01\uff5cKathmandu Durbar Square<\/h6>\n
In Nepali, \"Durbar\" means palace. There are three ancient palace squares: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. These three squares are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.<\/p>\n
Kathmandu Durbar Square, located in the city center, has many palaces and temples. The market selling handicrafts is also worth visiting.<\/p>\n
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<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nThe most famous building in the square is the Hanuman Dhoka, named after Hanuman, the monkey god in Hinduism. It used to be the residence of the Nepalese royal family.<\/p>\n
<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nOn the south side of Kathmandu Durbar Square is the Kumari Ghar, the temple of the Living Goddess, which is a must-see attraction in Nepal.<\/p>\n
\u25e6 Kumari Ghar<\/h6>\n
In the 17th century, the king followed the long-standing tradition of worshipping the Living Goddess and developed a strict selection process: only girls who had never been injured, never bled, never been sick, and met all physical criteria could be chosen. They also had to fit into the clothes of the previous Living Goddess. Once chosen, the Kumari must live in the temple, cannot go out freely, and her feet must not touch the ground. She serves until her first menstruation, when the Goddess Taleju leaves her body, and she can return home.<\/p>\n
If you want to see the Living Goddess, the best time is from 4 to 5 pm when she often appears at the window to accept worship from believers.<\/p>\n
<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nWhen the temple doors opened, people rushed in and waited in the courtyard for the Living Goddess to appear. The temple staff started giving instructions in English.
\n\"When the Kumari appears, do not take photos! No videos!\"
\n\"No photos! No videos!\"
\n\"Or your phone and camera will have problems!\"
\nUpon hearing this, tourists holding phones quickly put them away. When the Living Goddess finally appeared at the window on the second floor, people gasped in amazement, then fell silent. Wearing red clothes and with a large eye painted on her forehead, she looked around expressionlessly. In less than a minute, she went back inside, disappearing from the window.<\/p>\n
Open Hours for Some Areas: 0900-1800\nTicket Prices: 1,000 NPR \n(05\/2024)<\/pre>\n02\uff5cPatan Durbar Square<\/h6>\n
Patan Durbar Square is located in front of the old royal palace in Patan. It made me appreciate the beauty of Nepal's traditional architecture even more! The red brick walls, detailed carvings, and golden decorations outside the temples left a deep impression on me.<\/p>\n
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Walking in the courtyard, you can feel the glory of the ancient royal city.<\/p>\n
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Open Hours for Some Areas: 1000-2200\nTicket Prices: 1,000 NPR \n(05\/2024)<\/pre>\n03\uff5cPashupatinath Temple<\/h6>\n
By the Bagmati River stands the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the significant Hindu temples in Nepal. By the river, you can see stone platforms where local believers are cremated.<\/p>\n
In Nepal, where more than 80% of the people are Hindus, visiting a temple during a festival means facing crowded scenes.<\/p>\n
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There was already so much happening around me. A long line of female priests was blessing the believers and marking their foreheads with bright red bindis, each one different with various designs and decorations. In the distance, groups of people led by their teachers were chanting. Finally, scary-looking ascetics were scattered in different corners.<\/p>\n
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Opening Hours: 1000-1700\nPashupati Nath Road, Kathmandu\nTicket Price: 1,000 NPR \n(05\/2024)<\/pre>\n04\uff5cSwayambhunath Stupa<\/h6>\n
Swayambhunath Temple, located on a hill, is also known as the \"Monkey Temple\" due to the numerous monkeys that roam around. It is one of the important Buddhist temples in Nepal.<\/p>\n
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When I reached the temple, the rituals and the sounds around me made my mind go blank, and I didn't know where to go. So, I followed the crowd and turned the prayer wheels clockwise.<\/p>\n
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Besides the monkeys, the most famous feature of the stupa is the Buddha's eyes. The symbol that looks like a question mark between the eyes is the Nepali number \"one,\" symbolizing unity and harmony.<\/p>\n
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Opening Hours: 24\/7\nSwayamhu Circle Road, Kathmandu\nTicket Price: 200 NPR \n(05\/2024)<\/pre>\n05\uff5cBoudhanath Stupa<\/h6>\n
When the colorful prayer flags flutter, it is believed that the prayers are sent to the heavens, receiving the blessings of Buddha.<\/p>\n
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Boudhanath Stupa, also known as the \"Wish-Fulfilling Stupa,\" is the largest stupa in Nepal and is considered a sacred place for Buddhists. The stupa's shape is similar to the one at the Swayambhunath Stupa, with a central dome and Buddha's eyes on all four sides. From the base to the top, it is divided into five parts, representing the five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space. Above the Buddha's eyes, there are 13 tiers of a pyramid-shaped spire, symbolizing the 13 heavens and the path to enlightenment.\nWhen praying, believers must walk clockwise around the stupa, reciting prayers and turning the prayer wheels.<\/p>\n
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Opening Hours: 24\/7\nTicket Price: 400 NPR\n(05\/2024)<\/pre>\n\u25e6 Must-see Attractions<\/span><\/h6>\n
01\uff5cLalitpur Kumari Ghar<\/h6>\n
The Kumari living in Patan can be worshipped up close. When I arrived at the Lalitpur Kumari Ghar, I rang the doorbell as instructed. A man and a woman peeked out from the second floor and told me I could come up in ten minutes. Inside, the light was dim, and there were a few photos of the Living Goddess on the walls. I carefully climbed the wooden stairs, passed through a small door, and there Kumari was, sitting on a throne, looking at me with a blank expression. Following the temple staff's instructions, I knelt down and touched Kumari's red feet. When I stood up, the Living Goddess marked my forehead with a bright red bindi, giving me her blessing.<\/p>\n
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As I left the small room, went downstairs, put on my shoes, and stepped outside, I could only remember a few key points: I was relieved that the Living Goddess showed no emotion. If she had shown any, I would have been very nervous. Nepali people believe that if the Living Goddess cries, laughs, or trembles, it often predicts disaster.<\/p>\n
Also, red truly is the heart of Hinduism. The Living Goddess's feet were bright red, just like the statues in various temples.<\/p>\n
After the worship, I sat outside in a daze. After a while, I heard cartoon music and sound effects from the second floor. Then I realized that the person I had just seen was not only a goddess but also a little girl.<\/p>\n
Location: Search for \"Lalitpur Kumari Ghar\" on the Google Map<\/pre>\n02\uff5cAnnapurna Temple<\/h6>\n
This temple is located at the Asan Tole crossroads in the Thamel area and is considered a temple of wealth by locals. The goddess Annapurna, who oversees wealth, food, and commerce, draws many believers who come to pray for prosperity.<\/p>\n
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Opening Hours: 24\/7\nAsan Tole, Kathmandu<\/pre>\n03\uff5cThamel<\/h6>\n
Since there are many hotels in this area, most visitors to Kathmandu choose to stay here. You can also find a variety of finely crafted handicrafts, including silverware, jewelry, Gurkha knives, and masks, which are very popular with tourists.<\/p>\n
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04\uff5cThe Garden of Dreams<\/h6>\n
This neoclassical garden in the city center was built by a Nepalese marshal in the 1920s. The garden features elegant buildings, ponds, and lush vegetation, making it an oasis in the city.<\/p>\n