DAY 148 - KATHMANDU

148) TUESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 1977: 48KMS. - KATHMANDU

 

We drove along the hillside and across the mountains down to the valley until we approached KATHMANDU (still  situated  above the sea level at 1,350 m.).  KATHMANDU formerly  known as KANTIPUR was founded in 723 by King Gunakama Deva. The name KATHMANDU originated from a nearby pagoda Kasthmandap near Darba Square, which is believed to have been built from the wood of a single tree. Bagmati is the name of the river that flows through the city of  KATHMANDU.

 

KATHMANDU Valley - Photo : wikipedia.org / Bing images search

 

The interesting sight to view in KATHMANDU would include the Durbar Square with wooden pagodas, carved into various Hindu gods and the old palace.  The pagodas look like Chinese style pavilion with patterns and stripes mixed with the vines, dragons and gods.  Some of the  pagodas having awnings supported by  certain props, like those of  Thai traditional houses. These wooden props were carved in remarkable erotic designs  of both humans and animals in  different  manners  so blatantly.

 

Durbar Square, KATHMANDU - Photo : wikipedia.org / Bing images search

Durba Square - Photo : wellnepaltravel.com / Bing images search

  

There is also a statue of Kali Bhairava (Kal Bhairan) - God of Destruction (Giants), painted mostly in black and red.

Inside of some of the Nepalese (or Chinese) style pavilions there were statues of Shiva or lingam located in the middle of the Yoni base. It is the worship sign of the Hindu religion. 

Kali Bhairava - Photo : bilder-aus-nepal.de / Bing images search