Nepal

Kathmandu Valley

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Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square 20

The Kathmandu Valley comprises seven groups of urban monuments that showcase the Newari culture and the coexistence of Hinduism, Buddhism and animist rituals.

Its palace complexes, temples and stupas, dating from the 16th-18th century, have been built in the typical architecture using brick, stone, timber and bronze. They include Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Changu Narayan, Syambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath Stupa.

Community Perspective: Some call it “the worst example of uncontrolled urban sprawl and air pollution that I have ever seen”, while others praise the active religious use of Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath, the daily life and frequent festivals. The site is best explored on a slow pace and a visit will take multiple days.

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Kathmandu Valley (ID: 121)
Country
Nepal
Status
Inscribed 1979 Site history
History of Kathmandu Valley
2021: Advisory Body overruled
ICOMOS advised In Danger Listing. Overturned by an amendment lead by Thailand (needs more time).
2007: Removed from Danger list
2003: In Danger
Loss of authenticity and threat of uncontrolled development
1985: Extension deferred
1979: Inscribed
Inscribed
Type
Cultural
Criteria
  • iii
  • iv
  • vi
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
Official
Related
All Links
UNESCO.org
Official Website
Forum Discussion
Related Resources
News Article
  • 9 Feb 2019 kathmandupost.ekantipur.com — Use of concrete in ancient temple draws ire from heritage conservationists in Nepal
  • 28 Jun 2018 xinhuanet.com — Quake-damaged historical monument Gaddi Baithak restored in Nepal
  • 30 Apr 2018 asia.nikkei.com — Nepalese question rebuilding of quake-damaged temples
  • 17 Jan 2017 dailymail.co.uk — Inspired by Nepalese, UK architect rebuilds ancient Changu Narayan temple
  • 21 Dec 2016 myrepublica.com — Shuklaphanta timber for reconstruction of Kasthamandap Temple
  • 17 Nov 2016 scmp.com — Kathmandu believers restore quake-damaged Boudhanath stupa
  • 11 Apr 2016 kathmandupost.ekantipur.com — Bhaktapur monument reconstruction begins
  • 21 Dec 2015 thehimalayantimes.com — Changu Narayan still ignored
  • 15 Jun 2015 ibtimes.com — UNESCO raises concerns over safety at reopened Kathmandu sites
  • 6 Jun 2015 timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Kathmandu Valley to enter UN's 'heritage in danger' list
  • 29 May 2015 bangkokpost.com — Nepal to reopen 3 damaged heritage sitesby June 15
  • 2 May 2015 ibnlive.in.com — UNESCO team at Swayambhunath temple to prevent looting
  • 1 May 2015 bbc.com — Nepal's Kathmandu valley treasures: Before and after
  • 25 Apr 2015 news.sky.com — A magnitude 7.9 earthquake in Nepal has caused extensive damage in Kathmandu
  • 24 Jun 2014 myrepublica.com — Swayambhu risks losing WH listing due to new prayer wheels
  • 4 Mar 2014 myrepublica.com — Drive to declutter Hanuman Dhoka kicks off
  • 1 Aug 2013 foxnews.com — Giant crematorium at revered Pashupatinath
  • 25 Jul 2013 myrepublica.com — Landslides imperil historic Changunarayan temple
  • 20 May 2013 thehimalayantimes.com — Plan to make Pashupatinath a tourist hub
  • 5 May 2013 myrepublica.com — Vehicle bans at Kathmandu Durbar Square ignored
  • 8 Oct 2012 thehimalayantimes.com — Nyatopola temple in Bhaktapurmold-infested
  • 18 Dec 2011 thehimalayantimes.com — Two ancient courtyards in Kathmandu open to the public
  • 4 Aug 2011 thehimalayantimes.com — Changunarayan Temple at high risk of landslide
  • 29 Jun 2011 news.in.msn.com — Three years after the abolition of monarchy in Nepal, a huge stash of gold and silver ornaments has been found by labourers who were renovating centuries old structure in the old Hanumandhoka Palace complex here
  • 14 Jun 2011 articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Pashupatinath temple under threat from mice and cockroaches
  • 23 Sep 2007 timesofindia.indiatimes.com — The World Heritage Centre has sought clarification from Nepal on the "status of a road" being built with Maoists' support near the ancient Pashupatinath temple that threatens to put the World Heritage Site in danger.
  • 27 Jun 2007 news.bbc.co.uk — Archaeology and cultural officials in Nepal have welcomed a decision to remove seven historic monuments from the list of world heritage sites in danger.

Community Information

  • Community Category
  • Urban landscape: Asian
Travel Information
Discriminatory Entry Policies
Discriminatory Entry Policies
Most of Pashupatinath is closed to non-Hindus
Recent Connections
View all (35) .
Connections of Kathmandu Valley
Individual People
Geography
Trivia
History
  • Silk Roads
    Southern Route; "Kathmandu's trade is an ancient profession that flourished along an offshoot of the Silk Road which linked India and Tibet. From centuries past, Lhasa Newar merchants of Kathmandu have conducted trade across the Himalaya and contributed to spreading art styles and Buddhism across Central Asia." (wiki)
  • Golden Age of India
    Changu Narayan Temple
Architecture
  • Mandala

    "Temples and palaces were integrated into the urban fabric creating interlinked multiple urban nodes. The temples are raised on high tiered platforms, square in plan, following the Vastu Purusha mandala." (Koh Ker Nomination file, p. 151)

  • Brick architecture
  • Gold Surfaces
    Swayambhunath and Bodhnath pagodas
Damaged
World Heritage Process
Religion and Belief
  • Goddesses
    Kumari the "Living Goddess"
  • Virginity
    The living goddess Kumari lives in the Kumari Ghar, a palace in the center of Kathmandu. The word "Kumari" is derived from Sanskrit Kaumarya meaning "virgin"
  • Hindu pilgrimage sites
    Pashupatinath Temple - Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage to this temple, that is also known as 'The Temple of Living Beings' (wiki)
  • Tibetan Buddhism
    Boudhanath stupa, Swayambhunath religious complex (although mainly Newar Buddhist)
  • Pagoda
    Nyatapola Pagoda (Bhaktapur) - (brick, wood) - five stories (30 meters); Malla Dynasty
  • Stupa
  • Vishnu cult
    Changu Narayan Temple

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Shiva cult
    Pashupatinath Temple, "one of the most sacred Shiva Kshetras (abodes of Shiva) in Skanda Purana... dedicated to Pashupati, a form of Shiva."

    See en.wikipedia.org

Human Activity
  • Erotic art
    Erotic carvings in Char Narayan Temple of Patan Durbar Square, Shiva-Parvati Temple, and Pashupatinath Temple of Bhaktapur Durbar Square. "some of these centuries-old erotic carvings showcase intercourse beyond the heterosexual definition of sex." and "there are a few carvings even of animals like horses penetrating women".

    See kathmandupost.com

  • Cremation
    Pashputinath Ghats. Active Hindu cremation site
  • Thanatourist destination
    Pashupatinath cremation ghats
WHS on Other Lists
Timeline
  • Built in the 14th century
    "until 14th century and the arrival of the Mallas, which is an important period for the flourishing of Nepalese art and architecture. These developed into a growing spiritual orientation towards Tantrism, making it difficult to separate purely Buddhist from purely Hindu art." (AB ev)
Visiting conditions
Literature & Film
News
kathmandupost.ekantipur.com 09/02/2019
Use of concrete in ancient temple …
xinhuanet.com 28/06/2018
Quake-damaged historical monument …
asia.nikkei.com 30/04/2018
Nepalese question rebuilding of qu…
Recent Visitors
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Visitors of Kathmandu Valley
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Community Reviews