Kathmandu UNESCO Heritage Sites Day Tour

Kathmandu Durbar Square consists of some of the greatest architectural marvels of Kathmandu Valley that were built several centuries ago. Also known as Basantapur Durbar Kshetra, the square is located in front of the old royal palace of the former rulers of Nepal.  Although the earthquake of 2015 caused many temples to collapse, reconstruction work has been going on in full swing. Nevertheless, you can still find the square decorated in spectacular architecture showcasing the skills of the Newar artists and craftsmen over several centuries.  The square is surrounded by courtyards, temples, shrines, and the public admiring the architecture while sipping tea and having a chat.

Stop At:  Taleju Temple

Taleju Temple is a historic temple located in the square. It is dedicated to the Goddess Taleju and was built in 1564 by MahendraMalla. Taleju Bhawani was the royal goddess of the Malla kings who ruled the Kathmandu valley between the 12th to the 18th century. The temple is home to golden statues and metal work depicting the goddess.

Stop At:  Kumari Chowk

Near the square lies the Kumari Chowk where the “living goddess” resides. It is strictly forbidden to take a picture of her. Inside, lies a three storeyed red brick building, which is home to the Kumari, and a courtyard. She is dressed in red and can be sometimes seen peeking at the word through her window.

Stop At:  Hanuman Dhoka

The palace overlooking the square is known as Hanuman Dhoka. A statue of Lord Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, sits at the entrance of the palace, thus giving the name of the palace. The palace was home to the Malla and Shah Rulers before the Shah Rulers shifted to the Narayanhiti Palace. The area has been known to be associated with the ruling class for long as 2000 years ago. Thus, it is a historical treasure. Our guide will let you in all the interesting facts about the palace.

Stop At:  Kaal Bhairav

The square is home to numerous landmarks but none as spectacular as the terrifying stature of KaalBhairav. In Hinduism, KaalBhairav is known as the conqueror of death.

Situated in the banks of the Bagmati River, Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred temples of the Hindus. It is where Lord Shiva, the creator and destroyer, is worshipped. With a history of more than 2000 years, this holy area filled with numerous collections of temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions added over the centuries. It was listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites's list in 1979. It is also where most Nepali Hindus come to cremate the deceased. The temple comes alive every evening for an “aarti ceremony” where priests organize a Puja for Lord Shiva on the banks of the Bagmati. The priests sing and chant holy songs for Shiva. However, the temple complex is most mesmerizing when thousands of devotees from all over the world visit the temple during Maha Shivaratri, the day celebrated as Lord Shiva’s birthday. One can find all kinds of activities in the temple the day. There are holy men of all kinds from every part of the subcontinent.

Stop At:  The Crematoria

This is where life and death meets. One can sit on the opposite side of the temple to witness people cremating their loved ones and spreading the ashes into the holy river. It is a surreal experience that makes you question your own existence.

Next on our list the world famous, Boudhanath Stupa. It is a significant holy site the followers of Buddhism. The stupa is one of largest stupas in the world and has a history that spans 2 millennia. The stupa, like Swayanbhunath, has four pair of eyes in all four directions. The eyes represent Lord Buddha watching over the people and their deeds.