Places to visit in Nepal - Kathmandu

Kathmandu, The City of Temples Kathmandu is the arrival point for most of the visitors in Nepal. This small mountain sheltered valley is the historic center and the capital of Nepal. This is the place where kingdoms rose and fell, palaces and temples are built and rebuilt, art and cultures are refined and protected. Kathmandu city is the largest in Nepal and is surrounded by green hills all over. Scattered around the valley are hundreds of temples and shrines, traditional villages and agriculture scenes of timeless beauty. You can see all these places by taxi, cycle, bus and by foot.
History

The Newars are regarded as the original inhabitants of this majestic valley, but their origins are shrouded in mystery. They speak Newari language and their physical features range from distinctively Mongoloid. Kathmandu Valley has long been a cultural and racial melting pot with people coming from both east and west. This fusion has resulted in the unique Newari culture that is responsible for the valley's superb art and architecture. Kathmandu was once run and ruled by Malla Kings during 1600s and 1700s. The unification of Nepal in 1768 by Gorkhas King Prithivi Narayan Shah singled the end of the Kathmandu Valleys fragmentation. Nepali language spoken by the Khas of western Nepal, replaced Newari as the country's language of administration.
Geography
Surrounded by the green hills, Kathmandu Valley is about 25 km from east to west and 20km from north to south. It lies at the height of 1300m. You can see Kathmandu Valley clearly while you are flying in. This valley is specially known for growing rice, corn, wheat and vegetables. However, nowadays this valley is increasingly dependent on imported food and fuels. All the rivers drain towards the center of the valley and join the Bagmati river. Geologist have confirmed ancient myths that claim the valley once lay under water.
Climate
The Kathmandu Valley has the pleasant climate most of the year. Although there are forests, snow is unheard of and the monsoons are nowhere near. Between October and March it can become quite cold at night and the days become short, although its sunny and warm between mid-morning and afternoon. In April things start to heat up and there are often light storms in the afternoon.
People
Still today, Newars form the largest single group in the valley as well as in smaller towns and villages. Bahuns, Tamangs and Chettris live on the surrounding hills. People living in Kathmandu Valley are mostly Hindus and Buddhist and they are very much related to each others religion. People living here speak Newari and Nepali mostly.
Religion
In Kathmandu Valley majority of people are Hindu and fall under a caste system, although there are still second majority of Buddhists. This valley is full of temples, shrines and stupas where both Buddhists and Hindus go for their regular praying. Nepal is the only country where people worship Gods of all religion.The Hindus and Buddhists coexist in a very homogenous atmosphere. The best example of this coexistence is the Kumari Bahal, House of the living goddess Kumari. The Kumari is considered a goddess by both the Hindus and the Buddhists and both come here to pay homage to her.

Temples and Palaces in Kathmandu
In Durbar Square
Kasthamandap	Temple of wood which gave Kathmandu its name.In Sanskrit language, "Kastha" means "Wood"and "Mandapa" means "House". Thus, due to this very monument was the name Kathmandu derived. It is said that this wooden house was made out of the timber of a single tree. in 1596 AD.
Ashok Binayak	One of the four most important Ganesh Shrines. It is said that before this temple was made, in this very place was an Ashoka tree in which the God resided. Once a Malla king dreamt of the God who asked him to build a temple for him. The king ordered to build a temple for this God. The Ashoka tree was cut and the temple was built. When the workers were ready to put the pinnacle, the King had a second dream. The God asked him to put the shrine pinnacle less so that he could travel through the opening in the roof to heaven. Hence, the pinnacle was not put on the temple. In shape and size, the temple may look insignificant but it is one of the most frequented temples in the city. During the coronation, even the king has to come to the temple for Darshan (pay homage) and blessings.
Shiva Temple	Near the kasthamandap
Maju Deval	Temple known as shiva lingam
Narayan Temple	Identified as temple of Vishnu
Shiva-Parvati Temple	Images Shiva & Parvati look out from the window
Kumari Bahal	House of the Living Goddess
Gaddi Baithak	European style building built during the Rana period
Bhagwati Temple	Triple roofed temple next to the Gaddi Baithak
Great Bell	To drive off evil spirits
Stone Vishnu Temple	Next to the bell is a small stone statue
Saraswati Temple	Temple of the Goddess of knowledge
Krishna Temple	Lord Krishna's temple and two goddesses
King Pratap Mallas Column	Huge platform with stone pillars
Sweta Bhairab	Can be seen only during the Indra Jatra
Jagannath