Kathmandu Valley
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The Kathmandu Valley, located in the Kingdom of Nepal, lies at the crossroads of ancient civilizations of Asia, and has at least 130 important monuments, including several places of pilgrimage for the Hindus as well as the Buddhists. The cities of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, located in this valley, present a high style of Nepalese art and architecture. Kathmandu valley was accorded the status of a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1979. It is rich in culture and the valley itself is and has been the cultural and political hub of Nepal. Other cities in the country include Pokhara, Janakpur, Biratnagar, Birgunj.
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[edit] Origins in Legend
According to Swayambhu Purana, the Kathmandu Valley was once a lake. It is believed that Manjusri cut a gorge at a place called Chovar and drained away the lake to establish an inhabitable land.
[edit] Places
Important monuments of Kathmandu valley include:
- Kathmandu Durbar Square
- Patan Durbar Square
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square
- Changu Narayan
- Swayambhunath Stupa
- Boudhanath Stupa
- Pashupatinath temple
- Kabahil
- Tilicho lake