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Kirtipur
It is small town, 8km southwest of Kathmandu lies
atop a hill. This historic town has many things to
offer like old shrines and temples and old houses.
Some of the folks are typically dressed in
traditional costumes, and can be spotted working on
looms.
Chobhar
Located 9km southwest of Kathmandu, this place is
famous
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for its gorge. All the water of the
valley drains through it. There is a small but
picturesque Adinath temple on the top of a hill from
where one can take in a spectacular view of snow
topped giant Himalayan peaks.
Nagarkot
Nagarkot is a popular tourist resort of Nepal. It is
located 32km east of Kathmandu valley at an altitude
of 2175m above sea level. The panorama of the major
peaks of the eastern Nepal Himalayan ranges
including Mt. Everest can be seen from this spot. It
is also famous for sunrise and sunset viewing.
Overnight at Hotel.
Daman
For those seeking the ultimate panoramic Himalayan
view, Daman is the place to go. Situated 80km
southwest of the Kathmandu valley, Daman (2,400m)
offers the only unimpeded view of the entire
Himalayan ranges. Daman is located on the Tribhuvan
highway between Kathmandu and the town of Birgunj
lies on the south. There is a view tower fitted with
long-range telescopes. It can be reached in
four-hours drive from Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel.
Kakani
Situated 29km northwest of Kathmandu, the fabulous
holiday area of Kakani features attractions ranging
from beautiful alpine scenery to the magnificent
Himalayan panorama particularly of the Ganesh Himal
massif. Other peaks that can be closely seen from
Kakani such are: Gaurishanker (7134m), Choba Bhamre
(6109m), Manaslu (8163m), Himalchuli (7893m),
Annapurna (8091m) and several other peaks. Overnight
at Hotel.
Dhulikhel
This ancient town is located 30km east of Kathmandu,
on the side of the Arniko highway. The Newar town of
Dhulikhel offers a traditional atmosphere along with
spectacular views. Once an important link in the
ancient trade route to Tibet, Dhulikhel has a
glorious past, which can be seen in the lovely
buildings and intricate woodcarvings in the
shop-lined streets and temples. Pleasant climate is
big attraction at Dhulikhel. Overnight at Hotel.
Panauti
It is a thriving Newari village with beautiful
temples and interesting old houses. Located between
Punyamati and Rosikhola about 34km south east of
Kathmandu. It derives its name from Punyamati River,
also known as Punyamata by the local people. It is
an interesting spot, as the people tend to believe
that there is a huge rock all the way to Godavari
from Panauti. They take it as a Naga, the serpent
king capable of protecting them against earthquake
of any richer scale in 1934. Once you are in Panauti,
you will discover that the whole area is dotted with
innumerable gods and goddesses rather like the
constellation of stars in the universe.
Namo Buddha
Namo Buddha or Namura Stupa, which is highly revered
by both Nepalese and Tibetan Buddhists. This is
situated on a hill above Panauti. There is an
amazing legends related to the Buddha, which is
commemorated by an ancient stones slab and a stupa
with the al-seeing eyes. From here, one can have
incredible views to the Himalayan to north. A 7th
century Chinese Buddhists pilgrim was told a similar
story in Mongolia when he visited pilgrimage place,
which seems to show the story was going the rounds
of the tellers. It is said that Buddha in one of his
previous lives was a prince and while game hunting
with his friends, he found some tiger cubs whose
mother was starving and unable to feed them. The
prince cut some flesh from his body and fed the
starving tigress and her cubs. The local from
Panauti claimed him as their prince and say because
of this good deed he became the Buddha in a later
life.
Tansen
Located at an altitude of 1343m, Tansen is the most
popular summer resort in western Nepal because of
its position and climate. It has the most extensive
views of the country's chief attraction, the great
Himalayan ranges from Gaurishanker in the northeast
to Dhaulagiri in the west. It takes just seven-hours
by drive from Pokhara to get Tansen. Overnight at
Hotel.
Palanchowk Bhagawati
It is a 42km, one-hour drive from Kathmandu to
Palanchowk on the Arniko highway. This noted
historic temple of goddess Kali is situated at a
hilltop some 7km north of Panchkhal. One can really
enjoy the panoramic view of the landscape from this
spot. This temple is said to have been constructed
during the region of King Mandev. The temple houses
a three feet high idol of goddess Kali artistically
carved in a black stone, which is one of the best
examples of such intricate workmanship.
Lumbini
Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It is
situated 230 km away from Kathmandu in the Rupandehi
District of Southern Terai (lowland), at an altitude
of 600 ft above sea level. Lumbini, respected by all
Buddhists. In 1998, Lumbini was declared as the
Fountain of world peace and the pilgrimage for all
the peace loving people of the world.
Some important places in Lumbini are:
The Lumbini Garden: This is the site marked by a
certain stone pillar erected by the Indian Emperor
Ashoka at about 245 B.C. The most important
discovery in this place is a stone marked to suggest
the exact birthplace of Buddha.
Mayadevi Temple: This temple, dedicated to the
mother of lord Buddha-Maya Devi, was excavated a few
years ago. Many sculptures and carving in which the
figures and designs are only slightly projecting
from their backgroung are seen here. This temple is
in the process of beginning restored by the Lumbini
Development Trust.
Pushkarni Pond: This is the pond where Mayadevi is
said to have had a bath before giving birth to
Buddha.
Ramagram: It is believed to be the maternal home of
Buddha. This is where we can see the biggest stupa,
with important relics. It is said that it was built
around 600 B.C.
Ashoka Pillar: It is the most important sight being the massive
stone pillar erected by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka
in 250 B.C., which was found only in 1985.
Lumbini has many new monasteries occupied by
different nations. Some notable ones are:
The Myanmar temple was built with the contribution
from Burmese Buddhists. The monastery is an
attractive big white structural monument with a
golden pinnacle soaring into the sky.
The China Temple, which is a very beautiful pagoda
styled temple with many prayer and meditation cells.
The Korean Temple is a beautifully set temple having
many remarkable images of Buddha. |
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