Thursday, August 20, 2015

Pahupatinath Temple

The Pashupatinath Temple is a famous, sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Pahupatinath and is located on the banks of the Bagmati river. This temple is considered one of the sacred temples of Hindu faith.The temple serves as the seat of the national deity, Lord pashupatinath.This temple complex is on UNESCO's world heritage list Since 1979.This "extensive Hindu temple precinct" is a "sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions raised over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river  and is included as one of the seven monument groups in UNESCO's designation of Kathmandu valley as a cultural heritage site. One of the major Festivals of the temple is Shivaratri on which day over 700,000 devotees visit here.
The twelve Jyotirlingas (in India) are the body and the Jyotirlinga at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu (Nepal) is the head over this body.
The temple was erected anew in the 15th century by Lichhavi King Shupuspa after the previous building had been consumed by termites.Countless further temples have been erected around this two -storied temple. These include the Vaishnav temple complex with a Ram temple from the 14th century and theGuhyeswari temple mentioned in an 11th-century manuscript.

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Kathmandu

              Kathmandu Valley is the capital of Nepal.The Kathmandu Valley is the most developed and populated place in Nepal.The majority of headquarters and offices are located in the valley making it a economic hub for the country.
              The name Kathmandu is named after the structure in Durbar square called Kasthamandap which is made from the wood of a single tree( Durbar Square had been severely damaged by the earthquake in April 2015). Kathmandu valley is also known as the city of Temples and also has several pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Buddhists.
              The Kirats are the first documented rulers of Kathmandu valley.Then came the Licchavi dynasty and after that Malla dynasty which ruled Kathmandu valley and surrounding areas from 12th to 18th century CE before being conquered by Shah dynasty from Gorkha under Prithvi Narayan Shah who unified the small kingdoms into the present Nepal.
              Kathmandu is the most important industrial and commercial centre in Nepal.The major economic hubs are New road,DurbarMarg , Ason and Putalisadak. Tourism is considered another important industry in Nepal and a major source of income for most of the people in the city, with several hundred thousand people visiting annually.Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims visit the pilgrimage site in kathmandu such as Pashupatinath, Swayambunath,boudhanath and buddhanilkantha in thousands every year.The neighborhood of Thamel is Kathmandu's primary spot for tourist packed with guest houses, restaurants, shops, and bookstores, . Another neighborhood of growing popularity is Jhamel, a name for Jhamsikhel coined to rhyme with Thamel .
            Kathmandu valley is described as "an enormous treasure house of art and sculptures", which are made of wood, stone, metal, and teracotta, and found in profusion in temples, shrines, stupas, gumbas, chaityas and palaces.Kathmandu valley has had this art treasure very long, but received worldwide recognition only after the country opened its doors to the outside world in 1950.
Dal Bhat is the local cuisine in Kathmandu. Momo is the most popular fast food in Nepal which is Nepalese version of Tibetan dumpling. Nowdays lots of restaurant has opened in Kathmandu which caters Nepalese cuisine, Chinese cuisine, Tibetan cuisine,korean cuisine and indian cuisine.
             Kathmandu valley is also one of the most developed city in Nepal considering Health sector as it has some of the best hospitals and clinics.Notable hospitals include Bir Hospital(oldest hospital in Nepal), Tribhuwan University Institute of Medicine (Teaching Hospital), Patan Hospital, Kathmandu Model Hospital, Scheer Memorial Hospital, Om Hospital, Norvic Hospital,Grande international hospital, Nobel Hospital.