Kathmandu

As we hear the name Kathmandu it describes about the one of the  oldest city located in South Asia.
Its also the capital of Nepal. Its about 1400m above the sea level.Kathmandu is the only metropolitan city of Nepal. Its one of those city which has been gifted by not only nature but history and culture also.

But when we talk about Kathmandu it also describes about the entire Kathmandu Valley as a whole which includes Lalitupr and Bhaktapur.
The city of  Kathmandu is surrounded by four major mountains: Shivapuri, Phulchoki, Nagarjun, and Chandragiri.
Its the city that consists four UNESCO world heritage sites
i. The Temple of Pashupatinath
ii.The Stupa of Swyambhunath
iii.The Stupa of Boudhanath
iv.Kathmandu Durbar Square

The city of Kathmandu got its name from the unique temple that stands in Durbar Square called Kasthamandap. In Sanskrit, Kastha means "wood" and Mandap  means "covered shelter." This temple, also known as Maru Satal, was built in 1596 by King Laxmi Narsingh Malla. The two-storey structure is made entirely of wood, and uses no iron nails or supports. According to legend, all the timber used to build this pagoda was obtained from a single tree.

The ancient history of Kathmandu is described in its traditional myths and legends. According to Swayambhu Purana, the present day Kathmandu was once a lake called Nagdaha. The lake was drained by Manjushree, who established a city called Manjupattan and made Dharmakar the ruler of the land.
Very few historical records of the period before the medieval rulers Licchavis exist. According to Gopalraj Vansawali, a genealogy of Nepalese monarchs, the rulers of Kathmandu Valley before Licchavis were Gopalas, Mahispalas, Aabhirs, Kirants and Somavanshi. Kirata dynasty was established by Yalambar. During Kirata era, a settlement called Yambu was present in northern half of old Kathmandu. In some of the Sino-Tibetan languages, Kathmandu is still called Yambu. Another smaller settlement called Yengal was present in the southern half of old Kathmandu, near Manjupattan. During the reign of seventh Kirata ruler, Jitedasti, Buddhist monks entered Kathmandu valley and established a forest monastery at Sankhu.