The easiest way to meet people from any age group traveling is through free walking tours in Kathmandu. With a native guide, you may tour Kathmandu's historic district. Learn about the Kathmandu Valley from a local's perspective so you may join a small group or private trip. You may see two world heritage sites while on your tour of the Kathmandu Valley.
Likewise, you might research the history of Kathmandu, which civilization dates back almost 3000 yeaGuidingding visitors around Kathmandu's world heritage attractions. Learn about geography, iconography, history, civilizations, and religions. While free walking tours in the Kathmandu Valley, the surrounding local locations time tour involves visiting a few local marketplaces and learning about Kathmandu Valley myths and legends. do support neighborhood communities and think every young person should be free to create thown society. You will delight in sightseeing while taking in the stunning surroundings of Kathmandu. Free tour of Kathmandu's historical sites, including durbar squares and stupas. Discover the religious tolerance between Buddhism and Hinduism by visiting the oldest temples.
Our Free walking tour includes a tour to Asan Indrachowk, including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Monkey Temple along the way, Shova Bhagwati temple
Highlights of the Asan Indrachowk
- Indra Chowk is represented by the sizable Akash Bhairav temple on the area's western side.
- Up a flight of steps at the temple is a giant mask of Akash Bhairav, the "god of the sky." Shops may be found on the ground floor.
- On the northern side of the square, there is a Shiva Temple. The modest domed temple now stands in place of the ancient pagoda building, which was entirely damaged by the Great Earthquake of 1934.
- On the eastern side of the square lies a winding lane called Raki Bazaar, which is filled with little stores selling glass beads.
First, the Akash Bhairav Temple
On the western side of Indra Chowk stands the well-known Akash Bhairav Temple. This temple, known as Aju Dyah locally, sits on the first level of an antique structure. A sizable mask of Akash Bhairav, the God of the Sky, with a magnificent silver headpiece is displayed within the temple. The Shiva Temple is located to the square's north. The ancient temple was destroyed in the disaster of 1934, but one can pray to the god in the rebuilt dome-shaped structure. Another temple to Lord Ganesh is located to the southwest.
Second, Raki Bazaar
The only location to find Kathmandu's famed glass beads is in the exclusive Raki Bazaar. Since the Middle Ages, it has had glass bead businesses, and it is situated to the east of the plaza. It's thought that traders from Iraq founded Raki Bazaar and started selling glass beads there. It is thought that the term Raki is derived from the word "Iraqi." Even for people who want to do strange things on vacation, exploring this area of Kathmandu is a fun experience or adventure.
One of the most well-known historical sites in the Kathmandu valley is Asan, sometimes referred to as Asan Tole. Due to its large market, festival schedule, planned position, and audience, it is quite well known. There is a constant activity every day, from sunrise to sunset. Actually, Asan Tole is not a place that attracts tourists. Local Nepalis congregate here to purchase and sell food, as well as a variety of other necessities for everyday life that the market has on hand for them. However, Asan Tole has become a favorite among tourists since it offers a chance to directly witness Nepali daily life. Additionally, it is a good location for taking pictures.
Makhan Tole, a bustling street, flows into Indra Chowk, a space named for the ancient Vedic deity Indra. Six lanes meet at Indra Chowk and connect the plaza to Kathmandu's key locations. These traditional market squares are located on the channel that extends through the city's historic district in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Tradition dictates that important holiday parades and chariot processions pass through Indra Chowk. Some of the must-see attractions in this neighborhood are the Akash Bhairav Temple, Ganesh Temple, Shiva Temple (which is also a miniature of Pashupatinath), Raakhi Bazaar, and Shukrapath (a large market area).
One might easily spend the entire day here exploring and finding things to do. The attractive Annapurna Ajima temple, constructed in the early nineteenth century and dedicated to the goddess of plentiful food grain, has shops in front of it. Around the perimeter of Asan Tole Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, are the courtyards of Takse Baha, Kwathu Baha, Haku Baha, Dhalasikwa Baha, Dagu Baha, Asan Baha, and Hwakha Baha.
Tourists may see the busy labyrinth of alleyways known as Indra Chowk in Kathmandu. It is a lively commercial and ceremonial center with numerous stores where the local merchants sell fresh regional food. It is situated along the trade route between India and Tibet. Take a look at the intricately carved doors and windows of the stores and homes, or just get a Lassi. Throughout the holiday season, Indra Chowk transforms into a ceremonial location, and several religious processions pass through it. Indra Chowk is well known for its temples, historical sites, and antique shops, much like Asan Tole. Even before the trade route between India and Nepal was created, these locations existed and were in operation. Devotees pull majestic chariots in colorful processions at festivals like Dasain, Indra Jatra, Jana Baha, and Dyah Jatra. The Indra Chowk is traversed by the chariots of the Kumaris, Lord Bhairav, and Lord Ganesh as throngs of people seek blessings.
Shopping in Asan
One of the ceremonial and market squares on the road that runs through the old part of Kathmandu is Indra Chowk. Numerous tourists and shoppers visit its temples and shops. Indra, the Hindu mythological ruler of heaven, is honored with the square's name. The historic trade route between India and Tibet is marked by the intersection of Indrachok, as well as Maru, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Makhan, Jana Baha, Asan, and Naxal. This route is now a bustling market street.
It is regarded as a hub for the retail sale of textiles. Pashmina-made blankets, clothing, shawls, and scarves are a local gem because this material is currently prohibited in India.
Cashmere from Nepal, known as pashmina, can be purchased in Indra Chowk for a meagre price. The shopping in Indra Chowk is very well known. The location is excellent for consumers, whether they are doing infrequent or occasional grocery shopping. There are stores selling a variety of goods, including spices, meats, fresh produce, accessories, footwear, woolens, pashmina, pooja materials, kitchenware, and colorful clothing. Glass beads are extremely well-known in this area. Although prices will be lower than at Thamel, be ready to bargain on prices.
Asan and Indrachowk are great places to visit if you're in Kathmandu and want to explore the traditional bazaars (markets). You may get whatever you need at this conventional market. Traditional marketplaces like Asan and Indrachowk, as well as a residential plaza, are located in the center of Kathmandu. At the intersection of six streets known as Asan, the amount of activity there from sunrise to sunset will astound you. The intersection comes to life as sari-clad vegetable sellers, rickshaws, kids, food carts, animals, and stores rise from the earth. The Hanuman Dhoka Palace is located on one of the streets that lead to Indrachowk.
There are a variety of stores on both sides of the street that offer things like pashmina carpets, pashminas, pottery pots, veggies, cereals, and clothing. Rickshaws, motorcycles, cyclists, street sellers, and pedestrians will all be shoving past one another to get where they need to go. Strolling around this medieval market is extremely intriguing. It's an excellent idea to stroll from Indrachowk to Assan and take the roadway that brings you into the popular Thamel region after seeing Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
There are three squares in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal, one of which is KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Durbar Square is a significant location for Buddhist and Hindu rituals, sacred rites, royal festivities, and kingly coronations (the word "durbar" means "palace" or "a court held by a prince").
Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is surrounded by fountains, historic sculptures, tiny ponds, and a number of courtyards like Mohan Chok and Sundari Chok, is a contemplative, sacred location for those seeking spiritual guidance. The Old Royal Palaces are located within the inner complex of Durbar Square (referred to as the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex). The Shah and Malla dynasties' rulers, who governed the city until the 19th century, used to reside at the Royal Palaces. Since then, the palaces have been transformed into museums. The outer complex is made up of a number of pagoda-style temples, some of which date back to the 16th century, with painstakingly carved façades created by Newar artisans. The Malla Kings oversaw a number of renovations and new architectural improvements to Durbar Square. The earliest temples in Durbar Square were built under King Mahendra Malla's orders between 1560 and 1574. His contributions to Newari architecture include the spectacular Taleju Temple, the Kotilingeshwara Mahadev (a stone temple of Lord Shiva), the Mahendreswara Temple, and the Jagannath Temple (the largest and perhaps most important temple of them all).
Although these are from the 16th century, it is thought that the palaces and the plaza were built as early as the 3rd century.
Later, King Pratap Malla expanded the square with new shrines and temples while also renovating several of the previous ones. The new building ceased after his death in 1674 but resumed under the Shah Dynasty. The Natural, also known as Basantapur Durbar, is a nine-story building that was constructed during the Shah Dynasty and is one of the most remarkable places ever constructed. The building, which has four roofs and is situated on the east side of the palace, was thought to be a "pleasure house."
Other well-known temples in the area include the Kal Bhairav, the Krishna Temple, the octagonal Krishna Temple, the Shiva Parvati Temple, the Maru Ganesh Temple, the Bhagwati Temple, and the Saraswati Temple (which represents the destructor form of Lord Shiva).
The three-story temple known as Kumari Bahal is one of Kathmandu Durbar Square's strangest (and most adored) landmarks. The Kumari Devi is a little girl who was picked after a rigorous selection procedure and is said to be the living representation of the Hindu mother goddess. She is housed in this Newari temple, which was constructed by the previous Malla monarch, Jayaprakash Malla.
The History of Kathmandu Durbar Square
Sankharadev (1069–1083) is credited with building the palace in Kathmandu Durbar Square even though there are no written records of its existence. The Taleju temple on the northern side of the palace is credited to Ratna Malla, the first monarch of the independent Kathmandu City, who reigned in 1501. No trace of a separate building that would fit this temple can be located within the square. Thus, if this is the case, the temple would have had to have been constructed in the vihara style as part of the royal grounds surrounding the Mul Chok courtyard.
Since the Licchavi era in the third century, this location has been favored for the construction of royal residences. Despite continuous and significant repairs, few physical relics from the era survive in the current palaces and temples. Early scriptures allude to the palaces in the square by names like Gunapo and Gupo, which suggests that the buildings were constructed by Gunakamadev, a king who ruled at the end of the tenth century. The palaces in the plaza were transformed into the Royal Palaces for its Malla Kings when Kathmandu City became independent under the authority of King Ratna Malla.
On April 25, 2015, a significant earthquake caused a number of structures in the square to crumble. The magnificent edifice that surrounds Durbar Square eloquently displays the talents of the Newar painters and artisans throughout many generations. Originally located at Dattaraya Square, the Royal Palace was eventually relocated to Durbar Square.
The palaces of the Malla and Shah rulers, who ruled over the city, are located in Kathmandu's Durbar Square. The plaza is surrounded by quadrangles that display courtyards and temples in addition to these mansions. The statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, that is located at the palace's entrance gave the area its name, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square.
Cultural and religious values
Various festivals, cultural events, and customs that people have been adhering to for ages are displayed in Durbar Square in addition to the majestic temples and shrines. Indra Jatra, Dashain, Gaaijatra, Machchhindra-Nath Jatra, etc., are some of the important festivals. On these occasions, people come from all around the city to celebrate their long-standing customs. The sculpture and architecture in this region are all exceedingly exquisite, making the Hanuman-dhoka Durbar Square one of the most significant tourist attractions.
The Kumari Devi is revered by the people and carried about the square during festivals such as Indra Jatra and others on a specially crafted golden chariot. The people closely observe her for certain indicators that might indicate their luck and fate. Many of the old pagoda-style buildings and historical temples in the area suffered significant damage after a major earthquake struck the region in 2015. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1979, Kathmandu Durbar Square is still undergoing extensive post-quake restoration and reconstruction work.
Note:-Entrance Fee for Kathmandu Durbar Square: NPR 150 for SAARC nationals and 1000 for foreigners. ( This includes the charge for Tribhuwan museum as well.)
Monkey Temple
The Swayambhunath complex, which lies west of Kathmandu city and is perched on a hill, includes a spectacular domed stupa as well as a number of shrines and temples that date back to the 5th century. Each temple is incredibly elaborate and lavishly decked with gold and colorful prayer flags, but not all tourists are drawn by the religious architecture.
Several hundred monkeys reside at Swayambhunath, also referred to as the Monkey Temple. Swayambhu's monkeys are revered as "holy monkeys." The bodhisattva of wisdom and understanding Manjushri, who is the origin of these monkeys, developed head lice as a result of growing his hair long while building the Swayambhu hill. The name Swayambhunath, which means "self-arisen," comes from this myth.
Visitors are sufficiently motivated by the narrative to work their way up to the temple, and the vistas at the top make the climb worthwhile. Views of the Kathmandu valley, joyful monkeys swinging from trees, and prayer flags draping the vibrant temple are all visible from the top of the hill. Even though there is some activity from the monkeys during the day, the stupa truly transforms into a monkey temple at night when hundreds of them play in the sacred space and even slide down the main structure's railing.
History of Monkey temple
According to mythology, Kathmandu used to be a sizable lake, and the peak of Swayambhu was created from a lotus flower that bloomed in the center of the lake. It is said that Swayambhu, whose name literally translates as "self-built" or "self-created," came into existence on its own. The bodhisattva of wisdom and knowledge, Manjushri, is said to have traveled from China to visit and worship the lotus. Astounded by its bright light, he took the decision to use his sword to carve a canyon at Chobhar to drain the lake, which finally made Swayambhu accessible to all visitors.
Although Swayambhu's construction date is not known with certainty, the stupa is regarded as the earliest (known) stupa in Nepal (it is said that the stupa is more than 2,000 years old). The Swayambhu stupa's existence has been documented since the fifth century. King Vrsadeva, the great-grandfather of King Manadeva, is said to have established Swayambhunath. Around the stupa, a few shrines and temples were constructed during the Licchavi era (400-750 CE).
At Swayambhunath, three major festivals are observed: Gunla, Buddha Jayanti, and Lhosar.
Early in the morning and late at night are the ideal times to visit Swayambhunath. One of the greatest locations in Kathmandu to see the dawn and sunset over the Kathmandu Valley is Swayambhu.
Entrance Fees: NPR 200 for foreign
Shova Bhagwati Temple
On the Bisnumati River bank in Kathmandu, Nepal, there is a heavenly shrine called Shobha Bhagawati that is devoted to the goddess Bhagawati. It is regarded as one of Kathmandu's most fortunate locations. The goddess is shown in sculpture inside the sanctuary. It is a wonderful location where couples congregate to worship the goddess Durga, who they believe brings happiness and fulfillment into their lives. Due to its location in Kathmandu, many people frequently travel there during the remarkable festival of Dashain.
The Shova Bhagwati temple, one of the well-known Durga temples in Hinduism, is located in Kathmandu. Like many other temples in Nepal, this one is well known for granting devotees' wishes. The temple's original name was Shovagaya Bhagwati, which meant luck, "particularly luck in married life," but it was subsequently altered to Shova Bhagwati, and now both the name of the temple and the location are well-known.
One of Kathmandu's four principal Bhagwati temples is this one. Whoever worships me during Chaite Dashain and Navaratri/Nauratha will receive my favor, according to the Puranas, and fortune will follow them. The temple, which has an important place in the lives of the people, was constructed using the Ying, or feminine form, of the energy concept.
Cultural and religious values of Shova Bhagwati Temple
Every year, a sizable number of devotees come to the temple, notably women who pray to the goddess for their husbands' long lives and good health. The Shovagaya signifies the components or signals that married ladies wear and is a representation of marital life. As a result, married women in the Hindu faith are typically blessed as "Sauvagyawati bhawa," which means to have a long and happy marriage for as long as the husbands' lives. In addition, women are seen as fortunate if they pass away before their husbands. Additionally, Shauvagya indications like wearing vermillion, pote, and bangles are said to protect and bless their spouses. As a result, as they worship the goddess at the temple, the ladies also present these Shauvagya emblems. One of the ten Matangi, Das Mahavidhya, is the goddess Shova Bhagwati (ten powerful goddesses). Other men and women, in addition to their spouses, worship the goddess in hopes of finding happiness and prosperity in both their personal and professional lives.
So, these are the places we will observe during our free walking tour. It will be a great day where you visit and learn about the Kathmandu valley, famous places in the valley along with cultural and religious history as well.
