Some of most popular Touristic places in Nepal
Kathmandu, the
largest city of Nepal, is the political as well as cultural capital of the
country. Kathmandu is a city where ancient traditions rub shoulders with the
latest technological advances. However, it is the grandeur of the past that enchants
the visitor whose gaze may linger on an exquisitely carved wooden window frame,
an 18th century bronze sculpture or the spiritually uplifting stupas. Like any
big city, Kathmandu has seen rapid expansion in the last decade, but despite
the hustle and bustle so typical of metropolitan cities, its people remain as
refreshingly friendly as ever. Retaining its ancient traditions, Kathmandu is
blessed by a Living Goddess and is enriched by endless ceremonial processions
and events that take to the streets every now and then with throngs of devotees
seeking blessings. These religious festivals are steeped in legend and are
quite a spectacle with chariot processions and masked dancers often possessed
by the spirits of deities.
KATHMANDU
DURBAR SQUARE (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
Situated in the
heart of old Kathmandu city at Basantapur, Kathmandu Durbar Square never fails
to impress first time visitors with its ensemble of palaces, courtyards and
temples built during the Malla period. The Durbar Square includes the Hanuman
Dhoka Royal Palace, the historic seat of the royalty; the magnificent Taleju
Temple towering more than 40 meters; Kumari Ghar, the residence of the Living
Goddess, Kumari; Ashok Vinayak, also called Kathmandu Ganesh, a temple without
a filial ; and Kal Bhairav, the God of Wrath. The capital takes its name from
the giant pagoda of Kasthamandap, which is said to have been built out of a
single tree. Since the time of the Malla kings, the Durbar Square has been the
city’s social, religious and political focal point.
AKASH BHAIRAV:
Believed to
have been built in the 12th century, the temple enshrines Akash Bhairav, a
ferocious manifestation of Lord Shiva. The three-storey temple with tiled
roofs, a hanging balcony, gilded and latticed windows and an artistic doorway
lies in the main market avenue called Indra Chowk.
ASAN:
Once the center
of old Kathmandu, the Asan market square is located about midway on the only
diagonal thoroughfare in Kathmandu that links Durbar Square with Durbar Marg. At
Asan, there are six roads radiating in all directions. The three-storied pagoda
style Annapurna Temple of Annapurna, the Goddess of Grains, presides over the
ever-lively bazaar. Asan is still an important shopping center and one of the
busiest market places with shops selling anything from imported spices to
kitchenware, fresh vegetables, Chinese goods, hardware and clothes.
SWAYAMBHUNATH
STUPA (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
Resting on a
hillock 3 km west of Kathmandu, it is one of the holiest Buddhist Chaityas in
Nepal. It is said to have evolved spontaneously when the valley was created out
of a primordial lake more than 2,000 years ago. This stupa is the oldest of its
kind in Nepal and has numerous shrines and monasteries on its premises.
PASHUPATINATH
TEMPLE (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
Situated 5 km
east of Kathmandu, the temple of Lord Shiva is considered one of the most
sacred Hindu shrines in the world. The two-tiered pagoda with golden roofs and
silver doors houses the sacred linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord Shiva.
Chronicles indicate the temple existed before 400 A.D. Near the Pashupatinath
Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River lies Guheswari, where, according to
mythology, a portion of Sati Devi, Lord Shiva’s consort, fell when a grief-stricken
Shiva wandered aimlessly across the earth carrying her dead body on his
shoulders following her self-immolation.
BOUDDHANATH
STUPA (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
Situated 8 km
to the east of downtown Kathmandu, Bauddhanath is one of the most imposing
landmarks in Kathmandu, visible as soon as you land at the Tribhuvan
International Airport. It is the largest stupa in the Kathmandu Valley and is
the center of Tibetan Buddhism.
BALAJU GARDEN:
Three
kilometers north-west of Kathmandu lies the Balaju Garden, a quiet park ideal
for relaxation just below the Nargarjun hill. The park has a line of 22 stone
water spouts built in the 18th century, each of which has an ornately carved
crocodile head. During an annual festival, people come here to take a ritual
bath. A replica of the stone image of Budhanilkantha was built here
specifically for the royal family who were barred from visiting the real one.
Above Balaju lies the Nagarjun forest (5 km northwest of Kathmandu). The summit
(2,096 m) is a two-hour walk, from where great views of the Kathmandu Valley
and a number of Himalayan peaks can be had. There is a Buddhist stupa and a
view tower on the summit.
THAMEL:
As the tourist
district of Kathmandu, Thamel bustles with activity late into the night. It is
a mere10-minute walk from the center of Kathmandu, yet completely different
from the rest of the city. Thamel caters entirely to tourists with its scores
of hotels, rows of restaurants and bars, book shops, inviting souvenir shops,
cyber cafes and travel agencies. All that a tourist needs can be found here,
even friends and traveling companions.
DHARAHARA:
The soaring
landmark of Kathmandu, the Dharahara tower is 50.5 m high and was built by then
Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa in 1832. It is open to anyone who can go up after
paying the entrance fee. The 360 degree astounding view of the Kathmandu Valley
is well worth the long climb up the spiraling staircase.
GARDEN OF
DREAMS:
At the entrance
of Thamel, the Garden of Dreams within the Kaiser Mahal complex has now been
renovated and restored to its former glory. Major attractions in this 24-acre
garden include neo-classical pavilions, fountains, decorative garden furniture,
Chinese Moon Gate and European inspired features such as pergolas, balustrades,
urns and birdhouses. Today it is open to the public with a restaurant and bar.
BUDHANILKANTHA:
The largest of
Vishnu’s stone statues, Budhanikantha lies at the foothills of the Shivapuri
hills, 8 km north of the Kathmandu city center. The large granite figure of
Lord Vishnu, reclining on a bed of serpents known as ‘Nagas’, seems to float in
a pond. This shrine dates back to the 5th century.
KIRTIPUR:
It is situated
on a ridge 8 km southwest of Kathmandu. The ancient Newar township - with its
brick-paved streets lined with typical red brick houses and tiled roofs, and
temple squares - is a natural fortress. The Chilamchu stupa and the temple of
Bagh Bhairav are major attractions here. Tribhuvan University, Nepal’s premier
seat of education, is located at the foothills of Kirtpur.
PHARPING:
Lying 18 km
south of Kathmandu on the valley rim, Pharping is perched on a hilltop with a
Buddhist monastery. Pharping’s main attraction is an elaborate 17th-century
temple which houses a glided image of Goddess Bajra Jogini. Other fascinating
sights here include a cave and a hand-imprint of the Buddhist saint
Padmasambhav on the rock face over its entrance.
DAKSHINKALI:
Four kilometers
further south of Pharping on the valley rim is the temple of Dakshinkali
dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. The shrine is especially crowded on
Tuesdays and Saturdays when animal sacrifices are offered to the deity. On the
way lies Chobhar gorge. The Bodhisatva Manjushree is said to have cut an
incision here to drain out the lake which once covered the valley. There is a
small but picturesque temple of Adinath on the top of a hill from where one can
have a panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains.
SHESHA NARAYAN:
Situated between
Chobhar and Dakshinkali, the temple of Shesha Narayan represents one of the
four Narayans of the Kathmandu Valley. The other three Narayans are Changu
Narayan of Bhaktapur, Visankhu Narayan of Patan and Ichangu Narayan of
Kathmandu.
Perched on a
hill at an altitude of 1,401 m, Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon, literally the City of
Devotees, is a major tourist destination that takes visitors back in time.
Bhaktapur lies 12 km to the east of Kathmandu on the Arniko Highway that leads
to the Chinese border. Covering an area of 6.4 sq. km, Bhaktapur is still
untouched by rapid urbanisation and has managed to retain its brickpaved roads,
charming red brick houses and a way of life that goes back to medieval times.
This ancient city is also famous for pottery and woodcarving amply displayed on
the squares and windows respectively.
BHAKTAPUR
DURBAR SQUARE (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
Among the three
durbar squares, the Bhaktapur Durbar Square is by far the most elegant with its
large open space facing south. The 15th century Palace of 55 Carved Windows and
the palace entrance, the Golden Gate - a masterpiece in repousse art - have
added splendour to this palace square which consists of buildings dating from
the 13th century to the 18th century. The extraordinary Durbar Square with its
extraordinary monuments reflects the glory days of the Malla dynasty when art
and architecture thrived in the three cities of the valley. In front of the
palace building are innumerable temples and architectural showpieces like the
Lion Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla mounted on a giant stone pillar
and the Batsala Temple. The stone temple of Batsala Devi is full of intricate
carvings and is a beautiful example of Shikhara-style architecture. There is a
bronze bell on the terrace of the temple, which is also known as the Bell of
Barking Dogs. Erected by King Ranjit Malla in 1737, its sounding announced the
beginning and end of a daily curfew.
NYATAPOLA
TEMPLE:
The unique
temple of Bhaktapur, the Nyatapola literally means ‘five storied’ and rises
above the city’s landscape as a remarkable landmark. It also has the
distinction of having withstood the devastating earthquake of 1933. Dedicated
to a tantric goddess, the steps leading up to the temple are flanked by stone
sculptures of deities and mythical beasts, each 10 times more powerful than the
one immediately below.
BHAIRAVNATH
TEMPLE:
Dedicated to Bhairav,
the God of Terror, the three-storied temple of Bhairavnath has only the head of
Bhairav in the inner sanctum. Legend has it that the Bhairav’s head was cut off
by a tantric expert in order to keep him in Bhaktapur. Built in pagoda style,
the temple is noted for its artistic grandeur and stands adjacent to the famous
five-storied Nyatapola Temple.
DATTATREYA
SQUARE :
It takes its
name from the Dattatreya Temple dedicated to a three-headed combination of the
Hindu deities Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This temple is said to have been built
from the trunk of a single tree. Near this temple is a monastery with
exquisitely carved peacock windows.
SIDDHA POKHARI:
For a small
city, Bhaktapur has the largest number of public water tanks built within the city
limits. Siddha Pokhari, which dates back to the Lichhavi period, is situated at
the bus stop. This large rectangular pond teems with fish and has stone images
of different Hindu and Buddhist gods on the walls surrounding it.
THIMI
It is a Newar
town situated about 8 km east of Kathmandu on the way to Bhaktapur. Besides
farming, most of the households here are engaged in pottery. This laid-back
town not only supplies Kathmandu its pottery but also its vegetables. The two
important deities here are those of Balkumari Temple, dedicated to the Mother
Goddess, and Karunamaya, the Buddha of Compassion.
SURYA BINAYAK:
The temple
dedicated to the Hindu deity Ganesh. Situated in a thick forest to the south of
Bhaktapur, it is a 20-minute walk from the bus stop. The temple is crowded with
devotees especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
TIBETAN REFUGEE
CAMP:
The camp on the
outskirts of Patan is a tourist attraction with its souvenir shops that sell
handwoven woollen carpets and handicrafts such as prayer wheels, an assortment
of belt buckles, wooden bowls and jewelry. The camp also houses a stupa and a
number of shrines.
CHANGU NARAYAN
TEMPLE (World Heritage Monument):
It is situated
on a ridge overlooking Bhaktapur, about 12 km to the east of Kathmandu. Dedicated
to the Hindu god Vishnu, it is one of the oldest specimens of pagoda
architecture in the valley. The temple dating from the Licchavi period is
embellished with exquisite wood and stone carvings.
Patan, also
known as ‘Lalitpur’, the city of artisans, lies 5 km southeast of Kathmandu,
and is home to the valley’s finest craftsmen who have preserved such ancient
techniques as the repoussé and lost wax process used to produce exquisite sculptures.
The city retains much of the old charm with its narrow streets, brick houses
and multitude of well-preserved Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries (vihars)
and monuments. The predominant sound in Patan is that of the tinkering of
craftsmen bent over the statuettes they are shaping. As in Kathmandu, Hinduism
and Buddhism have co-existed here for ages, influencing each other, and the
religious harmony is exemplary.
PATAN DURBAR
SQUARE (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
Like its
counterpart in Kathmandu, Patan Durbar Square is located in the heart of the
city and was once the palace of the kings of Patan. The square is an enchanting
mélange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples –
a display of Newari architecture that had reached its pinnacle during the reign
of the Malla kings. Among its numerous courtyards, the renovated Keshav Narayan
Chowk has been converted into a bronze artifact museum. The Sundari Chowk with
the sunken bath of Tusha Hiti is a showcase of exquisite woodcarvings, and
stone and metal sculptures. The magnificent Krishna Temple with its 21 gilded
spires, built in 1637, and the Manga Hiti, the sunken stone water spout, found
in the palace complex are but a few examples of its opulence. The Krishna
Temple, built entirely of stone, is said to be the first specimen of
Shikhara-style architecture in Nepal.
MAHABOUDDHA:
To the east of
Patan Durbar Square is Mahabouddha, an exceptional Buddhist monument of exquisite
terra cotta art form. On this 14th-century architectural masterpiece are
engraved thousands of images of Lord Buddha.
RUDRA VARNA
MAHAVIHAR:
Also known as
Uku Bahal, it is situated a few steps past Mahabouddha and contains an amazing
collection of images and statues in metal, stone and wood. The stone-paved
courtyard is enclosed by a two-story building with gilded roofs. The kings in
ancient times were believed to have been crowned in this monastery. Many of the
treasures offered by devotees can be seen here even today.
HIRANYA VARNA
MAHABIHAR:
Dating from the
12th century, the three-storied shrine, also known as the Golden Temple, houses
an image of the Buddha inside the courtyard or Kwa Bahal. The monastery is
known for its exceptionally fine wood-carvings and repousse work. It is a
five-minute walk west and north from the northern end of Durbar Square.
KUMBHESHWAR:
The temple
dedicated to Lord Shiva is the only five-storied pagoda in Patan and one of the
only three surviving five-storey temples in the country. A natural spring
within the courtyard of this temple built in 1392 is said to have its source in
the glacial lake of Gosainkunda in northern Kathmandu. A large gathering of
devotees arrive here for a ritual bath on the day of Janai Poornima in August.
JAGAT NARAYAN:
The Jagat
Narayan Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River at Sankhamul is a tall
shikhara-style temple consecrated to Lord Vishnu. Built of red bricks, the
temple has many fine images. An attractive metal statue of Garuda mounted on a
stone monolith is accompanied by several images of Ganesh and Hanuman.
ASHOKA STUPAS:
There are four
stupas, supposed to have been built by Emperor Ashoka of India in 250 BC,
marking the four corners of Patan. They are situated at Pulchowk, Lagankhel,
Ibahi and in Teta (way to Sano Gaon) respectively. At the time they were built,
Buddhism was flourishing in the Kathmandu Valley.
TIBETAN REFUGEE
CAMP:
The camp on the
outskirts of Patan is a tourist attraction with its souvenir shops that sell
handwoven woollen carpets and handicrafts such as prayer wheels, an assortment
of belt buckles, wooden bowls and jewelry. The camp also houses a stupa and a
number of shrines.
PATAN
INDUSTRIAL ESTATE:
Situated at Lagankhel
near Sat Dobato, it is known for handicrafts such as wood carvings, metalcraft,
handwoven woollen carpets and thanka paintings. There is a shopping arcade
where handicrafts are on exhibition.
Pokhara’s
bewitching beauty has been the subject of many travel writers. Its pristine
air, spectacular backdrop of snowy peaks, serene lakes and surrounding greenery
make it ‘the jewel in the Himalaya’, a place of remarkable natural beauty. With
the magnificent Annapurna range forming the backdrop and the serenity of three
major lakes – Phewa, Rupa and Begnas – Pokhara is the ultimate destination for
relaxation. Pokhara Valley, gateway to the Annapurna region where many a
trekker finds his Shangri-la, sits high on the list of ‘must visit’ places in
Nepal.
Pokhara once
lay on the important trade route between India and Tibet. To this day, mule
trains set up camps on the city outskirts, bringing goods from remote Himalayan
regions including Mustang. Gurungs and Magars, who have earned world-wide fame
as fierce Gurkha warriors, are predominant here. Thakalis, indigenous of the
Thak Khola region of Mustang, are known for their entrepreneurship and run tea
houses along the trek routes in the Annapurna region.
Mountain Views:
Pokhara is
blessed with stunning panoramic views of the Annapurna range which forms its
backdrop. The mesmerizing Machhapuchhre also called Mt. Fishtail dominates the
scenery because of its proximity to the valley and can be seen from anywhere in
Pokhara. Stretching from east to west, the Annapurna massif includes Annapurna
1 to IV and Annapurna South. Further away are seen the giants, Dhaulagiri
(8,167m) and Manaslu (8,163m).
Phewa Lake:
Pokhara owes
its popularity to the enchanting Phewa Lake, and along its eastern shore has
grown the Lakeside or Baidam, a thriving resort town of hotels, restaurants,
bars and souvenir shops that allow travelers to relax and enjoy. Phewa Lake is
the largest and most beautiful of the three lakes, attracting a large number of
visitors who enjoy boating on its placid waters. Boats can be hired, and many
visit the island temple of Barahi in the middle of the lake.
Barahi Temple:
Located in the
middle of Phewa Lake, Barahi Temple is one the most important monuments in
Pokhara. The two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima
who represents the female force, Shakti. Sacrifices take place here, and the
largest crowds of devotees are seen on Saturdays.
Seti:
An amazing aspect of Pokhara is the vanishing river, Seti, which goes underground and disappears in many places along its route through the city. At various points Seti is barely 2 m wide but its depth reaches an astonishing 20 m! A good spot for watching the river is Mahendra Pul at Bhimsen Chowk, a bridge near the old Mission Hospital. Here the river can be seen in all its ferocity gushing down the deep gorge that it has carved over millennia.
Devi’s Fall:
Locally known
as the Patale Chhango (Nether Fall), Devi’s Fall is a fascinating
waterfall located about 2 km south-west of Pokhara Airport on the Siddhartha
Highway.
Mahendra Gupha:
This is a large
limestone cave at a two-hour walk to the north of Pokhara. Locally known as the
House of Bats, it is famous for its stalactites and stalagmites.
World Peace Pagoda:
The World Peace
Pagoda can be seen on top of a hill on the southern fringe of Phewa Lake. It
has four images of the Buddha facing the four directions. The dome-shaped
pagoda is an impressive sight, and its hilltop location commands a great view.
It is a great vantage point which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna.
The Old Bazaar:
A stark
contrast to Lakeside Pokhara, the old Pokhara Bazaar, 4 km away
from Phewa Lake, is a traditional bazaar and a colorful gathering place for an
ethnically diverse group of traders. The temples and monuments bear a close
resemblance to the Newari architecture of the Kathmandu Valley. The old bazaar
is also home to one of Pokhara’s most important shrines, the Bindhyabasini
Mandir, a white dome-like structure atop a hill.
Activities in
Pokhara
Pokhara Valley
has in recent years grown as a destination for adventure sports such as
paragliding and ultra-light aircraft flights. And with boating, bird watching,
trekking and mountain biking as other attractions, Pokhara has it all.
MOTOR BIKING:
Nothing quite
compares to the thrill of exploring the valley on a motorbike. With natural
beauty abounding around Pokhara, the ride is adventure packed with thrills and
excitement. The friendly locals make the trip delightful and one can venture
anywhere in the unrestricted valley. All you need for a great time is a good
bike and a reliable map.
BOATING:
Pokhara’s Phewa Lake naturally draws visitors towards it. Easily the best means of recreation, boating is a favorite pastime which one can enjoy any time of day. The other two lakes, Begnas and Rupa, are located 15 km out of Pokhara. Less visited but no less beautiful, both these lakes are excellent for boating and fishing.
ULTRA-LIGHT AIRCRAFT:
Go up in an
ultra-light aircraft and get a sweeping bird’s eye view of the entire Pokhara
Valley. It is an exhilarating ride that allows unhindered views of the
mountains and the scenic lakes far below. Ultra-light flights are operated from
Pokhara Airport beginning September through June.
PARAGLIDING:
Paragliding is perhaps the most rewarding of short duration adventure sports given the fact that there is nothing between you and the scenery unfolding before you. In the distance lie the majestic Himalayas and down below are the villages, monasteries, temples, lakes and jungles, a truly bird’s eye view and a fascinating one at that.
GOLF:
Pokhara has the space and climate suitable for golf, and the sport was introduced here many years ago. There are two world-class golf courses in Pokhara.
PONY RIDING:
It is a
delightful way of getting around Pokhara. Rides are organized by operators for
valley and the surrounding hills.
RAFTING:
Nepal’s rivers rank high in the world of white-water rafting, and Pokhara is ideally situated for raft trips along its rivers. The most popular river for rafting is the Trishuli River, which flows along the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway. Equally good with plenty of exciting rapids are the Kali Gandaki and Seti rivers.
MOUNTAIN BIKING:
Take to the
countryside where you can ride through lush green fields, delightful little
hamlets, up and down the hills, along river banks, around temples, over
suspension bridges and along the highway. Mountain bikes can be easily rented
from any of the numerous bicycle rental shops in and around the city.
HIKING AROUND POKHARA:
HIKING AROUND POKHARA:
There are
hiking destinations around Pokhara for those constrained by time to go on
longer popular treks to the Annapurna Circuit.
SARANGKOT :
It (1,592 m) is
a former Kaski fort atop a hill 5 km west of the old bazaar. Overnight visit to
Sarangkot offers a grandstand view of sunset and sunrise over the Annapurna.
KASKIKOT/NAUDANDA :
It (1,500 m)
lies about three hours from Sarangkot or 15 km west from Pokhara. It is a soft
walk through green hills and ancient ruins with good views of Phewa Lake,
Pokhara Valley and the mountains.
KAHUNDANDA (1,520 m):
To the
northeast of Pokhara, is a ruined fort on the summit with a view tower that
offers spectacular scenery. It is an opportunity to walk though deciduous
forests and savor rural life. Spectacular views of the Seti River and sunrise
and sunset are the high points.
GHALCHOWK:
A five-hour walk to the north of Pokhara, is a typical Gurung village and is one of the region’s oldest settlements.
SIRUBARI:
It is a small village nestled on the southern slopes of a ridge at 1,700 m. The village is a 5-hour walk from Pokhara, about 20 km to the northeast. The village inhabited by the Gurungs is small and compact with neat and clean trails connecting the mainly stone and slate-built houses. Sirubari won the PATA Gold Award in 2001 for its initiative to preserve heritage and culture.
Chitwan
literally means “heart of the jungle”. In recent years Chitwan tops the list of
things to do in Asia. It is a truly wildlife adventure of a different kind –
jungle safaris on elephant backs or jeeps, birdwatching, canoe rides and jungle
walks.
The Chitwan
National Park is Asia’s best preserved conservation area, where wildlife
thrives and their habitats remain intact. Only half-hour flight from Kathmandu,
the park lies in the Inner Terai lowlands and consists of Sal forests, tall
elephant grasslands, hills, ox-box lakes and flood plains of the Narayani,
Rapti and Reu rivers. Enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Natural) in
1984, the park spreads over an area of 932 sq. km.
EXPERIENCING
WILDLIFE:
The park is
home to 56 species of mammals, 49 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 525
species of birds. Wildlife found here include endangered species like the
one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal tiger, gaur, wild elephant,
four-horned antelope, leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, rhesus monkey, grey
langur monkey, wild dog, small wild cats, and many other smaller animals. Also
found here are cobras, kraits and pythons. The swampy areas and numerous oxbow
lakes of Chitwan provide a home for the marsh mugger crocodiles. In a stretch
of the Narayani River are found one of the few remaining populations of the
rare and endangered fish-only eating gharial, or Gangetic crocodile. Also found
here is one of the world’s four species of freshwater dolphins.
BIRDWATCHING :
The park is a
great place to watch colorful birds like woodpecker, hornbill, Bengal florican
and red-headed trogon. Winter birds such as waterfowls, Brahminy duck, pintails
and bareheaded geese are drawn by the sanctuary of the park’s rivers. In
summers, the forest is alive with nesting migrants such as the fabulous
paradise flycatcher, the Indian pitta and parakeets. Winter birds include
migratory birds from Siberia.
JUNGLE SAFARI :
A typical
2-nights/3-days jungle safari includes wildlife safari on elephants, canoe ride
to watch the crocodiles and water birds, rural tour to view the lifestyle of
the indigenous Tharu people, and nature walks to see the exotic flora and
fauna. Apart from the jungle safari, the Elephant Breeding Center and Gharial
Crocodile Farm, where these animals and reptiles have been successfully bred in
captivity, are worth a visit.
VISITING
DEVGHAT:
About 6 km to
the north of Bharatpur, on the way to the Chitwan National Park, is a prominent
pilgrimage site Devghat, at the confluence of the Trishuli and the Kali Gandaki
rivers, which then form the Narayani, a major tributary of the Ganga.
Confluences of major rivers such as these are considered very holy. On the day
of Makar Sankranti, the first day of the Nepali month of Magh in January,
pilgrims converge here to take holy dips. There are a large number of shrines,
temples, ashrams and old age homes at Devghat. Balmiki Ashram was a retreat
used by the great Hindu sage Balmiki, where Sita came to live with her two sons
Lav and Kush after separating from Ram. The ashram is situated in a forest on
the bank of the Tribeni River, at the southwestern corner of the national park.
TREKKING
CHEPANG HILL TRAIL:
Chitwan
midhills, home of the indigenous Chepangs, provide interesting trekking tours
leading to rustic Chepang villages, birdwatching opportunities and wonderful
views of the mountains and the surrounding hills and plains. The trail can be
started or ended at Hugdi that lies on the Kathmandu-Chitwan highway, and one
can go rafting on the Trishuli River upto this point. The other end of the
trail is Shaktikhor. More information is available about the Chepang Hill Trail
on New Products section.
Lumbini, the
birthplace of Lord Buddha, in the Terai plains of Nepal is one of the greatest
pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. More than 400,000 Buddhists and non Buddhists
visit Lumbini every year. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Culture) and
holds immense archeological and religious importance.
Sacred Garden:
It was here in the gardens of Lumbini that Prince Siddhartha Gautam, who later
became the Buddha, was born in 623 BC. The nativity site is marked by a
commemorative pillar erected by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka of India during his
pilgrimage to the holy site in 249 BC.
The inscription
on the Ashoka Pillar indentifies the Sacred Garden - spread over 9 sq. km
– as the spot where the Enlightened One was born. A large number of Buddhist
pilgrims from all over the world visit Lumbini to pray at the Mayadevi
Temple where excavations have revealed the “marker stone” showing the exact
spot where Siddhartha Gautam Buddha was born. The sacred Puskarni Pond
where Queen Mayadevi had taken a bath before the birth of Buddha lies to the
south of the pillar. It was also in this pond that the infant Buddha was given
his first bath.
Monuments: To
the north of the Sacred Garden are monastic zones where different countries
have built temples and monasteries depicting different sects of Buddhism. The
Myanmar Temple (Lokamani Cula Pagoda) is a shiny gold and white structure that
resembles the Shwe-dagon Pagoda of Yangon while the International Gautami Nuns
Temple is a replica of the Swayambhu Stupa of Kathmandu.
The China
Temple, built by the Buddhist Association of China, is a complex of pagodas,
prayer rooms and meditation cells. Across the road is the Dae Sung Suk Ga
Sa Korean Temple. The Japan Peace Stupa, built by Nippon Jon Kyohoji of Japan,
is a 41-m tall structure with four different Buddha statues set into the
stupa’s dome facing the four cardinal directions.
Other beautiful
monuments and temples have been built by Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia, France,
Germany and Sri Lanka.
Lumbini is 22
km from the border town of Bhairahawa, which is connected by air to Kathmandu.
One can also travel 300 km, or eight hours, by bus or car from Kathmandu. There
are several good hotels and lodges with modern amenities in Lumbini. Visitors
can also stay in nearby Bhairahawa.
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