Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest urban agglomerate of Nepal. The agglomerate consists of Kathmandu Metropolitan City at its core and its sister cities Patan, Kirtipur, Thimi, and Bhaktapur. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) surrounded by four major mountains: Shivapuri, Phulchoki, Nagarjun, and Chandragiri. Kathmandu Valley is part of three districts (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur). Archaeological excavations in parts of Kathmandu have found evidence of ancient civilizations. The oldest of these findings is a statue, found in Maligaon that was dated at 185 AD.
The city has a rich history, spanning nearly 2000 years, as inferred from inscriptions found in the valley. Religious and cultural festivities form a major part of the lives of people residing in Kathmandu. Most of Kathmandu’s people follow Hinduism and many others follow Buddhism. There are people of other religious beliefs as well, giving Kathmandu a cosmopolitan culture. Kathmandu’s sister cities (Lalitpur Patan) and Bhaktapur are integral to Kathmandu’s cultural heritage, tourism industry, and economy; therefore UNESCO’s World Heritage Site lists all three cities’ monuments and attractions together under one heading, “Kathmandu Valley-UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the Kathmandu valley, you can find many temples and the Kathmandu valley is also known as the city of temples. Some the major temples in the valley are:
Pashupatinath Temple:
The Pashupatinath Temple is a famous 5th century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva (Pashupatinath) and is located on the banks of the Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu, Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. A significant part of the Pashupatinath temple was destroyed by Mughal invaders in the 14th century and nothing much remains of the original 5th-century temple exterior. The temple as it stands today was rebuilt in the 19th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mainly, only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple premises, but non-Hindu visitors are allowed to view the temple only from the across the Bagmati River.
The temple is built in the pagoda style of architecture, with cubic constructions, carved wooden rafters (tundal) on which they rest, and two-level roofs made of copper and gold.
Swayambhunath [The Monkey Temple]:
Swayambhunath) is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmanducity. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are monkeys living in premises of the Temple. The Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period.
Swayambhunath, is among the oldest religious sites in Nepal. Swayambhunath is believed to be built by King Vṛsadeva the great-grandfather of King Manadev (464-505 CE), , about the beginning of the 5th century CE. However, Emperor Ashoka is said to have visited the site in the third century BC. Although the site is considered Buddhist, the place is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus. Numerous Hindu monarch followers are known to have paid their homage to the temple, including Pratap Malla, the powerful king of Kathmandu, who is responsible for the construction of the eastern stairway in the 17th century. Swayambhunath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
| Country | Nepal |
|---|---|
| Area | 900 km2 |
| Languages spoken | Nepali, English |
| Currency | Nepalese Rupees |
| Visa requirements | No Visa Required within the country |
Football and Cricket are the most popular sports among the younger generation in Nepal and there are several stadiums in the city. The sport is governed by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) from its headquarters in Kathmandu. The only international football stadium in the city is the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium used mostly for football matches and cultural events, located in the neighborhood of Tripureshwor. It is the largest stadium in Nepal with a capacity of 25,000 spectators, built in 1956. Martyr's Memorial League is also held in this ground every year. The stadium was renovated with Chinese help before the 8th South Asian Games were held in Kathmandu and had floodlights installed. Kathmandu is home to the oldest football clubs of Nepal such as RCT, Sankata and NRT. Other prominent clubs include MMC, Machhindra FC, Tribhuwan Army Club (TAC) and MPC.
Kathmandu is also home of some of the oldest cricket clubs in Nepal, such as Yengal Sports Club. Kathmandu has the only recognised international cricket ground in the country, at a University site in Kirtipur.
An international stadium for swimming events is located in Satdobato, Lalitpur, near Kathmandu. The ANFA Technical Football Center is located just adjacent to this stadium. 
Kathmandu valley is described as "an enormous treasure house of art and sculptures", which are made of wood, stone, metal, and terracotta, and found in profusion in temples, shrines, stupas, gompas, chaityasm and palaces. The art objects are also seen in street corners, lanes, private courtyards, and in open ground. Most art is in the form of icons of gods and goddesses. Kathmandu valley has had this art treasure very long, but received worldwide recognition only after the country opened its doors to the outside world in 1950.
The religious art of Nepal and Kathmandu in particular consists of an iconic symbolism of the Mother Goddesses such as: Bhavani, Durga, Gaja-Lakshmi, Hariti-Sitala, Mahsishamardini, Saptamatrika (seven mother goddesses), and Sri-Lakshmi(wealth-goddess). From the 3rd century BC, apart from the Hindu gods and goddesses, Buddhist monuments from the Ashokan period (it is said that Ashoka visited Nepal in 250 BC) have embellished Nepal in general and the valley in particular. These art and architectural edifices encompass three major periods of evolution: the Licchavi or classical period (500 to 900 AD), the post-classical period (1000 to 1400 AD), with strong influence of the Palla art form; the Malla period (1400 onwards) that exhibited explicitly tantric influences coupled with the art of Tibetan Demonology.
A broad typology has been ascribed to the decorative designs and carvings created by the people of Nepal. These artists have maintained a blend of Hinduism and Buddhism. The typology, based on the type of material used are: Stone Art, Metal Art, Wood Art, Terracotta Art, and Painting. 
