India Travel Information

Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is the capital and largest city of Nepal. It is the cosmopolitan heart of the Himalayan Region. It is the gateway to Nepal. It has a glorious history going back two thousand years, and a refined culture that ranks among the highest in Asia. It is also a modern financial and business hub, exotic tourist destination, and a sacred goal for pilgrims.

The country's capital and largest city simultaneously reeks of history and the wear and tear of increasing modernity. The tightly packed historical center, with its squares and temples, continues to preserve a world light years away from the shanty towns, expensive hotels, restaurants and shops on the city's outskirts.

Kathmandu is situated in a bowl shaped valley in central Nepal. The Kingdom extends about 885 km. east to west and 193 km. in width north to south. The entire terrain is like a steep incline, descending from the icy Himalayan heights to the hot Terai flatland within a short distance.

The country has an area of 147,181 sq.km., and is positioned between 26022" to 30027' North Latitude and 80004' to 88012' East Longitude. It is bordered by China in the north and by India in the south, west and east. Nepal is a totally landlocked country...

Attractions :
» Machchhendrananth Temple - The temple of Sweta Machchhendra Bahal between Indra Chowk and Asan. It is a Pagoda of considerable artistic beauty is also called as Janmadyo or Machchhendra deity.

» Akash Bhairav Temple - A three storey temple in the main market avenue, called Indra Chowk, the image of Akash Bhairav is displayed outside for a week during Indara Jatra, the festival of Indra - the God of Rain.

» Hanumandhoka (Durbar Square) - It is the historic seat of royalty. The Durbar Square, with its old temples and places, epitomizes the religiuous and cultural life of the people. It is here that kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized.
Interesting things to see here are; Taleju Temple built by king Mahendra malla in 1549 A.D.; Kal Bhairav, the God of Destruction, Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, The Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the Big Bell, Big Drum and the Jagannath Temple. On the right hand corner, larger wooden lattice screen hides an enormous gilded face of Sweta Bhairav. The screen is removed only during the Indra Jatra festival. There are also Numismatic Museum and Tribhuvan museum inside the Hanuman Dhoka Palace building. Photography is prohibited inside the museums. Both the museums remain closed on Tuesdays and government holidays.

» Temple Of Kumari (Kumar Ghar) - The temple or the residence of Living Goddess, Kumari, is situated in the vicinity of Hanuman Dhoka Palace. The building has profusely carved wooden balconies and window screens. The Kumari - the Living Goddess, acknowledges the greetings from her balcony window. Photography is prohibited.

» Bhadrakali Temple - As the eastern edge of the Tundikhel, near Shahid Gate stands the temple of Goddess Bhadrakali. This temple is also known as Lumarhi temple and is one of the main Shakti temples of Kathmandu city.

» Budhanikantha - About 8-kms north of Kathmandu, at the base of sivapuri hill is a remarkable colossal statue of Lord Vishnu, reclining of the bed of snake. This is one of the masterpieces of stone sculptures of Lichchhavi period. This 5th century statue is in the middle of a small pond and seems to float in water.

How To Reach There?
» By Air - There are regular flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Kolkata, and all the other major airports across the world to Kathmandu.

» By Road - Kathmandu has a good road network. There are several land routes that you may take from India to reach Kathmandu. From Gorakhpur, there are several modes of land transport that take you across to Nepal and Kathmandu in turn. From Kolkata you may travel to Raxaul and via Virganj reach Kathmandu.