Against the breathtaking backdrop of majestic Himalayas lies the country of peace- Nepal and in the beautiful country lies another tranquil valley called Kathmandu, the only metropolitan city of Nepal. Even though the capital is the only cosmopolitan city in the country it has kept its charm intact. The mystic destination remains a favourite spot for backpacking trips; honeymoon destination, solo travel trips, cultural tourism and more than often travellers flock here in search of adventure. The city has a lot to offer. Kathmandu is the home to various temples, monasteries, and stupas that beautifully bring out the cultural charm of the city.
Kathmandu is a spiritual and cultural centre of great importance for both Buddhist and Hindu traditions, and as such, it boasts a dizzying wealth of stunning temples, shrines and sacred places that have been delighting visitors for years. The city is also home to a few genuinely interesting museums that record the at times tumultuous history of Nepal, which are well worth a visit.
This temple, located northeast of central Kathmandu, is the largest stupa in the country and the most important Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. After the Chinese occupation of Tibet, thousands of Tibetan refugees fled to Nepal and settled in the area around this temple, making it an important haven for Tibetan culture.
One of the holiest Hindu shrines in Nepal, the Pashupatinath Temple is stretched across both the banks of the beautiful and sacred Bagmati River on the eastern fringes of the capital city of Kathmandu. The magnificent sanctum devoted to Lord Shiva draws in thousands of devotees who come to offer their prayers and seek blessings from him. Sprawled over a large area with temples and ashrams, it is believed that the Jyotirlinga housed in the Pashupatinath temple is the head of the body which is made up of the twelve Jyotirlinga in India. In 1979, the magnificent temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dedicated to the Hindu monkey god, Hanuman, this impressive palace complex was originally constructed between the 4th and 8th centuries and then expanded considerably in the 17th. Spread over 5 acres, it contains the Royal Palace and many beautiful temples and courtyards. Unfortunately, the complex was severely damaged during the 2015 earthquake and reconstruction is still underway.
Kathmandu's central square is a breathtaking sight, packed with palaces, temples, shrines, and pagodas. The colours, sounds and smells are intoxicating as what seems like the whole city passes through on any given day. It is the centre of spiritual and cultural life in Kathmandu and cannot be missed.
West of the city of Kathmandu lies this cluster of temples, shrines and other religious structures, one of the oldest and holiest places in the whole country, revered by Buddhists and Hindus alike. Also known as Monkey Temple, because of its many resident monkeys, devotees and visitors flock here, often preferring to tackle the 365 step ascent, rather than driving up.
The ideal place to escape the hectic rhythm and constant bustle of the city, the Garden of Dreams provides a refuge for nature lovers. This small garden, with its beautifully decorated gates, fountains and pavilions is a great place for a picnic and a spot of people watching, as young local couples often come for a romantic day out.
Nepal's National Museum houses exhibits with wonderful treasures, ranging from Buddhist art (containing statues, paintings and gigantic manuscripts) to stone, metal and terracotta statues, the highlight being that of Sukhavara Samvara, with 34 arms and 10 faces. Another favourite is the collection of weapons belonging to national heroes such as Prithvi Narayan Shah, the founder of Nepal.
National Museum has three exhibition buildings — the Historical building, the Juddha Jatiya art gallery, and the Buddhist art gallery.
Best things to do in Kathmandu comprise of trekking, river rafting, hiking, camping, and exploring all the temples, heritage sites and peaks here. The wide variety of pilgrimage sites, lakes, valleys and delicious food options here attracts the travellers. The place has historical values and is rich in art and culture. The city is famous for altitudinal variations, high mountains, and lush green fields.
Nepal's geographic, climatic and cultural diversity means that its cuisine is equally varied. The national dish is Dal Bhat Tarkari, a lentil soup (dal) served on boiled rice (bhat) with curry (tarkari). There are countless variations on this staple, and it is not to be missed. The city also offers an emerging fine dining scene where visitors and locals can find top-class cuisine from around the world.
Kathmandu offers everything from luxury boutiques and shopping centres to bargain outlets and outdoor markets. Visitors can shop for designer clothing or interesting souvenirs, but where the city really shines is in handicrafts and antiques: everything from scroll paintings and metalwork to hand-woven cloths, gems, incense, teas and spices. Of course, adventurers can also find their share of trekking gear shops to prepare for their mountain expeditions.
October to December is the best time to visit as the clear skies make for spectacular views. The weather is dry until April, and in May, heat and humidity levels increase until the Monsoon season arrives in June. Religious festivals are celebrated all year long.
The best way to reach Kathmandu is via boarding a flight from India. Tribhuvan International Airport of Kathmandu, located only 6 km away from the city is the busiest and most popular one in the country. It is well-connected with multiple Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Pune, Bangalore and more, and covers the distance of 800 kms in around 1 hour and 30 minutes. The international terminal connects Kathmandu and consequently Nepal with around 30 cities in Europe and Asia. The best India to Kathmandu flights are mostly operated by Air India and Jet Airways.
To go from India to Kathmandu via train, one must go through the Delhi-UP route. The nearest railway station to Kathmandu is Gorakhpur in UP which can be easily reached from Delhi. There is no India to Kathmandu Nepal train that reaches the city directly, but this is as close as it gets. There was one between Janakpur in Nepal and Jainagar in India, but the line at present is redundant. From Gorakhpur, the rest of the commute has to be made via road. There are local buses or jeeps to take passengers to the border at Sunauli in 3 hours, and then across the border from Bhairawa, there are overnight buses to Kathmandu.
There are several roadway connections between India and Kathmandu, and they are quite extensively used by residents of both countries. The Sunaili border crossing, accessible from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh is the busiest India-Nepal border. Raxaul crossing near Patna in Bihar is also frequently used, although the town itself is not a very eventful one. There are direct bus services from Delhi, Varanasi or Raxaul to Kathmandu as well, which take from 7-10 hours to reach Kathmandu depending on the starting location. For people living in the east – West Bengal, Sikkim and north-eastern states of India, the Panitanki border is the best option. There are Kathmandu bus services, jeeps and hired cars from Siliguri in WB and Gangtok in Sikkim. The journey takes around 14-16 hours.
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