Nepal: World Heritage Sites

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The small area of Nepal holds a considerably high number of places recognized by UNESCO as “World Heritage Sites”. The list includes both natural as well as cultural sites. There are all together ten World Heritage Sites in Nepal, out of eight cultural heritage sites, seven of them which glorify the Kathmandu Valley. Nepal is one of the few countries in the world where seven World Heritage Sites are situated within a 20 km. radius. Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, Changu Narayan Temple are within the valley whereas the birth place of Lord Buddha, Lumbini is the only cultural Heritage site outside the valley. Everest (Sagarmatha) National Park and Chitwan National Park are the two natural heritage sites.

PashupatinathTemple

The Pashupatinath temple is the largest Hindu temple and is considered to be the holiest of all Hindu temples. This is a two tiered golden temple with four silver doorways, hundreds of Shiva linga’s , shrines and holy symbols. It is located on the holy river – Bagmati, 6 km east of Kathmandu. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the temple. It is believed that this temple was built long before the Christian era begin. Its original beauty still remains with the beautifully sculpted stone sculptures found here. Thousands of Hindus come here each year on Shivaratri.

Bouddhanath Stupa

This is a huge Buddhist stupa located about 7 Km. east of Kathmandu. It stands on a massive mandala style platform and has features similar to the Swayambhunath, though its final to is bigger. It is said that this stupa was built during the 5th century A.D. Every year, in winter, thousands of pilgrims from neighbouring countries come to visit this place.

Swayambhunath Stupa

This stupa, having hundreds of voltive shrines and other historical monuments in and around it, was built in 250 B.C. This is the largest stupa in Nepal and it displays typical Buddhist architecture. This white dome is regarded as a spotless and pure jewel of Nirvana. It has thirteen tiers, representing the elevator to Nirvana, and a pair of painted eyes on all four sides of this stupa, symbolizing the all seeing eyes of the Buddha.

Changunarayan Temple

This 5th century temple, located 1500 meters height 24 km away from Kathmandu. and is full of art works on metal and wood. Inscriptions dating back to 464 A.D., found here, are the first epigraphic evidences of Nepali history. The temple itself is dedicated to Vishnu (often called Narayan). In the large square courtyard, many real masterworks in stone sculpture stand or lie around. The oldest piece of is Garuda, the mythical half-bird, half-man (Narayan’s mount), which dates back to the 5th century AD. Should all these art treasures and archeological relics not be enough to satisfy the curiosity of a casual visitor!

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

About 10 Km. east of Kathmandu is a town called Bhaktapur, meaning the city of devotees. It covers an area of 5 sq. Km and was founded by King Anand Dev (889 A.D.) in the shape of a conch shell, which is a sacred symbol. Bhaktapur was once ruled by the Malla’s who built magnificent temples, statues etc.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

It is also known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar, used to be the residence of the Nepali royal family and administrators. This ancient palace lies in the heart of the city. It consists of huge Royal palace with different temples, inside as well as outside the temple, dating from the 15th to the 18th century. This palace is named after Hanuman, the monkey god, as a stone statue of Hanuman is placed right next to the main entrance protecting the whole palace.

Patan Durbar Square

Patan is located 7 Km. away from Kathmandu. This city has many 15th to 17th century, Hindu and Buddhist, monuments built during the Malla dynasty. The most important area with many monuments is the Patan Durbar Square.

Lumbini

Lumbini is the birth place of Lord Buddha. It is situated 230 Km away from Kathmandu in the Rupandehi District of Southern Terai (lowland), at an altitude of 600 ft. above sea level. Lumbini, respected by all Buddhists. In 1998, Lumbini was declared as the Fountain of world peace and the pilgrimage for all the peace loving people of the world.

World Heritage Sites (Natural):

Everest (Sagarmatha) National Park

Sagarmatha National Park is located to the north-east of Kathmandu in the Kumbu region of Nepal covering an area of 1148 sq. kilometers. The park includes the highest peak in the world, Mt. Sagarmatha (Everest), and several other well-known peaks such as Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kwangde, Kangtaiga and Gyachung Kang. Vegetation includes pine and hemlock forests at lower altitudes, fir, juniper, birch and rhododendron woods, scrub and alpine plant communities, and bare rock and snow. The famed bloom of rhododendrons occurs during spring (April and May) although other flora is most colorful during the monsoon season (June to August).

Wild animals most likely to seen in the park are the Himalayan Tahr, Goral, Serow and Musk deer. The Snow Leopard and Himalayan Black bear are present but rarely sighted. Other mammals rarely seen are the Weasel, Maren, Himalayan mouse hare (Pika), Jackal and Langur monkey. The park was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.

ChitwanNational Park.

The Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal's first ever national park lies at the foot of the Himalaya in the Inner Terai lowlands of Chitwan. Covering an area of 932 sq. kilometers the park extends over deciduous forest foothills and river floodplains. The park is rich in its variety of vegetation and wildlife. The park provides one of the last habitats for endangered species like the Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal tiger. Royal Chitwan National Park was officially established in 1973 and included as Natural Heritage Site in 1984