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Kirtipur - Nepal
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Kirtipur:
On the other side of the valley, 6 kilometers southwest
of downtown Kathmandu, Kirtipur looks out over the
bowl-shaped expanse of the valley from the top of a
hill. Built like a fortress and once surrounded by a
wall, the hilltop farming town colorful history. Its
inhabitants are renowned for putting up fierce
resistance against invaders in the past, and the name
Kirtipur itself translate as “valorous town”.
Kirtipur has a population of
33,000. The town occupies the tops of two hills with a
low saddle in the middle. The summit of the southern
hill is crowned by the splendid Buddhist shrine of
Chilamchu Bihar. Stupas, statues and other shrines are
strewn over the area. |
| Places of interest
in Kritipur: |
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Bagh Bhairav. The cultural and
social center of Kirtipur is the magnificent temple of
Dhun Baira-dyo (Bagh Bhairav) situated atop the northern
hill. The triple roofed pagoda is sacred to both Hindus
and Buddhists. An idol of the deity Bhairav in his tiger
manifestation is enshrined inside the temple. Weapons
used against invaders in the past are hung on the upper
balconies. Throngs of devotees come to worship the deity
bearing ritual offerings like rice, flowers and butter
lamps on their brass trays. Many colorful festivals are
also held here. A walking tour through the winding
streets of the town offers a stroll into the past. One
can’t help but think: This is what Kathmandu must have
looked like in medieval times. Cobble stones, charming
brick houses, carved wood windows, and inhabitants in
homespun attire hurrying to their fields on the
outskirts. Almost every house has a handloom and there
are wood carving workshops everywhere. The people of
Kirtipur are also known as expert builders and the
services of its bricklayers are sought in all the towns
of the valley. |
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Chobar Gorge. Chobar is situated 9 kilometers
southwest of Kathmandu, this place is famous for its
gorge. All the water of the Kathmandu valley drains
through it. There is a small but picturesque temple of
Adi Nath on a top of a hill from where one can enjoy the
panoramic view of snowcapped peaks as well as Kathmandu
valley. |
| Places of interest
around Kritipur:
Pharping-Dakchinkali
Temple |
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