[TOC] Rich in natural, traditional and historical diversities, Nepal is a small landlocked country in South Asia. With a diverse geography, Nepal has fertile plains in the south, subalpine forested hills and eight of the world’s tallest mountains, including Mount Everest towards the north. A multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious nation, Nepal has a rich history that is still reflected on many sites and settings throughout the country. UNESCO identifies World Heritage Sites as places belonging to all people of the world. Nepal has many major sites listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, some of them Cultural and some Natural Sites.
Kathmandu Valley
The Valley of Kathmandu lies at the crossroads of ancient civilizations of Asia and has at least 130 important monuments, including several pilgrimage sites for Hindu and Buddhist people. There are seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the Valley. Historically, the valley and adjoining areas made up a confederation known as the Nepali Mandala. The Kathmandu Valley is the most developed and populated place in Nepal. The majority of offices and headquarters are located in the valley, making it the economic hub of Nepal. It is popular with tourists for its unique architecture and rich culture that includes the highest number of Jatras (street festivals) in the country. The valley itself was referred to as “Nepal Proper” by British historians. According to old holy texts, Kathmandu valley was once a lake and the hill where the Swayambhunath Stupa rests had lots of Lotus blooms in the water. The story goes that Manjushree- the demi-god cut a gorge at the Chobar Hill with his flaming sword and drained away the valley’s water. The bowl-shaped Kathmandu valley lies 1,425 meters above sea-level and is surrounded by four hilly ranges: Shivapuri, Phulchowki, Nagarjun and Chandragiri. The major river flowing through the Kathmandu Valley is the holy Bagmati River. The Kathmandu valley was accorded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1979.
The Pashupatinath Temple
The temple of Pashupatinath is a famous scared Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Pashupatinath and is located on the banks of the Bagmati River 5 kilometers north-east of Kathmandu Valley in the eastern part of Kathmandu. This temple is considered one of the most sacred temples of Hindu faith. It was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1979. On the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, the temple sees thousands of devotees visiting the temple. The temple is built in the Nepalese pagoda style of architecture with beautifully carved wooden rafters and beams. With a golden Gajur (pinnacle), the temple of Pashupatinath is beautiful and visitors can sometimes see the cremation ceremony of the Hindu people being performed at the banks of the Bagmati River.
The Bouddhanath Stupa
The Bouddhanath Stupa has a massive Mandala and is one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. The influx of large populations of refugee from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas around Bouddhanath. Along with Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath is one of the most famous tourist sites in Kathmandu. It was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1950. Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries, and when refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Bouddhanath.
The Swayambhunath Temple
Swayambhunath is an ancient religious structure atop a hill in Kathmandu, west of the city. The Tibetan name for the site means “Sublime Trees”- named as such because of the many varieties of trees found on the hill. It is one of the sacred sites among Buddhist pilgrims. The Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa and varieties of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Lichchhavi period. The stupa of the temple consists of a dome base, above which a cubical structure is painted with the eyes of Lord Buddha looking in all four directions. There are pentagonal Torans present above each of the four sides with statues engraved in them. Behind and above the Torana, there are thirteen tiers. The Swayambhunath Stupa has many artifacts inside it.
Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is the first national park of Nepal. It was established in 1973 and was granted the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. It covers an area of 932 km2 and is located in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal. In the north and west of the protected area, the Narayani-Rapti River system forms a natural boundary to human settlements. The wide range of vegetation types in Chitwan National Park is a home to more than 700 species of wildlife and a large number of butterflies, moths and insect species. Apart from King Cobra and Rock Pythons, 17 other species of Snakes, Starred Tortoises and Monitor Lizards occur within the park’s natural acreage. The Narayani-Rapti River system, their small tributaries and myriads of oxbow lakes are a habitat to 113 recorded species of fishes and Mugger Crocodiles.
The Chitwan National Park is home to at least 68 species of mammals. The “King of the Jungle” is the Bengal Tiger. The alluvial floodplain habitats of the terai are one of the best tiger habitats on the planet. Leopards are most prevalent on the peripheries of the park. They co-exist with Tigers, but being socially subordinate, are not common in prime Tiger habitats. Chitwan is considered to have the highest population density of Sloth Bears. Smooth-coated Otters inhabit the numerous creeks and rivulets. Bengal Foxes, Spotted Linsangs and Honey Badgers roam the jungle for prey. Stripped Hyenas prevail on the southern slopes of the Churia Hills. Animals like the Golden Jackals, Fishing Cats, Leopard Cats, large and small Indian Civets, Asian Palm Civets, Crab-eating Mongooses and Yellow-throated Martens are also found in the park.
Especially, the park’s alluvial grasslands are important habitats for the critically endangered Bengal Floricans, the vulnerable Lesser Adjutants, Grey-crowned Prinia, Swamp Francolins and several other species of Grass Warblers.
The Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square, along with three other Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley, is all listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is surrounded with spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newar artists and craftsmen over several centuries. It holds the palaces of the Malla and Shah Kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square surrounds quadrangles, revealing courtyards and temples. It is also known as the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from the statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the palace. Kathmandu Durbar Square is the site of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex, which was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and where important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch, took place. The palace is decorated with elaborately carved wooden windows and panels and houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial Museum and the Mahendra Museum. The southern end of the Durbar Square has one of the most curious attractions in Nepal- the Kumari Chowk. The gilded cage contains the Raj Kumari, a girl chosen through an ancient and mystical selection process to become the human incarnation of the Hindu mother Goddess- Taleju Bhawani. She is worshipped during religious festivals and makes public appearances at other times for a fee paid to her guards.
The Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the plaza in front of the royal palace of the old Bhaktapur Kingdom. Located at the current town of Bhaktapur (also known as Bhadgaon), it is 13 kilometers east of Kathmandu. While the complex consists of at least four districts squares (Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square and Pottery Square), the whole area is informally known as the Bhaktapur Durbar Square and is a highly visited site in Kathmandu Valley. Some of the major attractions of Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the 55-Window Palace- built during the reign of the Malla King- Yaksha Malla in 1427 AD, the Batsala Temple- famous for its bronze bell, the magnificent statue of Bhupatindra Malla, the Nyatapol Temple- the biggest and highest pagoda in Nepal, the Bhairav Nath Temple, the Golden Gate and the Lion’s Gate. Among the brick walls of the 55-Window Palace, with its gracious settings and sculptures design, is a balcony of fifty-five windows, considered to be a unique masterpiece of wood carvings. It is also known as one of the oldest monuments present in Nepal. The bronze bell in the Batsala Temple is also known as “the bell of barking dogs” because when it is rung, the dogs in the vicinity tend to bark and howl. The colossal bell was hung by King Ranjit Malla in 1737 AD and was used to sound the daily curfew in medieval times. It was rung every morning when the goddess Taleju was worshiped. Bhaktapur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square is situated at the centre of the city of Lalitpur in Nepal. It is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley. One of its attractions is the royal Palace where the Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided. The UNESCO World Heritage listed Durbar Square of Patan is a marvel of the Newar architecture. The square floor is tiled with red bricks. There are many temples and idols in the area. The main temples are aligned opposite of the western face of the palace. The entrance of the temple faces east, towards the palace. There is also a bell situated in the alignment besides the main temples. The Square also holds Newari residential houses. There are various other temples and structures in and around Patan Durbar Square built by the Newar people. Some of the major attractions of the Patan Durbar Square are the Krishna Mandir, the Bhimsen Temple, the Vishwanath Temple and the Taleju Bhawani Temple. Built in the Shikhara style, the Krishna Temple has stone carvings along the beam above the first and second floor pillar. The first pillar carvings narrate the events of the Mahabharata; while the second floor has carvings from Ramayana. The square of the temple is often crowded with thousands of Hindu pilgrims and devotees during Khrisnastami.
The Changu Narayan Temple
The ancient temple of Changu Narayan is located on a high hilltop that is known as Changu or Dolagiri. The temple is surrounded by forests of Champak trees and a small village, known as the Changu Village. Located in Bhaktapur, it is about 7 miles east of Kathmandu. The Manahara River flows beside the hill. This shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is held in a special reverence by the Hindu people. This temple is considered as one of the oldest temples in the history of Nepal. People from the Newar community live in and around the Changu Narayan area. With the development in tourism in this place, one can find many medium and small sized hotels, restaurants and souvenirs shops. An ancient tap is located on the way to Changu Narayan which is believed to have existed since the time of the Lichchhavi dynasty. It remains as a milestone in Nepali temple and architecture with rich embossed works. The two-storey roofed temple stands on a high plinth of stones. The temple is surrounded by sculptures and arts related to Lord Vishnu. Temples of Lord Shiva, Asta Matrika, Chhinnamasta, Kileshwor and Krishna can also be found at the courtyard of Changu Narayan. There are four entrances to the temple and these gates are guarded by life size pairs of animals like Lions, Sarabhas, Griffins and Elephants on each side of the entrances. The ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu and other idols are carved in the struts, which support the roof. The entrance door is gilded with carvings of Nagas (snakes). On the main entrance gate (i.e. the west entrance gate), one can find the Chakra, Sankha, Kamal and Khadga at the top of stone pillars. These stone pillars have inscriptions in Sanskrit and they are considered to be the oldest inscriptions of Nepal, believed to be erected by Lichchhavi King- Māndev in 464 AD.
Lumbini- the birthplace of Lord Buddha
Lumbini (translated as “the lovely” in Sanskrit) is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi District of Nepal. It is the place where, according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in 563 BCE. Gautama, who achieved enlightenment sometime around 528 BCE, became Lord Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism. Lumbini is an important pilgrimage site pivotal to the life of Gautama Buddha. Lumbini has a number of temples, including the Mayadevi Temple and several others. Many monuments, monasteries and museum- the Lumbini International Research Institute, are also within the holy site. There also is the Puskarini- the Holy Pond, where Buddha’s mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he had his first bath. Lumbini was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The holy site of Lumbini is bordered by a large monastic zone in which only monasteries can be built; no shops, hotels or restaurants can be built there. It is separated into an eastern and western monastic zone- the eastern having the Theravadin monasteries, the western having Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries. The holy site of Lumbini has ruins of ancient monasteries, a sacred Bodhi Tree, an ancient bathing pond, the Ashoka Pillar and the Mayadevi Temple, where the supposed place of birth of Lord Buddha is located. From early morning to evening, pilgrims from various countries perform chanting and mediation at the site. Because Hindu regard Lord Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu, thousands of Hindu people come here on pilgrimage during the full moon of the Nepali month of Baisakh (April-may) to worship Queen Mayadevi as Rupa Devi- the Mother Goddess of Lumbini.
Sagarmatha National Park
The Sagarmatha National Park is a protected area in the Himalayas of eastern Nepal that is dominated by Mount Everest. It encompasses an area of 1,148 km2 in the Solukhumbu district and ranges in elevation from 2,845 meters to 8,848 meters to the summit of Mount Everest. The Sagarmatha National Park was established in 1976. In 1979, it became the country’s first national park to be listed on UNESCO World Heritage Sites List. The park contains the upper catchment areas of the Dudh Koshi River, the Bhotekoshi River basin and the Gokyo Lakes. It is largely composed of rugged terrains and gorges of the high Himalayas ranging from 2,845 meters at Monjo to the top of the world’s highest Peak Sagarmatha at 8,848 meters above sea level. Other peaks above 6,000 meters are the Lhotse Peak, Mount Cho Oyu, the Thamserku, Mount Nuptse, the Ama Dablam Peak and Mount Pumori. Barren land above 5,000 meters comprises 69% of the park while 28% is grazing land and the remaining 3% is forested.
In the lower forested zone, birch, juniper, blue pine, firs, bamboos and rhododendron forests variegate the land. The forest provides habitat to at least 118 species of birds, including Himalayan Monals, Blood Pheasants and Red-billed Choughs. Sagarmatha National Park is also a home to a number of rare mammal species, including the Musk Deer, Snow Leopards, Himalayan Black Bears and Red Pandas. Himalayan Thars, Langur Monkeys, Martens and Himalayan Wolves are also found in the park.
UNESCO World Heritage sites are places and destinations that belong to everyone, and the dexterity of Nepal's opulent history and craftsmanship is reflected marvelously on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the country.
The Valley of Kathmandu lies at the crossroads of ancient civilizations of Asia and has at least 130 important monuments, including several pilgrimage sites for Hindu and Buddhist people. There are seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the Valley. Historically, the valley and adjoining areas made up a confederation known as the Nepali Mandala. The Kathmandu Valley is the most developed and populated place in Nepal. The majority of offices and headquarters are located in the valley, making it the economic hub of Nepal. It is popular with tourists for its unique architecture and rich culture that includes the highest number of Jatras (street festivals) in the country. The valley itself was referred to as “Nepal Proper” by British historians. According to old holy texts, Kathmandu valley was once a lake and the hill where the Swayambhunath Stupa rests had lots of Lotus blooms in the water. The story goes that Manjushree- the demi-god cut a gorge at the Chobar Hill with his flaming sword and drained away the valley’s water. The bowl-shaped Kathmandu valley lies 1,425 meters above sea-level and is surrounded by four hilly ranges: Shivapuri, Phulchowki, Nagarjun and Chandragiri. The major river flowing through the Kathmandu Valley is the holy Bagmati River. The Kathmandu valley was accorded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1979.
The Pashupatinath Temple
The temple of Pashupatinath is a famous scared Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Pashupatinath and is located on the banks of the Bagmati River 5 kilometers north-east of Kathmandu Valley in the eastern part of Kathmandu. This temple is considered one of the most sacred temples of Hindu faith. It was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1979. On the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, the temple sees thousands of devotees visiting the temple. The temple is built in the Nepalese pagoda style of architecture with beautifully carved wooden rafters and beams. With a golden Gajur (pinnacle), the temple of Pashupatinath is beautiful and visitors can sometimes see the cremation ceremony of the Hindu people being performed at the banks of the Bagmati River.
The Bouddhanath Stupa
The Bouddhanath Stupa has a massive Mandala and is one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. The influx of large populations of refugee from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas around Bouddhanath. Along with Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath is one of the most famous tourist sites in Kathmandu. It was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1950. Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries, and when refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Bouddhanath.
The Swayambhunath Temple
Swayambhunath is an ancient religious structure atop a hill in Kathmandu, west of the city. The Tibetan name for the site means “Sublime Trees”- named as such because of the many varieties of trees found on the hill. It is one of the sacred sites among Buddhist pilgrims. The Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa and varieties of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Lichchhavi period. The stupa of the temple consists of a dome base, above which a cubical structure is painted with the eyes of Lord Buddha looking in all four directions. There are pentagonal Torans present above each of the four sides with statues engraved in them. Behind and above the Torana, there are thirteen tiers. The Swayambhunath Stupa has many artifacts inside it.
Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is the first national park of Nepal. It was established in 1973 and was granted the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. It covers an area of 932 km2 and is located in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal. In the north and west of the protected area, the Narayani-Rapti River system forms a natural boundary to human settlements. The wide range of vegetation types in Chitwan National Park is a home to more than 700 species of wildlife and a large number of butterflies, moths and insect species. Apart from King Cobra and Rock Pythons, 17 other species of Snakes, Starred Tortoises and Monitor Lizards occur within the park’s natural acreage. The Narayani-Rapti River system, their small tributaries and myriads of oxbow lakes are a habitat to 113 recorded species of fishes and Mugger Crocodiles.
The Chitwan National Park is home to at least 68 species of mammals. The “King of the Jungle” is the Bengal Tiger. The alluvial floodplain habitats of the terai are one of the best tiger habitats on the planet. Leopards are most prevalent on the peripheries of the park. They co-exist with Tigers, but being socially subordinate, are not common in prime Tiger habitats. Chitwan is considered to have the highest population density of Sloth Bears. Smooth-coated Otters inhabit the numerous creeks and rivulets. Bengal Foxes, Spotted Linsangs and Honey Badgers roam the jungle for prey. Stripped Hyenas prevail on the southern slopes of the Churia Hills. Animals like the Golden Jackals, Fishing Cats, Leopard Cats, large and small Indian Civets, Asian Palm Civets, Crab-eating Mongooses and Yellow-throated Martens are also found in the park.
Especially, the park’s alluvial grasslands are important habitats for the critically endangered Bengal Floricans, the vulnerable Lesser Adjutants, Grey-crowned Prinia, Swamp Francolins and several other species of Grass Warblers.
The Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square, along with three other Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley, is all listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is surrounded with spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newar artists and craftsmen over several centuries. It holds the palaces of the Malla and Shah Kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square surrounds quadrangles, revealing courtyards and temples. It is also known as the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from the statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the palace. Kathmandu Durbar Square is the site of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex, which was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and where important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch, took place. The palace is decorated with elaborately carved wooden windows and panels and houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial Museum and the Mahendra Museum. The southern end of the Durbar Square has one of the most curious attractions in Nepal- the Kumari Chowk. The gilded cage contains the Raj Kumari, a girl chosen through an ancient and mystical selection process to become the human incarnation of the Hindu mother Goddess- Taleju Bhawani. She is worshipped during religious festivals and makes public appearances at other times for a fee paid to her guards.
The Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the plaza in front of the royal palace of the old Bhaktapur Kingdom. Located at the current town of Bhaktapur (also known as Bhadgaon), it is 13 kilometers east of Kathmandu. While the complex consists of at least four districts squares (Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square and Pottery Square), the whole area is informally known as the Bhaktapur Durbar Square and is a highly visited site in Kathmandu Valley. Some of the major attractions of Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the 55-Window Palace- built during the reign of the Malla King- Yaksha Malla in 1427 AD, the Batsala Temple- famous for its bronze bell, the magnificent statue of Bhupatindra Malla, the Nyatapol Temple- the biggest and highest pagoda in Nepal, the Bhairav Nath Temple, the Golden Gate and the Lion’s Gate. Among the brick walls of the 55-Window Palace, with its gracious settings and sculptures design, is a balcony of fifty-five windows, considered to be a unique masterpiece of wood carvings. It is also known as one of the oldest monuments present in Nepal. The bronze bell in the Batsala Temple is also known as “the bell of barking dogs” because when it is rung, the dogs in the vicinity tend to bark and howl. The colossal bell was hung by King Ranjit Malla in 1737 AD and was used to sound the daily curfew in medieval times. It was rung every morning when the goddess Taleju was worshiped. Bhaktapur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square is situated at the centre of the city of Lalitpur in Nepal. It is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley. One of its attractions is the royal Palace where the Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided. The UNESCO World Heritage listed Durbar Square of Patan is a marvel of the Newar architecture. The square floor is tiled with red bricks. There are many temples and idols in the area. The main temples are aligned opposite of the western face of the palace. The entrance of the temple faces east, towards the palace. There is also a bell situated in the alignment besides the main temples. The Square also holds Newari residential houses. There are various other temples and structures in and around Patan Durbar Square built by the Newar people. Some of the major attractions of the Patan Durbar Square are the Krishna Mandir, the Bhimsen Temple, the Vishwanath Temple and the Taleju Bhawani Temple. Built in the Shikhara style, the Krishna Temple has stone carvings along the beam above the first and second floor pillar. The first pillar carvings narrate the events of the Mahabharata; while the second floor has carvings from Ramayana. The square of the temple is often crowded with thousands of Hindu pilgrims and devotees during Khrisnastami.
The Changu Narayan Temple
The ancient temple of Changu Narayan is located on a high hilltop that is known as Changu or Dolagiri. The temple is surrounded by forests of Champak trees and a small village, known as the Changu Village. Located in Bhaktapur, it is about 7 miles east of Kathmandu. The Manahara River flows beside the hill. This shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is held in a special reverence by the Hindu people. This temple is considered as one of the oldest temples in the history of Nepal. People from the Newar community live in and around the Changu Narayan area. With the development in tourism in this place, one can find many medium and small sized hotels, restaurants and souvenirs shops. An ancient tap is located on the way to Changu Narayan which is believed to have existed since the time of the Lichchhavi dynasty. It remains as a milestone in Nepali temple and architecture with rich embossed works. The two-storey roofed temple stands on a high plinth of stones. The temple is surrounded by sculptures and arts related to Lord Vishnu. Temples of Lord Shiva, Asta Matrika, Chhinnamasta, Kileshwor and Krishna can also be found at the courtyard of Changu Narayan. There are four entrances to the temple and these gates are guarded by life size pairs of animals like Lions, Sarabhas, Griffins and Elephants on each side of the entrances. The ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu and other idols are carved in the struts, which support the roof. The entrance door is gilded with carvings of Nagas (snakes). On the main entrance gate (i.e. the west entrance gate), one can find the Chakra, Sankha, Kamal and Khadga at the top of stone pillars. These stone pillars have inscriptions in Sanskrit and they are considered to be the oldest inscriptions of Nepal, believed to be erected by Lichchhavi King- Māndev in 464 AD.
Lumbini- the birthplace of Lord Buddha
Lumbini (translated as “the lovely” in Sanskrit) is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi District of Nepal. It is the place where, according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in 563 BCE. Gautama, who achieved enlightenment sometime around 528 BCE, became Lord Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism. Lumbini is an important pilgrimage site pivotal to the life of Gautama Buddha. Lumbini has a number of temples, including the Mayadevi Temple and several others. Many monuments, monasteries and museum- the Lumbini International Research Institute, are also within the holy site. There also is the Puskarini- the Holy Pond, where Buddha’s mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he had his first bath. Lumbini was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The holy site of Lumbini is bordered by a large monastic zone in which only monasteries can be built; no shops, hotels or restaurants can be built there. It is separated into an eastern and western monastic zone- the eastern having the Theravadin monasteries, the western having Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries. The holy site of Lumbini has ruins of ancient monasteries, a sacred Bodhi Tree, an ancient bathing pond, the Ashoka Pillar and the Mayadevi Temple, where the supposed place of birth of Lord Buddha is located. From early morning to evening, pilgrims from various countries perform chanting and mediation at the site. Because Hindu regard Lord Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu, thousands of Hindu people come here on pilgrimage during the full moon of the Nepali month of Baisakh (April-may) to worship Queen Mayadevi as Rupa Devi- the Mother Goddess of Lumbini.
Sagarmatha National Park
The Sagarmatha National Park is a protected area in the Himalayas of eastern Nepal that is dominated by Mount Everest. It encompasses an area of 1,148 km2 in the Solukhumbu district and ranges in elevation from 2,845 meters to 8,848 meters to the summit of Mount Everest. The Sagarmatha National Park was established in 1976. In 1979, it became the country’s first national park to be listed on UNESCO World Heritage Sites List. The park contains the upper catchment areas of the Dudh Koshi River, the Bhotekoshi River basin and the Gokyo Lakes. It is largely composed of rugged terrains and gorges of the high Himalayas ranging from 2,845 meters at Monjo to the top of the world’s highest Peak Sagarmatha at 8,848 meters above sea level. Other peaks above 6,000 meters are the Lhotse Peak, Mount Cho Oyu, the Thamserku, Mount Nuptse, the Ama Dablam Peak and Mount Pumori. Barren land above 5,000 meters comprises 69% of the park while 28% is grazing land and the remaining 3% is forested.
In the lower forested zone, birch, juniper, blue pine, firs, bamboos and rhododendron forests variegate the land. The forest provides habitat to at least 118 species of birds, including Himalayan Monals, Blood Pheasants and Red-billed Choughs. Sagarmatha National Park is also a home to a number of rare mammal species, including the Musk Deer, Snow Leopards, Himalayan Black Bears and Red Pandas. Himalayan Thars, Langur Monkeys, Martens and Himalayan Wolves are also found in the park.
UNESCO World Heritage sites are places and destinations that belong to everyone, and the dexterity of Nepal's opulent history and craftsmanship is reflected marvelously on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the country.
