Kirtipur

One of the most famous temples in Kirtipur is the Bagh Bhairab temple, which was built in dedication to Lord Bhairab, and who is worshipped here in the form of a tiger. Bhairab is ironically considered to be both the caretaker and the destroyer, and consequently, all important ceremonial rituals in life, right from puberty to marriage and even the construction of a new house are not commenced without seeking blessings from the Lord. The three-storeyed temple was built in the sixteenth century, and other than the presiding deity, wooden posts with the carvings of other Hindu gods and goddesses have also been installed here.

The Uma Maheshwar temple, which is locally known as Kwacho Dega, is another important heritage site located here. Located on the top of a hill, it offers panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding mountain ranges. Rautra Vishwanath Babu, the son of King Sidhhi Narsinga Malla, undertook the task of the construction of the temple. It was destroyed twice by earthquakes, but the locals and the government have managed to preserve the temple as an important mark of their rich culture. An artistic stone gate welcomes visitors which then leads to a gigantic stone elephant, and then to the principal deities: Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati.

The Chilancho Stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka back in 1515. Unfortunately, the top of the stupa was damaged, and later on, the beautiful Buddha faces around the stupa were also destroyed.

The primary water source of Kirtipur is Dev Pukku, which is fed by underground water. Visitors can also see the well preserved Royal Palace here, to the left of the tank. Other than this, the courtyard of the Bagh Bhairab Temple is also fantastic and well maintained, and is a must visit.

The Naya Bazaar or the New Market is located at the foothill, and this is where all trading and commerce take place. The market also houses the Thai style Theravada Buddhist Temple.

Kirtipur has initially been the capital of the Kathmandu Valley and was always known to be a land of rebels. King Prithvi Narayan Shah invaded the town in the 18th century when it was a part of Patan, and eventually, Kirtipur broke away and became a separate kingdom. In 1767, the town was brought back again into the kingdom, after 23 failed attempts by the King to conquer it. These battles, later on, came to be known as the Battle of Kirtipur. As an aftereffect of these battles, the town became an anti-monarchy due to the negligence of the administration and lack of development under the former monarch. Consequently, in 2006, Kirtipur again became the hub of an uprising against the monarchy in Nepal.

Restaurants in the area have not developed much yet, so you really should not expect anything to be open in the off-peak season. However, NewaLahana serves some genuine Newari food, and visitors claim that one must try their authentic local cuisine when in Kirtipur.

Visitors also don't opt for a night stay here, since the place is only twenty-five minutes away from Kathmandu. Kirtipur Hillside Hotel is the one hotel that you will find in the area, and the services offered by it are quite decent.

Kirtipur transports its visitors to an old-world atmosphere, with the town being set up in a typical Newari arrangement, with the northwest part of the town being Hindu, and the southeast Buddhist. The place is an ideal one to visit for those who want to have fun with independent bus travelling or those who are looking forward to getting a feel of the authentic Newari culture. A visit to Kirtipur can be combined with a visit to neighbouring areas of Chovar and Panga as well to make for a perfect day out!