Kathmandu Valley

Geography

Some 200,000 years back, following the formation of the Himalayas, the another upheaval of the earth created a range of hills known as the Mahabharat lekh towards the South of the Himalayas.In the process rivers were dammed, giving rise to a large lake. In the course of time erosion and earth movements created a gorge through which the water drained, leaving behind an extremely fertile bowl shaped valley, the Kathmandu valley.

Even till this day the valley floor is covered by thick deposits from ice age comprising of gravel, sand, silt, peat, lignite and black and white clay. Plant fossils on clays tell the story of the time when the swamps were evident in the lake.

Surrounding the Kathmandu valley the hills form a rim, “the Kathmandu Valley Rim.” These hills display slates, mica rich rocks and sandstones at their lower rungs. At 2762m Pulchowki hill in the South, is the highest in the rim. Violet colored slate and limestone with fossils and iron ores are visible on Pulchwki. Chandragiri, another tall hill in the West shows off violet colored soft slates. Shivapuri, in the North is the second highest hill. Gneisses, the black and white banded rocks - at one time ocean sediments - are found here. Nagarkot, a hill in the East is a highly popular destination of the tourists. These hills offer spectacular views of Langtang, Ganesh and Jugal himalayan ranges.

Climate

Kathmandu, 1350m enjoys sub-tropical climate. During Spring (March to May) the temperature ranges from - , the days are warm and the evenings cool. Clear views of the mountains and the hills covered by abundant flora are the attractions of the spring. During Summer (June to August), the temperature ranges from - , due to monsoon it’s wet then, but the fields and the hills are lush with green. Autumn (September to November) is similar to Spring. Throughout Winter (December to February) the temperature ranges from - , although the nights are cold then, the days are pleasant.

Kathmandu:
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Min.Temp 02.24 03.30 07.43 11.60 15.50 18.70 19.80 19.60 18.00 13.30 06.90 02.20
Max.Temp 16.60 19.00 23.60 26.70 27.60 27.10 26.90 27.00 26.00 24.90 21.20 18.30
Rainfall 14.00 16.00 32.00 56.00 103 248 364 299 192 68.00 07.00 12.00

Flora & Fauna

Kathmandu Valley has a wide spectrum of natural heritage. More than thousand species of plants, four hundred species of birds and a number of animals are found in the valley. The rich flora and fauna as additional attraction help to boost Kathmandu valley as a charming destination.

The valley floor is strewn with cities, villages, shrines and cultivated fields. Despite these habitations the due to subtropical climate shrubs, hedges and trees are evident. Pigeons, doves, parrots, crows, swallows, hoary barwing, black-capped sibia, stripethroated yuhina, red tailed minla, eagles, white browed tit babbler and spiny babbler – the bird only found in Nepal- are commonly found to inhabit in the valley.

Leopards, barking deer, squirrels, jackals and yellow throated marten roam around the hills and the forests around Kathmandu valley.

Rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal blossom in white and pink turning the hills of Phulchowki and Shivapuri into mishmash of colors in March. Anemones, poinsettia, begonias, porana, polygnum, strobilanthes, marigolds and a variety of roses constituteth flora in Kathmandu valley. The trees in the forests consist of Cirpine, schima wallichi, castonopsis indica, castnopsistribuloies, alder, ficus religiosa, ficus bengalensis and a range of bamboos.

Legendary background

'Taodhanahrada’ the huge lake, ‘Kalihrada’ the dark water and ‘Nagavashrada’ the abode of the nagas were the names by which Kathmandu Valley was known some 25000 years back. Then, the valley we see now was not so, but rather a big lake.

According to the legend of Swayambhu Purana certain Budhas - enlightened persons - visited the valley, then a lake. The first one surveyed the lake from Nagarjun, the second one meditated on Chandragiri, the third one who predicted the future visit of Bodhisatwa Manjushri went for a pilgrimage to Nagarjun, Swoyambhu and Phulchowki. According to the prediction Manjushri visited the valley, stayed at Nagarkot, walked around the valley rim, found a lowest point at Chobar and with the help of his powers Baruda and Mokhchhyada cut a gorge with his sword Chandahasa and drained the water transforming it into a valley. From Swoyambhunath to Guheswori he established the first settlement in the valley known as Manjupattan. It would not be improper to say Manjupattan perhaps was a start off of Kathmandu city.

The treks around Kathmandu valley rim mostly follows the holy footsteps of Manjushri.

People

The seat of Kingdom of Nepal Kathmandu valley is very rich in ancient culture, traditional art & architecture. It is the location of seven World Heritage Sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Changunarayan.

Diversified cultures steeped into either Hinduism or Budhism are noticeable in the valley; the reason being people from various ethnic background residing in the valley and the hills around.

Newars, the indigenous people of Kathmandu mostly live on the valley floor. Inhabited in majority by the Newars the major towns, Kathmandu (Kantipur), Patan (Lalitpur), Bhaktapur and smaller towns, Kirtupur, Thimi, Sankhu, Banepa, Dhulikhel and the settlements, Bungamati, Khokhana, Balambu, Tolkha still do portray rich Newari culture and display mesmerizing art & architecture giving a feel of ancient magic. The Newars speak a Tibetoburman dialect, unique in itself. Among them there are followers of Hinduism and Budhism and their culture blend together enabling them to live in harmony. Newari lifestlye is marked by religious festivals throughout the year providing opportunities to socialize and entertain traditionally.

Tamangs, are the strong mongoloid featured people found to reside in the hills of the valley, they adhere to Budhism. Their villages are clustered and are usually marked by prayer flags and gompas (Buddhist religious shrines). They are famous as hunters.

Brahmins, the priests and Chhetris the warriors, Kamis, Sarkis and Damais are other ethnic groups found to reside in the hills of the valley. These people follow Hinduism as their religion.

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