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Changunarayan |
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The
road access to Changunarayan, 18 kms
east of Kathmandu is from behind
Bhaktapur. Alternatively, it is a 45
minutes walk up from the Sankhu road,
across the Manohara River, using the old
pilgrim?s route or a pleasant half-day
hike along the ridge from Nagarkote on
the eastern valley rim. The lavishly
decorated two-tiered temple was rebuilt
after a fire in 1702, but the earliest
inscription in the valley dated 467 A.D.
testifies to the considerable talents of
the Licchavi King Mandeva I, Nepal?s
first great historical figure. The
temple stands in a spacious courtyard,
littered with priceless stone sculptures
from the 4th to 9th century A.D. (Licchavi
period). This golden age of classical
Newari art produced masterpieces that
were entirely religious in character. |
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Chapagaon |
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A
rough track to the south of the
Kathmandu Valley winds steeply downhill,
through intricately terraced fields of
reddish brown soil to the ancient
Lichhavi village of Lele, on through
terraced mustard fields and bamboo
groves to Chapagaon. An important
tantric temple of Vajra Varahi is
located here in a sacred grove of trees,
built in 1665 ? however, the site is
much older. Various naturally sculpted
stones strewn about are regarded as
images of Ganesh, Bhairav and the Ashta
Matrika. |
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Chovar |
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Carved out of a hillside, the Chovar
gorge is the only outlet for all the
waters of the valley. Legend has it that
Manjushree, an ancient saint cut the
mountain with his magical sword, to
drain out the water from the Kathmandu
Valley which was then just a lake. There
is a small but picturesque temple of
Adinath on the top of the hill with a
magnificent view of the snow capped
peaks. Just beyond the gorge is a temple
of lord Ganesh. The main image of the
shrine is a massive rock, naturally
carved. |
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Dakshinkali |
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Dakshinkali is 45-minute drive south
from Kathmandu. Located in a dark valley
at the confluence of two streams, the
shrine of Dakshinkali is the most
spectacular of all Kali temples. Animal
sacrifices are offered to this deity
signifying fertility and the procreative
powers of the Female, every Tuesday &
Saturday. The animals are presented to
the priest who will ritually decapitate
them with a khukuri knife & bathe the
black stone image of Kali in blood. |
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Dhulikhel |
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30
kms east of Kathmandu lies the small
resort town of Dhulikhel set on a hill
top, enveloped in copper soiled terraces
with magnificent views of the central
Himalayan peaks. Dhulikhel is well known
for its sunrise views and a number of
day trails lead along the north ridge of
the town. A good way to get a glimpse of
Nepalese village life. |
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Godavari |
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18
kms south of Kathmandu lies the Royal
Botanical Gardens at Godavari. With its
rushing streams and shady meadows it is
a popular picnic spot. It also has a
notable collection of orchids, cactii &
ferns. A quiet path leads to the
Godavari Kunda, a spring where the
sacred water of the Godavari river pours
from the mountains. |
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Kakani |
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The
village of Kakani lies 29 kms north west
of Kathmandu City. Famous for
magnificent views of the sun setting
over the north western Himalayan range;
the Ganesh Himal massif, Gaurishankar
(7,134 m), Choba Bhamare (6,016 m),
Himalchuli (7,893 m), Annapurna (8,091
m). The drive to Kakani & back along the
Trishuli Road is scenically rewarding
with green forest & mountain grandeur on
one side and fertile river flats and
terraced hillside cultivation on the
other. |
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Kirtipur |
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Perched on twin hillocks and clinging to
a saddle about 5 km south west of
Kathmandu lies the village of Kirtipur.
A long flight of steps leads up to
Kirtipur from the valley floor & a
motorable road goes part way up the
hill. Steep paths link brick houses
built on terraces. The villagers dressed
in traditional costume work on ancient
looms. The people are well known for
their strength and valour. Many
historical battles were fought and won
by the inhabitants of Kirtipur. |
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