Kathmandu is the capital and most populous city of Nepal located in the Kathmandu Valley, at an altitude of 1,400 metres (4,600 feet). The valley was historically called the “Nepal Mandala” and has been the home of the Newar people, a cosmopolitan urban civilization in the Himalayan foothills. Kathmandu was also the royal seat of the Kingdom of Nepal and the centre of Nepal’s history, art, culture, and economy. The city is known for its multi-ethnic population with Hinduism and Buddhism being the majority.
The city is known for its religious and cultural festivities spread throughout the year that form a major part of people’s lives. Tourism is an important part of city’s economy. In 2013, Kathmandu was ranked 3rd in top 10 ravel destinations in the world. The city is considered gateway to the Himalayas and is home to several World Heritage Sites like Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath. Kathmandu is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan city in South Asiaale. Sitting on seismic plate Kathmandu experience devastating earthquake in April 2015 that destroyed many buildings and reconstruction.is still going on.
The history of the city goes back to 2nd century AD it has been ruled by many kingdoms but consolidation happened around the Kathmandu valley, after Gorkha Kingdom ended the Malla confederation in the Battle of Kathmandu in 1768. This marked the beginning of the modern era in Kathmandu. Battle of Kirtipur consolidated Gorkha rule and Kathmandu became capital of the Gorkha empire. Rana rule over Nepal started with the Kot massacre of 1846, which occurred near Hanuman Dhoka Durbar, by Jung Bahadur Rana and his supporters followed by Bhandarkhal Massacre in Kathmandu. Known for debauchery, Rana’s however introduced modern hospital and schools in Kathmandu. Being the main entry point into the country Kathmandu is accessible by air, road from all major cities of the world and is connected to all major cities of Nepal via road network.
The main tourist attraction of Nepal, Kathmandu attracts hordes of tourist throughout the year. the city known for its mild climate has numerous attractions, including Kathmandu Durbar Square and Hanuman Dhoka, Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath, Monkey Temple, Boudhanikantha, Garden of Dreams, Swayambhunath and Ranipokhari. The hub of art, literature, and cultural hub of Nepal, there are numerous museums and artgallery in Kathmandu including National Museum, Natural History Museum, Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex, Kaiser Library, National Art Gallery, NEF-ART (Nepal Fine Art) Gallery, Nepal Art Council Gallery, Narayanhiti Palace Museum, and Taragaon Museum.
Most of the fairs and festivals in Kathmandu originated in the Malla period and were celebrated by Newars. In recent years, these festivals have found wider participation from other residents as well. As capital of the Nepal, various national festivals are celebrated in Kathmandu. These include Ghode (horse) Jatra, Indra Jatra, Dashain Durga Puja festivals, Shivratri and many more. the main economic centre of the country it is the known for its shioppinmalls, casino, disco, and cinema the nightlife of Kathmandu is great with numerous watering holes across the city. The cuisine that includes non-veg and veg is heavily influenced by Indian, Tibetan, Bhutanese and Chinese culture.
There are numerous restaurants that serve variety of cuisine at various price range. There are numerous hotels and resorts in and around the city that offer accommodation at luxurious, mid-range and budget prices. The education and healthcare hub of Nepal there are numerous schools, colleges and hospitals throughout the city. Kathmandu is a city where ancient traditions are zealously guarded while at the same time embracing modern technology. Residents believe Kathmandu is blessed by the Living Goddess Kumari, a little Buddhist girl who represents the powerful Hindu Goddess Taleju.
The city is used as hub for conducting mountaineering expeditions in the Himalayas, wildlife safari in the forests, visit pilgrimage sites and heritage sites including Lumbini, Nuwakot Pokhra, Chitwan. There are numerous palaces, temples and pagodas spread across the city that are a must visit. Open to tourism throughout the year, Kathmandu is a must visit for anyone who is interested in hills, forests, art, history, cinema, casino, all at one place.
