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Dhulikhel,
Namobuddha &
Panauti
click to enlarge
Kathmandu Valley
2005
This
page:
Namobuddha &
Panauti
More pages:
Bungamati, Khokana & Kirtipur
Changu Narayan
Dhulikhel
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The
ancient Newari town of
Dhulikhel
is situated 30 km east of Kathmandu and has spectacular views of
the Himalayas. Once an important link in the ancient trade route
to Tibet, Dhulikhel has a glorious past which can be seen in
many beautiful buildings and in intricate wood carvings in the
shop-lined streets and temples
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Garuda
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Namobuddha
The
hike from Dhulikhel to Namobuddha takes about two hours. It is
relatively easy and passes through some typical villages such as Kawe
(Kavre) and Phulbari before reaching the Buddhist monastery and stupa at
Namobuddha, an important destination for Buddhist pilgrims.
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A typical Nepali swing built for the dasein festival |
The Himalayas seen from the path between
Dhulikhel and Namobuddha
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On
the hill above Namobuddha is a famous stone tablet
(left) depicting a Buddha (there have been many before the
historical Buddha) feeding himself to a starving tigress and her
cubs. This is from a famous Buddhist tale expressing the great
compassion of the Buddha. |
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Threshing buckwheat |
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Pasang at
Namobuddha |
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The Himalayas (and Pasang
Bhutti) seen from Namobuddha
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Panauti
From
Namobuddha you can head down the mountain the same day to the town of
Panauti, on the valley floor. (There is also a bus connection to
Panauti).
Panauti is an interesting Newari town surrounded by rice paddies and
forested hills. Many of the town's old brick buildings are still
standing. However, it is Panauti's extensive temple complex that makes a
visit here rewarding.
Indreshwar Mahadev Mandir |
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Brahmayani Mandir
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The
temple complex is centered around the 15th-century Indreshwar Mahadev
Temple, a three-story pagoda within a walled compound.
The temple has beautifully carved roof struts.
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In the
morning in Newari towns and villages you find stones in the
pavement decorated
with paint, offerings and
marigold petals.
The stones represent Lakshmi's footprint,
the Goddess of wealth and
prosperity, and they welcome her into the house. |
Panauti
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This
page:
Namobuddha &
Panauti
More pages:
Bungamati, Khokana & Kirtipur
Changu Narayan
Last update January 07
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