kathmandu

Kathmandu, is the political, commercial and cultural hub of Nepal. It showcases the rich culture, art and tradition of Nepal. The valley, roughly an oval bowl, is encircled by a range of green terraced hills and dotted by compact clusters of red tiled-roofed houses. It is composed of seven Monument Zones with three historical palaces within their essential urban settings (Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur), two Hindu centres (Pashupatinath and Changunarayan), and two Buddhist centres (Swayambhunath and Boudhanath). Thus, it boasts of a unique symbiosis of Hinduism, Buddhism and Tantrism in its culture, which is still as alive today as it was hundreds of years ago.

The religious influence can be openly seen in the city. Most of the principal monuments are in Durbar Square -- the social, religious and urban focal point of the city, built between the 12th and the 18th centuries by the ancient Malla kings of Nepal. Pashupatinath, 5 km north-east of Kathmandu Valley, is one of the most important Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Some of the other interesting tourist attractions are the Taleju Temple, Kal Bhairab, Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the Big Bell, Big Drum and the Jagannath Temple.