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Kathmandu |
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Kathmandu is a small city founded around AD 723 as
Manju-Patan. In the days of the Malla Kingdom, it was
known as Kantipur and was in the same rank as Patan and
Bhaktpur. King Prithvi Narayan Shah was the man who made
Kathmandu his capital in the 18th century and it never
looked back after that. The opening of the country around
40 years back led to tremendous growth of tourism in the
valley and the capital became a Mecca for trekkers, heaven
for hippies, and a thriving cosmopolitan city.
Today Kathmandu is a fascinating old city where pagodas,
narrow cobbled lanes, old carved windows, and stone
shrines are backdrops to the drama of life that continues
unhindered. Here the experiences are amazing, views
fascinating, and the climate charming.
Sightseeing
Every shrine, monument, and scenic spot in the Kathmandu
Valley has a legend associated with it and perhaps this
makes their existence all the more interesting. Kathmandu,
Bharatpur, and Patan are three different cities not far
from each other and each having their distinct
architectural and cultural value. One common aspect to all
these places is the existence of the Durbar Square around
which most of the attractions are located. While Kathmandu
leads the way with four World Heritage sites, namely,
Durbar Square, Swaymbhu Nath, Boudh Nath, and Pashupati
Nath Temple, other places are not far behind.
Excursions
Nepal is an exotic country and a place for the brave
hearted. Trekking, river rafting, and mountaineering
options are amazing and incomparable. The Himalayas has
blessed the country with some of the most beautiful sites
in the world. Besides the scenic destinations, Nepal also
houses many historical and religious sites. While Lumbini
is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Janakpur is considered
the birthplace of Sita, wife of Lord Rama. Most of the
places are in the vicinity of Kathmandu, which is
connected by road and air to India.
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Pokhara
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If Kathmandu is the cultural
hub of Nepal, Pokhara is its center of adventure. It is
located roughly 200 Kms west of Kathmandu. The city of
Pokhara is renowned for its setting rather than its
historical or cultural endowments. Its quiet lakeside
location and proximity to the mountains mean it is an
ideal place for recovering from (or gearing up for) a
trek, taking leisurely strolls or simply putting your nose
in a good book. Pokhara has some of the country's best
accommodation and restaurants as well. There's a batch of
Tibetan settlements, a hilltop monastery and the pretty
Devi Falls nearby. Day walks can be taken to Sarangkot
(1592m), the limestone caves at Mahendra Gufa or Rupa and
Begnas Tals lakes. More effort is required to tackle the
three to four-day Annapurna Skyline Trek.
Sightseeing
Mountain Views: Clearly the most stunning of Pokhara's
sights is the spectacular panorama of the Annapurna range
which forms its backdrop. Stretching from east to west,
the Annapurna massif itself includes Annapurna I to IV and
Annapurna South. Although the highest among them is
Annapurna I (8,091 m), it is Machhapuchhre, which
dominates all others in this neighbourhood. Mountain
flight from Pokhara takes you an aerial sightseeing tour
of the western Himalaya.
Phewa Lake: The centre of attraction in Pokhara is the
Phewa Lake - the second largest lake in the Kingdom. It is
the largest and most enchanting of the three lakes that
add to the resplendence of Pokhara. Here, one can sail or
row a hired boat across to the water or visit the island
temple in the middle. The favourite home base for
travellers is the eastern shore (popularly known as
lakeside or Baidam) where most of the hotels, restaurants
and handicraft shops are located.
Barahi Temple: It is the most important monument in
Pokhara, built almost in the centre of Phewa Lake. This
two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation
of Ajima, the protectress deity representing the female
force Shakti
Seti Gandaki: Another of Pokhara's natural wonders that
unfailingly interests visitors is the Seti Gandaki river.
Flowing right through the city, the lively river runs
completely underground at places. At certain points,
amazingly, the river appears hardly two meters wide. But
its depth is quite beyond imagination - over 20 metres !
Mahendra Pul, a small bridge near the old Mission
Hospital, provides a perfect view of the river's dreadful
rush and deep gorge made by its powerful flow.
Devi's Fall: Devi's Fall (also known as Devin's and
David's) is a lovely waterfall lying about 2-Km south-west
of the Pokhara airport on the Siddhartha Highway. Legend
has it that a trekker (Devin, David) was washed away by
the Pardi Khola and mysteriously disappeared down into an
underground passage beneath the fall.
Mahendra Cave: This large limestone cave, locally known as
the House of Bats, is another nature's wonder in Pokhara.
The Old Bazaar: Pokhara's traditional bazaar is colourful
and so are its ethnically diverse traders. In its temples
and monuments can be seen ties to the Newar architecture
of the Kathmandu Valley. Located about four kms from
Lakeside, the market's original charm is alive and well.
This area strewn with shops selling commodities from
edible and cloth to cosmetics is a pleasant and shady spot
to stroll around.
The old bazaar is also home to one of Pokhara's most
important shrines. Locally called the Bindhyabasini Madir,
this white dome like structure dominates a spacious
stone-paved courtyard built atop a shady hillock. It is
dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati, yet another manifestation
of Shakti.
Museums: The Pokhara Museum, located between the bus stop
and Mahendra Pul, reflects the ethnic mosaic of western
Nepal. The lifestyles and history of ethnic groups such as
the Gurung, Thakali and the Tharu are attractively
displayed through models, photographs and arte-facts. One
major attraction is a display highlighting the newly
discovered remains of an 8000-year old settlement in
Mustang.The Annapurna Regional Museum, also known as the
Natural History Museum is another interesting visit in
Pokhara. It has an exceptional collection of butterflies,
insects, birds, and models of wildlife found in the area.
Surrounding Areas: Pokhara is the staring and / or
finishing point for some of the most popular treks
including the Annapurna Circuit and the Jomsom Trek. It
also offers a number of short treks for those who cannot
opt for long, challenging ones.
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Chitwan
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The name 'Chitwan' has
several possible meanings, but the most literal
translation of the two NEPALI words that make it up: chit
or chita (heart) and wan or ban (jungle). Chitwan is thus
'the heart of the jungle'.
The beautiful Royal Chitwan National Park, located 166km
southwest of Kathmandu and nearly 204km southeast of
Pokhara, is the main attraction of Chitwan. The park
sprawls across lushly wooded hills and is home to a
variety of flora and fauna. Chitwan offers great tiger and
rhino spotting opportunities.
This is one of Nepal's largest forest regions, with wide
range of wildlife. The rare great one horned rhinoceros,
several species of deer, sloth bear, leopard, wild boar,
fresh water dolphin, crocodile, more than 815 species of
birds, and the elusive Royal Bengal Tigers roam here.
Visitors to Chitwan may view game on elephant back,
excursions, nature walks, and canoe trips, from windows
and on jungle treks.
Elephant grass, five to six feet tall, provides excellent
camouflage for animals. This grass serves as food for the
gaur (a local bison), rhino and other herbivores. Once a
year, local people are allowed into the park area to cut
grass. The grass is dried, and used to thatch roofs or
stored for food for the domestic animals during the dry
season.
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Patan
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The ancient city of Patan, lying 5 Kms southeast of
Kathmandu, is known as the city of fine arts. The city is
full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments. The
diversity of the medieval culture that allowed both
Hinduism and Buddhism to flourish has left a rich legacy
of impressive sightseeing in this city for today's
visitors.
Sightseeing
Patan Durbar Square: The old palace of the medieval rulers
of Patan, believed to have been founded by King Veer Deva
in 299 A.D. The square contains innumerable buildings
embellished with elaborately carved windows and balconies
in the Newar tradition.
Patan Museum: This museum inside the Durbar Square
specializes in bronze statues and religious objects. It is
considered as one of the best museums in Asia.
Krishna Mandir: A seventeenth century temple, which is
entirely built by stones, is most sacred and is based on "shikhar
shaili" literally meaning "in the shape of a mountain".
Hiranya Varna Mahavihar: A three storied golden pagoda of
Lokeshwar (Lord Buddha) built in the 12th century.
Mahaboudha - A temple of one thousand Buddhas made of
terracotta bricks.
Tibetan Handicraft Center: Just outside of Patan City
where one can see Tibetan refugee's craftsmanship in
carpet and sweater weaving and other handicraft products
of artistic interest.
Excursions
Bajra Barahi: Situated in a small wooded park, it is about
10 Kms south of Patan near the village of Chapagaon. A
visit to Tika Bhairav and Lele from here is worthwhile.
Godavari: Situated at the foothills of Phulchowki, the
Royal Botanical Garden of Godavari has splendid natural
beauty. The road from Patan City runs to Godavari to the
southeast, passing through the small old towns of
Harisiddhi, Thaiba and Badegaun.
Phulchowki: Located about 10 Kms southeast of Patan, this
2,758m hill, is a good spot for hiking. A Buddhist shrine
is situated on the top of the hill, which can be reached
through a jeepable road.
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Dhulikhel
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Dhulikhel is situated at an altitude of 5,500 ft above sea
level, 30 Kms east of Kathmandu on the Kodari Highway. It
is 90 minutes drive from Kathmandu. The city offers a
complete panoramic view of the snow-capped ranges from
Karyolung in the east to Himalchuli in the west. The view
however is not as good as that from Nagarkot, one can see
for 130 miles. It is a magnificent place to spend the
night and awaken to the sun rising across the wide
Himalayan range.
Once an important link in the ancient trade route to
Tibet, Dhulikhel has a glorious past that can be witnessed
in the lovely building and intricate woodcarving found
among the shop-lined streets and in the temples. The city
offers numerous interesting day hikes. These provide the
tourists an opportunity to see the Nepali countryside away
from the roads and also giving a taste of trekking. The
easiest is the hike to Namobuddha and back.
The major places of worship here are the Narayan and
Harisiddhi temples, which are adorned with profuse wood
carvings. The Gokhureswar Mahadev temple, a 30-minute walk
to the eastern part of town, is a peaceful and scenic
spot. The Bhagwati temple is situated at a height in the
western part of Dhulikhel and dominates the skyline. From
here, you can get a beautiful vista of the town and
surrounding areas.
There are many vantage points in Dhulikhel, which offer a
panorama of the Himalaya that will leave spellbound. More
than 20 Himalayan peaks can be seen in all their glory.
Sunset views are equally spectacular. More than 20
Himalayan peaks, including Annapurna (8,091 m), Ganesh
(7,429 m), Langtang (7,234 m), Phurbi-Chyachu (6,637 m),
Gauri Shanker (7,134 m) and Lhotse (8,516 m) can be seen
in all their glory. You should get up early in the morning
to watch the first rays of the sun hit the summits and
their colours change.
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Nagarkot
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Nagarkot, located 32 kilometers east of Kathmandu, is one
of the most scenic spots in Bhaktapur district and is
renowned for its spectacular sunrise view of the Himalaya
when the weather is clear. Visitors often travel to
Nagarkot from Kathmandu to spend the night so that they
can be there for the breathtaking sunrise. Nagarkot has
become famous as one of the best spots to view Mount
Everest as well as other snow-topped peaks of the
Himalayan range of eastern Nepal.
It also offers an excellent view of the Indrawati river
valley to the east. With an elevation of 2,195 meters,
Nagarkot also offers a panoramic view of the Valley and is
described by visitors as a place whose beauty endures year
round.
Many visitors prefer to visit Nagarkot in the spring when
surrounding valleys break out in a rich kaleidoscope of
different coloured flowers. The flowers are beautiful
against the serene backdrop of the snow-covered mountains.
Ever popular among the tourists are the short treks that
Nagarkot offers. Treks from Nagarkot are unique and
delightful. For anyone who wants to have an adventure
without exerting much effort, a hike to Nagarkot's
surrounding areas would be a good option. One can traverse
short distances on trekking trails and come close to
nature's wonders such as the verdant forests,
flower-covered meadows and unusual rock formations.
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Bhaktapur
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Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon) situated at an altitude of 1,401 m,
covers an area of four square miles. Bhaktapur or "the
City of Devotees" still retains the medieval charm and
visitors to this ancient town are treated with myriad
wonders of cultural and artistic achievements. The past
glory of the Malla rulers continue to be reflected at the
Durbar Square. Pottery and weaving are its traditional
industries. The city lies about 14 km east of Kathmandu.
Sightseeing
Bhaktapur Durbar Square: The main palace square of the
city containing many temples and other architectural
showpieces, including the "golden gate", is described as
the finest piece of art in the kingdom.
Nyatapola Temple: The five storied pagoda style temple is
built in 1708 A.D. This is the largest masterpiece and the
finest example of Nepalese pagoda architecture.
Dattatraya Temple: A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is
built in 1427 A.D. Near by is a monastery with exquisitely
carved peacock windows.
The National Art Gallery: Contains ancient and medieval
paintings belonging to Hindu and Buddhist schools
depicting Tantrism of various periods and descriptions.
Excursions
Surya Vinayak: Situated in a beautiful
surrounding of Bhadgaon, the temple of Ganesh is placed in
a sylvan setting to catch the first rays of the rising
sun. It is a good picnic spot flanked by many attractive
landscapes.
Thimi: Thimi is farming town situated 8 Kms east of
Kathmandu on the way to Bhaktapur. Thimi is famous for
earthen pots, home spun cotton cloth and artistic masks.
Changu Narayan: Situated at the end of a long ridge, which
runs well into the valley, it is said to have been built
by King Hari Dutta in 323 AD and said to be the oldest
temple in the valley.
Khokana: Is a Newar farming village lying 7 Kms south of
the Ring Road that encircles the two cities of Kathmandu
and Patan. The village begins with a wide cobbled street
and in the middle of the main street lies the temple of
Shekali Mai, Khokana's local mother Goddess. Khokana is
famous for mustard oil.
Namo Buddha: It is situated on a hill above Panauti. It
requires an easy drive or good walk to get there. There is
an amazing legend related to the Buddha which is
commemorated by an ancient stone slab and a stupa with
all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.
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Tansen
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Situated at an altitude of 1,343m, Tansen is the most
popular summer resort in western Nepal on account of its
position and climate. It has the most extensive views of
the country's chief attraction the Himalaya from
Dhaulagiri in the west to Gaurishankar in the northeast.
It takes just seven hours by bus from Pokhara to reach
Tansen.
Sightseeing
Shreenagar Hill: One of the most picturesque spots in the
whole Palpa region, Shreenagar hill abounds in scenic
grander and magnificent natural surroundings. A mere 30
minutes climb on foot or 10 minutes drive from the town of
Tansen, One would reach the top of the hill which commands
a unique spectrum of natural extravaganza-from the
snow-capped Himalayan peaks in the north to the lush green
wide expanse of plains of Terai in the south, and of
course, the panoramic view of the Tansen town. The
impressive meadow on the hilltop is an ideal spot to view
the breathtaking scenes of majestic Dhaulagiri, Annapurna
and the famed twin peaks of Machhapuchare-the fishtail
mountain. Also, many beautiful short walks and excursions
may be enjoyed from this point. To the comfort of the
visitors, there are newly built facilities like cottages
and camping sites on the top of the hill. An added
attraction is a recently built 'Twa-dewa', a huge Newari
style bronze lamp stand.
Amar Narayan Temple: Built in 1807 AD by Amar Singh Thapa,
the temple of Amar Narayan is considered an important
landmark of Tansen. It is built in typical Nepali Pagoda
style for its historical and architectural significance.
The intricate works of woodcarvings in the temple are
simply marvellous. The temple is surrounded by one-meter
wide stone wall-locally known as the 'Great wall of Palpa'.
Inside the temple-complex there are the temple of Lord
Mahadev, ponds, parks, rest houses and a natural water
spring. Every morning and evening devotees gather in the
compound and chant 'Bhajans' (holy recitals) in chorus.
Tansen Durbar: Built in 1927 AD by Pratap Shamsher Jung
Bahadur Rana, the durbar is a grand imposing palace in the
heart of the town. Once the seat of the Rana governors,
the Durbar is now the district secretariat of Palpa
district.
Shitalpati (The Round House): Built by Khadga Shamsher,
the original Shitalpati is of octagonal shape. A round
house around the Shitapati has been recently built. The
historically important Shitalpati is a popular hang out
for the locals now. The 'Baggi Dhoka', the biggest gate of
its kind in Nepal is located in this square. The locals
often rend to compare it with the architecture of Mugal
Empire in India.
Bhagawati Temple: Built by Ujir Singh Thapa in 1814 AD to
mark the victory over colonial British-India forces, the
temple is a small structure but holds immense religions
importance. Located near the Tansen Durbar, it is a
pilgrimage of Palpalies. It is said that the original
structure was remarkably bigger and beautiful and it has
undergone many physical adjustments, most recently after
the great earthquake of 1934. In the month of august every
year, a chariot procession of deities is taken out
throughout the town with military honour to observe the
historic battle.
Amargunj Ganesh: Before building the Amar Narayan temple
in 1807 A.D. Amar Singh Thapa had built this temple.
Architecturally, the temple bears the same style and
character of Amar Narayan Temple. The temple has a big
artistic 'Rest House' where a school is being run
presently.
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Bandipur
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Bandipur, an ancient Newari mountain town, is a treasure
waiting to be discovered by travellers. Situated 7k.m.
above Dumbre Bazaar at an altitude of 1,005 meters, this
ancient trading post lies cradled in the saddle of some of
the country's most peculiar-shaped hills. Untouched by
modernization, and laced with an abundance of ancient
houses, temples of great significance, and historical
architecture, this medieval-era town boast festivals all
year around, besides plethora of cultural offerings.
Neighboring Magar, Gurung, Bahun, Chhetri, Damai and Sarki
villages all contribute to the cultural diversity of the
region. The hilltop town not only overlooks the incredible
expanse of the Marsyanngdi river valley, but also offers a
breathtaking sweep of the Himalayan range, from Langtang
in the east to Dhaulagiri in the west. From nearby
hilltops, one can see as far as Manakamana and Gorkha to
east the great Chitwan plains to the south, among others.
Once a bustling commercial center along the trade route
linking Tibet with British welcome travellers from near
and far. While the Siddha Gufa (the largest cavern in the
country) and Patali Dwar (a.k.a. the Gateway to Heaven)
are must-sees, this place also offers endless hiking
possibilities in the surrounding hills.
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Gorkha
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It was from this hill town, midway between Kathmandu and
Pokhara, that Prithvi Narayan Shah launched his campaign
to unify Nepal. His fort still stands high on a hilltop
above the town itself. Gorkha situated on a small hillock
at an attitude of about 1000 m, offers panoramic view of
snow-fed mountain. It is a scenic hill- town with great
historical significance.
Then the small kingdom of Gorkha, founded by king Drabya
Shah in 1560 A. D. became famous during the dynasty of Ram
Shah (1604-1641 A.D.), who earned the reputation of being
just to his people. There was a famous proverb in those
days, which said that one should go to Gorkha if he were
looking for justice.
In the middle of eighteenth century there were hundreds of
small kingdoms and principalities in what is today's
Nepal. The great Prithvi Narayan Shah took the mammoth
task of unifying Nepal in the eighteenth century. The
Gorkha soldiers under his dynamic leadership eventually
succeeded in conquering the Kathmandu valley. The capital
of greater Nepal was shifted to Kathmandu since then. But
this beautiful township has always remained as the center
of attraction for many Nepalese as well as foreign
visitors.
Gorkha Durbar: This historical palace is situated on the
top of the fortified hill above the township, about one
hour's walk uphill from the bus station. On the west side
of palace is the temple of Goddess Gorakhkali. There is
also a famous cave sheltering the statue of Gorakhnath
Baba (sage). It is believed that the name of Gorkha was
derived from the name of this sage, whose blessings
inspired King Prithvi Narayan Shah for the unification of
Nepal. From the top of the hill above Gorkha palace and
from a saddle east of the bazaar, the view of Manaslu and
Himalchuli is spectacular.
Gorkha Bazaar: It is primarily a cobbled street market
place where by people from neighbouring hill dwellings
come to trade. There are a few temples near about, but not
much. Yet, it is worth a visit as it provides a very good
vista of the quiet charm that soaks a typical hill village
of Nepal.
Gorakhnath Cave: Ten meters below the palace's southern
side, is the sacred cave temple of Gorkhanath. The cave is
carved out of the solid rock and is among the most
important religious sites for mainstream Brahmins and
Chhetris of Nepal.
Gorkha is also an alternate starting
point for a few trekking routes in the region.
Gorkha-Trisuli is an easy three-day walk along unspoiled
Nepali country side. One can also walk a long day's walk
to Besishahar, which is the usual starting point for
Annapurna and Manang area treks. One can also walk through
Besishahar area to Pokhara in four days.
Upallokot: It is situated at a 20 minutes walking distance
from Gorkha palace. There is a viewing platform at an
altitude of 1520 meters in Upallokot from where the
spectacular view of Gorkha palace and the sliver shining
snow-fed peaks can be enjoyed.
Manakamana: On a beautiful ridge southeast of the township
of Gorkha lies the holy temple of Manakamana, the holy
goddess of aspirations. It is a famous pilgrimage site for
Hindus. Manakamana is 4 hour's walk uphill from Anbu
Khaireni on Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway.
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Lumbini
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Lumbini is situated in Kapilvastu District of Lumbini Zone
the western Terai of Nepal, 295 kms south west of
Kathmandu. It is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam
Buddha, the apostle of peace, compassion and non-violence.
The broken Ashoka pillar remnant of an old monastery,
images of Buddha's mother Maya Devi, etc. are preserved in
Lumbini.
For centuries, Buddhists - all over the world, knew that
Lumbini where the Lord was born is somewhere around. The
descriptions of famous Chinese pilgrims (of ancient times)
Huian Tsang and Faeihan indicated to this area-saying 'Lumbini-where
the lord was born is a piece of heaven on earth and one
could see the snowy mountains amidst a splendid
garden-embedded with stupas and monasteries!
However, the exact location remained uncertain and obscure
till December the 1st 1886 when a wandering German
archaeologist Dr. Alois A. Fuhrer came across a stone
pillar and ascertained beyond doubt it is indeed the
birthplace of Lord Buddha.
Sightseeing
The Ashokan Pillar: Discovered by the now famous German
archaeologist Dr. Fuhrer, the pillar is the first
epigraphic evidence relating to the life history of Lord
Buddha and is also the most visible landmark of the
garden. The historic importance of the pillar is evident
by the inscription engraved in the pillar (in Brahmi
script). The pillar was erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249
BC to commemorate his pilgrimage to the sacred site. To
the south of the pillar, there is a sacred pond, Puskarni,
where Queen Mayadevi had taken a bath just before giving
birth to the Buddha.
Puskarni - The sacred pool: South of the Ashokan Pillar,
there is the famous sacred pool- 'Puskarni' believed to be
the same sacred pool in which Maya Devi took a holy dip
just before giving birth to the Lord and also where infant
Buddha was given his first purification bath.
Architecturally the pool has the projecting terraces in
descending order and is reverted with fine brick masonry.
Sanctum Sanctorum of the Birthplace: The single most
important place of the Lumbini (and to the entire Buddhist
world for that matter is the stone slab located deep in
the Sanctum sanctorum.
Revealed after hard and meticulous
excavations under the three layers of ruins over the site
of a famous Maya Devi temple, the stone slab foundation
pinpoints the location of the original place-marking the
exact spot of the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
Image of Maya Devi: In addition to Ashokan Pillar, the
other Shrine of importance is the bas-relief image of Maya
Devi, enshrined in a small pagoda-like structure, the
image shows Maya Devi, mother of the Lord supporting
herself by holding on with her right hand to a branch of
Sal tree, with newly born infant Buddha standing upright
on a lotus pedestal on an oval halo. Two other celestial
figures are depicted in an act of pouring water and
lotuses bestowed from heaven. Earlier the image was placed
in the famous white temple of MayaDevi beside the
pillar-now totally dismantled to make way for the
excavations, which revealed the Sanctum Sanctorum the
exact spot where the Lord was born.
The Buddhist Temple: The monastery-of the Buddhist temple
is built inside the surrounding complex of Lumbini in the
manner of modern Buddhist shrines in Nepal. The prayer
hall contains a large image of Buddha, medieval style
murals decorate the walls.
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Janakpur
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Janakpur is the capital of the ancient state of Mithila.
Sita the wife of the legendary hero Ram was born in
Janakpur. Throughout the year, many pilgrims come to pay
their respects to Ram and Sita who are the main religious
attractions in Janakpur. The city is thronged by
worshippers and visitors alike especially during the
festival of Bibah Panchami. This annual festival is
celebrated on the occasion of Ram and Sita's marriage and
their wedding ceremony is enacted throughout the week.
During this period, the city is enlivened by the wedding
festivities.
Ram and Sita (Janaki) are the two central characters of
the great Hindu epic Ramayana. In the story, Ram strings a
bow that originally belonged to Lord Shiva the Destroyer
and in the process, the bow breaks into three pieces. One
piece flies up to heaven. Another falls down into the
depths of the underworld. Today, there is a huge pond
called Dhanush Sagar above the very spot. The third piece
flies to present day Dhanushadham, about 40 Kms from
Janakpur. There, visitors will see huge rocks shaped liked
a bow. Thus, after Ram's successful attempt to string the
bow, Janaki's father, King Janak gives his daughter's hand
in marriage to the brave prince of Ayodhya.
Besides the religious importance, Janakpur is also the
center for the revival of the ancient Mithila art and
craft. As a tradition, Mithila women have always been
decorating the walls of their houses with paintings
depicting figures from Hindu mythology in abstract forms,
sometimes resembling a mandala.
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