Baudhanath
Bouddhanath is the center of Tibetan culture in Nepal. The
36-meter-high stupa of Bouddhanath is one of the largest
stupas in South Asia. Bouddhanath Stupa was renovated by
Licchavi rulers in the eighth century. The mandala design
in Bouddhanath is a copy of the one in Gyangtse in Tibet.
The stupa is located in the area of ancient trade route to
Tibet where Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers
for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet
in the 1950s, many decided to live around Bouddhanath.
Hence, a complete township has developed around
Bouddhanath.
The stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kasyap sage
venerable both to Buddhists and Hindus. Smaller stupas are
located at the base. Gompa monasteries, curio shops, and
restaurants surround Bouddhanath.
Because of its location and size, it seems much larger
than the Swayambunath Stupa, with the same hemi-spherical
dome symbolizing the emptiness from which everything
emanates. On top is the harmika painted on each side with
the eyes of the Buddha symbolizing awareness, and above
the spire with its 13 stages to the canopy. At ground
level there is a brick wall with 147 niches and 108 images
of the meditational buddha inset behind copper prayer
wheels. Early morning and evening are the times to visit
Bouddha to join the local residents in kora (walking the
pilgrim's circuit, sometimes with Tibetan pilgrims on
their hands and knees).
Pashupatinath
Pashupatinath is one of the four most important religious
sites in Asia for Shiva devotees. Pashupatinath, dedicated
to Shiva the Destroyer, is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage
destination in Nepal. Although the Pashupatinath Temple
was only built in the fifth century and later renovated by
Malla kings, the holy site is said to have existed from
the beginning of the millennium.
A gold-plated roof, four silver doors, and wood carvings
of the finest quality decorate the pagoda temple of
Pashupatinath. Temples dedicated to several other Hindu
and Buddhist deities surround the temple of Pashupatinath.
Nearby is the temple of Guheshwori dedicated to Shiva's
consort Sati Devi. Behind the temple is the River Bagmati.
On the banks of Bagmati are raised platforms used as
cremation sites for Hindus. Only Hindus are allowed inside
the Pashupatinath courtyard.
Pashupatinath is the other popular name of Shiva. Shiva in
the form of Rudra was imagined by the early Aryans and
later was worshipped in the form of a Linga, a Phallus, a
vertical piece of stone placed in an upward position on a
round pedestal. The Indus Valley civilisation in Pakistan
has shown that the peo- ple there worshipped Shiva in the
form of a Linga in about the 3rd century BC. Besides south
Asia, archaeological excavations in some ancient cities of
Europe have revealed that the linga-worship cult ex- isted
there too.
Pashupatinath, in a limited sense, literally means the
Lord of the Animals. But animal is also a term that
denotes the animal like instincts in human beings. Capable
of destroying instantly every evil force either with his
trident or the third eye, when it comes to his devotees,
the Lord Pashupatinath destroys their igno- rance. Be it
an issue of material gain or release from the cycle of
mortal existence he is the height of compassion,
generosity, as well as consciousness.
Shiva has been worshipped in Nepal from the beginning of
the Neolithic civilisation in the Kathmandu Valley, with
scientific archaeological studies and findings around the
temple proving that the god Pashupatinath was worshipped
here from about the beginning of the Christian era. From
about the 7th century onwards it became the first and
foremost temple of Nepal, with kings, aristocrats and the
rich offering a great deal of wealth and land in trust to
the god, making it one of the richest temples in Nepal.
Many temples and stat- ues around the temple were added
making it a big complex rather than just a temple. The
main God or the Linga of Pashupatinath is carved on a
blackish stone, with four faces engraved on four sides of
the Linga.
Nepal is constitutionally a Hindu kingdom so non- Hindus
cannot enter the temple, although Buddhists can. But no
one is allowed to enter the inner sanctum except the
Bhattas, the main priests who come from the south of
India. The temple starts swarming with devotees around 4am
every morning. However the top of the hill to the east of
the temple is the ideal place for the non Hindu visitor to
view the temple, its rich surroundings, and below on the
edge of the Bagmati river the ghats where the dead are
brought to be cremated Situated on the top of a small hill
about 15 kilometers east of Kathmandu and only a few miles
north of Bhaktapur, the temple of Changu Narayan is
perhaps the best and oldest in the context of Nepa- lese
art and architecture. Built around 239 A.D., it s not only
the temple but the whole complex which is an open air
museum - breathtaking and bewildering in character.
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the center of
Bhaktapur. The Square is one of the most charming
architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights
some of the finest medieval arts of Nepal. The main items
of interest in Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the Lion Gate,
the Golden Gate and the statues of kings on stone
monoliths. The Golden Gate was erected by King Ranjit
Malla as the entrance to the main courtyard of the
Fifty-five Windowed Palace.
The Palace of Fifty-five Windows was built during the
reign of King Yakshya Malla in A.D. 1427 and was
remodelled by King Bhupatindra Malla in the seventeeth
century. The art gallery of Bhaktapur Durbar Square
contains ancient paintings belonging to the Hindu and
Buddhist traditions of various periods. This gallery is
open everyday except Tuesday.
Patan
Patan Durbar Square complex, situated in the center of
Patan city, houses the residence of the former family of
Patan. The Square and its surroundings provide very good
example of ancient Newari architecture. The palace has
three main courtyards the central and the oldest is Mul
Chowk. To the west of the complex are a dozen free
standing temples of various sizes and styles. Krishna
Temple, Bhimsen Temple, the Golden Temple of Hiranya Varna
Mahavira and Sundari Chowk mark the architectural
excellence of its era. The Sundari Chowk with the sunken
bath of Tusha Hiti, contains exquisite woodcarvings,
stone, and metal sculpture. Patan Durbar Square also
houses a temple of Taleju Bhawani.
