05/22/2020 by abc

Escape to Kathmandu

Perched atop the mighty Himalayan range, Kathmandu guarantees to mesmerise you with its cultural, historical and gastronomical offerings

Intricately carved temples, flapping Buddhist prayer flags, taxis whizzing past you down narrow winding streets, Kathmandu takes charge of you upfront. Capital of Nepal, Kathmandu is 1,350 m above sea level. It is a city where its historical past seamlessly blends with the present. Along with its sister cities, Lalitpur Patan and Bhaktapur have been labelled together as ‘Kathmandu Valley-UNESCO World Heritage Site’.

Past Glory

Kathmandu Valley’s location was always geographically significant since it was situated on the trade route connecting India and China. Its architecture and monuments have been heavily influenced by both Hinduism and Buddhism.

Located in the old part of Kathmandu, Durbar Square represents the traditional side of the city. An area of palaces, there are heritage buildings from the earlier kingdoms in Nepal, the earliest being the Licchavi Dynasty. It is best to put on walking shoes and wander around the terraced platforms. The inner part of the square houses the Hanuman Dhoka, a complex of palatial structures where the royal family had stayed till 1886.

Kasthamandap is one of the prominent temples in Kathmandu, it is also the origin of the city’s name. The temple is built in the pagoda style from the 16^th century. Pashupatinath Temple is another famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Also built in a pagoda style with cubic architecture, the temple is grand with its four main doors covered with silver sheets.

Among the prominent Buddhist sites, Boudhanath and Swayambhu attract numerous tourists. It has a large stupa, spherical in shape that seems to glisten like gold at night when illuminated in yellow light.

Gear up for adventure

Kathmandu is often the ground zero for a number of trekking and camping trips. Various groups offer a variety of itineraries and some even customise it to suit your needs. The landscape is known for its rugged appeal, providing a cold terrain for man to conquer. Trek past deep icy gorges, high altitude vegetation, visiting monasteries and even taking a dip in hot water springs. The experience is out of this world.

Must-eat spots

Kathmandu is any food aficionado’s delight as it offers a tempting combination of a variety of cuisines. For authentic Nepali cuisine, try Thakali Bhanncha for the typical Nepali Dhal Bhat where healthy and wholesome vegetarian meals are available at modest prices. You can even visit Yak Restaurant to sample the simple yet delicious Himalayan cooking. Do try the local beer accompanied with a plate of hot fried momos.

Thamel

Thamel is a tourist district of the city, often looked upon as a ‘ghetto’. A haven for low-budget travellers, this part of the city is a full Wi-Fi zone. The epicentre for tourists, its narrow streets are outlined by the many shops that house travel agents, budget hotels, restaurants, etc. There are even boutique cafes and craft shops that bring about an old world charm.

A time to splurge

Kathmandu is a shoppers delight as one can pick up Tibetan Thanka paintings, pottery, woodcarvings, metal statues among others. Khukuri knives that are traditional knives used by Nepalese Gorkhas are also available. Silver jewellery, carpets, masks and traditional handicrafts are also some of the items one can bring back home.

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