Our first day in Kathmadu was memorable for all the wrong reasons, so today we made up for it, and visited a couple of the significant sites in the city.
Boudhanath Stupa, about 11km out of town, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. It’s massive stupa is one of the largest in Nepal, and looks stunning on such a bright clear day. It’s thought to have been originally constructed in the 16th century, but there is also some evidence of activity on the site as early as the 5th century.
Thousands of prayer flags reach to the top of spire, which was badly damaged in the 2015 earthquake. It had been rebuilt since, and is now carefully maintained by volunteers. Sacred candles are lined outside.
There are about 50 Buddhist monasteries in the area, many of which were established during a large influx of Tibetan refugees in the 1950s. Monks calmy walk clockwise around the stupa, alongside locals, tourists, and today… a Nepali bride.
Our final stop for the trip was Kathmadu’s Durbar Square. Again, this is a UNESCO World Heritage site designated in 1979. It’s great that so many sites around Kathmandu have been designated and therefore protected.
The site is in the heart of the city and is a complex of Hindu and Buddhist temples and shrines. Most are built in the pagoda style, and embellished with intricately carved exteriors built between the 12th and 18th centuries. In years past, Kings of Nepal were crowned here, and until the early 20th century it was the King’s residence. It is also the location for many festivals and cultural activities.
This area was heavily impacted by the 2015 earthquake so many buildings are significantly damaged and supported by large timber struts, while others are under reconstruction. While Nepal is not a wealthy country, it’s good to see that they value their heritage.
So now, it’s off to the airport for the final leg of our trip… homeward bound. The last 10 days have been jam-packed and have flown by, so I’m looking forward to reflecting on our time in Nepal, and in India!
Love theBunch x
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