Kathmandu, the capital and largest city of the Republic of Nepal, is Nepal's cultural, political and commercial center. Surrounded by high mountains, the city is surrounded by many Buddhist and Hindu temples rising on fertile agricultural lands.
Kathmandu, which was identified with the hippie concept of the 1960s, became the symbol of love and peace and was called the City of Love. More than 70 ethnic languages are spoken in Kathmandu, where more than 40 ethnic groups still live.
Date
The first traces of settlement BC. Written history of Kathmandu Valley, seen in the 100s BC. It dates back to the 7th century. Founded as Kantipur by the Mallas in the 12th century, the name of the city was later changed to Kaasthamandap, meaning the city covered with wooden shelters, and over time it took its present form. The city, which came under the rule of the Bhaktapur Kingdom in the 14th century, was united under the rule of Prithvi Narahan Shah after long wars and became the capital of the kingdoms. Kathmandu, which attracted the attention of the whole world with the growth of the Hippie movement of the 1960s on Freak Street, has become a touristic center with its unique nature, rich culture and different lifestyle.
Places to visit
One of Nepal's holiest Buddhist shrines, the 5th-century Swayambhu Shrine is home to gigantic Buddha statues, indigenous monkeys, and souvenir stalls for tourists. Nasal Chowk, meaning dancing god, takes its name from the dancing statue of Shiva. Nasal Chowk, located in the courtyard of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, which can be reached by passing through the Hanuman Dhoka Pass to the east of Durbar Square, has many Malla goods and works of art. Narayanhity Royal Palace, which takes its name from the Narayanhity water in its garden, also houses the museum where royal items are exhibited. Machhendranath Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in Nepal and inspiring many Bhutanese and Indian buildings with its pagoda roof unique to Asian architecture, Machhendranath Temple is a structure that local people call the temple of millions of Buddhas. The reason is that 1 million Buddha-symbol tiles were used during its construction. Built in 1564 by King Mahendra Malla, Taleju Temple is famous for its nearly 40 meters high and human and monster reliefs on its walls. Chakra Narayan Temple, one of the 7 temples in the Kathmandu Valley, which is included in the UNESCO world heritage list, is located in Chakranarayan Village. The structure, one of the oldest Hindu temples, was built in the 4th century. The Pashupatinath Temple, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, which is visited by thousands of Hindus every year and home to many Sadu and Shiva disciples, is also considered a world heritage. Boudhanath Temple, one of the largest and most important Buddhist temples in the world, is a very special structure where many Buddhist events and festivals are held.
Durbar Square is an open-air museum in itself, which is considered a world cultural heritage. It is full of palaces, temples, shrines and courtyards built by the ancient Nepalese kings in the 12th and 18th centuries. The Old Royal Palace with lion statues at the entrance, Kasthamandap Temple, Narayanhity Durbar Museum are the main places to see in this square. Kumari Palace, built by the Mallas in 1757, is a place of great importance as it is the place where the most important Goddess Kumari lived and will come back in reincarnation.
The Garden of Dreams, built in 1920 and located in the city center, is a peaceful park with different types of trees and plants, an art gallery, cafes and resting areas. Nepal Fine Arts Association, short for NAFA, highlights the importance Nepalese place on their art and culture as a gallery that showcases the work of successful local artists.
Food & Drink and Shopping
The local cuisine of Kathmandu is a combination of ethnic groups and very different cultures, but heavily influenced by Indian and Tibetan flavors. If we count the most consumed dishes based on rice, vegetables, green lentils and a wide variety of spices: thukpa, alu tama, chop suey, gajar ko halwa, kheer, rasgoola, gulab jamuns, burfi, sewian, momo samosa and nimki. lassi, a drink resembling buttermilk, gorkha, Nepali beer, rakshi, which can also be called Nepali wine, chhaang and tongba, the Himalayan region drinks.
There are many local products that can be bought in Kathmandu: Silk and wool woven carpets and rugs; cashmere woven products, traditional Nepalese clothing and Tibetan monk robes; ornaments, sculptures and accessories made of brass, wood, ceramics and silver; handmade paper products, masks, khukuri knives, local dyes called thangkas; incense, spices, dried fruit and Nepali tea…
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