Kathmandu valley
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The Kathmandu Valley ( ne, काठमाडौं उपत्यका; also known as the Nepal Valley or Nepa Valley ( ne, नेपाः उपत्यका,
Nepal Bhasa Newar (), or Newari and known officially in Nepal as Nepal Bhasa, is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Newar people, the indigenous inhabitants of Nepal Mandala, which consists of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions in Nepa ...
: 𑐣𑐾𑐥𑐵𑑅 𑐐𑐵𑑅, नेपाः गाः)), is a bowl-shaped valley located in the
Himalayan mountains The Himalayas, or Himalaya (; ; ), is a mountain range in Asia, separating the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The range has some of the planet's highest peaks, including the very highest, Mount Everest. Over 100 ...
in
Nepal Nepal (; ne, नेपाल ), formerly the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne, सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mai ...
. It lies at the crossroads of ancient civilizations of the
Indian subcontinent The Indian subcontinent is a list of the physiographic regions of the world, physiographical region in United Nations geoscheme for Asia#Southern Asia, Southern Asia. It is situated on the Indian Plate, projecting southwards into the Indian O ...
and the broader
Asia Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an area ...
n continent, and has at least 130 important monuments, including several pilgrimage sites for
Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
s and
Buddhists Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and gra ...
. There are seven
World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
s within the valley. The Kathmandu Valley is the most developed and the largest
urban agglomeration An urban area, built-up area or urban agglomeration is a human settlement with a high population density and infrastructure of built environment. Urban areas are created through urbanization and are categorized by urban morphology as cities ...
in Nepal with about 5 million population. The urban agglomeration of Kathmandu Valley includes the cities of
Kathmandu , pushpin_map = Nepal Bagmati Province#Nepal#Asia , coordinates = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = , subdivision_type1 = Province , subdivision_name1 = Bagmati Prov ...
, Lalitpur,
Budhanilkantha Budhanilkantha is a city and municipality in Kathmandu district of Bagmati Province, Bagmati province of Nepal. It is the 3rd largest List of cities in Nepal, city in the Kathmandu Valley after Kathmandu and Lalitpur, Nepal, Lalitpur. As per 2021 ...
,
Tarakeshwar Tarakeshwar " तारकेश्वर " is a municipality in Kathmandu District in Bagmati Province of Nepal that was established on 2 December 2014 by merging the former Village development committees Dharmasthali, Futung, Goldhunga, Jitp ...
,
Gokarneshwar Gokarneshwar is a municipality in Kathmandu District in the Bagmati Province of Nepal that was established on 2 December 2014 by merging the former Village development committees Sundarijal, Nayapati, Baluwa, Jorpati and Gokarna. The office of ...
, Suryabinayak,
Tokha Tokha ( ne, टोखा) is a municipality in Kathmandu District in Bagmati Province of Nepal that was established on 2 December 2014 by merging the former Village development committees Dhapasi, Jhor Mahankal, Gongabu, Tokha Chandeshwari a ...
,
Kirtipur Kirtipur (Nepal Bhasa: किपू ''Kipoo'') is a Municipality and an ancient city of Nepal. The Newars are the natives of Kipoo (Kirtipur) that is believed to be derived from Kirati King Yalamber. It is located in the Kathmandu Valley 5 k ...
,
Madhyapur Thimi Madhyapur Thimi, also known as Thimi, ( ne, मध्यपुर थिमि) is a municipality in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. Thimi lies between Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu Valley. It is one o ...
,
Bhaktapur , motto = ne, पुर्खले सिर्जेको सम्पत्ती, हाम्रो कला र संस्कृति , lit=Creation of our ancestors, our heritage and culture , image_map ...
, etc. The majority of offices and headquarters are located in the valley, making it the economic hub of Nepal. It is popular with tourists for its unique architecture, and rich culture that includes the highest number of jatras (festivals) in Nepal. Kathmandu valley itself was referred to as "Nepal Proper" by British historians. As per the World Bank, the Kathmandu Valley was one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in
South Asia South Asia is the southern subregion of Asia, which is defined in both geographical and ethno-cultural terms. The region consists of the countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.;;;;;;;; ...
with 2.5 million population by 2010 with an annual growth rate of 4%. In 2015, Kathmandu Valley was hit by the
April 2015 Nepal earthquake The April 2015 Nepal earthquake (also known as the Gorkha earthquake) killed 8,964 people and injured 21,952 more. It occurred at on Saturday, 25 April 2015, with a magnitude of 7.8 Mw or 8.1 Ms and a maximum Mercalli Intensity of X (''Extreme ...
. The earthquake caused thousands of deaths and the destruction of much infrastructure across the Kathmandu Valley, which includes the towns of Lalitpur,
Kirtipur Kirtipur (Nepal Bhasa: किपू ''Kipoo'') is a Municipality and an ancient city of Nepal. The Newars are the natives of Kipoo (Kirtipur) that is believed to be derived from Kirati King Yalamber. It is located in the Kathmandu Valley 5 k ...
,
Madhyapur Thimi Madhyapur Thimi, also known as Thimi, ( ne, मध्यपुर थिमि) is a municipality in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. Thimi lies between Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu Valley. It is one o ...
,
Bhaktapur , motto = ne, पुर्खले सिर्जेको सम्पत्ती, हाम्रो कला र संस्कृति , lit=Creation of our ancestors, our heritage and culture , image_map ...
. Kathmandu is also the largest city in the Himalayan hill region.


Etymology

Historically, the valley and adjoining areas made up a confederation known as the
Nepal Mandala Nepal Mandala ( ne, नेपाल मण्डल) is an ancient confederation on the Indian subcontinent, marked by cultural, religious and political boundaries which lies in present-day central Nepal. It consists of the Kathmandu Valley and ...
. Until the 15th century,
Bhaktapur , motto = ne, पुर्खले सिर्जेको सम्पत्ती, हाम्रो कला र संस्कृति , lit=Creation of our ancestors, our heritage and culture , image_map ...
was its capital, when two other capitals,
Kathmandu , pushpin_map = Nepal Bagmati Province#Nepal#Asia , coordinates = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = , subdivision_type1 = Province , subdivision_name1 = Bagmati Prov ...
and Lalitpur (Patan), were established. Until the 1960s, the Kathmandu Valley was known as ''Nepala Valley'' or ''Nepa Valley''. In 1961 the valley listed as ''Kathmandu District'', which began referring the valley as Kathmandu Valley. The term ''Nepa Valley'' is still used among Newar people and local governments, while senior citizens still tend to refer the valley as ''Nepal''. The term ''Swaniga'' (
Nepal Bhasa Newar (), or Newari and known officially in Nepal as Nepal Bhasa, is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Newar people, the indigenous inhabitants of Nepal Mandala, which consists of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions in Nepa ...
: 𑐳𑑂𑐰𑐣𑐶𑐐𑑅, स्वनिगः) is used to refer ''three cities'' namely Yén (Kathmandu), Yala (Lalitpur) and Khwapa (Bhaktapur) The Pahari name ''Kathmandu'' comes from a structure in the
Durbar Square Durbar Square, which means Royal Squares in English, is the generic name used to describe plazas and areas opposite the old royal palaces in Nepal. The name comes from Persian دربار ( Darbar). It consists of temples, idols, open courts, water ...
called by the
Sanskrit Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...
name ''Kāsṣtha mandapa'' "Wooden shelter". This unique temple, also known as the ''Maru Sattal'', was built in 1596 by King Lakshmi Narasimha Malla. The entire structure contained no iron nails or supports and was made entirely from wood. Legend has it that the timber used for this two-story
pagoda A pagoda is an Asian tiered tower with multiple eaves common to Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam, and other parts of Asia. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most often Buddhist but sometimes Taoist, ...
was obtained from a single tree.


History

The Kathmandu Valley may have been inhabited as early as 300 BCE, since the oldest known objects in the valley date to a few hundred years BCE. The earliest known inscription is dated 185 CE. The oldest firmly dated building in the earthquake-prone valley is over 2,000 years old. Four
stupa A stupa ( sa, स्तूप, lit=heap, ) is a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics (such as ''śarīra'' – typically the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns) that is used as a place of meditation. In Buddhism, circumamb ...
s around the city of Patan that are said to have been erected by a
Charumati Charumati Maurya (Brahmi: 𑀘𑀸 𑀭𑀼𑀼 𑀫𑀓𑀻), sometimes given as Charumitra, was a Princess and daughter of Indian emperor Ashoka The Great through a concubine and the adopted daughter of his wife, Queen Asandhimitra. She was ...
, a purported daughter of the
Maurya The Maurya Empire, or the Mauryan Empire, was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power in the Indian subcontinent based in Magadha, having been founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE, and existing in loose-knit fashion until 1 ...
emperor
Ashoka Ashoka (, ; also ''Asoka''; 304 – 232 BCE), popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was the third emperor of the Maurya Empire of Indian subcontinent during to 232 BCE. His empire covered a large part of the Indian subcontinent, ...
, in the third century BCE, attest to the ancient history present within the valley. As with the tales of the Buddha's visit, there is no evidence supporting Ashok's visit, but the stupas probably date to that century. The Licchavis, whose earliest inscriptions date to 464, were the next rulers of the valley and had close ties with the
Gupta Empire The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire which existed from the early 4th century CE to late 6th century CE. At its zenith, from approximately 319 to 467 CE, it covered much of the Indian subcontinent. This period is considered as the Gold ...
of India. The Mallas ruled the Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding area from the 12th until the 18th century CE, when the
Shah dynasty The Shah dynasty ( ne, शाह वंश), also known as the Shahs of Gorkha or the Royal House of Gorkha, was the ruling Chaubise Thakuri dynasty ; and the founder of Gorkha Kingdom from 1559 to 1768 and later the unified Kingdom of Nepal ...
of the
Gorkha Kingdom Gorkha Kingdom ( ne, गोरखा राज्य) was a member of the Chaubisi rajya, a confederation of 24 states on the Indian subcontinent ruled by Khas people. In 1743 CE, the kingdom began a campaign of military expansion, annexing se ...
under
Prithvi Narayan Shah Maharajadhiraj Prithvi Narayan Shah (1723–1775) ( ne, श्री ५ बडामहाराजाधिराज पृथ्वीनारायण शाह देव) was the last ruler of the Gorkha Kingdom and first monarch of the ...
conquered the valley as he created present-day Nepal. His victory in the
Battle of Kirtipur The Battle of Kirtipur (Nepal bhasa bhasa: कीर्तिपुरयाउ युद्ध) occurred in 1767 during the Gorkha conquest of Nepal, and was fought at Kirtipur, one of the principal towns in the Kathmandu Valley. Kirtipur was ...
was the beginning of his conquest of the valley.


Newars

The Newars are the indigenous inhabitants and the creators of the historic civilization of the valley. Their language is today known as
Nepal Bhasa Newar (), or Newari and known officially in Nepal as Nepal Bhasa, is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Newar people, the indigenous inhabitants of Nepal Mandala, which consists of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions in Nepa ...
. They are understood to be the descendants of the various ethnic and racial groups that have inhabited and ruled the valley in the two-millennium history of the place. Scholars have also described the Newars as a
nation A nation is a community of people formed on the basis of a combination of shared features such as language, history, ethnicity, culture and/or society. A nation is thus the collective identity of a group of people understood as defined by those ...
. They have developed a division of labour and a sophisticated urban civilization not seen elsewhere in the Himalayan foothills. They are known for their contributions to art, sculpture, architecture, culture, literature, music, industry, trade, agriculture and cuisine, and left their mark on the art of Central Asia. Newa architecture consists of the
pagoda A pagoda is an Asian tiered tower with multiple eaves common to Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam, and other parts of Asia. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most often Buddhist but sometimes Taoist, ...
,
stupa A stupa ( sa, स्तूप, lit=heap, ) is a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics (such as ''śarīra'' – typically the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns) that is used as a place of meditation. In Buddhism, circumamb ...
,
shikhara ''Shikhara'' ( IAST: '), a Sanskrit word translating literally to "mountain peak", refers to the rising tower in the Hindu temple architecture of North India, and also often used in Jain temples. A ''shikhara'' over the ''garbhagriha'' chambe ...
,
chaitya A chaitya, chaitya hall, chaitya-griha, (Sanskrit:''Caitya''; Pāli: ''Cetiya'') refers to a shrine, sanctuary, temple or prayer hall in Indian religions. The term is most common in Buddhism, where it refers to a space with a stupa and a rounded ...
and other styles. The valley's trademark is the multiple-roofed pagoda which may have originated in this area and spread to India, China, Indochina and Japan. The most famous artisan who influenced stylistic developments in China and Tibet was
Araniko Aniko, Anige or Araniko ( ne, अरनिको, zh, 阿尼哥; 1245–1306) was one of the key figures in the arts of Nepal and Yuan dynasty of China, and the artistic exchanges in these areas. He was born in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, durin ...
, a Newar who traveled to the court of
Kublai Khan Kublai ; Mongolian script: ; (23 September 1215 – 18 February 1294), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Shizu of Yuan and his regnal name Setsen Khan, was the founder of the Yuan dynasty of China and the fifth khagan-emperor of th ...
in the 13th century AD. He is known for building the white stupa at the
Miaoying Temple The Miaoying Temple (), also known as the "White Stupa Temple" (), is a Chinese Buddhist temple on the north side of Fuchengmennei Street in the Xicheng District of Beijing. The temple was a monastery of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism and is ...
in
Beijing } Beijing ( ; ; ), alternatively romanized as Peking ( ), is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the center of power and development of the country. Beijing is the world's most populous national capital city, with over 21 ...
. At present, people from other parts of Nepal tend to migrate to the valley for a better life due to its high level of cultural and economic development. Even with urbanization taking place, the Newars have sustained their culture in Kathmandu Valley.


Mythology

According to Swayambhu Puran, the Kathmandu Valley was once a lake, deemed by scientists as Paleo Kathmandu Lake. The hill where the Swayambu Stupa rests had lotus plants with flowers in bloom. One story says that the God
Manjusri Mañjuśrī (Sanskrit: मञ्जुश्री) is a ''bodhisattva'' associated with '' prajñā'' (wisdom) in Mahāyāna Buddhism. His name means "Gentle Glory" in Sanskrit. Mañjuśrī is also known by the fuller name of Mañjuśrīkumāra ...
cut a gorge at a valley called Kashapaal (later called Chobhar) with a sword called Chandrahrasha and drained away the waters in order to establish a habitable land. According to Gopal Banshawali,
Krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...
cut the gorge with his Sudarshana Chakra to let the water out. He then handed the drained valley to the Gopal Vansi people, who were nomadic cow herders.


Geography

Kathmandu
valley A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains, which will typically contain a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers or streams ove ...
is bowl-shaped. Its central lower part stands at above
sea level Mean sea level (MSL, often shortened to sea level) is an average surface level of one or more among Earth's coastal bodies of water from which heights such as elevation may be measured. The global MSL is a type of vertical datuma standardised g ...
.
Kathmandu , pushpin_map = Nepal Bagmati Province#Nepal#Asia , coordinates = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = , subdivision_type1 = Province , subdivision_name1 = Bagmati Prov ...
valley is surrounded by four mountain ranges: Shivapuri hills (at an elevation of ), Phulchowki (), Nagarjun () and
Chandragiri Chandragiri is a suburb and neighbourhood of Tirupati and located in Tirupati district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a part of Tirupati urban agglomeration and a major growing residential area in Tirupati It is the mandal headqua ...
(). The major river flowing through the Kathmandu Valley is the Bagmati River. The valley is made up of the
Kathmandu District Kathmandu District ( ne, काठमाडौं जिल्ला; Nepal Bhasa: ये: जिल्ला) is a district located in Kathmandu Valley, Bagmati Province of Nepal. It is one of the 77 districts of Nepal, covers an area of , ...
, Lalitpur District and Bhaktapur District covering an area of . The valley consists of the municipal areas of
Kathmandu , pushpin_map = Nepal Bagmati Province#Nepal#Asia , coordinates = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = , subdivision_type1 = Province , subdivision_name1 = Bagmati Prov ...
, Patan,
Bhaktapur , motto = ne, पुर्खले सिर्जेको सम्पत्ती, हाम्रो कला र संस्कृति , lit=Creation of our ancestors, our heritage and culture , image_map ...
,
Kirtipur Kirtipur (Nepal Bhasa: किपू ''Kipoo'') is a Municipality and an ancient city of Nepal. The Newars are the natives of Kipoo (Kirtipur) that is believed to be derived from Kirati King Yalamber. It is located in the Kathmandu Valley 5 k ...
and
Madhyapur Thimi Madhyapur Thimi, also known as Thimi, ( ne, मध्यपुर थिमि) is a municipality in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. Thimi lies between Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu Valley. It is one o ...
; the remaining area is made up of a number of
municipalities A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality'' may also mean the go ...
and rural municipalities (in Lalitpur district). The valley is a cultural and political hub of Nepal. The Kathmandu valley was accorded the status of a
World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
by
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
in the year 1979.


Notable areas

This is an incomplete alphabetical list of notable temples and monuments in Kathmandu Valley. Seven of these are designated as
UNESCO World Heritage Sites A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for ...
. * Bhaktapur District **
Balkumari temple Balkumari Temple (Nepali: बालकुमारी मन्दिर) is located in Lalitpur District in Nepal. The origin of temple is controversial, but is supposed to have been built between 7 and 17th century. There is a pond near the ...
** Bhaktapur Durbar Square (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) **
Changu Narayan Changu Narayan is an ancient Hindu temple, located on a high hilltop that is also known as Changu or Dolagiri in Changunarayan Municipality of Bhaktapur District, Nepal. This hill is about 7 miles (or 12km) east of Kathmandu and a few miles ...
Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) **
Doleshwor Mahadeva Temple Doleshwor Mahadeva ( ne, डोलेश्वर महादेव) is a Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva located in Suryabinayak, south eastern part of Bhaktapur District, Nepal, and is believed to be the head part of Kedarnath temple located i ...
**
Kailashnath Mahadev Statue Kailashnath Mahadev Statue ( ne, कैलाशनाथ महादेव) is the second tallest Shiva statue in the world. It is currently the fifth tallest Hindu deity statue.It is situated in Sanga, Kavrepalanchok District in Nepal, about ...
**
Pujarimath Museum The Pujarimath Museum (also spelled Pujari Math) is a museum located in Bhaktapur, Nepal.Museums and art g ...
** Suryavinayak Temple *
Kathmandu District Kathmandu District ( ne, काठमाडौं जिल्ला; Nepal Bhasa: ये: जिल्ला) is a district located in Kathmandu Valley, Bagmati Province of Nepal. It is one of the 77 districts of Nepal, covers an area of , ...
** Aakash Bhairav Temple **
Ashok Binayak Temple Ashok Binayak () is a Hindu temple located in Kathmandu district at eastern side of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Maru Tole. This temple is of Lord Ganesha also known as Binayak. The god is worshipped as the god of luck by Hindus. The temple hosts one ...
** Aditnath Temple ** Ajima Temple **
Bagh Bhairab Temple Bagh Bhairab Temple is a historic Hindu temple dedicated to Bagh Bhairab, an incarnation of Shiva as a tiger. It is located in Kirtipur, Bagmati Province, Nepal and dates back to the 16th century. The residents of Kiritpur believe that Bagh Bhaira ...
** Bajrayogini Temple **
Boudhanath Bouddha ( ne, बौद्धनाथ; ; , ), also known as Boudhanath, Khasti Chaitya and Khāsa Chaitya is a stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal.Snellgrove, David. ''Indo-Tibetan Buddhism: Indian Buddhists and Their Tibetan Successors'', 2 vols., p. 3 ...
Stupa (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) **
Budhanilkantha Temple Budhanilkantha Temple, located in Budhanilkantha, Nepal, ( ne, बुढानिलकण्ठ मन्दिर; translation: ''Old Blue Throat'') is a Hindu open air temple dedicated to Lord Mahavishnu. Budhanilkantha Temple is also known as ...
** Chandra Binayak Temple **
Chandragiri Hill Chandragiri ( kn, ಚಂದ್ರಗಿರಿ) is one of the two hills in Shravanabelagola in the Indian state of Karnataka, the other one being Vindhyagiri. It is also near Indragiri. History The recorded history surrounding the hill star ...
**
Dakshinkali Temple Dakshinkali Temple, also Dakshin Kali Temple or Dakshina Kali Temple, located outside Kathmandu and about outside the village of Pharping, is one of the major Hindu temples in Nepal dedicated to the goddess Kali. Dakshin Kali is typically sho ...
**
Dharahara Dharahara ( ne, धरहरा; or ), is a tower at the centre of Sundhara, Kathmandu, Nepal. It was first built in 1832 by ''Mukhtiyar'' (equivalent to Prime Minister) Bhimsen Thapa under the commission of Queen Lalit Tripurasundari and was ...
**
Garden of Dreams The Garden of Dreams ( Nepali:स्वप्न बगैंचा, Newar language : म्हगसया क्यब), also, the Garden of Six Seasons, is a neo-classical garden in Kaiser Mahal Kathmandu, Nepal, built in 1920. Designed b ...
** Ghanta Ghar **
Gokarneshwor Mahadev temple Gokarna Mahadev (The Gods of Gokarna) or Gokarneshwor Mahadev Temple (The Lord of Gokarna) is an important Nepali temple, situated near the village of Gokarna, several kilometers northeast of Bodhnath in the Kathmandu Valley. Within the temple' ...
**
Guhyeshwari Temple Guhyeshwari Temple ( ne, गुह्येश्वरी मन्दिर), also spelled ''Guheswari'' or ''Guhjeshwari'', is one of the revered holy temples in Kathmandu, Nepal. This temple is dedicated to Guhyeshwari or Adi Shakti. The templ ...
**
Jal Binayak Temple Jal Binayak ( ne, जलविनायक) is a Hindu Temple of Lord Ganesh located in the Chobhar, central part of Kathmandu District, Nepal. The Jal Binayak temple is the most important Ganesh shrine of the central region Kathmandu , pushpi ...
**
Kasthamandap Kasthamandap (Sanskrit: काष्ठमण्डप, Nepal Bhasa:मरु सत: ''Maru Satta:''; literally "Wood-Covered Shelter") was a three-storied public shelter that included a shrine consecrated to Gorakshanath situated at Maru, Ka ...
**
Kathmandu Durbar Square Kathmandu Durbar Square (''Basantapur Durbar Kshetra'') is located in front of the old royal palace of the former Kathmandu Kingdom and is one of three Durbar (royal palace) Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, all of which are UNES ...
(a UNESCO World Heritage Site) **
Kopan Monastery Kopan Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery near Boudhanath, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal. It is a member of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), an international network of Gelugpa dharma centers, ...
**
Narayanhiti Palace The Narayanhiti Palace Museum ( Nepali: नारायणहिटी दरवार) is a public museum in Kathmandu, Nepal located east of the Kaiser Mahal and next to Thamel. The museum was created in 2008 from the complex of the former Nar ...
**
Pashupatinath Temple Pashupatinath Temple ( ne, श्री पशुपतिनाथ मन्दिर) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. This temple was classified as a World Heritage Site in 1979. This "extensive ...
(a UNESCO World Heritage Site) ** Ranipokhari Pond **
Ratna Park Ratna Park is a park and surrounding district in central Kathmandu, Nepal. It is named after Queen Ratna, the wife of King Mahendra Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev ( ne, श्री ५ महाराजाधिराज महेन्द् ...
** Seto Machhendranath Temple ** Shiva Parvati Temple **
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park is the ninth national park in Nepal and was established in 2002. It is located in the country's mid-hills on the northern fringe of the Kathmandu Valley and named after Shivapuri Peak of altitude. It covers an a ...
** Swayambhunath Stupa Complex (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) ** Taleju Temple ** Taragaon Museum **
Taudaha Lake Taudaha Lake is a small lake in the outskirts of Kathmandu, in Nepal. The name comes from a combination of Newari words 'Ta', meaning snake and 'Daha', which means lake. Mythological origins The Taudaha Lake is believed to be a remnant poo ...
** Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery *
Lalitpur District, Nepal Lalitpur District ( ne, ललितपुर जिल्ला, a part of Bagmati Province, is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. The district, with Lalitpur as its district headquarters, covers an area of and has a population (200 ...
**
Balkumari temple Balkumari Temple (Nepali: बालकुमारी मन्दिर) is located in Lalitpur District in Nepal. The origin of temple is controversial, but is supposed to have been built between 7 and 17th century. There is a pond near the ...
** Hiranya Varna Mahavihar Temple **
Kumbheshwar Temple Complex The Kumbheshwar temple complex is one of the oldest and busiest religious place of the old Patan town lying on its northern part. The major deities whose temple or shrine lies within the complex includes Kumbheshwor Mahadev, Bangalamukhi, Unman ...
**
Mahabouddha Temple Mahaboudha Temple is a ''shikhara'' Newar Buddhist temple in Lalitpur, Nepal. The temple dates back to 1585 and it was rebuilt after the 1934 Nepal–India earthquake. Mahaboudha's design is loosely based on the Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya ...
** Nagdaha lake **
Patan Durbar Square Patan Durbar Square is situated at the centre of the city of Lalitpur in Nepal. It is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of its attractions is the ancient royal palace w ...
(a UNESCO World Heritage Site) ** Rato Macchindranath Temple, Bungmati


Present

This valley hosts a UNESCO World Heritage Site with seven preserved locations: the centers of the three primary cities, Kathmandu Hanuman Dhoka,
Patan Durbar Square Patan Durbar Square is situated at the centre of the city of Lalitpur in Nepal. It is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of its attractions is the ancient royal palace w ...
and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the two most important Buddhist stupas,
Swayambhunath Swayambhu (Devanagari: स्वयम्भू स्तूप; new, स्वयंभू; sometimes Swayambu or Swoyambhu) is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. The Tibetan name for the ...
and
Boudhanath Bouddha ( ne, बौद्धनाथ; ; , ), also known as Boudhanath, Khasti Chaitya and Khāsa Chaitya is a stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal.Snellgrove, David. ''Indo-Tibetan Buddhism: Indian Buddhists and Their Tibetan Successors'', 2 vols., p. 3 ...
and two famous Hindu shrines,
Pashupatinath temple Pashupatinath Temple ( ne, श्री पशुपतिनाथ मन्दिर) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. This temple was classified as a World Heritage Site in 1979. This "extensive ...
and
Changu Narayan Changu Narayan is an ancient Hindu temple, located on a high hilltop that is also known as Changu or Dolagiri in Changunarayan Municipality of Bhaktapur District, Nepal. This hill is about 7 miles (or 12km) east of Kathmandu and a few miles ...
. In 2003, UNESCO listed the sites as being "endangered" out of concern for the ongoing loss of authenticity and the outstanding universal value of the cultural property. The endangered status was lifted in 2007. In the past, Tibetan Buddhist Masters including Marpa, Milarepa, Rwa Lotsava, Ras Chungpa, Dharma Swami, XIII Karmapa, XVI Karmapa and several others visited and travelled in the Kathmandu Valley. However, the largest group of Tibetans came in the 1960s. Many settled around the Swayambhunath and Boudhanath Stupas. Many other famous Lamas known throughout the world have their Buddhist monasteries and centers in the Kathmandu Valley. The 1500-year history of funerary architecture in the valley provides some of the finest examples of stone architecture found in the subcontinent. A '' caitya'' is placed in almost all courtyards in cities like Patan. Stone inscriptions in the Kathmandu Valley are important sources for the history of Nepal.


Demographics

Kathmandu Valley has total population of 2,996,341.


Kathmandu (National Capital Area)

It is proposed to
Government of Nepal The Government of Nepal ( ne, नेपाल सरकार) is the federal executive authority of Nepal. Prior to the abolition of the Nepali monarchy in 2006 (became republic in 2008), it was officially known as His Majesty's Government. T ...
to develop Kathmandu valley as a separate national capital territory and not a part of
Bagmati Province Bagmati Province ( ne, बाग्मती प्रदेश, ''Bagmati Pradesh'') is one of the seven provinces of Nepal established by the constitution of Nepal. The province is Nepal's second-most populous province and fifth largest provinc ...
. Kathmandu Valley consists 3 Districts of Bagmati Province whose total population is 2,996,341 and total area is


Major cities

Cities and towns with 75,000+ population of Kathmandu valley as per
2021 Nepal census The 2021 Nepal Census was the twelfth nationwide census of Nepal conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics. The census was originally scheduled from 8 June to 22 June 2021, but was postponed to November 2021 due to surge in COVID-19 cases. ...
.


Minor cities and villages

* Dakshinkali Municipality * Shankharapur Municipality *
Konjyoson Rural Municipality Konjyosom Rural Municipality is a Rural Municipality in Lalitpur District in Bagmati Province of Nepal that was established in 2017 by merging the former Village development committees Sankhu, Dalchoki, Chaughare, Nallu and Bhardev.The center ...
* Bagmati Rural Municipality * Mahankal Rural Municipality


See also

*
Culture of Nepal The culture of Nepal encompasses the various cultures belonging to the 125 distinct ethnic groups present in Nepal. The culture of Nepal is expressed through music and dance; art and craft; folklore; languages and literature; philosophy and reli ...
*
Dolakha Newar Language Dolakha Newar ( endonym Dwālkhā Nepal Bhasa), or Eastern Newar, is a divergent dialect of the Newar language (''Nepal Bhasa'') spoken in Dolakha District, east of the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal, by 5,645 Newar people as of 1988. Some speakers ...
*
Battle of Kirtipur The Battle of Kirtipur (Nepal bhasa bhasa: कीर्तिपुरयाउ युद्ध) occurred in 1767 during the Gorkha conquest of Nepal, and was fought at Kirtipur, one of the principal towns in the Kathmandu Valley. Kirtipur was ...
*
Battle of Kathmandu The Battle of Kathmandu ( ne, काठमाडौंको युद्ध) or Siege of Kathmandu or Siege of Kantipur is a battle which occurred during the Unification of Nepal. It was fought in Kathmandu in 1768, and resulted in the defeat ...
*
Battle of Lalitpur The Battle of Lalitpur in 1768 ended with the Gorkha conquest of Lalitpur, one of the three kingdoms in Nepal centered in the Kathmandu Valley, and the loss of the rule of the native Newars. Exhausted by a prolonged siege and much bloody figh ...


References


External links


UNESCO – Kathmandu Valley

UNESCO Advisory Board Evaluation



360° panorama images of Kathmandu valley


writer Austin Pick recounts adventures traveling in the Kathmandu Valley
Lyrics of the song "Kathmandu" by a Russian band
{{Authority control Valleys of Nepal Geography of Kathmandu Kathmandu District Metropolitan areas of Nepal Newar Geography of Bagmati Province World Heritage Sites in Nepal World Heritage Sites in Danger Cultural heritage of Nepal 1979 in Nepal