A day in Kritipur

If you are in a bike then enter Kritipur through the TU gate. Ten minutes up the road, you will come to the only international cricket stadium in Nepal which is surprisingly well maintained although there are no stands for spectators. If you are interested in what Nepal’s largest university looks like, you can look around and no one will bother you. You will see long lines of newly made buildings and if it’s a weekday you will see students loitering around in the green fields. And on weekend’schildren and students can be seen stilising any free space as a cricket pitch.

Kirtipur was the first of the Valley’s kingdoms to be attacked by PrithiviNarayan Shah. The resolute inhabitants held out till 1768 after three fierce sieges by the Gorkhalis. Kirtipur’s glorious history come right down to the present times: the activism of its inhabitants and the nearby university ushered in democracy in 1990 and in to stand up against an autocratic monarchy.

When you reach te top of the hill, make sure you visit BaghBhairab temple, the gurdian god of Kirtipur. Up the hill is the UmaMaheshor temple, which at 1414 m is the highest point in Kirtipur. Although the temple itself is being renovated now, you will still get to see the sweeping view of the Valley and the mountains beyond. The sight of the Himalayas so close to the Valley is an absolute treat to the eyes.

If feasting your eyes on the Himlalays doesn’t feed the hunger in your stomach, you can check one of the open museum cum restaurant NawaLahana located nearby. It is also one of the open place to learn culture of Newars. Dishes like yomari, samayabaji and the locally made aila and thon along with Newari lifestyle will help you learn their inner culture

On the way you will be guided with HakuPatashi, cultural dress of Newars. After having seen Himalayas, having food, it wont take you more htan a day to get around Kirtipur, but memories of the visit will remain with you for a long time. Memories of the natives working with their traditional instruments and the clear view of all three towns and the mountain range will make a day in Kirtipur a day well spent.