Places Around

Surya Binayak
Situated in beautiful surrounding of Bhaktapur, the temple of Ganesh is placed in a sylvan setting to catch the 1 st rays of the rising sun. Surya Binayak is one of the valley’s 4 main Ganesh shrines. A steep stairways climbs up to the temple on a forested hilltop. Lord Ganesh is very popular as the god of wisdom and good luck, among Hindus. Devotees throng this temple especially on Tuesday and Saturday to pay homage and offer animal sacrifices to the elephant- headed deity. The image of the god sits in an enclosure in the bottom of a Shikhara and there’s a second golden image on the Shikhara spire. Statues of Kneeling devotees face the image and the Shikhara is flanked by large bells.It is a good picnic spot flanked by many attractive landscapes. During marriage seasons, one may chance upon newly married couples seeking blessing from the god for peace, pleasure and mutual harmony in their martial life. Because of its height, the place is also pleasant to view the Bhaktapur city as well as the Himalayan panorama. Behind the main temple, there exists a very thick forest of Schima Wallichi and Castanopsis Indica with thick undergrowth. It is very lively to see the flowering of many wild plants in spring. Rhododendron Arboreum, the national flower of Nepal , blooms in spring season at the upper level of the forest. The whole forest turns reddish during the season. Different types of orchids are also found hanging in the trees in this forest all the year round. This type of forest is one of the best breeding grounds for different kinds of resident and migratory birds sing here in different seasons. Lot of warblers can be seen during winter. Winter is the best time for bird watching in these areas since many types of birds can be seen and the forest will be free from leeches. Moreover, it is one of the best wintering grounds for finches, warblers, birds of prey and many other birds. It is the best refugee place and breeding ground for many summer visitors like flycatchers, cuckoos and bee-eaters. Many resident birds like doves, magpie, treepie, woodpeckers, flower peckers, nuthatches, laughing- thrushes, Minivet, barbets and bulbuls can be seen everywhere in the forest. The eastern and south eastern parts of the forest, since it is more exposed to the sun rays, have more bird diversity. Bird activities in that part of the forest areas are more easily seen in the early mornings. This forest area is the second place where White- Bellied Yuhina can be seen in the Valley.

Thimi Thimi
The valley’s fourth- largest town, lies on a plateau 4km west of Bhaktapur. The name is said to be a corruption of Chhemi, which means “capable people”, a bit of flattery offered by Bhaktapur to make up for the fact that the town used to get mauled every time Bhaktapur to make up for the fact that the town used to get mauled every time Bhaktapur picked a fight with Kathmandu or Patan. Thimi, a large Newari village built on a raised plateau surrounded by a sea of fields. The town’s main artery, accessible only on foot, runs north- south, linking a series of temple- studded square. This place is better known for its superb craftsmanship on ceramics and papier-mâché masks, as well as green vegetables. Pottery is an even older local specialty, and one can watch potters at work in alleys and courtyards all over the north end of town. The process is the same as in Bhaktapur, except that the capable people of Thimi have traded in their traditional wooden wheels for concrete- filled truck tyres. Pottery doesn’t travel well, but one might be tempted by the elephant shaped flower pots.Thimi only temple of note is that of Balkumari , a 16 th century pagoda located near the southern end of the main north-south lane. The temple is the focus of frenzied New Year’s festivals in April, when dozens of deities are ferried around on palanquins and red powder is thrown like confetti. Many festivals are celebrated here with music and dances performance on various occasions. The festival of 32 palanquins of deities tongue boring festival, different kinds of mask dances like Mahakali dances, Bhairab Dance, folk dances, Jyapu Jyapuni Dance, Lusi dance are a few to name. Mahakali and Maha Laxmi (North of Bhaktapur) At thé north eastern side of Bhaktapur, right towards Nagarkot is the Mahakali temple where the shrine tops a small hill an dis reached by a steep flight of steps . Just beyond this temple, on the right downhill at the left side, the tiny, open, double roofed temple is of Maha Laxmi temple. Changu Narayan temple Situated on a small hillock, the temple of Changu Narayan is decorated with magnificent arts works in metal and wood. In fact it is one of the finest examples of Nepalese architecture. The beautiful and historic temple of Changu Narayan is about 6 km north of Bhaktapur. Although the temple dates from 1702, when it was rebuilt after a fire, its origins go right back to the 4 th century and there are many important stone images and sculptures dating from the Licchavi period. It is said to have been built by King Hari Datta Verma in 323 A.D. Despite the temple’s beauty and interest it attracts relatively few visitors because of its comparative inaccessibility, although these days you can drive right to the temple via Bhaktapur. Alternatively, it makes a pleasant walk from that town or an interesting destination on the walk down from Nagarkot. Climb up the ancient stone steps leading to the top of the hill. A large square courtyard embraces the classical broad- roofed pagoda, this latest version dating from the early 18 th century. The double roofed temple is dedicated to Vishnu in his incarnation as Narayan the preserver, and is exceptionally beautiful with quite amazingly intricate roof struts depicting multi-armed goddesses. The temple is fronted by a figure of Garuda said to date from the 5 th century. The man-bird mouth of Vishnu has a snake around his neck and kneels with folded hands facing the temple. Stone lions guard the wonderfully gilded door, flanked by equally detailed gilded window. Two pillars at the front corners carry two of the traditional symbols of Vishnu, the conch shell and the charka. In Nepali terms, relatively recent and the much older images found in the temple courtyard are of equal interest. There are various images of Vishnu, carrying the symbols associated with the god in his four hands. Other images include one of Vishnu as Narsingha, his man-lion incarnation. Another shows his as Vikrantha, striding across the universe. Behind these two images is a small black slab showing Narayan reclining on the serpent Ananta at the bottom and Vishnu with 10 heads and 10 arms in the centre. This beautifully carved image dates from the 5 th or 6 th century. Other points of interest include the statues of King Bhupalendra Malla and his queen, kneeling in a gilded cage in front of the temple. Look at the brick paving of the courtyard. In the centre, triangular bricks are used rounded- corner bricks. Places to visit in Changu Narayan

GARUDA:
One of the proud collection of Changu Narayan complex is the pillar with in inscription engraved on it, and installation of human Garuda donated by king Mandev in the year 464 A.D a great devotee of Vishnu, the pillar and statue of Garuda are considered to be the oldest records of religious importance to be discovered not only in the shrine but in the whole valley of Kathmandu.the language of inscription Sanskrit but it is written in Licchavi script. After Mandev king Amsuverma, an illustrious ruler of 7 th century replaced the worm out golden shield and Garuda.

STATUE OF MALLA KING AND QUEEN:
Bhupalendra Malla, the king of Kantipur had renovated Kileswor temple in1691 A.D and arranged the priest for it’s worship, in 1704 as the queen Bhuban Laxmi and got the enthroned idols of her self and her late husband, Bhupalendra Malla established at the main gate .The statue of Bhupalendra Malla was stolen on 2 nd September 2001and reinstall in the same place.

RIDHARA VISHNU:
Sridhara Vishnu was built in the 9 th /10 th century A.D Vishnu is known under a 1000 names. 24 of them are so important that they are recited daily as al litany by all devout Vaishnavas. In all these 24 forms Vishnu is depicted standing erect and holding various emblems in his hands. The figures comprising of Vishnu’s clearly dominates the two images; his consort Laxmi here called Sri, on his right, and his carrier, Garuda on his left.

VISHNU VIKRANT:
Another magnificent work is of a sculpture of Tribikram Vishnu of 8 th century A.D .this sculpture depicts the scene of a popular myth of lord Vishnu and his is tower bail. The lower panel of the stele has depicted the poses of bestowment by Bali to Vishnu .there are not many figures of Tribikram Vishnu in the valley. All the ones that we have in the valley are of a Licchavi period .among them the Tribikram image of vaishnavaite image in Nepal . NARASIMHA: Narshimha is an outstanding work of the 10 th century .the theme of the image is to abolish sins from the face of the earth. God Vishnu in carted in the form of a half man, half-lion creature to kill the demon king Hiranyasyapu.

KANTI BHAIRAV:
Guarding the west entrance of the courtyard, Kanti Bhairab commands the first respect of a pilgrim.

KILESWOR TEMPLE :
The small two tiered traditional style temple dedicated to lord Mahadav in the form of a pig has been recently constructed in 17 th century as the temple is famous for it’s erotic motifs, which are depicted in the lower part of the struts .The four faced Shiva- linga has been placed in the main sanctum.

GARUDA NARAYAN:

The 1300 year old Sridhar Narayan image of lord Krishna is in the courtyard on the left. The Garuda Narayan in a figure with exceptional qualities and brilliant imaginative aptitude work of the 9 th century, the theme of the image is commencing to fly to balkuntha, abode of lord Vishnu. This is the single contribution of the Licchavi period, not only the courtyard but in the entire Kathmandu valley. This figure of Narayan has been depicted in the 10 rupees bill issued by the Nepal Rastra Bank.

NATESHWOR:
The dancing form of lord Shiva belonging to the Malla period is located in front of the north gate of Changu Narayan.

MAHAVISHNU:
The domical temple of Mahavishnu is in the north east of the courtyard houses a very rare image that is about 400 yrs old. THE ELEPHANT: Long ago, when the craftsmen were carving a stone into an elephant for the southern gate, it could not be done in a day. The next day, it was believed that it had moved to present location. As the carving resumed, it bled. It remained untouched and has attained a god image statue.

BAIKUNTHA VISHNU/ VISHWORUP :
Near the Vishnu Sridhar there stands another well- preserver polished stone sculpture of Baikuntha Nath, Vishnu riding on Garuda, his mount. In this 12 or 13 th century statue, the majestic figure of Vishnu, holding his weapons and his emblems in his main hands, is seated on a throne made of the symmetrically spread arms and wings of the mythical bird Garuda, who seems to be at the point of taking off with his divine passenger. The statue rests on a square stone base with a water collecting and draining channel.

RAKTESHORI CHHINNAMASTA :
The rectangular temple with five finals has images of the seven mother goddesses with Shiva, parvati and Ganesh that are inside the temple. A temple dedicated to Chhinamasta of Shakti cult was constructed during 17 th century A.D. It is situated in the south east side of the Changu Narayan temple. According to the Hindu mythology, goddess parvati offered her own head to feed her hungry friends saheli and prakriti and became famous as Chhinamasta this name literally translated into English means, the beheaded one.

VISHWORUP:
A beautiful steal of Vishworup theme is placed on well carved stone motive platform .It depicts the scene form the Bhagwat Gita in which Krishna manifests his universal form to an awe-stuck Arjun. The principle figure of Vishnu stands firmly in the center of the composition the state is segmented into three levels i.e. which represent the nether world, the terrestrial world and heavens. This is the 8 /9th century figure, unparallel in beauty and theme, not a single Licchavi sculpture found in the valley can be compared with this sculpture.

THE SURROUNDING AREA BHIMSEN COTTAGE :
Ascending the stone staircase from the eastern door of the temple courtyard, single roof Patti can be seen on the northern side of the courtyard. Inside the Patti there are the idols of Bhimsen, Draupati Jaya and Vijaya.Infront of this cottage there is a palace belonging to Malla period, having been affiliated on account of the demise of hi young son, the grieved king Yog Narendra Malla of Lalitpur had come to stay here .There is open sky museum having best example of the stone statue of chaturmukhi Narayan including different stone statue of different periods.

HISTRICAL, STONE, TAPS STONE STEPS AND POND:
There are different types of monuments like stone taps, stone steps and ponds artistic stone water tank in the surrounding of the temple. These surrounding monuments and the village give the glimpses of the lifestyle of the medieval period.

CARNIVALS, FESTIVALS AND FAIRS:
Since Licchavi period, many carnivals, festivals and fairs are organized on various occasions, the carnivals are called “JATRA” in Nepal. Some of the important Jatra are Changu Narayan Jatra, kalash Jatra, mahashanan festival and Haribokhani ekadashi. There are special communes to organize various Jatra, festivals and fairs.
Nagarkot Like many of Nepal ’s best highways, the road to Nagarkot serves mainly strategic, not scenic purpose: Nagarkot was originally developed as an army camp- tourist facilities came later, with government encouragement. Nagarkot is a popular tourist resort of Nepal . It is situated 32 km east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2175 m above the sea level. Nagarkot is by far the most favored hill resort in the Kathmandu valley. There are various places around the edge of the Kathmandu valley which offer great mountain views, but the resort village of Nagarkot is generally held to be the best. No other place in the valley is so ideal like this serene place for savoring the splendors of the great Himalaya stretching from the Annapurna massif in the far west to Mt. Kanchenjunga in the Far East . Beside its natural beauty there are some historically and religiously important temples and buildings, such as Mahadev Pokhari- below the tower, where people in and around the valley mostly flock to during Janai Purnima, Kali Devi temple, Mahanka Panchakanya temple, Jalpadevi, Remborchhe Gumba- a Buddhist monastery and two historical caves Chamero Gupha and Raksi Gupha are the other attraction for the tourist and Nepali alike. A pilgrimage to Nagarkot will nearly always be rewarded with a view between October and March, but you will be very lucky to catch more than a glimpse through the clouds of some snow-capped mountains in the June to September monsoon period. It can get very cold at Nagarkot in autumn or winter so if you’re staying overnight come prepared with warm clothing. The best thing about Nagarkot is that you don’t have to stay in an expensive hotel to get a view right out of your window. The main centre of Nagarkot, in reality a small cluster of guest houses, is a 10 minute walk north of the main road. It was never a traditional village, so while the views can be stunning, and the surrounding countryside is great for walking, the unplanned scatter of lodges is not itself attractive.