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KATHMANDU
(Capital of Nepal)
The Kathmandu Valley, the political,
commercial and cultural hub of Nepal, is the first stop for
the majority of visitors to the country. Once a separate kingdom
in itself, it contains three fabled cities - Kathmandu (local
name: Yen, population 5,50,000); Patan (Yala, population 1,60,000);
and Bhaktapur (Khopa, population 75,000); There are seven
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Valley. The history of
the Valley begins with the Buddhist saint Manjushree who slashed
a passage through the surrounding hills to drain out the primordial
waters and make it inhabitable. Over the centuries, a refined
urban civilization emerged, built on a unique synthesis of
Hindusm and Buddhism. Dynasties came and went. Trade and the
arts flourished. Its deeply religious Newar inhabitants built
faboulous cities and the artistic temples that attracted devout
pilgrims as well as rampaging invaders. In the late 18th century,
following the founding of modern Nepal within more or less
the present boundaries, Kathmandu was made the capital.
Places
To See
Kathmandu
- Pashupatinath Temple
- Bouddhanath & Swayambhu
Stupa
- Changu Narayan Temple
- Balaju Garden
- Budhanilkantha
- Kirtipur
- Dakshinkali & Chobhar
- Basantapur Durbar Square
Patan
- Patan Durbar Square
- Iba Bahi
- Kwa Bahal & Oku Bahal
- Mahabouddha
- The Central Zoo
- Tibetian Refugee Camp
- Banglamukhi Temple
Bhakatapur
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square &
Potter's Square
- Taumadhi & Dattatreya
Square
- Siddha Pukhu
- Surya Binayak Temple
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POKHARA
If Kathmandu is the cultural hub
of Nepal, then Pokhara is its center of adventure. An enchanting
city nestled in a tranquil valley (altitude 827m), it is the
starting point for many of Nepal's most popular trekking and
rafting destinations. The atmosphere on the shores of Phewa
Lake is one of excited vitality as hipster backpackers crowd
the many bars and restaurants exchanging recommendations on
guest houses and viewpoints, both by the lake and abouve the
clouds.
Pokhara (Population
95,000) is a place of remarkable natural beauty. The serenity
of Phewa Lake and the magnificance of the fish-tailed summit
of Machhapuchhre (6,977m) rising behind it create an ambiance
of peace and magic. At an elevation lower than Kathmandu,
it has a much more tropical feel to it, a fact well appreciated
by the beautiful diversity of flowers which prosper in its
environs. Indeed, the valley surrounding Pokhara is the home
to thick forests, gushing rivers, emerald lakes and of course,
the world famous views of the Himalaya.
Pokhara is apart
of a once vibrant trade route extending between India and
Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the
outskirts of the town, Bringing goods to trade from remote
regions of Himalaya. This is the land of the Magar and Gurung,
hard-working farmers and valorous warriors who have earned
worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers. The Thakalis, another important
ethnic group here, are known for their entrepreneurship.
Place
To See
- Mountain Views
- Phewa, Begnas & Rupa Lakes
- Barahi Temple
- World Peace Pagoda
- Seti Gandaki & Mahendra
Gupha
- The Old Bazar
- Bindhyabasini Temple
- Pokhara Museum, Annapurna
Museum & Natural History Museum
Adventure
Sports
- Boating & Paragliding
- Pony treks
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NAGARKOT
Nagarkot is a popular tourist resort of Nepal.
It is situated 32 Kilometers east of Kathmandu at an elevation
of 7200ft. above sea level. From here you can see the breathtaking
panoramic view of the major peaks of eastern Nepal. Himalayan
peaks like Manaslu (8463 mtr.), Ganesh (7111 mtr.), Langtang
(7246 mtr), Gaurishankar 7134 mtr.) are also clearly seen
from Nagarkot. Nagarkot stands at Sunrise & Sunset.
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THE
ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
One of the most prestigious and well managed park in Asia,
The Royal Chitwan National Park covers an area of 976 sq.km.
with plans to extend the area in the future. The park's climate
is multi-faceted including subtropical forest, swamps, and
grassland savanas which including the tiger, Great one horned
rhinoceros, scaly ant eater, etc. as well as several other
species of reptiles, amphibians, insects and butterflies.
View from the north side of the parks are astounding with
the snow capped mountains of the Himalayan Range as a back
drop to the setting of the camp. Some of the peaks that can
be seen on a clear day include: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu
and Himalchuli.
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JANAKPUR
Janakapur is one of the fourteen
zones of Nepal. It has six districts. Dhanusha, Mahottary,
Sarlahi, Sindhuli, Ramechhap ;and Dolkha. Dhanushadham from
which this district takes its name is the holy and famous
place where a piece of the massive bow broken by Lord Shri
Ram in the Treta Yug (Silver Age). The town of janakapur lies
in Dhanusha and is the biggest town in the district and the
fifth biggest town in Nepal. Janakpur is a great Hindu religious
place. It is famous as the birth place of Sita, the consort
of Lord Ram. There is an artistic marble temple of Sita (Janaki),
Popularly known as Naulakha Mandir, Religious festivals, Pilgrime,
trade fairs and other festivities are held here on Bivaha
Panchami and Ram Navami. Janakpur is also linked with Kathmandu
by air (30 minutes) and road (8 to 10 hrs). It is bounded
by Jaleswor, Sitamahi of India on the South-west, Jaynager
of India in the south-east, Dhanushadam is to the north-east
and Malangwa in the west. Girijadham is to the south, janakpur
is said to contain 52 temples (hermitages) and 72 ponds.
Janakpur is rightly
called a town of temples andhermitages where devotees of Ram
and Sita make obeisance. Some temple & ponds are known
by Historical name which places also have to be seen.
Place
To See
- Janaki Temple
- The temple of Lord Shri Ram,
Janak, Laxman, Dasarath, Rajdevi, Sankat Mochan, Mauni Baba,
Shiva temples
- Shri Ramanand Ashram
- Hanumat Durbar
- RangBhumi Maidan
- The Marriage Canopy
- Gyankup
- Ganga, Ratan & Maharaj
Sagar
- Agnikund, Biharkund, Sitakund
- Dugdhamati river
- Mani Mandap
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