7 World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu

All around you shrines compete with open storefronts for attention, and tourists are part of the entertainment. Stop walking. Just stand and look and smell and listen and become a part of a tapestry that in many ways has resisted change or at least absorbed forced change so it's hard to find.

Become part of the place, not just a passing observer. You can see from the pictures here the riot of colors these places have when you luck out and catch a festival or your timing partners prayer time or a wedding or a funeral.

And the crowd makes you feel welcome. So different from some neighbouring countries where you feel intrusive and a bit unwelcome at these events.

So, come along with me and let's explore these UNESCO sites. Just casually, there are lots of book references around if you really want to dig in and learn more. This is just an appetite whetter!

The Durbar Square usually refers to a plaza around a royal palace and can be seen not only in Kathmandu but also the other ancient cities of Patan and Bhaktapur. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is seat of the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city.The square is still the center of important royal events like the coronation of King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah in 1975 and King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah in 2001.

Towering over the square, you will see the Taleju Temple. This three-roofed temple was built in a typical Newari architectural style and is elevated on platforms that form a pyramid-like structure.

Best known as the artistic city, Patan is the center of art and crafts in the Kathmandu Valley. So many ancient crafts are still practiced in the city which is home to so many Bahas. Bahas usually consist of a square central hall or courtyard enclosed by small rooms or cells, with the main shrine opposite the main entrance. Inside the main shrine is enthroned a special deity called Kwapa-dyo, an image of the Buddha sitting in Vajrasana and showing the Bhumisparsa, the earth touching gesture.

The city was initially designed in the shape of the Buddhist Dharma Chakra, Wheel of Righteousness. More than 1,200 Buddhist monuments of various shapes and sizes can be seen in and around the city. Other art pieces found in stone, metal, terracotta, and ivory all convey the artistic excellence of the craftsmen in this city. In fact, the whole city is an open museum. The best way to enjoy it is to do a walking tour.

Bhaktapur is an ancient Newar town, once the seat of the powerful Malla Kingdom which ruled Nepal until the second half of the 15th century. Also known as Khwopa or Bhadgaon, it was part of the ancient trade route to Tibet, and has been beautifully preserved. Friends still talked of this ancient city and how the Germans helped in preserving it that now, one can enjoy poking around street corners and watch the various rituals and ceremonies performed by worshippers all over the place.

Bhaktapur is a showcase of the advanced skills of the Newari artists and craftsmen. You can still observe many of these Newari artisans busy at work here. Take special note of the peacock windows all ornately and expertly carved by these artisans. There are around 40 temples in this area so you can spend a whole day and still have more to see.

Just 13 kms east of Kathmandu city, Bhaktapur is a very popular day trip destination for tourists but once you have visited the place, you always want to go back. You can sit in one of the restaurants and while away your time watching the locals go about their daily routine, rituals and ceremonies. If you are lucky, you can march along with a wedding party.

Located on the banks of the Bagmati river, Pashupatinath Temple is one of the biggest in the world of the Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath. Non-Hindu visitors are allowed to have a look at the temple from the other bank of the Bagmati river. Cremations take place here all the time so only Hindus are allowed into the temple premises.

Built around the 5th century, this temple has the unique tradition of allowing only 4 priests to touch the idol and these priests have to come from South India.

Built around the 5th century, this temple is one of the sacred sites in Kathmandu for both Buddhists and Hindus. Often called the Monkey Temple because of hundreds of monkeys in residence, Swayambunath is on top of a hill and offers one of the most panoramic views of Kathmandu.

Hundreds of pilgrims ascend the 365 steps of the temple to worship. On this stupa are a pair of big eyes which symbolize God's all seeing comprehension of the universe. Between these eyes, is inscribed the number one in the Nepali alphabet, signifying that the single way to enlightenment is through the Buddhist path. Above each pair of eyes is another eye, referred to as the third eye, signifying the wisdom of looking within. Inside are the shrines to the Five Buddhas and Four Taras.

The biggest stupa in Nepal, Boudanath was the focus of controversy in June, 2010 when vendors were no longer allowed by the management committee to ply their trades on the path where the worshippers do their circumambulations to protect the sacredness of the place. When we were there, the place though busy has a stillness enveloping it as one listens to the rhythmic in cantations of the mantra, Om Mani Padme Om.

This stupa was already popular to ancient Tibetan merchants who rested and worshipped here. Said to contain the remains of Kasyapa, the Stupa in 1950 attracted around its vicinity a big number of Tibetan refugees who have taken residence close to their place of worship. You will see many Tibetans selling goods around the stupa.

This temple, dedicated to Changu Narayan, the god Vishnu, is one of the oldest Hindu temples of the valley, and is believed to have been constructed in the 4th century. A stone slab discovered in the vicinity of the temple dates to the 5th century, and is the oldest such stone inscription discovered in Nepal.

Situated on top of the hill, on a clear day, one can see the Himalayas and a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley. On the way, you can see the little villages on the hills.

On the way up the hill, check out the school on thangka painting. In the village is also a museum that shows a typical Newari house. This is quite interesting as the descendants of the owners are the guides and are very knowledgeable of the way of life of the Newaris. The features of the house here are still seen even in modern Newari homes.