North East India Tourist Destination
Nepal - The Buddhist Hotspot
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Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms
of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and
latitudinal variation. The elevation of the country ranges from
60m above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest
at 8,848 m. all within a distance of 150 km with climatic conditions
ranging from sub-tropical to arctic. This wild variation fosters
an incredible variety of ecosystems, the greatest mountain range
on earth, thick tropical jungles teeming with a wealth of wildlife,
thundering rivers, forested hills and frozen valleys.
Within this spectacular geography is also one of the richest
cultural landscapes anywhere. The country is a potpourri of
ethnic groups and sub-groups who speak over 70 languages and
dialects. Nepal offers an astonishing diversity of sightseeing
attractions and adventure opportunities found nowhere else on
earth. And you can join in the numerous annual festivals that
are celebrated throughout the year in traditional style highlighting
enduring customs and beliefs.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is one of the world's
oldest cities. The old part of the city, with narrow medieval
streets and lovely little shrines, centers on the Durbar Square.
Here one can find distinctive pagoda-roofed temples, stone sculptures,
old monasteries and historic monuments.
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur or also known as Bhadgaon , is a museum of medieval
art and architecture with many fine examples of sculpture, woodcarving
and colossal pagoda temples consecrated to different gods and
goddesses. The city is shaped like a conch shell-one of the
emblems of the god Vishnu and was founded by King Ananda Deva
in A.D.889. The city is 1,402 meters above sea level. Pottery
and weaving are its major traditional industries. The city lies
fifteen Kilometers to the east of Kathmandu.
Patan
The ancient name of Patan is Lalitpur meaning, city of beauty.
It is indeed a city of beauty and grace and is planned on a
circular format with Buddhist stupas at each of the four points
of the compass. The city is three Kilometers south-east of Kathmandu
across the river Bagmati. Like Kathmandu, its center of attraction
is its Durbar Square complex, situated right in the middle of
the market place. The city is full of Buddhist monuments and
Hindu temples with fine bronze gateways, guardian deities and
wonderful carvings. Noted for its craftsmen and metal workers,
it is also know as the city of artists. The city is believed
to have been built during the reign of Vira Dev in A.D. 299.
Pokhara
Pokhara, an enchanting city nestled in the tranquil valley (827m),
is the starting point for many of Nepal’s most popular
trekking and rafting destinations. The serenity of Phewa Lake
and the magnificence of the fish-trail summit of Machachhapuchhre
(6,977m) rising behind it create an ambience of peace and magic.
The valley surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forests, gushing
rivers, clear lakes and the world famous views of the Himalaya.
Situated 200 km west of Kathmandu, Pokhara is connected by air
as well as by road from Kathmandu and Bhairawa, a border town
near India. Pokhara offers manificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu,
Machchhapuchhre, five peaks of Annapurna and others.
Lumbini
Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam. The Shakya prince
and the ultimate Buddha, the Enlightened One, is the pilgrimage
destination of the world’s millions of people faithful
to all schools of Buddhism. UNESCO lists this nativity site,
identified by Indain Emperor Ashoka’s commemorative pillar
as a World Heritage Site. The main attraction of Lumbini remains
the Sacred Garden which spread over 8sq km , possessing all
the treasures of the historic area. The Mayadevi temple is the
main attraction for pilgrims and archaeologists alike. Here
we find a bas relief of Mayadevi, Lord Buddha’s mother
giving birth to him. Standing west to the Mayadevi shrine is
the oldest monument of Nepal, the Ashoka Pillar. Emperor Ashoka
erected the pillar in 249 BC to commemorate his pilgrimage to
the sacred site. To the south of the pillar, we find the sacred
pond, {Puskarni} where Queen Mayadevi had taken a bath just
before giving birth to Lord Buddha. Places of various interest
surrounds the area There are other places of interest too nearby.
It is accessible by air from Kathmandu to Bhairawa. From Kathmandu
it takes about eight hours by bus or car.
Chitwan
Chitwan is one of the finest national parks in Asia, renowned
for its concentration of wildlife and top class tourist lodges,
which provide the opportunity to see animals in their natural
habitat. Chitwan which means the ‘heart of the jungle’
is among the last surviving example of the continuous band of
forests and grasslands, which once extended from the Indus River
in Pakistan to the Burmese border. The main attraction here
is the Chitwan National Park, One of the largest forests regions
in Asia teeming with wildlife such as the rare great one-horned
rhinoceros, several species of dear, sloth bear, leopard, wild
boar, fresh water, dolphin, crocodile, more than 350 species
of birds and the elusive Bengal tiger. Chitwan National Park
is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site (natural) list.
Visitors to Chitwan may enjoy elephant back excursions, nature
walks, canoe trips and jungle treks. There are several authorized
agencies to organize such safaris. Visitors may also take a
river raft. First driving from Kathmandu to the river Trishuli
or Seti Khola. The five-hour drive to Chitwan (165km overland)
from Kathmandu is filled with thrilling views of the hills,
rivers and plains with jungles on either side.
Dhulikhel
Dhulikhel is scenic and town situated 30 kilometers east of
Kathmandu on the Arniko Rajmarg (Kathmandu Kodari Highway).
From here one can have a panoramic view of the Himalayan range.
From the main town, a short visit to Namobuddha, with stupa
and Buddhist Monastery is highly recommended site to visit.
Panauti, a village noted for its numerous temple with magnificent
woodcarving, is a short distance from Dhulikhel
Muktinath & Jomsom
It is believed that all miseries / sorrows are relieved once
you visit this temple (Mukti=Nirvana, Nath=God). The famous
temple of Lord Muktinath lies in the district of Mustang and
is situated about 18km northeast of Jomsom at an altitude of
about 3,749m. The main shrine is a pagoda shaped temple dedicated
to Lord Vishnu. Set into the wall around it is 108 waterspouts
from which pour holy water. The temple is situated on a high
mountain range and is visited during fair weather. There are
two ways to get to Muktinath from Kathmandu. Either take a direct
flight from Kathmandu via Pokhara to jomsom and hike for 7-8
hours via Kagbeni or trek all the way from Pokhara which takes
7-8 days. It is believed that one should visit this temple after
competing pilgrimages of four Dhams in India. This temple is
held sacred by Hindus as well as Buddhists. The Jwala Mai temple
nearby contains a spring and an eternal flame fed by natural
gas underground. Jomsom is a major center in the Annapurna region.
There is a world-class accommodation facilities in Jomsom from
where one can enjoy remarkable natural beauty
Gorkha
Gorkha is the birthplace of King Prithvi Narayan Shah the great,
the founder of modern Nepal. Situated on a hill overlooking
the snowy peaks of the Himalaya is a beautiful old palace known
as Gorkha Durbar. There are two attractive temples of Gorakhanth
and Kali inside the place precinct. Gorkha can be reached in
about six hours by road from Kathmandu and four hours from Pokhara.
A side trip to Manakamana temple , on the way to Gorkha is very
enjoyable and interesting. The Nepalese believe that MANAKAMANA
Goddess fulfills the wishes of all people and that's one reason
why the temple is visited by the tourist and the locals all
through the year......WHY NOT TRY.
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