Kathmandu

Kathmandu
A stroll around Kathmandu is like walking in a living museum. The city is laden religious temples, shrines and statues of deities. The sight of pilgrims paying homage to the holy carved stone idols or practicing sacred rituals are common in this city. Certainly, some parts of the city are filled with modern buildings and noisy traffic – testament that no city can escape modernity. However, the ambience of the traditional city is powerful enough not to be overwhelmed.

The city in progressSince Nepal opened up to the modern world in the early 1950s, Kathmandu has endured many political, cultural and social changes. Now the city appears to be living a dual life; the modern one and the deeply-rooted traditional life. The skyline of a traditional city has been altered by many new buildings sprawling over several parts of the old areas. Yet most streets are shared by various types of vehicles, street vendors, cows and beggars – same as always. Some of the streets such as Makhan Tole and Thamel have evolved into trendy hangouts for tourists and backpackers looking for cheap lodges, pubs, travel agents, and restaurants – all facilities that have erupted in response to tourism, which has become one of the major sources of national income. Nonetheless, much of the city life of the Nepalese still revolves around old traditions and religious practices.
The home of religious artsLying in the Kathmandu valley, the city is considered the spiritual center of Nepalese of varying beliefs – primarily Hinduism and Buddhism. All manner of religious buildings, can be found throughout the city. One religious landmark, which is also the city’s most popular tourist attraction, is Durbar Square. The area comprises Buddhist and Hindu temples, museums and red brick monuments that feature a range of masterpieces of Nepalese arts from intricate stone sculptures to erotic carvings (that appear pretty naughty to some eyes!). The architectural style is a blend of Chinese and Indian, which were adopted by the Newars, the native inhabitants of the Kathmandu valley. Most of the structures are believed to have been built during the 15th and 18th centuries; four temple complexes (Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa and Hanuman Dorka Durba Square) are UNESCO world heritage sites. There are several places in the area worth a visit such as the stone statue of Hanuman (the monkey god), the Temple of the living goddess, Swayambhunath Stupa, the Bouddhanath stupa and the Pashupatinath temple. These places are revered by the locals; travelers who are not Buddhists or Hindus are not allowed into some temple areas.