North East India Tourist Destination
Nepal - The Buddhist Hotspot |
  
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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