The Kathmandu Valley

also known as the Nepal Valley or Nepa Valley (Nepali :Nepal Bhasa:  is a bowl-shaped valley located in the Himalayan mountains in Nepal. It lies at the crossroads of ancient civilizations of the Indian subcontinent and the broader Asian continent, and has at least 130 important monuments, including several pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Buddhists. There are seven World Heritage Sites within the valley.

The Kathmandu Valley is the most developed and the largest urban agglomeration in Nepal with an approximate 2.9 million population.The urban agglomeration of Kathmandu Valley includes the cities of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Budhanilkantha, Tarakeshwar, Gokarneshwar, Suryabinayak, Tokha, Kirtipur, Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur, etc. The majority of offices and headquarters are located in the valley, making it the economic hub of Nepal. It is popular with tourists for its unique architecture, and rich culture that includes the highest number of jatras (street festivals) in Nepal. The valley itself was referred to as “Nepal Proper” by British historians. As per the World Bank, the Kathmandu Valley was one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in South Asia with 2.5 million population by 2010 with an annual growth rate of 4%.

Kathmandu valley is bowl-shaped. Its central lower part stands at 1,425 metres (4,675 ft) above sea level. Kathmandu valley is surrounded by four mountain ranges: Shivapuri hills (at an elevation of 2,732 metres or 8,963 feet), Phulchowki (2,695 metres or 8,842 feet), Nagarjun (2,095 metres or 6,873 feet) and Chandragiri (2,551 metres or 8,369 feet). The major river flowing through the Kathmandu Valley is the Bagmati River. The valley is made up of the Kathmandu District, Lalitpur District and Bhaktapur District covering an area of 220 square miles (570 km²). The valley consists of the municipal areas of Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Kirtipur and Madhyapur Thimi; the remaining area is made up of a number of municipalities and rural municipalities (in Lalitpur district). The valley is a cultural and political hub of Nepal. The Kathmandu valley was accorded the status of a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1979.

In 2015, Kathmandu Valley was hit by the April 2015 Nepal earthquake. The earthquake caused thousands of deaths and the destruction of much infrastructure across the Kathmandu Valley, which includes the towns of Lalitpur, Kirtipur, Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur. Kathmandu is also the largest city in the Himalayan hill region.

Dharahara (Nepali: धरहरा; pronounced), also called Bhimsen Sthambha (Nepali: भिमसेन स्तम्भ), is a twenty two-storey, 72-metre-tall (236 ft)tower at the centre of Sundhara, Kathmandu, Nepal.It was first built in 1832 by Mukhtiyar (equivalent to Prime Minister) Bhimsen Thapa under the commission of Queen Lalit Tripurasundari and was a part of the architecture of Kathmandu recognized by UNESCO. It has been damaged and reconstructed several times.

The tower had a spiral staircase containing 213 steps. The eighth floor held a circular balcony for observers that provided a panoramic view of the Kathmandu valley. It also had a 5.2-metre (17 ft) bronze mast on the roof.

Most of the tower collapsed in the 25 April 2015 Nepal earthquake, but the base remains. A total of 180 bodies were retrieved from the debris of tower after earthquake.Reconstruction of the tower commenced in October 2018, and it was officially opened on 24 April 2021, one day before the sixth anniversary of the earthquake.

SHIVA STATUE

KAILASHNATH MAHADEV SITE

Shiva is one of the most popular gods of the Hindu trinity. The cult of Shiva is called Shaivism. It has been in vogue in Nepal, since the early centuries of the Christaian era. Iconography points out that the Shiva cult appeared in Nepal as lingam (phallus) worship. Some scholars are of the opinion that phallic worship was probably borrowed from some aboriginal tribes as their god was the phallus of Shisna devata. Shiva-linga is identified as cosmic Purusha.
Shiva is the lord of destruction, and is generally represented in three forms: i) Lingam ii) Anthropomorphic form and iii) Natraj or Nasa deva (Lord of artistic skill)
Shiva’s familiar representation is lingam or phallus. His act of destruction is allied to creation. He is a symbol of fertility and his role is also emphasized as a creator. Lingam is cylindrical in shape, standing upright on its narrow end and rounded at the top. It stands on a yoni, a flat rimmed chalice called Jalheri, which is symbolic Yoni has a groove all round it to drain off the water poured on lingam during worship. Lingam and Yoni are symbolic of male and female generative organs and they represent the supreme creative principle.
In Nepal, the most famous lingam is of Pashupati (pashu, beast, pati, lord) or lord of animals. Pashupati is the presiding deity of Nepal. The temple of Pashupatinath is the holiest temple of Nepal. Pashupati is the gentle aspect of Shiva

The 108 feet tall idol of Hindu god Shiva, situated at Sangabhanjyang of Bhaktapur is acclaimed as the Asia tallest idol of Lord Shiva. the idol has been erected at the area covering 75 ropanies of land. the area comprises a beautiful garden and a children’s park while the huge statue has been accompanied by statues of seated Nandi (Lord Shiva’s favorite bull) his wife Parvati and his sons, Ganesh and Kumar. From this place bordering Kathmandu and Kavre district, a commanding view of the most parts of the Kathmandu valley can be observed. people from different parts come to visit during holidays.

Situated in a peaceful and serene environment, visitors can not leave without praising the impressive of the idol. The statue of Lord Shiva in a standing position with a damaru (Drum) in his one hand and another hand offering the blessing for the welfare of all has emerged as one of the attractive destinations for the people of Kathmandu and of different parts of the country. This place lies at a distance of five km from Banepa of Kavre district and at a five minutes walking distance from Saga. Visitors from Kathmandu have to travel a distance of 22 km to reach the place.