The capital city, the city of temples, the city with delighted history, the city once with tranquillity,-KATHMANDU. The city of Kathmandu is named after a structure in Durbar Square called Kaasthamandap. In Sanskrit, kāṣṭh = “wood” and maṇḍap “covered shelter.” This unique temple, also known as Maru Sattal, was built in 1596 CE by King Laxmi Narsingh Malla. The entire structure contains no iron nails or supports and is made entirely from wood. Legend has it that the timber used for this two story pagoda was obtained from a single tree. As the city has many temples, it is also known as the City of Temples. Once a poet even told ‘there are as many as temple as many head of people can be seen’.
Kathmandu valley is bowl shaped. Its central lower part stands at 1,425 metres above the sea level. Kathmandu valley is surrounded by four mountain ranges: Shivapuri (standing at elevation of 2,800 metres, Phulchowki (2,795 metres), Nagarjun (2,825 metres (9,268 ft) and Chandragiri (2,300 metres (7,500 ft)). The major river flowing through the Kathmandu Valley is the Bagmati River. The Kathmandu valley is mostly developed and populated place in Nepal.It is popular among tourist for its unique art and architecture and rich culture that includes highest number of jatras.
Kathmandu valley once known to city of temples has now hidden its temples in somewhere inside big buildings. Those fair grassland has gone and those pure flow of water which were once compared to antidote by our great poets has left to show its face. The Newari culture and tradition once used to be pride of Kathmandu valley. Kathmandu valley has gone through many ups and down, many rules .even after unifying this great historical and beautiful lands together, Prithivi Narayan Shah choose Kathmandu to be its capital. That must be because of it fairness and powerful sensation it gives to people.
Can anyone imagine that our capital city was like this not more than 50 years before looking at today’s Kathmandu?you can see how badly it have changed. Kathmandu has developed and development was necessary but not in such way where it looses its worthiness and beauty.our old Kathmandu seems to be full with tranquillity and fairness.But in the search of development it has lost its name and tranquillity is nowhere to be found. Is it our fault that it has changed in such a way? Each of us should put this question to our self. Can we also think about bringing out our city more lively and fresh with development side by side? Lets take the possible steps together.