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Katmandu: Jumping Off Place for the Himalayas1
Durbar Square in Katmandu is flanked by both Hindu and Buddhist4 temples and religious structures. In residence at one building is a woman who is believed to be a living God. The majority of Nepalese (85%) are Hindu, the rest Buddhist.2

Boudhanath is the largest stupa in Nepal (at right). It draws a number of Tibetans because refugees from Tibet who fled from China settled here. Buddhist monks are very much in evidence.

Another stupa, Swayambunath Stupa, sits high on a hill overlooking the city reached by a staircase of 300 steps. It is also known as the Monkey temple.. Here Buddhists come to worship and meditate. The stupas feature the sleepy, all-seeing Buddha's eyes from the top of the shrine.3 It is believed there may have been a shrine here as long as 2000 years ago.
Pashupatinah, on the bank of the Bagmati River, is Nepal's most important Hindu temple. It is here that cremations are performed around the clock, unusual public cremations, with the ashes deposited in the river or taken to the mountains and deposited in streams. In India, although along the very populated Ganges River, the cremations are more private5 .
To the east of Katmandu is the city of Bhaktapur. The heart of the city remains virtually unchanged since the 17th century. It is full of interesting statues and temples.
The city today is also a place for artisans and and craftsmen producing such items as these highly colorful masks, as well as puppets, woven goods and jewelry.
Go To: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Orcha - Khajuraho - Varanasi
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