KATHMANDU DAY TOUR

Trip Overview

Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal. Nepal has only one International airport in Kathmandu, which is Tribhuvan International Airport. Most international travelers land in Kathmandu when they travel to Nepal. So, visiting Kathmandu with its cultural heritage is a must-do activity in Nepal. Kathmandu is home to seven UNESCO world heritage sites, which you should not miss visiting on your Kathmandu Day Tour.

We at Escape Nepal have a Kathmandu Day Tour that includes a visit to four heritage and they are Kathmandu Durbar squire, Swayambhunath Stupa, Bouddhanath Stupa, and Pasupatinath Temple. We also have another day tour that includes a visit to Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Squire.

Places to visit in Kathmandu Full- Day Tour

Swayambhunath Stupa: The first place you visit on Kathmandu Day Tour

Today's Kathmandu tour starts with a visit to the Swayambhunath Stupa. The stupa is one of the world's most great Buddhist Chaityas, which is said to be 2000 years of age. Painted on the four sides of the spire bases are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is located 3 km west of Kathmandu city and is arranged on a hillock about 77m.

The Swayambhunath Stupa is situated on a lovely little hill rock, which was built around 250 B.C. For the most part, a heavenly commemoration site Stoup represents typical Buddhist engineering. The white dome is related to an unblemished pure gem of Nirvana, and a thirteen-layered golden spire fit as a fiddle surmounted on the arch.

Underneath this transcending structure is a couple of all-powerful eyes of Buddha painted on each of the four sides of the Stupa, So, the Swayambhunath Stupa is one of the major sites that you visit in the Kathmandu Day Tour.

A brief history of Swayambhunath Stupa

• There are many oral stories regarding the history of Swayambhunath Stupa. Both old sacred writings and authentic proof express that Kathmandu Valley was once submerged in water more than 2,000 years ago.
• Buddhist folklore says that from this lake a single lotus blossom emerged. The valley at that point ended up known as Swayambhu or "self-made" or "self-existent one".
• The second legend recounts a sanctuary that sprang from a lake that had an unceasing fire over, which Swayambhunath was then constructed. A third legend says that Manjushree uses his sword to crack open a mountain letting the lake waters stream out and uncover the valley.
• The stupa at that point ascended from the previously mentioned lotus. There is a written testament that proposes King Vasudeva (Vyasadeva) constructed the sanctuary here at the beginning of the fifth century.
• There is likewise a harmed stone tablet at the site, which affirms that King Mānadeva had done work here in 640 CE. What known is that Swayambhu most likely been emerged from a progression of littler sanctuaries on the slope. These little sanctuaries at long last converged into the large stupa that we see today.
• It's said that Pratap Malla constructed the long stairs that prompt the stupa during the seventeenth century. In all cases, Swayambhu stupa is perceived as the most impressive stupa in Nepal. You get to know more about the stupa from our local expert while you go on Kathmandu Full Day Tour.

Interesting facts about Swayambhunath Stupa

• Swayambhunath Stupa is one of the biggest stupas in Nepal, estimating nearly 100 meters in width and 40 meters in height.
• Swayambhunath got it another famous name as "Monkey Temple" because Manjushree, the bodhisattva of intelligence, and training was raised on the hill, which the Swayambhu Temple presently remains on.
• There is one more interesting story about the stupa that once the head lice changed into the monkeys that presently live around the sanctuary. Our tourist guide explains to you more about the stupa on Kathmandu Day Tour.

Highlights of Swayambhunath Stupa

• There's a whole other world to do around Swayambhunath than most manuals let you know. Typically it's a 1-hour stumble on a visit and here are only a couple of highlights.
• You can climb the full 365 steps to the top and take a breather up to appreciate the little stupas, monkeys and watch vendors' costs going up or if it is too hard for you, then you can downhill from the top!
• Circle the stupa at the very top (clockwise).
• Do visit the little sanctuaries and holy places around the main stupa.
• Visit one of the many Thanka painting schools and get some information about it, and enjoy the sights of Kathmandu from there.
• Visit the world peace pond.
• To the back is a Buddha park while towards the south is a characteristic history historical center.

Note: Be careful with the monkeys: they take sustenance, sparkly items and will take things from your hand or pack.

Kathmandu Durbar Squire: The second place to visit on Kathmandu Day Tour

Another place you visit on Kathmandu full day tour is Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is the core of old Kathmandu city in Basantapur, which never fails to inspire first-time guests with its complicated wood carvings and rich history. Encompassed by concrete buildings, the complex is a desert spring in a quick-creating, chaotic modern city.

Once the residence of Nepal's Royal family, all crowning ceremonies were held here. The royal residence is an amalgamation of eastern and western design with increases by Rana and Shah Leaders throughout the hundreds of years. An incredible 50 sanctuaries exist in the region including the sanctuary of the main god, Taleju Bhawani.

Brief History of Kathmandu Durbar Square

• Sadly no documents are stating the history of this durbar square, but the construction of the palace is ascribed to Shankardev (1069-1083). After this, it is said that the first independent king of Kathmandu, Ratna Malla built the Taleju temple on the northern side of the palace in 1501.
• There are no clearly stated inscriptions for the constructions of the courtyards such as Mul Chowk and Karnel Chowk courtyard. The Karnel Chowk courtyard is considered to be the oldest among all of the courtyards.
• The Narayan temple now known as the Bhagwati temple was constructed originally by King Jagajaya Malla devoted to Lord Narayan. After the statue got stolen, King Prithvi Narayan Shah replaced it with a new image of Goddess Bhagwati changing the name of the temple.
• Numerous temple was constructed during that phase such as Jagannath, Mahendreswara, and many more.
• The entire development of the square accelerated during the regime of Pratap Malla. He construed small entrances decorated by paintings and carvings of deities and other auspicious creatures, built Hanuman-Dhoka Durbar originated from the statue of Hanuman built up by the King Pratap Malla at the passage of the regal royal residence in 1672 A.D. is now called Basantapur Durbar (palace).
• The fine image of Narasinha was built during his regime along with the Sundari Chowk, Krishna temple, the Vamsa Gopala, etc.
• He also donated to the renovation of various old temples. At the time of the Shah Dynasty, this place observed numerous changes.
• The Nautale temple with four roofs was constructed during this time. It is believed to be the pleasure house of that time followed by various other architectural advances such as Gaddi baithak or Gaddi durbar, which is made in European architectural designs and other different constructions.
• Situated at the core of the antiquated city in Kathmandu it is surrounded by both Hindu and Buddhist sanctuaries. The vast majority of them are sculptured in the pagoda style decorated with unpredictably cut outsides just as most of the structures we see here date from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century.
• The Durbar Square, with its old sanctuaries, royal residences, embodies the religious and social existence of the general population.
• The interesting things to see here are Kumari Ghar (house of the living goddess), Kasthamandap (wood covered shelter), Maru Ganesh, Mahadev Temple, Shiva Parvati Temple, Bhagwati Temple, Old Royal Residence, Saraswati Sanctuary, Krishna Octangular Temple, Big Drums, Kal Bhairav, Jagannath Temple, Taleju Temple, and many more.
• You get to know more about history and stories behind the Kathmandu durbar Squire while go on Kathmandu Day Tour.

Facts about Kathmandu Durbar Square

• Kathmandu Durbar Square is comprised of two sub-regions. The external complex is prestigious for various intriguing sanctuaries as Kumari Ghar, Kasthamandap, Shiv-Parvati Temple, Jagannath Temple, Big Bell, and so on, while the inward intricate involves the old royal residence region, Hanuman-Dhoka, and its courts as Nasal Chowk, Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk, Basantapur Durbar and other.
• Other than the magnificent temple and hallowed places, it has other fascinating viewpoints which are differentially celebrated cultural activities and traditions followed by individuals from hundreds of years, which are exhibited in the Durbar Square.
• The main festivals that are celebrated here are Indra Jatra, Dashain, Gaijatra, Machchhindra-Nath Jatra, etc…. These are the event when the general population from everywhere throughout the city assemble here to stamp their hundreds of years old customs.
• All the carvings and design around there are incredibly fine, which make the engineering in this Hanuman-Dhoka Durbar square among the most significant sights for explorers to see.
• The Kathmandu Durbar Squire is one of the must visit place on your Kathmandu Tour.

Bouddhanath Stupa: The third place to visit on Kathmandu Full Day Tour

Bouddhanath Stupa is an interesting place that you visit on your today’s Kathmandu Full Day Tour. The Bouddhanath Stupa has located about 8 km toward the east of downtown Kathmandu. The Boudhanath is a standout amongst the most imposing milestones in Kathmandu, unmistakable when you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport. It is the biggest Stupa in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Bouddhanath Stupa is 36-meter-high, and it is of the biggest stupas in South Asia. With innumerable religious communities encompassing it, Boudhanath is the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.

Built-in the state of a mandala intended to reproduce the Yangtse of Tibet, the stupa was revamped by Lichchavi rulers in the eighth century. The area of the stupa is intriguing as it once lay on the ancient trade route to Tibet, and it was here and that Tibetan shippers rested and offered prayers for quite a long time.

On each side are a pair of all seeing-eyes of the Boudhanath symbolizing awareness. The shade has 13 phases, and also at ground level, there is a block divider with 147 specialties and 108 pictures of the meditational Buddha inset behind copper petition wheels. You know more about the Bouddhanath Stupa from the expert guide of Escape Nepal while you are on Kathmandu Day Tour.

Brief History of Boudhanath Stupa

• The primary Stupa at Boudhanath was fabricated at some point after 600 AD, when the Tibetan ruler, Songtsen Gampo, changed over to Buddhism. Regarding elegance and virtue of line, no other stupa in Nepal approaches Boudhanath. From its whitewashed vault to its overlaid pinnacle painted with the all-powerful eyes of the Buddha, the landmark is impeccably proportioned. Join the Tibetan travelers on their morning and night koras (circumambulations) for the best experience.
• As indicated by Legend, the ruler developed the Stupa as a demonstration of compensation after accidentally slaughtering his dad. The primary stupa was destroyed by Mughal intruders in the fourteenth century, so the present stupa is much more developed.
• The profoundly symbolic construction serves basically as a three-dimensional reminder of the Buddha's way towards illumination. The plinth speaks to earth, the Kumbha (arch) is water, the Harmika (square pinnacle) is fire, the tower is air, and the umbrella at the best is the void or ether past space. The 13 dimensions of the tower speak to the phases that a person must go through to accomplish nirvana.
• Stupas were initially built to house holy relics, and in some cases that Boudhanath contains the relics of the past Buddha, Kashyapa, while others state it contains a bit of bone from the skeleton of Siddhartha Gautama, the authentic Buddha. Around the base of the stupa are 108 little pictures of the Dhyani Buddha Amitabha (108 is an auspicious number in Tibetan culture) and a ring of petition wheels, set in gatherings of four or five into 147 specialties.
• To achieve the upper dimension of the plinth, search for the portal at the north end of the stupa, close to a little hallowed place devoted to Hariti (Ajima), the goddess of smallpox. The plinth is open from 5 am to 6 pm (till 7 pm in summer), offering a raised perspective over the tide of explorers flooding around the stupa.
• Note the submitted devotee prostrating themselves full-length on the ground in the patio on the east side of the stupa. You will be overwhelmed when you visit the stupa on Kathmandu Day Tour.

Some facts about Boudhanath Stupa

• Boudhanath (likewise called Boudha, or the Khāsa Caitya) is a stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• It is known as Khāsti in Nepal Bhasa, Jyarung Khashor in Tibetan dialect, or as Buddha by speakers of Nepali.
• Stupas are basic to Buddhism, a substantial image of the Buddha's edified personality.
• All things considered, the main stupa was constructed sometime after 600 AD, after the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, was changed over to Buddhism by his two spouses. The present stupa structure was most likely formed after the ravaging of the Mughal trespassers in the fourteenth century.
• After the arrival of thousands of Tibetans following the 1959 Chinese intrusion, the sanctuary has turned out to be a standout amongst the most vital focuses of Tibetan Buddhism.
• The deluge of expansive populaces of displaced people from Tibet has seen the development of more than 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath.
• Boudhanath is the holiest Tibetan Buddhist sanctuary outside Tibet.
• With a width surpassing 100 meters (328 feet) and one end to the other length generally rising to a football field, Boudhanath is among the biggest stupa on the planet and absolutely the greatest in Nepal.
• The old Stupa is 36 meters over the road and rules the horizon.
• The shape and the substituted squares and circles speak to a three-dimensional mandala, which is included conceptual religious ideas. Each part has representative centrality: the base, dome, and square Harmika, spire, and represent five different elements.
• You get to know more fact about the stupa from our live guide on Kathmandu day tour.

Things to See in Boudhanath Stupa on the Kathmandu Full Day Tour

• The spire of the Boudha Stupa might be under fix, yet there are such great things to see and do around the Stupa. Every one of the shops is open, there are extraordinary bistros and eateries and you can watch the world pass by from a coffeehouse or any place around the stupa kora (walk). Also, if you are fortunate, you will get to see a heavenly prayer function (puja) at the base of the stupa.
• The entire territory is a captivating world in itself and demonstrates the flexibility of the neighborhood Nepali individuals how life proceeds every day a year after the shakes. One of the exceptionally extraordinary places in Kathmandu to visit and can without much of a stretch take an entire day when you additionally visit the encompassing religious communities.

Pashupatinath Temple: The last heritage to visit on Kathmandu Day Tour

The Pashupatinath Temple is the last place that you visit on today's Kathmandu Full Day Tour. The Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in Nepal devoted to Lord Shiva. It is one of the most religious places in Asia for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Pashupatinath Temple is built in the fifth century and later renovated by Malla Kings. Moreover, the landmark is said to have existed from the earliest starting point of the thousand years when a Shiva lingam was found here.

The biggest temple complex in Nepal extends on the two sides of the Bagmati River, which is considered the holy river by Hindus. The primary pagoda-style sanctuary has a plated rooftop, four sides canvassed in silver and wood carvings of the best quality. One can see various other temples devoted to numerous other Hindu and Buddhist deities encompass the sanctuary of Pashupatinath.

Nearby is the sanctuary of Guheshwori devoted to Shiva's partner Sati Devi. Incineration of Hindus occurs on raised stages along the river. Only Hindus are permitted inside the doors of the primary sanctuary. The internal sanctum has a Shiva Lingam, and outside sits the biggest statue of Nandi, the bull, the vehicle of Shiva. There are many Shiva lingam inside the compound.

The huge Maha Shivaratri celebration in spring pulls here welcoming the huge number of devotees from inside Nepal and from India and other parts of the world.

Experience this exceptionally suggested religious center for a blend of religious, social, and spiritual experience. Located 3 km northwest of Kathmandu on the banks of the Bagmati River, the sanctuary region also includes Deupatan, Jaya Bageshwori, Gaurighat, Kutumbahal, Gaushala, Pingalasthan, and Sleshmantak woods.

There are around 492 sanctuaries, 15 Shivalayas (hallowed places of Lord Shiva), and 12 Jyotirlinga (phallic sanctums) to explore.

A brief history of Pashupatinath Temple

• The exact date of Pashupatinath construction is obscure as there is no documented report regarding its construction history. Regardless of this reality, the Pashupatinath is viewed as the most significant Hindu sanctuary of Nepal.
• The earliest evidence of the sanctuary goes back to 400 A.D. The main sanctuary of the Pashupatinath complex was built toward the finish of the seventeenth century to replace the past one, wrecked by termites. Countless smaller sanctuaries were developed around the main sanctuary on the two banks of Bagmati River during the most recent couple of hundreds of years.
• There are various legends, related to the development of the sanctuary. The most famous one states, that the sanctuary was based on the site where Shiva lost one of his antlers, while he was in the guise of a deer. He and his better half touched base to the bank of Bagmati and astonished by the magnificence site chose to change themselves into deer and stroll in the encompassing woodlands.
• Sooner or later divine beings and people chose to return them to their obligations. However, Shiva rejected to return, and they needed to utilize compel. In the battle, Shiva lost one of his antlers, which later turned into the main lingam adored by Hinduists in Pashupatinath. Later this relic was lost, and as indicated by another legend, found again by a herder, whose bovine demonstrated the area of Lingam by watering the place, and it was covered with her drain.
• Pashupatinath is where exceptionally old Hindu ceremonies are organized in astounding starting structure, allowing the guests to feel the one-of-a-kind soul of Hindu customs of life, demise, and reincarnation. You get to know more about the history and the stories related to the Temple from our local expert guide while you go on Kathmandu Full Day Tour.

Some Facts about Pashupatinath Temple

• The Pashupatinath Temple is a sanctuary committed to Lord Pashupatinath who is also known as Lord Shiva. Situated in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal, this sanctuary has been recorded as a World Heritage Site on UNESCO's rundown.
• Pashupatinath Temple is existing since 400 B.C.: Pashupatinath Temple doesn't only hold religious importance, but it also has historical significance as its history dates back from 400 B.C.
• The Legend related to its Origin: There is a famous legend related to the origin of the Pashupatinath Temple. As per this legend, every day a cow used to visit this particular spot and offer her milk to the ground. One day, the cow was seen by her owner and got suspicious. Thus, he uncovered the place and found the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. Gradually an ever-increasing number of individuals gathered around the Shiva Lingam to worship, and Lord Pashupatinath got well known while this place turned into a pilgrim spot.
• The Structure of Pashupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath Temple is situated on the Western Bank of waterway Bagmati. This sanctuary is considered a perfect work of art of Hindu design. The fundamental sanctuary comprises of working with bunk rooftop and brilliant tower. It is cubic fit as a fiddle, and the four primary entryways are shrouded in silver sheets. Likewise, the two-storied rooftops had been built from unadulterated copper secured with gold. The primary fascination of this sanctuary is the sparkling Shivalinga and the gigantic brilliant statue of Shiva's Bull, Nandi.
• The Shiva Lingam: The Lingam at Pashupatinath sanctuary is exceptional. Its uniqueness is because the Lingam is four–faced. The faces are to such an extent that they are towards the four directions. The face facing East is called Tatpurusha, the face facing West is called Sadyojata, the face facing north is called Vamadeva, and the face facing south is called Aghora. The highest part of the Shivling is called Ishan.
• Only Hindus can enter the Temple: The main sanctuary of the Pashupatinath Temple can be gotten to just by the Hindus. For individuals of every other religion, the various parts of the building are open aside from the primary sanctuary.
• The Paintings and Sculptures of the Temple: There are numerous extraordinarily creative artworks and figures in various parts of the sanctuary. At the two sides of every entryway of the sanctuary, there are pictures of numerous Gods and Goddesses and Apsaras. Practically every one of these sketches is done in gold. Every single pillar, which underpins the top of the sanctuary is likewise etched with pictures delineating diverse kinds of sexual postures.
• The Arya Ghat: Arya Ghat at Pashupatinath sanctuary is of extraordinary significance as this Ghat is the main place close to the sanctuary whose water is viewed as sufficiently consecrated to be brought into the sanctuary. Additionally, this Ghat is viewed as propitious, and hence the individual from Nepal's Royal family as well as the common people are incinerated here.
• Nirvana seekers: It is said that Pashupatinath sanctuary is blessed to the point that if you are incinerated in its premises, you will again accept birth as a human paying little heed to the wrongdoings you have done in your lifetime. Along these lines, various older individuals visit this place to spend the most recent couple of long stretches of their lives in the Pashupatinath sanctuary commence.
• Open-air Cremation on the bank of Bagmati River: Consistently on the bank of Bagmati River nearby to which Pashupatinath sanctuary is arranged, outside incineration happens. The oldest child of the expired shaves his head and finishes the rituals. Rather than seeming terrible, the incineration appears to be very tranquil.
• Unharmed during the 2015 Earthquake: On 25 April 2015, when a seismic tremor of 7.8 extents hit Nepal it began turning the vast majority of the close-by structures and some of UNESCO's sites' legacy locales into the residue. In any case, Pashupatinath Temple, which has withstood the trial of time by and by stood tall confronting the debacle. With only a couple of breaks on the divider, it showed up as a supernatural occurrence structure amid all residue and rubble. While the devotee guaranteed it as and an indication of perfect power; others are contending that its solid base and design are the primary components that caused Pashupatinath sanctuary to withstand the impacts of the tremor.