Built by King Bupatindra Malla in 17^thcentury A.D.
2. Golden Gate: The main entrance to the famous 55 Window Palace and Royal Taleju. Constructed in 1754 A.D.
3. The statue of King Bupatindra Malla.