DAKSHINKALI

Dakshinkali Temple; is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali and is one of the most popular places of worship in Kathmandu. The word Dakshinkali is made up of Dakshin and Kali. Dakshin means south and Kali is derived from one of the Hindu goddess Kali. So it basically means the goddess Kali of the south. Located 22 km from the city center on the southern rim of the valley past Pharping village, the shrine is especially crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays when animal sacrifices are offered to the deity. According to a mythology the Goddess Durga has killed the demon and drank the fresh blood of animals. So lots of devotees gather there in a huge mass especially on Tuesday and Saturday where they usually sacrifice rooster and he goats. This is the reason blood is scarified to her.

The temple was built by Pratap Malla during 17th century, but the construction, seems to be very new. The preparation before and after the offering is very interesting to see. On the way back, we stop at Chobhar gorge. Legend has it that Manjushree cutout the gorge to drain out Kathmandu valley was then a lake. There is a small but picturesque temple of Adinath on the top of a hill. From this top one can have a completed view of snowcapped mountains peaks.

On the way, the sight of the gorge is impressive and it is worthwhile to walk down and across the old suspension bridge, throwing a glance down into the very narrow and deep chasm. In the midway near the village of Pharping, lies the the pleasant spot. Place to visit.

CHANGU NARAYAN

                  Changu Narayan is located on a magnificent hill top commoding a fantastic view of KATHMANDU VALLEY . Changu Narayan .The temple of lord Vishnu  lies 6km north of BHAKTAPUR .The temples is full of magnificent art works in metal and wood .

                      In fact it is one of the finest Example of Nepalese history found in the temple premises during the region of the Lichivi King Maha Deva dating back to 464 AD shows that changes had already been established as a sacred site in the 3rd Century though older elements have been incorporated during the restorations. the pagado Style temple has serval master piece of 5th & 12th  century Nepalese art.

 SOME OF THE IMPORTANT SCULPTURE HERE ARE AS FOLLOW :-

• VISWA ROOP :- This Sculpture dates and back to 8th century.
• VISHNU VIKASANTA  :- The stone bas- relief images is dated back to 8th century.
• VISHNUN MOUNTED IN THE VEHICLE  GARUDE :- Mythicalman Bird
• NAR-SINGH :- Vishnu is his half human and half lion's Form..

NAGARKOT

            

             Nagarkot, located 32 km east of Kathmandu, is one of the most scenic spots in Bhaktapur district and is renowned for its spectacular sunrise view of the Himalaya when the weather is clear. Visitors often travel to Nagarkot from Kathmandu to spend the night so that they can be there for the breathtaking sunrise.Thickly vegetated hills, lush green valleys, authentic villages, welcoming hospitality and breathtaking Himalayan views are what await you in Nagarkot, the premiere Hill Station on the Kathmandu Valley Rim. Situated above the Kathmandu Valley to the north of the city at an altitude of 2300 m. Nagarkot has become famous as one of the best spots to view Mount Everest as well as other snow-topped peaks of the Himalayan range of eastern Nepal. It also offers an excellent view of the Indrawati river valley to the east. With an elevation of 2,195 meters, Nagarkot also offers a Mind blowing view of the Valley .

                         Between October and March a trip to Nagarkot will nearly always be rewarded with a view, but you will be very lucky to catch more than a glimpse through the monsoon clouds between June and September. During the summer, sweaty valley residents escape the heat for the resort's cool mountain air; in winter they rush up if there's even a chance of being able to throw a tiny snowball. It can get very cold at Nagarkot in autumn and winter, so if you're staying overnight come prepared with warm clothing.

PATAN

The square, situated in the heart of the city, consists of enchanting melange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. The former royal palace complex is the center of Patan's religious and social life and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects. There are three main courtyards or chowks, so named central Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk in the square. The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal bath called Tushahity.

PLACE TO VISIT IN PATAN :-

• Krishna Mandir : is Nepal's finest piece of stone architecture. Siddhi Narsingh, a passionate devotee of Krishna, built this temple in the 17th century when he dreamed Krishna and Radha being union at this spot. This magnificent temple is a delicate, airy creation which defies its heavy material. 
• Mahabouddha : A little further east from the southern end of Durbar Square and then turning right at the sunken water taps lies this Buddhist monument. The temple, made of clay bricks with thousands of images of Lord Buddha engraved, is an excellent example of terra cotta art form. 
• Kwa Bahal (Golden Temple) This Buddhist monastery is a three storey golden pagoda of Lokeshwor (Lord Buddha). The monastery, built in the 12th century by King Bhaskar Verma, is embellished with exceptionally fine woodcarvings and repousse work. 
• Temple of Machhendranath and Minnath : The pagoda of Red Machhendranath was built in 1408 AD and is situated in Tabahal. For six months the deity is taken to its other shrine in Bunmati. The temple of Minnath is situated in Tangal on the way to Tabahal. 
• Surya Binayak Temple :This temple, located between Bungamati and Khakna, is dedicated to Ganesh. Ganesh is a natural stone. There are some great views from the temple of the Bagmati Valley and of Bungamati.Etc are some place to visit.

MANAKAMANA

It is the name of a Hindu Goddess. It is believed that the Goddess fulfils the wishes of the people. The term ‘mana’ means the ‘heart’ or ‘soul’ and ‘kamana’ means the ‘wish’.

The most popular temple of Manakamana is in Gorkha. The others are in various places like manakamana. It is said that a King of Gorkha was blessed by the goddess to get victory over small kingdoms and make a big Gorkha. Manakamana of Gorkha is a popular place for a specific fair called Panchami. The temple was initially inaccessible and one had to ride on horseback for 2–3 days. Now it is easily accessible by cable car.

History :-The queen of Ram Shah, the king of Gorkha , born in 1614 AD, was a goddess known only to her devotee, Lakhan Thapa. One day the king saw his queen in the form of a goddess. He told about it to Lakhan Thapa and he died instantly, in 1636 AD. The queen committed Sati (commit cremation with the husband's pyre as per custom of that time). Lakhan Thapa lamented on her Sati.The queen consoled her devotee by telling him that she would reappear again. Six months later, a farmer hit a stone while ploughing his field. Blood and milk came out from the stone. When news about this spread to Lakhan thapa, he realized that his had come true. came to know the news. He worshipped the place with 'tantric' rituals and the flow of blood and milk ceased. The ruling king of Gorkha, upon learning about the incident, donated land and money and the site became the foundation of the present-day shrine- Manakamana Temple. The current pujari, Priest, is the 17th generation descendant of Lakhan Thapa

NAMO BUDDHA

It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site of Nepal, and one of the 3 main stupas of ktm valley. Situated about 40 km to the south east of Kathmandu city, the stupa built on the bones and hair of prince Mahasattva, stands on the slopes of the Gandha Malla hill.

According to the jatakas and several sutras,Mahasattva was one of buddha shakyamuni's former incarnations. He was the youngest of the three sons of king Maharatha. One day as the three brothers were walking through the forest, they saw a tigress with the five cubs she had given birth to. She was so hungry she could hardly move. The three princes went away, but Mahasattva decided to go back and started to cut his flesh to give it to the tigress to eat. When his brothers went to look for him they found only his bones and hair. The stupa was built on top of these remains.Following the ridge to a second summit on the same hill, there is also a small stupa which is said to mark the den of the tigress. There, pilgrims lie down on the ground as if giving their bodies, and hair and pieces of cloth are hung to the branches of the tree for protection.The Tibetan name Takmo Lujin derives from the events that took place on the site (stag mo means 'tigress',lus 'body', and sbyin 'to give'). Local people call it Namo Buddha (Lit. 'Homage to the Buddha!'). Because the region was infested with tigers, the local people wouldn't call it by its actual name, which contains the word 'tiger', and so, as a way to protect themselves, they got into the habit of calling it “Namo Buddha.”Walking up the hill from the stupa, one can reach a place where the scene of the Buddha giving his body to the tigress is engraved in stone. According to the oral tradition, this is the actual place where the Buddha gave his body.

POKHARA

Pokhara valley is situated at an altitude of 827 meters above the sea level and is 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu valley. Prithivi Raj Marga is the highway linked with by Bhairahawa by Siddhartha Raj Marga [Sunauli border] It is a combination of the long arrays of world famous snow clad peaks, emerald lakes, turbulent rivers with deep Georges and picturesque villages inhabited by Magar, Gurungs and Thakalis. Pokhara offers the magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, five peaks of Annapurna  Himalayas and others.

Pokhara numerous lakes known as "Tal" in Nepal offer fishing, boating and swimming, which ensure the famous Phewa, Begnas and Rupa lakes of Pokhara. Pokhara is also referred as the center of adventure. It is the starting point for most of the popular trekking & rafting destination.

PLACE TO VISIT IN POKHARA :-

• Phewa lake is situated at an altitude of 784m above sea level with an island temple at the middle of the lake. It is second largest lake in the kingdom. Temple situated at the island is the two storied pagoda dedicated to the boar magnification of Ajima. 
• Begnas & Rupa Lake: lies in the northeast of the Pokhara valley at the distance of 13kms from the main city. These lakes are locates at the foothill of Begnas.
• Devi's fall: locally known Patale Chhango in the southern flank of the Pokhara valley is where the stream flowing from Fewa Lake collapses and surges down the rock into a deep gage, leaping through several potholes. 
• Mahendra cave: lies at the north of the Pokhara valley. It is a large limestone cave, which is one of the few stalagmite stalactite caves found in Nepal. 

• Barahi Temple: This is the most important religious monument in Pokhara. Built almost in the middle of Phewa Lake, this two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protectors deity representing the female force Shakti. Devotees can be seen, especially on Saturday, carrying male animals and fowl across the lake to be sacrificed to the deity. 
• Bindhyabasini Temple: is the center of religious activity in the old bazaar. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagawati, yet another manifestation of Shakti. 
• World Peace Pagoda a massive Buddhist Stupa is situated on top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa Lake. Besides being an impressive sight in itself, the shrine is a great vantage point which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara city. etc are some examples

SYAMBHUNATH

 It is one of the most revered and widely worshipped deities in Nepal.it lies in kathmandu valley.The Swayambhunath Temple is one of the most sacred and holy places in Nepal, where people from all around Nepal come to offer prayers. The appearance and the structure of the temple have added an enigmatic charm to it. There is a conical structure that is mounted by a golden spire. The eyes of Buddha on almost the temple's summit, have added a special effect to the temple. The eyes of Buddha look in all the four directions.The temple is lovingly called the 'monkey temple', for the innumerable monkeys that have made the temple their permanent residence. Located in the Kathmandu Valley, the temple can be reached by ascending 365 steps. The temple was built in the fifth century. 

The stupa in the Swayambhunath Temple in Nepal is the most attractive part of the temple. The golden spire and the dome of the structure can be seen from all parts of the Kathmandu Valley. The surrounding areas of Swayambhunath Temple, Nepal have several shrines, chaityas, paintings of various deities and many more religious objects of interest. The reference of this grand temple was also found in mythology. Due to architectural and structural magnificence, the Swayambhunath Temple at Nepal has been put in the category of world heritage site.
IMPORTANT DAYS TO VISIT THIS HOLY SITE :
1) Buddha Purnima ,the birthday of lord Buddha which falls on the full moon day of Baishakh (April-May).
2) Gunla ,the holy Buddhist month according to Newari calendar( aug-sept early morning).
3) Kojagrath Purnima(sept-oct),Samyak day of MAgh(jan - feb) (once in every twelve years).
4) lhosar

GORKHA

Gorkha, situated at 140km west of Kathmandu at an altitude of 1,135 

meter, is the ancestral hometown of the Nepal's ruling royal family. Gorkha is only 18 km up a paved road of the Pokhara-Kathmandu Highway. A brief visit on the way to or from Pokhara would provide more insights into Nepal than one is likely to get at lakeside in Pokhara.Gorkha's small town is perhaps the most important historical town of Nepal. From its hilltop fortess, King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the ninth generation paternal ancestor of the present King, launched his lifelong attempt to unify the independent states of Nepal, a wildly ambitious project which succeeded due to his brilliance, and the effectiveness of his locally recruited troops. The British term "Gurkha" evolved from the name Gorkha, referring to the famed fighting soldiers of the region.

Gorkha's centerpiece is the magnificent Gorkha Durbar with a fort, a palace and a temple with excellent views of the surrounding valleys, and the Mansalu range.

MUKTINATH TEMPLE

This words separation two word Mukti & Nath. Mukti mean Salvation and Nath mean god and Nirvana so It holds great significance for all spiritual people in the south Asian sub continent. Muktinath (the provider of salvation) has been one such holy site, where thousands of devotees flock for attaining the much sought after moksha( freedom) from the cycle of birth and rebirth. It is an ardent wish or a dream if you may say, of every Hindu to get Mukti-Nirvana from this cycle taking births over and over again. It is belief of the Hindus that this world is "MAYA" (an illusion) and the earliest one gets out of it the better and a visit to Muktinath will help them achieve that goal. Since then it called Muktinath.

It is believed that one should visit this temple after completing pilgrimage of four special religious sites, Chardham Yatra of India; Muktinath must be visited once.

The famous Muktinath is a sacred & important pilgrimage place both for Hindus and Buddhists. It located in Muktinath Valley lies in the district of Mustang and is situated about 18 kms. Northeast of Jomsom in the north central part of Nepal, at an altitude of about 3800 meters at the foot of the Thorong La mountain pass (part of the Himalayas). The holy shrine at Muktinath is in a grove of trees and includes a Buddhist Gompa and the pagoda style temple of Vishnu Mandir, Containing an Image of Vishnu The site is close to the village Ranipauwa, which sometimes mistakenly is called Muktinath as well.

Named after highly referred Muktinath shrine the valley is one of religious place in Nepal for both Hindus and Buddhist. Hindus call it Muktichhetra.  

JANAKPUR

Janakpur,it is also known as janakpurdham. it is named after the legendary king Janak, janakpur was the capital of the ancient kingdom of mithela that existed around 700 BC. Janakpur is the administrative head quater of dhanusa district .Located 400 Km south-east of Kathmandu, Janakpur has a substantial tourist industry due to its importance as a Hindu pilgrimage destination.It is also home to the only operational railway in Nepal.Janakpur,historically called Mithila, is the center of the ancient Maithili Culture which has its own language and script.The most important historical reference to Mithila/Janakpur is in the epic Ramayana. the most sacred sites of this area are the janaki mandir delicated to Sita & Ram, Sita vibaha mandir (built over the spot where Ram and sita are said to had been married). Ram mandir Delicated to ram and the holy pond dhanus sagar.Hundreds of hindus come here every year to pay their respect to the goddess at this temple. the religious importance, Janakpur is also the center for the revival of the ancient Mithila art and craft. As a tradition, Mithila women have always been decorating the walls of their houses with paintings. they make the colour them self from different herbs,flowers etc.

LUMBINI

LUMBINI , the birth place of lord buddha . It is a small town in the southern part of nepal, where the ruins of the old city can still be seen.It is situated 250 km south west of Kathmandu valley or 30km away from the Bhairava. Lumbini is status as a "garden of peace". Has been recognised by the world . the most important monument of lumbini is the temple of Maya devi. To the south of the temple is a pond (puskarni) it is said that Maya devi mother of lord buddha is said to have bath and given her son his first purification bath. Where as lord buddha was born in 623 BC,he sacred area of Lumbini is one of the holiest places of one of the world's great religions, and its remains contain important evidence about the nature of Buddhist pilgrimage centres from a very early period. Lumbini, in the South-Western Terai of Nepal, evokes a kind of holy sentiment to the millions of Buddhists all over the world,Lumbini is the place where the Buddha, known as the Tathagata, was born. It is the place which should be visited and seen by a person of devotion and which should cause awareness and apprehension of the nature of impermanence. 

                         The birthplace of the Gautama Buddha, Lumbini, is one of the four holy places of Buddhism. It is said in the Parinibbana Sutta that Buddha himself identified four places of future pilgrimage: the sites of his birth, Enlightenment, First Discourse, and death. All these events happened outside in nature under trees. There is no particular significance in this, other than it perhaps explains why Buddhists have always respected the environment and natural law.

                        In the Buddha's time, Lumbini was a beautiful garden full of green and shady sal trees (Shorea robusta ). The garden and its tranquil environs were owned by both the Shakyas and the clans. King Suddhodana, father of Gautama Buddha, was of the Shakya dynasty and belonged to the Kshatriya (warrior caste). Maya Devi, his mother, gave birth to the child on her way to her parent's home in Devadaha while resting in Lumbini under a sal tree in the month of May. The beauty of Lumbini is described in Pali and Sanskrit literature. While she was standing, she felt labour pains and catching hold of a drooping branch of a sal tree, she gave birth to a baby, the future Buddha.

In 249 BC, when the Indian Emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini, it was a flourishing village. Ashoka constructed four stupas and a stone pillar with a figure of a horse on top. The stone pillar bears an inscription, which in translation runs as follows: 'King Piyadasi (Ashoka), beloved of devas, in the 20th year of the coronation, himself made a royal visit, Buddha Sakyamuni having been born here; a stone railing was built and a stone pillar erected to the Bhagavan having been born here.

DESCRIPTION OF NEPAL

                 Nepal is a land lock country with an area of 147,181 sq.m lies to east to west in between 2 giant country China and India. It is a rectanglar of 885km in an average east to west of 160km from North to South it is the small country in size and huge in terms of its diversity from Higest pick of the earth to the low land of Terai. It have the higest pick on the earth,Mt Everest of 8848 m and low land of 65m of Terai above the sea level .So it is also known as the Stepest country at the  world.

         The People,Rich cultural heritage towering Pagados , Spectacular himalayan ranges, different people and tradition ,cultural festival which helps to play a important role in recommending Nepal as an ultimate destination as an elevation wise Nepal can be divided in to 3 different parts 
 1) Himalayan region .

 2) Mid hilly region .

 3) Terai region .

          >HIMALAYAN REGION

               885km long Himalayan region from east to the west in the average of 25 km to 50 km. forms the boarder with china to the northern part of Nepal . lying above 2500m this region covers nearly 30% of total area of Nepal.

Features of Himalayan region :-

• This region includes 1300 pick above 6000m.
• It contains 8 out of 10 higest mountains of the world they are Mt.Everest , Kanchanjunga , Lhoste , Makalu, Choyu, Dhaulagiri , Manaslu , Annapurna
• Not only the higest mountain of himalayan but also most impressive mountain such as Amadablum, pumori ,Gauri shankar , Dorge lakpa , Appi , Machapuchree etc are in these region.some are the beautiful lakes such as Rara lake, Gosai kunda, Dudh pokhari , Panch pokhari ,Tillicho (located at 5099m) the lake situated in higest altitude (elevation of world).

• Khaptad National park , Rara National park , Lantang , Sagarmatha & Kanchanjunga National park are located in this region
• Kunchanjunga conservation area , Makalu , Barun ,Manaslu & Annapurna conservation area are located in this area.
• The deepest george of the world such as Kali gundagi , Rain shadow , Mustang are some of the example f geographic extreme with a limited area. 
• Many popular religous place like Goshaikunda , Dudh pokhari , Muktinath , panch pokhari are located here.
• In dangered animals like snow leopard , musk dear, black bear, tibetian sheep, birds like danfee & kalich &other 32 species. Out of 35 species of rodondandrous found in the world are found in the region.

            >MID HILLY REGION 

                       Mid hilly region of nepal cover about 45% total length area of the country with & average elevation of above 600m to 2500m. this region is the richest region in terms of culture ,art , hand crafts ,manship . Most of the valleys found in region are culturally rich, deep valley might river ,impressive terrace ,spectacular mountain views, breath taking beauty of plants and animal etc have made this region & amazing part of world .

            The northen part of this region shares boarder with himalayan region and the southern part shares  boarder with terai region the vegetation in the upper (northen) part of this region are similar to the alpine and vegetation found in the southern part are sub tropical.

Features of Mid hilly region :-

• It is the most population region. More than 45% of total people of Nepal are living in this region.
• This region is popular for  Art, culture ,arts , hand crafts , manship.etc
• Kathmandu Capital city of Nepal also lies in this region.
• Most of famous city of Nepal such as Pokhara, Patan , Bhaktapur , Kritipur also lies in this region.etc
• Swyambunath, Boudhanath , Namo buddha ,Pashupatinath , changunarayan are some of the famous piligrimas and religious place of this region.

  >TERAI REGION

                              The average elevation of 100 m to 600 m elevation across the south is the plain region of Nepal known as Terai ,the average breadth is 25 to 35km this region shares the Northen border with Mid hilly region of Nepal & southern part with India ,35% of the total population of Nepal live in this region famous for agricultural product with & paddy and cash crops like Mustard , Joot, tobacco & sugar cane etc. 

                       The people who follow different religous such as Hindusm,Buddhism ,Christian ,Muslims are found in this region. Indo-aryan like Brahmin, Chhetri , Raj baunshi ,Shah ,Mushar , Kammi ,Damai & Tibeto-Burman such as Gurung ,Magar ,Rai ,Limbu,Tamang Sherpa are found in this region

 Feature of Terai region :-

• This region is famous for argiculture, it is also known as granary of nepal.
• Mustard , Joot , tobacco ,& sugarcane are some of the cash crops of this region.
• Places like lumbini where Lord sidhartha gautam buddha was born.
• 35% of total people of Nepal live in this region.
• Most of this people are involved in Agriculture .