Cultural World Heritage Sites of Nepal

Tradition and culture have been a part of life since ancient time which proves and conserves the past experience of living of people. Culture includes language, dress, belief, religious activities, traditional practice, arts, crafts, literature, dances and symbols. Cultural heritages in Nepal have come into existence from the ancient time. The importance of preservation of past heritage sites has been inherited by later generations one after another. The cultures are related to the environment, which is linked with the human and social development activities. The life style, costumes, languages, scripts of human are related with culture and religion. Nepal is the home of different ethnic groups with their distinct language, religions, customs, traditions, dialects. So the cultural heritages of Nepal are listed in the world heritage list by UNESCO. The small Himalayan kingdom of Nepal is blessed with such astonishing and unique sites with a greater importance in the world. There are altogether ten world heritage sites in Nepal: cultural and natural sites.

Here we are going to discuss about the cultural heritage sites of Nepal. Among the 10 world heritage sites there are 8 cultural sites 7 within Kathmandu valley and 1 in the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha Lumbini which are listed below.

1. Kathmandu Durbar Square
2. Patan Durbar Square
3. Bhaktapur Durbar Square
4. Changu Narayan Temple
5. Swayambhunath Stupa
6. Pashupatinath Temple
7. Bouddhanath Stupa
8. Lumbini

Why Cultural Heritages are Important?

Cultural Heritages are the gift of our ancient forefathers which have been passed from one generation to next. We have to preserve and conserve it because they play a vital role to introduce a country throught the world. Nepal is a small country geographically but it is rich in cultural heritages which have been a part of socio economic development of the country. Many tourists visit Nepal to explore the heritage sites of Nepal.

Here are some points which promote the importance of Cultural Heritages:

1. Peace and Harmony in the Society: A cultural heritage symbolizes the activities, traditions, religious practices which help to develop harmony between the people of different religions and castes.

2. Sources of Information: As cultural heritages contains the ancient civilization, sculptures, traditions and scripts which are the evidences of ancient history and the source of information for new generation.

Kathmandu Durbar Square:

Palace of ancient Malla kings is home for numerous temple & monuments these days. It reflects the cultural richness during the rules of Malla Kings. Major attractions of Kathmandu Durbar square are:

1. Kumari Ghar (Home of Living Goddess)
2. Nine-storied Palace
3. Kasthamandap
4. Kal Bhairab
5. Big Bell
6. Hanuman Dokha Durbar Square
7. Museum

Bhaktapur Durbar Square:

Palace of ancient Malla kings is home for numerous temple, monuments & pond these days. It is one of the well preserved monumental areas within Kathmandu Valley. Major attractions of Bhaktapur Durbar Square are:

1. Golden Gate
2. 55 window palace
3. Nyatapol temple
4. Siddha Pokhari
5. Laxmi Narayan Temple
6. Status of Lions guarding the palace
7. Museum

Patan Durbar Square:

City of fine arts patan is major attraction in Lalitpur city, which was also ruled by Malla Dynasty before unification of Greater Nepal. Stone works is major significance of Patan. Major attractions of Patan Durbar Square are:

1. Golden Temple
2. Krishna Mandir
3. Ashok Pillar
4. Keshav Narayan Chowk
5. Sundari Chowk
6. Royal Palace
7. Royal Bath
8. Museum

Bouddhanath Stupa (Buddhist Pilgrimage Site) :

It belongs to one of largest stupa in entire Asia which is assumed as it has been built around 5th century. Bouddha area is in accumulated by Buddhist People. There are lots of other monasteries nearby surrounding of main Stupa. It is considered as place which is used to be worshiped by Tibetan Trader for their successful business trip. Buddhist monk wearing maroon red can be found throughout entire area with prayers wheel on their hands. Best aerial view can be framed out from roof top garden of café & restaurant surrounding the stupa.

Swayambhunath Stupa (Buddhist Pilgrimage Site):

Situated at small hill within the ring road of Kathmandu Valley stupa has many historical stories which is considered as old as Kathmandu valley. According to history Kathmandu Valley was covered by water forming a big lake. There used to be one lotus which emits a brilliant ray of light in lake. When Manjushree was meditating he felt distracted by light emitted from Lotus, so he flew to Kathmandu from Tibet took lotus to top of hill & build an entire stupa around the lotus. Regardless of historical evidence stupa provide an excellent view of Kathmandu Valley.

Pasupatinath Temple (Hindu Pilgrimage Site):

The temple is ultimate choice for Hindu throughout the world as it is considered as main head of God Shiva. As it is biggest Hindu Temple in the world area is always swarmed in by Hindus throughout entire Nepal as well as numerous pilgrims from India. Five faced statue of lord Shiva is not allowed to be captured in frame as well as Non Hindu people are not allowed to enter inside main temple premises. Located at holy Bagmati River is place of burning dead bodies of Hindu where foreigner can watch funeral process of Hindu People in Nepal.

Changu Narayan Temple:

Temple dedicated to Lord Bishnu is located at the hillside of Bhaktapur District which is considered as the most ancient temple as it in houses inscription of Mandev, the first historical King of Nepal. It is considered to be build out in 3rd century which consist some master piece of stone, wood and metal craft which are culturally as well as archeologically important.

Lumbini (Buddhist Pilgrimage Site):

Situated in Western Nepal, Lumbini is birth place of Lord Buddha (The light of Asia). It has been a holy ground for Buddhist pilgrims from entire world. Major attractions of Lumbini are
peace garden and international monastic zone,

1. Mayadevi Temple
2. Puskarini Pond
3. Historic Ashok Pillar
4. Archaeological sites like: Tilaurakot, Kudan, Ramagrama, Niglihawaha and others

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