Kathmandu Valley is a valley where history, culture, and beautiful landscapes come together. This region, which includes the cities of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur, presents visitors a deep dive into Nepal’s rich traditions and natural beauty. It sits at an altitude of 1,400 meters above sea level. The mild climate and breathtaking surroundings of the valley make it a best place for travelers. In this blog, we will highlight the Top 3 Must-Visit Places For An Unforgettable Kathmandu Valley Tour, discovering three incredible locations that you will not want to miss.
Bhaktapur is believed to have been the capital of Nepal during the reign of King Prithivi Narayan Shah, the unifier of the nation, before Kathmandu became the capital. The entire valley is predominantly inhabited by the Newar community, who are rich in culture. They have their own language, called Nepal Bhasa, and their own calendar system, known as Nepal Sambat. In accordance with Nepal Sambat calendar, the current year is 1145. The distinct culture and traditions of the community are among the top attractions in the Kathmandu Valley.
Top 3 Must-Visit Places For An Unforgettable Kathmandu Valley Tour
As mentioned earlier, Kathmandu Valley is well-known for its cultural heritage. Basically, it is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here we will focus on three of these sites, which are best for a Kathmandu Valley tour. They are as follows:
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley. The square features some of the most famous historical and cultural landmarks in the country. It has been one of the best attractions in the valley for decades, located in Basantapur, Kathmandu. It is also called Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, named after the Hindu god, Hanuman, whose statue sits at the entrance.
The Durbar Square presents visitors distinct architecture, rich history, and royal heritage. It is currently a museum, with various entry fees: NPR 1,000 for foreign nationals, NPR 500 for SAARC citizens, and free entry for Nepalese. It was the royal palace of the Malla kings of Kathmandu and later became the residence of the Shah dynasty after the unification of Nepal.
Celebration of one of the major festivals in the Kathmandu Valley in the Durbar square, Indra Jatra
Kathmandu Durbar Square is famous for its outstanding traditional Newar architecture. Most of the buildings are designed in a pagoda style, with skillfully carved wooden windows and stone sculptures, making it one of the best places to visit in the Kathmandu Valley. Some of the architectural features, notable structures, and temples in the area are listed below:
Kumari Ghar: It is a residence of the living Hindu goddess of Kathmandu, known as Kumari. It is made by carving ornate wood and is a well-known structure in the area.
The Hunuman Dhoka Palace: The Palace was the residence of the Malla Kings of Kathmandu until the invasion of the Kathmandu Valley by Prithivi Narayan Shah in the 19th century. It has a beautiful courtyard and complex woodwork.
The Taleju Temple: The Temple is dedicated to Taleju, the goddess of the Malla Kings. It is a large and magnificent pagoda-style temple.
The Nine-Storey Building: It is a place once used for royal family gatherings and functions, built in pagoda style.
Shiva-Parvati Temple: The temple is dedicated to one of the Hindu god couples, Lord Shiva and Parvati.
Kasthamandap: It is a temple dedicated to the god Gorakhnath. The temple was built in the 12th century during the period of the Lichchhivi Dynasty, and it is believed to have been made from the woods of a single tree. Moreover, it is the origin of the capital city’s name, Kathmandu.
Vishnu Temple: It is a temple dedicated to one of the most revered gods in Hinduism, Lord Vishnu. It is small but intricately built.
Shree Kaal Bhairav Temple: The temple is dedicated to Kaal Bhairav, a demon-like form of Lord Shiva, who is believed to guard the valley against evil or negative forces.
The Dubar Square is not only popular for architectural marvels but also famous for cultural events, such as Indra Jatra and Dashain. Many other rituals and royal ceremonies are still conducted in the area. It is home to various temples, as well as statues of gods and goddess, and shrines, giving the square area a cultural vibe and drawing the attention of tourists (both domestic and international). It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Kathmandu Valley in 1979, as it has cultural, architectural, and historical importance.
Devotees posing in front of Kaal Bhairav
Unfortunately, the Kathmandu Durbar Square area was severely damaged due to the earthquake in 2015. Several temples, statues, buildings, etc. were thoroughly destroyed, and some were damaged. Nevertheless, the government of Nepal has been working to repair the damage and preserve the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Durbar Square is currently regaining its former shape. The flow of tourists is increasing every day, making the area busier. People mostly visit here to take photos, enjoy the ancient architecture, visit temples, and buy traditional Nepalese handicrafts.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square is one of the most important historical and cultural destinations in Nepal. The square is among the best places to visit in the Kathmandu Valley. It is also known simply as Patan, located in the heart of Lalitpur. Patan is the original name of the city; later, it was named Lalitpur after one of the legendary citizens of Patan, Lalit.
Patan Durbar Square is well-known for its winding architecture, Newar culture, and rich history. This place has a larger presence of both Buddhism and Hinduism within the Newar community compared to Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.Numerous jewelry shops, traditional handicraft stores, souvenir shops, and traditional Newar cuisine shops are available in the square, making the area one of the best places to hang out with family and friends.
Patan Durbar Square is another World Heritage Site in the valley recognized by UNESCO in 1979, like Kathmandu Durbar Square, due to its cultural, historical, and architectural significance. Since then, it has attracted many tourists, both domestic and international. Siddhi Narsingh Malla, a devotee of Lord Krishna, is one of the legendary Kings of the city. Most of the square area’s buildings are pagoda-style structures, characterized by tiered roofs and skillful woodwork.
Visitors sitting in the Krishna Temple to avoid the rain
Durbar Square was the home and political centre of the Malla Kings of Patan, who ruled for almost 300 years, from the 16th to the 18th century. After King Prithivi Narayan Shah invaded the valley, the city also became the part of unified Nepal and continues to be a destination of political and cultural importance. Apart from its ancient architecture and temples, it is also the place for cultural and traditional events, such as the Rato Machhindranath Jatra, Kartik Nach (Dance), etc.
Some of the popular architecture in the Patan Durbar Square area include:
Krishna Temple: The temple was inspired by King Siddhi Narasingh Malla’s dream. The king had an early morning dream in which he saw his beloved god, Lord Krishna, standing before him. As a result, he ordered his people to build a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna right in front of his room’s window so that he could see his god first thing every morning. Krishna Temple was built in 1637 from a single large stone.
The Royal Palace: The palace is located in the centre of Patan Durbar Square and is currently a museum. Tourists can view the ancient artifacts of the Malla Royal Family by visiting. The museum charges NPR 1,000 for foreign tourists, NPR 250 for SAARC nationals, NPR 30 for Nepalese, and NPR 15 for Nepalese students with an ID card or a letter from their college. The courtyard of the palace is also occasionally used for musicals and other special events.
Vishwanath Temple: The temple stands at the entrance of Patan Durbar Square. It has iconic pagoda-style roofs with intricate carvings and is dedicated to one of the Hindu gods, Lord Shiva.
The Mahabouddha Temple: The temple is made of terracotta bricks in a pagoda style. Because of it brick reliefs of the Lord Buddha, it is usually known as the “Temple of a Thousand Buddhas.”
The Hiranya Varna Mahavihar: The Mahavihar is also known as the Golden Temple due to its beautiful golden exterior. It is one of the popular Buddhist monasteries and one of the most important religious structures in the area.
Patan Durbar Square was equally affected by the devastating earthquake in 2015 just like Kathmandu Durbar Square. Multiple temples were damaged. Nevertheless, the government of Nepal has rebuilt many of the temples, though a few are still under reconstruction.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is one of the historic and ancient destinations in Nepal and is one of the top attractions in the Kathmandu Valley, like Kathmandu and Patan Durbar Square. It is situated in the heart of Bhaktapur. The entire city is well known for its festivals, culture, and ancient architecture, and so is Durbar Square. Like the other two durbar squares, it was also home to the Royal Malla Family of Bhaktapur and the center of the city’s political, religious, and cultural life.
Tourists roaming around Bhatkapur Durbar Square
Some of the remarkable architectures in the Bhaktapur Durbar Square are listed below:
Bhairabnath Temple: The temple is popular for its magnificence and architectural style, built in a pagoda style, and dedicated to Bhairab.
Taleju Temple: It is one of the significant structures in the Durbar Square, dedicated to the goddess Taleju, to which only the King had the authority to enter its inner sanctum.
The Golden Gate: The gate is recognized as one of the prime examples of traditional Newar art that leads to the 55-Window Palace.
The 55-Window Palace: The palace was the home of the Malla Kings of Bhaktapur and is one of the well-known designs. This masterpiece is named after its 55 wooden windows that are skillfully carved.
Vatsala Temple: It is a small Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Vatsala and is the finest example of Malla-era architecture, with intricate carvings.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is also a special place to celebrate the city’s traditional festival, Bisket Jatra, which is celebrated from the last week of the year to the first week of the new year in the Nepali calendar. A large chariot is pulled by the residents of the city while traditional Newari music is played on the streets.
Bisket Jatra Chariot
In 2015, the temples and other structures in Bhaktapur Durbar Square were also affected by the devastating earthquake. Among the three cities in the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur was the most damaged, and many people died. However, the government of Nepal has already rebuilt those damaged temples, and some are still under construction.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square was also considered a UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley in the same year as Kathmandu and Patan Durbar Squares. Since then, it has always been a great place for photo shoots, video making, and family and friend gatherings, like the other two Durbar Squares in the valley. There are also several souvenir shops, jewelry shops, traditional handicraft stores, and traditional Newar cuisine local restaurants available for tourists.
Conclusion
All three Durbar Squares mentioned above are some of the best places to visit in the Kathmandu Valley. They are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites for a reason. Although there are numerous places to visit or hangout, they are the top attractions in the Kathmandu Valley due to their traditional Newar culture, architecture, and festivals.
Not only are they significant for cultural and traditional purpose, but these squares are also famous for historical importance. The valley is believed to have been the heart of early Nepal before the unification campaign led by King Prithivi Narayan Shah.
