Bouddha Nath
The base of the stupa takes the shape of a msandala (symbolising earth): on this four tiered base sits the dome (symbolising water):  then comes the spire (symbolizing fire): the umbrella (symploising air); and the pinnacle (symbolising ether). The Buddha's watchful eyes gaze out in four direction from the square base of two normal eyes and the 'nose' is not a nose at all but the Nepali number one, signifying the oneness of all life. The spire is made up of 13 steps, representing the 13 stages on the journey to nirvana
Pashupati Nath:
The most important Hindu temple in Nepal. It's one of the  most important Shiva temples on the subcontinent and draws numerous devotees from all over India, including many colourgful sadhus, those wandering ascetic Hindu holu men. Shiva is the destriyer and creator of the Hindu Pantheon and appears in many forms.
His 'temple' forms are probably brst known, particularly his appearances in Nepal as the cruel and destructive Nhairabs, but he also has peaceful incarantion including those of Mahadev and Pashupati, the lord of the beasts. As the shepherd of both animals and humans, Shiva as Pashupati shows tis most pleasant and creative side.
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SwayambuNath:
The Buddhist temple of Swayambunath, situated on the top of a hill west of the city, in one of the most popular and instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal. The temple is colloquially known as the 'monkey temple' after the large tribe of handsome monkeys which guards the hill and amuses visitors and devotees with tricks, including sliding gracefully down the double banisters of the main stairway to the temple. Geologists believe that the Kathmandu valley was once a lake and legends relate that the hill one which Swaymabhunath stands was an island in that lake. It is said that emperor Ashoka paid a visit to the site over 2000 years ago. An inscription indicates that King Manadeva ordered work done on the site in 460 CE and by the 1200s it was an important Buddhist center. In 1346 Mughal invaders from Bengal broke open the stupa to search for gold under the Mallas various improvements were made and the great stairway to the stupa was construcked by King Pratap Malla in the 17th century.
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Kathmandu Durbar Square:
Durbar in Nepal 'palace' and in Patan and Bhaktapur, as well as Kathmandu, there are Durbar squa res in front of the old palaces. The King no longer lives in the old Royal Palace in Kathmandu: the palace was moved north to Narayanhiti about a century ago. At that time it was on the edge of the city, now it's close to the popular tourist area of Thamel. Clustered around the central Durbar Square and the old Royal Palace (Hanuman Dhoka), numerous interesting temples, the Kumari Chowka or Kumari Bahal (House of the Living Goddess) and Kasthamandap (House of wood). It's easy to spend hours wandering around Durbar Square and the adjoining Basantapur Square. This is very much the center of old Kathmandu and watching they would go by from the terraced platforms of the towering Maju Deval is a wonderful way to get a feel for the city. Although many of the buildings around the square are very old, the great earthquake of 1934 caused a great deal of damage and many were rebuilt, not always in their original form.
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Bhaktapur
Thimi: Thimi is the fourth largest town in the valley outranked only by Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. It's a typical Newari town and its capable people (the name of the town is derived from this Newari expression) operate thriving cottage industries producing pottery and paper-made masks. They also grow vegetables for the markets of Kathmandu.
Changu Narayan: The beautiful and historic temple of Changu Naraya Stands on a hilltop at the eastern end of the valley, about four km north of Bhaktapur. Although the temple dates from 1702, when it was rebuilt after a fire, its origins go right back to the 4th century and there many important stone images and sculptures dating from the Lichhavi period.
Bhaktapur: The third of the valley's ancient cities is another century-long rival of Kathmandu. It has an impressive number of artistic treasures: it is rightly called "a living museum" as well as the most medieval city of the valley.
The oldest part of the town is around Tachupal Tole (Dattatraya Square), to the east. Bhaktapur was the capital of the whole valley during the 14th to 16th centuries and during that time the focus of the town-shifted west, to the Durbar Square area. Much of the town's great architecture dates from the end of the 17th century during the rule of King Bhupatendra Malla.
Patan Durbar Square:
Patan is separated from Kathmandu only by the Bagmati River and is the second largest town in bally. It is sometimes referred to as Lalitpur, which means 'city of beauty' Patan has a long Buddhist history and the four comers of the city are marked by stupas said to have been erected by the great Buddhist emperor Ashoka around 250 B.C. Later inscriptions refer to palaces in the 5th century B.C. although Patan's great building boom took place under the Mallas in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Patan's central Durbar Square is absolutely packed with temples: it's an architectural feast with a far greater concentration of temples per sq. meter than in Kathmandu or Bhaktpur. Numerous other temples of widely diverse style as well as many bahals (Buddhist monasteries) are scattered around this fascinating town.
Lunch at Break
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Kirtipur:
Strung out along a ridge south- west of Kathmandu, the small town of Kirtipur is a relatively neglected and timeless backwater despite its proximity to the capital. At one time it was associated with Patan and then became a mini- kingdom in its own right. During the 1768 conquest of the valley by Gorkha's King Prithivi NarayanShah it was clear that Kirtipur, with its superbly defensible hilltop Position, Would be the key to defeating the Mall kingdoms sot it was here the Gorkha king struck first and hardest. Kirtipur's ridge is actually two hills, with a lower saddle between them. The Chilanchu Vihara tops the southern hill and has a central stupa with four smaller stupas, numerous statues and bells and Buddhist monastery buildings around it.
Chobar: The picture square little village of Chobar tops a hill overlooking the Bagmati River where it flows through the Chobar Gorge. Although the gorge is a regularly visited attraction, far fewer people come to Chobar itself. Perhaps they're put off by the steep hill. The views of Himalaya and town are outstanding.
Nepal, the only country that is a Hindu state, boasts tremendous religious tolerance of the many faiths practiced within its borders.
Hinduists predominate in Nepal as 86.5% of the population.
The next largest religious groups consist of Buddhists, 7.8%, and
Muslims, 3.5% of the population .
Common to all of these religions is the integration of religious expression within everyday life. In contrast with Western religions, these religions involve codes for- individual behavior and daily rites of worship. In the morning, people gather at temples, sanctuaries or river banks to offer prayers and puja.
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Hinduism
The word Hinduism was introduced in the 19th century to define  the aggregate beliefs of the Arya, immigrants who left Central Asia in 1500 BC, and animist religions of native populations in India.
Basic concepts. Cosmic law rules the good order of the world, be aware and respect cosmic law. Lead the life of a good Hindu, observe rules, perform all rites, accept the caste of birth. Caste system supplies code of conduct and rites done. Encompasses all parts of life; rites but also who to take drink from, associate with, marry, etc.
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Principles of Hinduism
Dharma religious law and moral code by which people can earn enlightenment. Karma is the life balance of action and reaction; individuals responsible for decisions and consequences. Leading good Hindu life will bring rebirth into a better life. Samsara is cycle of reincarnations determined by karma. Moksha is liberation from samsara; individual unites with universal timelessness, ultimate serenity, nirvana. Path to moksha is good Hindu life.
Each deity has different names, as well as different symbols, attributes, tasks and powers according to what god it represents. Each deity has a vehicle, an animal usually which serves master. Primary Hindu gods are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Brahma is the creator of the universe. Attributes are the rosary, the receptacle of holy water, the ladle and the book. Mount is a goose or swan. Brahma usually represented with four heads, allows him to watch over world. Very few statues of Brahma since creation is done.
Saraswati is Brahma's consort and is goddess of knowledge, learning and music. She is often portrayed with four arms, plying the veena (seven stringed musical instrument) with two hands as well as holding a rosary and a book. Sits on a lotus riding a peacock or a swan. Often a crescent moon on forehead. Worshipped by Buddhists as a form of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of wisdom.
Vishnu is the preserver of life and the world. Attributes are the conchshell, the disc, the lotus and the mace. Mount is Garuda, a mythical half-man and half-bird. He often appears in some of the following forms: ....More On Request, Thankyou.
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