Cities

These all cites of Nepal. Some cities are historical and some are industrial cities.

Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur is the third largest city in the Kathmandu valley. The city was once the capital of Nepal during the great Malla Kingdom from the 12th to the 15th century.
Traditional art and architecture, pottery and weaving industries, rich local customs and culture, and the every-day life of Bhaktapur people. All that and more will have you visit this untouched ancient city more than once! Nepal's Malla dynasty's achievements in arts and crafts are reflected throughout the Bhaktapur city. Bhaktapur is also known by woodcarving artists, for it's cap known as Bhadgaon Topi, and for it's curd known by Nepalese as the `Bhaktapur ko Dahe' (meaning Curd made in Bhaktapur). Tourists visiting the city also take the time to relax and observe other interesting happenings in the city such as children's playing outside their home and in temple yards, busy and color-full open markets, women's making clay-pots, weaving, and sun-drying crops and vegetable products. Bhaktapur is located at 14 km east of Kathmandu and can be reached by public transport. A day-trip to Bhaktapur is a popular tourist itinerary, so make it yours soon!

In this bhaktapiur many of temples such as Changunarayan, asia tallest 148’ tall kailaspati Lord Sivha, Suryabinayak Ganesh Temple, Barahi Temple etc. these all temples are popular in this city and many more tourist are visit.

 

Kathmandu

A 218 square miles of land, situated above 4400 ft above sea level with three historic, artistic and cultural towns namely Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur together form what is known as the `Kathmandu Valley'. Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal's traditional culture and arts.  This is the place for rest, relaxation and easy-day sightseeing of historic and artistic temples and monuments, and mountain views. Being the capital city of Nepal, it offers much services including international airlines, hotels and other facilities. One also enjoys Kathmandu for night life, shopping and of course for the mountain views.

Places to Visit in Kathmandu

1. Swayambhu:
2. Kathmandu Dubar Square, Swayambhu
3. Kathmandu and Patan Durbar Square
4. Kathmandu Durbar Sqaure, Pashupatinath
5. Pashupati, Bouddha, Bhaktapur
6. Thimi, Bhaktapur
7. Pashupati, Bouddha, Changu Narayan
8. Changu Narayan, Sankhu
9. Balaju, Budhanilkantha
10. Kritipur, Chobhar and Dakshinkali
11. Kathmandu Durbar Square, Ason, Pasupatinath, Bouddha

Patan

The city of Patan is believed to have been built in the third century B.C. by the Kirat dynasty. It was expanded by Lichhavis in the 6th century A.D. and again by the Mallas in medieval period. The Malla kings ruled the Kathmandu Valley until the ascension of the Shah dynasty. In 1768, King Prithvi Narayan Shah began his campaign to unify Nepal and Patan became a city in the kingdom of Nepal.

Patan is a center of Buddhist and Hindu culture. The city is full of religious art, temples, and monasteries. Many religious festivals take place in Patan each year. One is the Buddha Jayanti festival, marking the birthday of Lord Buddha, which occurs on Jestha Purnima (full moon night in April or May). The birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated by Hindus at the Krishna Temple in Patan in August - September. Devotees gather at the Krishna Temple in Patan Durbar Square for a vigil through the night. The following day, the devotees visit all the Krishna shrines throughout the city. The largest festival in Nepal is the Dashain festival in September to October. This festival takes place at the Palace Complex in Patan as well as in the other cities of the Kathmandu Valley and commemorates a victory by the gods over wicked demons. The celebration lasts 15 days and includes kite flying.

Biratnagar

Biratnagar is Nepal's second biggest city that is located at the southeastern border to India. For years, this city in the Tarai region has been linked with cheap Chinese and Japanese electronics products. Lately, the city has turned itself as one of the largest commercial and industrial hub in Nepal. In a way, it is a transit point for all kinds of legal and illegal trades with India. The very few manufacturing industry that Nepal has, is located in an around Biratnagar. It also acts as a way for tourists to get entry in to Indian hill stations such as Gangtok and Darjeeling. From there, the mountaineers and hikers proceed for Kanchanjunga, the second highest Himalayan Peak. It is also a gateway to the Tea estates of Nepal that are confined in the districts of Illam and Dhankuta. Biratnagar has also evolved itself to become the melting pot for the various religions and cultures in the Tarai. The place is known for its vibrant culture activities.
Among the places worth visiting, Kosi Tuppa is your best bet. The place is just 2-hours drive from the heart of the city. This wetland is heaven for the birdwatchers and runs almost parallel to the Sapta Kosi River and attracts a lot of migratory birds. In fact, it is one of the best wetlands in Asia in terms of number of species of birds they attract. Close to this place is the Kosi barrage. This is the largest barrage in Nepal and a bone of contention with its neighbor, India. The spectacle of thundering Kosi, river finding its way to India, is breathtaking. Baraha Chhetra is another must visit site in Biratnagar. This Hindu pilgrimage site is situated at the confluence of Koka and Sapta Kosh rivers. It will take a 20 minutes walk to reach to the temple site. The front pedestal of the temple gives a magnificent view of the riverside. The place is very popular among the locals for taking the holy dip. It is popularly believed that the devil Hirayankashyapu was slayed on this very spot. Apart from that, don't forget to visit the weekly haat (Communal Market) that is organized on Wednesday at the downtown Biratnagar.

Pokhara

Pokhara is the third largest city in Nepal. It is the starting point for most of the treks in the Annapurna area. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful place in the whole wide world.

You can travel to Pokhara from the capital Kathmandu using the tourist bus travels that are readily available or the local microbuses or buses which leave Kathmandu for Pokhara almost every 15 minutes. These buses are available until late afternoon. There are night buses as well running on this route but these can be a painful ride, so avoid them. The local buses will cost you around NRs. 400 to 600. Coming from the southern border to India, several buses leave to Pokhara from the border city, mainly in the very wee hours (first at 4AM). It takes about 9 hours and costs between 280 and 380 Rs. Flights cost roughly $90 each way and take only 1/2 hour from KTM. They have the bonus of giving you a bird's eye view of the countryside and of the mountains themselves.

In this pokhara u see these all romantic placess

• Phewa Lake.
• Begnas Lake
• Rupa Tal
• Dipang Tal.
• Devis Falls
• World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa)
• Sarangkot.
• Mahendra Cave
• Chamare Gufa - Bat cave
• Gupteswar Mahadev Cave
• International Mountain Museum
• Gurkha Memorial Museum

Lumbini

Lumbini is the traditional birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, who was born in the 7th or 6th century BC.

According to Buddhist tradition, Maya Devi (or Mayadevi) gave birth to the Buddha on her way to her parent's home in Devadaha in the month of May in the year 642 BC. Feeling the onset of labor pains, she grabbed hold of the branches of a shade tree and gave birth to Siddharta Gautama, the future Buddha. The Buddha is said to have announced, "This is my final rebirth" as he entered the world. Buddhist tradition also has it that he walked immediately after his birth and took seven steps, under each of which a lotus flower bloomed.

In 249 BC, the Buddhist convert Emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini and constructed four stupas and a stone pillar. Ashoka's Pillar bears an inscription that translates as: "King Piyadasi (Ashoka), beloved of devas, in the 20 year of the coronation, himself made a royal visit, Buddha Sakyamuni having been born here, a stone railing was built and a stone pillar erected to the Bhagavan ["blessed one"] having been born here. Lumbini village was taxed reduced and entitled to the eight part (only)".

Monasteries and temples were built at Lumbini until the 9th century, but Buddhism declined in the area after the arrival of Islam and later Hinduism. All that remained was a sculpture, revered by local women as a fertility symbol. The garden of the Buddha's birth was lost for a thousand years.

The site was rediscovered in 1895, when a German archaeologist came upon Ashoka's Pillar, identified by its inscription. Records made by the Chinese pilgrim Fa Xian were also used in the process of identifying this religiously acclaimed site. Lumbini was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997

Birjganj

You may chance to pass through the cities of Birganj and Raxual, on the Nepali and the Indian sides of the border respectively, if you're travelling across the border of the two countries (on the southern fringes Nepal). If you have to spend a night, Birganj would be a better choice. Arguably the best hotel option in Birganj would be Hotel Vishuwa. Rooms here would cost you about US$50. The place has a set of high-end faciolities including a nice swimming pool, decent restaurant and has quite a safe locale. Did I mention AC? North to the bus park, you cannot miss the big, green building. Depending on your pocket, there could be two more options — after a 7-minute rickshaw ride on the main road northward from Raxual you'll reach an area called Alakhiya Math where you'll sight Hotel Makalu (rooms here may cost NRs. 600 a night), next to a big Shiva temple and the Skyline Air office. A little further on the road westward, and you find a place mainly dominated by hotels, airline offices, money cambios, and Hotel Kailash on the left travel agencies hand side of the road(which offers rooms as economically as NRs. 500 a night), lies near the Cosmic Air office (ask). In this locality, there are many internet cafes usually costing you NRs. 30 for an hour of surfing. The speed is OK. The road running east-west between the buspark and the Ghanthaghar (clock tower) has a couple of good hotels too. They may be a little more expensive than Hotel Kailash or Makalu. First to come on the left hand side is Hotel Heera Plaza, which has a nice restaurant. They may charge about US$40 for a room. Just a little farther down the road along the same side is Kumu Palace, relatively nice with charges about US$50 for a room. Among the places to visit in the Nepali sub-metropolitan city of Birganj are the clock tower (Ghantaghar), the typical Shakya sculpture with four giant clocks on all the four sides of the building and Ghariharwa Pokhri, a circular pool with a beautiful Sun temple in the middle of it.

Palpa

King Prithvi Narayan Shah is the Founder of the modern state of Nepal. A member of the ruling Shah family of Gurkha (Gorkha) principality, he conquered the three Malla kingdoms (see ) and consolidated them. After unifying Nepal, he annexed territory in northern India, as well as large portions of the Plateau of Tibet and of the valleys of the Inner Himalayas. He sealed Nepal's border and maintained peaceful but distant relations with the British.  Above Nuwakot one finds the inspirationally restored Famous Farm with its wonderful location of river-valley views with a short walk down to the fort and palaces of the 'little Shangri-la' of Nuwakot Bazaar.  Little-known right now, Nuwakot remains one of Nepal's best-kept secrets - and the challenge needs to be not so much to keep this spectacular but time-worn citadel the way it is but to help ensure that inevitable change is for local benefit and that it is sustainable. 

The Famous Farm itself is a cluster of three buildings which together provide the sheer delight of just a little more than typically luxurious Nepali country living.  Stay for a night or a week, or use The Farm en route to trekking in the Langtang Himal or for short walks in the glorious neighbourhood.  Lonely Planet quotes:  Those enterprising chaps at Himalayan Encounters have recently established this harming lodge.  The Famous Farm offers rooms with lots of local details set around a serene and peaceful garden.

Visit us for the more information about Nuwakot : www.himalayanencounters.com  or  www.ammarguni.com.np  or www.gokyotreksnepal.com  or www.sundarnepal.com  or www.guniammar.com.np  or www.gokyotrekking.com.np  or www.gokyotreks.com.np 

Dharan

Dharan City : At the east of Nepal, right at the foot of hills, at an altitude of 1148 ft (349m) lies this beautiful city, Dharan. Beautiful roads, remarkable homes and natural beauty aren't all that makes Dharan. It embraces cleanliness, openness, friendly hill people and their smiles. Dharan grew after British setup the `Gurkha Recruitment Center' in 1953, which helped many Nepalese earn employment. Two ethnic groups namely Rais and Limbus used to constitute the major portion of Gurkah soldiers. These groups came from the eastern region of Nepal, and Dharan was their center for training.

Dharan has a tropical monsoon climate with maximum temperature of 35 to 36 Degree Celsius in April, and minimum of 10 to 12 Degree Celsius in January. The maximum rainfall is about 460mm which is usually seen in August. Nepal's one of the largest river, Saptakoshi, runs near Dharan.

In this dharan u visit many interesting places such as:

·        Sightseeing: Temples

·        Sightseeing of Bhedetar - The Mountain

·        ViewsSightseeing: Pakhri Bash

• Dhankuta / Hile - Tea Gardens and Bazaar
• Hiking: Basantapur
• Hiking: Raja Rani Hill

Butwal

A small city of about eight thousand hector square in area, situated on the low-altitude flat-land (Terai) near the border side to India, is a home to eighty thousand Nepalese of different religion, language, ethinicity and identity. Butwal connects Bhairahawa city, Tansen town, and Narayanghat city through different highways. Butwal is only 26KM from the Indian Border and about 22 km from Bhairahawa, and Tansen is about 36 KM away from Butwal.

Butwal is known for commerce, industries and agriculture. It has Nepal's second largest horticulture business, and has more than one thousand industries and business enterprises employing over four thousand people.

Places to See in Butwal:

• Birendra Park
• Purano Butauli Bazaar
• Manimukunda Park
• Siddhababa Temple
• Nuwakot Hill Top]
• Getting to Butwal

Itahari

Located near the city of Dharan in the Eastern Region of Nepal, the town and municipality of Itahari is developing so rapidly that it is expected to reach the outskirts of Dharan in the not too distant future. One of the reasons for the rapid expansion of Itahari is the fact that it lies on both the south-north Koshi Highway and west-east Mahendra highway, making it an important transportation junction for Eastern Nepal. The bus terminus at Itahari sees thousands of passengers arriving and departing each day. This effective transportation system allows visitors to reach the Eastern region of Nepal with ease.In keeping with the global trend toward conservation of natural resources, the town of Itahari has adopted the motto of being a "Clean, Green and Commercial City". The efforts to attain this goal are evident by the municipal offices which are located next to a scenic lake and set in landscaped gardens. Entrepreneurial skills are encouraged in the residents of Itahari which has resulted in the commercial value of the city increasing. People from surrounding towns and cities are known to Travel to Itahari to shop.

As one of the three municipalities of the Sunsari district of Nepal’s Eastern Region, Itahari is located in the fertile Terai region and has the Sunsari, Budhi and Tengra rivers running through it. The lush vegetation of the region provides some ideal habitats for a variety of birds, as well as an assortment of animals such as tigers, elaphent , foxes and monkeys.

Jankpur

Janakpur city is the birth place of Goddess Sita, and is the home of the unique Mithila culture in NepalJanakpur city, the Headquarter of Dhanusha district of Nepal, is about 84 miles (135 km) from Kathmandu. This is a popular city in the terai region. (Terai = lower part of Nepal having Flat-Land). Janakpur is also known as Janakpurdham (Dham in Nepali means a scared region) It has a temple named Janaki, which is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Sita. This region also offers an excellent opportunity for visitors to learn about Mithila culture, and people from in and around this peaceful region of Nepal. Hindu pilgrims from India and Nepal visit this region to pay their respect to the Goddess, while many foreigners make a side-trip to the region to learn about the unique Janakpur-life!

Places to visit in Janakpur

·        Janaki Temple

·        Rama Mandir

·        Mithila Culture of Janakpur

 

nepal temples

Kumbeshwor

The five-storey pagoda of Kumbeshwor is one of the oldest temples of patan. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was orginally constructed in 1392 as a two storied shrine, but later in the 17^th century Srinivasa Malla added the upper three tiers of the temple. Hence this is one of the Valley's two five-storied temples (the other is Bhaktapur's Nyatpola). The two ponds here (Konti) are believed to be connected by a subterranean channel to the holy Gosaikund lake, which lies several days' walk north of Kathmandu. On the festival of Janai Purnima (usually the August full moon) thousand devotees of Lord Shiva come to worship the embossed silver sheath worn by the temple's sacred linga (phallic symbol), which is placed in a special pavilion in the middle of the tank in the hub of temple.

On the southern side of the temple complex is the single storey shrine of goddess Baglamukhi with green painted woodwork. The goddess Baglamukhi is embodied in a tiny image beneath an elaborate silver torona and canopy of snakes. Baglamukhi is considered as the wish-fulfilling goddess. Many devotees visit the temple with hopes that their wishes get rewarded and fulfilled by goddess Baglamukhi at one point of their life. The temple is unusually crowded by many devotees on every Thursdays of the weeks.

Krisnhna Mandir

Krishna Mandir is Nepal's finest piece of stone architecture. Siddhi Narsingh, a passionate devotee of Krishna, built this temple in the 17th century when he dreamed Krishna and Radha being union at this spot. This magnificent temple is a delicate, airy creation which defies its heavy material. The first storey of the temple consists of scenes from the Hindu holy book Mahabharat; the second storey pavilions are banded by friezes from the Ramayana. Atop a stone pillar in front, a brilliantly executed large metal Garuda (the bird on which Lord Krishna rides) kneels in homage.

Changunarayan

It is listed in the world cultural heritage, it is also a scenic spot situated at the altitude of about 1700, 4 km to the north of Bhaktapur. The temple is believed to be the oldest of all the temples of Nepal. It is said to have built by King Hari Datta Verma in 323 A.D. And most Authentic inscription locates in the precinct of changu Narauan is dated 464 AD. And it is accredited to the King Lichavi King Mandeva.

Changu Narayan is the name of the deity enshrined in the Changu Narayan Temple, located near the changunarayan village in Kathmandu villey, Nepal . The temple is one of the oldest hindu temples of the valley, and is believed to have been constructed in the 4th century. Changu Narayan is the name of Vishnu, and the Temple is dedicated to him. A stone slab discovered in the vicinity of the temple dates to the 5th century, and is the oldest such stone inscription discovered in Nepal. The Changu Narayan Temple is one of seven structures cited by unesco as demonstrating the historic and artistic achievements that make the Kathmandu Valley

Known as the biggest among the Narayans, Changu Narayan has greater importance than the others. It is situated at the top of the hill. One can view the beautiful white Himalayas and hills in the north and the whole panoramic view of the Kathmandu valley. The steep green hill of pines adds to its beauty. We start leisurely from Kathmandu at 9 am; after breakfast and drive for one hour to the trail head Telkot. We walk leisurely along the forested ridge with amazing views of the mountains on our right and Picturesque villages on the left .After 2 hour's hike we reach the historical Changunarayan temple built on 5th century. This is a lovely old temple with important historical writings on copper plates and stones here and there , and speaks well about Nepal's civilization that time.This temple is a world heritage site declared by UNESCO. We take our picnic lunch in Changunarayan and descend down for about 45 minutes to Bhaktapur to catch our transport back to Kathmandu.

If you have not visited Bhaktapur before this trip can be perfectly organised by giving time before lunch for Bhaktapur sightseeing and after lunch doing the hiking trip.

Pashupatinath

Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath Temple was founded. But according to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda, one day loard siva grew tired of his palace atop Mt. Kailash and so went in search of a place where he could escape to. He discovered Kathmandu Valley and, without telling anyone, he ran away from his palace and came to live in the Valley. He gained great fame there as Pashupati, Lord of the Animals, before the other gods discovered his hiding place and came to fetch him. He disguised himself as a majestic deer and would not help the other gods when they asked for his help. When Shiva did not yield to their pleas, they planned to use force. God bishnu grabbed him by his horns and they shattered into pieces. Vishnu established a temple and used the broken horns to form a linga on the bank of the Bagmati River. As time went by, the temple was buried and forgotten. Then a cow was known to have secretly sprinkled her milk over the mound. Apparently, when the cow herders dug around the spot, they found the lost lingas and again built a temple in reverence.

Swyambunath Stupa

Located in a lovely little hill rock Swoyambhu Nath Stupa middle of city is one of the most fascinating architectural jewels of the world. This great Stoup is said to have been built around 250 B.C.

Generally a holy memorial site Stoup represents a typical Buddhist architecture. Its main feature the white dome is identified with a spotless pure jewel of Nirvana and a thirteen tiered golden spire in conical shape surmounted on the dome. Underneath this towering structure are a pair of all seeing eyes of Buddha painted on all four sides of the Stupa.The Stupa of Swoyambhunath stands on a typically stylized lotus mandala base-a long time ago believed to have originated from a legendary lake of Kathmandu Valley.As the ancient legend goes Kathmandu Valley was a lake a long time ago. Right in the centre of this lake was a full blown lotus with the divine light a top. When Maha Manjushri a saint from China heard about this he came rushing all the way from China to the Valley. He cut through the southern wall hill of the valley with his divine sword. The cleft made by the sword immediately drained the entire lake water making the valley floor open for a close up view of the divine lotus light.This holy site in fact is the massive stupa complex ever built in Nepal. Hundreds of votive shrines and other historical monuments built in and around this stupa speak a lot about the significance and antiquity of this famed stupa.It lies about 3k.m. west of down town Kathmandu. There are two different ways to reach for this site. One is from the west side which is relatively a short cut and another is from the east side where it leads to the main entrance with 360 steps leading all the way to the top, where the most venerated Swayambhu Stupa stands-commanding a magnificent view of Kathmandu Valley and the breathtaking panorama of the north eastern Himalayan range.Other important things to be seen here include a magnificent two tiered golden temple dedicated to Harati. She is the grand mother deity of children and small pox who was said to be the Ogress until Lord Buddha converted her to be the great caretaker of the children.Not to far from this temple is Dewa Dharma monastery-noted for a bronze icon of Buddha and traditional Tibetan paintings .The huge gold plated vajra ' tha priestly symbol of Vajrayana Buddhism set on the Dharmadhatu mandala at the side of the stupa is worth a close look.

Muktinath Temple

The Pagoda style Muktinath Temple is symbol of the religious symbiosis between both Hindus and Buddhists. Hindu believes that lord Vishnu got salvation from curse of Brinda (wife of Jalandhar) here. Therefore he is worshipped as Muktinath (Lit. the lord of salvation). Hindu regards Muktinath as Vishnu The main shrine of Muktinath is a pagoda - shaped temple dedicated to the LordVishnu. On the other hand where as Buddhists regard as Buddha. Buddhist worships Vishnu as Avalokiteshvara. The Temple depicts metal statues of lord Vishnu, goddess Laxmi, Saraswoti, Janaki, Garuda, Lava-Kush and Sapta Rishis.
The building in 1815 of the Buddhist-Hindu temple of Vishnu and Chenrezig at Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa was initiated by the Nepali Queen Subarna Prabha who considered Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa Salagrama.

The famous temple of Lord Muktinath situated at base of Khatang Kang(Thorang Peak) in Baraha Gaun (lit. Twelve village) in the district of Mustang in the north central part of Nepal,and it is about 110 Km from Pokhara and 20 kms northeast of Jomsom. The temple and the religious shrine of Muktinath is about 90m in elevation above Ranipauwa and an altitude of about 3800 meters from the sea level. It is a gate way to Mustang from Manang in famous Annapurana circuit Trek route. Named after highly referred Muktinath shrine the valley is one of religious place in Nepal for both Hindus and Buddhist. The Buddhist nuns take care of cultural heritage inside Muktinath temple. Photography and filming of deities inside Temple and Monasteries is strictly prohibited.

The holy shrine, which is said to have risen on its own, is one of eight such shrines (the others include Srirangam, Sri Mushnam, Tirupati, Naimisaranyam, Thottadri, Pushkaram and Badrinath). It is also one of 108 Vaishnava shrines.It is believed that one should visit this temple after completing pilgrimage of four special religious sites, Chardham Yatra of India; Muktinath must be visite donce Here in the early 19th century the Hindus consecrated a Vishnu temple and named is Muktinath - Lord of Liberation. Against a backdrop of incredible starkness you can sit and stare to the south the snow covered Annapurna range, or to the north the Tibetan plateau.

 

Gadhimai festival

About 5 million people participate in the festival, the majority of who are indian people from the states of utter pradesh and Bihar and many another places. Attending the festival in Nepal circumvents the ban on animal sacrifice in their own states^. Participants believe that animal sacrifices for the Hindu goddess Gadhimai will end evil and bring prosperity.

A month before the ritual in 2009, the Nepalese government realised there would be a "severe shortage" of goats for the ritual sacrifice, as well as for the consumption of goat meat during the festival. They began a radio campaign urging farmers to sell their animals^.

The festival started in the first week of November 2009 and ends in the first week of December (up to makar sankranti), the fair has a custom of animal sacrifice that occurred on November 24 & 25 in the year 2009 , with the temple's head priest performing ritual sacrifice called Saptabali which includes the sacrifice of white mice, pigeons, roosters, ducks, swine and male water buffaloes. More than 20,000 buffaloes were sacrificed on the first day.^[6] It is estimated that 500,000 animals were killed during the Gadhimai festival of 2009^. The ritual killings were performed by more than 200 men in a concrete  near the temple ^. Three infant children of pilgrims who had come to observe Gadhimai festival had died due to the extreme cold^. Six people died after drinking adulterated hooth.

The festival has prompted numerous protests by animal rights activists. In 2009 activists made several attempts to stop the ritual, including Brigitte Bardot and  Maneka Gandhi, who wrote to the Nepalese government asking them to stop the killings. A government official commented that they will not "interfere in the centuries-old tradition of the people Ram Bahadur bonjam claimed by some of his supporters to be the reincarnation of the buddha, said that he will attempt to stop the sacrifice at the festival, preaching non-violence and offering a blessing at the place.^[10][11] His promise had prompted the government to send additional forces to prevent any incident.

Lumbini:

Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, which was destined to be the prevalent religion in Asia. This nativity site, identified by the Ashokan Pillar, erected by Magadhan emperor Ashoka, to commemorate the birth place of Buddha, the Lumbini grove. The pillar was erected over 2200 years ago, making lumbini the quintessential Buddhist heritage site. Among the prime attractions are the sacred garden with an area of 8 sq. km, the Mayadevi Temple with a bas relief of Mayadevi, the Buddha's mother and a sacred stone marked with a "foot imprint" of Ashoka. The Ashokan Pillar, the oldest monument so far found in Nepal lies to the west of the Mayadevi Temple. Today only the lower shaft of the pillar stands, the upper past having been split into two. There is no trace of the horse capital. To the south of the pillar is Puskarni, the sacred pond, wherein, Mayadevi is said to have had taken a bath just before giving birth to the Buddha - the Enlightened one.
For those interested in the treasury of cultural and archaeological riches, Lumbini is the perfect place to be there with a number of stupa, monasteries, meditation centers and bahals(courtyard), no other place evokes the time and aura of the Buddha like Lumbini, the Hallowed birthplace of the Apostle of Peace.

Jaleshwar:

About 14 km from Janakpur is the town Jaleshwar, once headquarters of Mahottari and sarlahi aoshwra and now of Mahottari district. The historic temple of Jaleshwar Mahadev (the god of water), constructed in Sikhara style, has the Shiva Linga (Phallic) Situated 10 feet underground which is full of water throughout the year, Though legens claim that king Janak (father of Sita) constructed this temple, archaeologically it seems to be of 17th century perhaps built during the reign of the Makawani Sen kings. Barun Sar and Kshireshwar are two ponds behind the temple, wherein. Pilgrims can take a holy dip. Jaleshwar, one of the prominent places of worship in Nepal Terai, buzz with the sounds of bells, sacred chants of priests and pilgrims, especially during the Maha Shiva Ratri and Basant Panchmi, every year.
Situated near the India-Nepal Border, visitors can reach here by Bhitamod (Sursand) in Bihar by road or from Jayanagar - Janakpur Railway. Connectivity is also provided by the East - West highway from Janakpur.

MANAKAMANA

The temple and small village of Manakamana is situated atop the 1302 metre hill that lies just north-east of the town of Mugling, some three and a half hours by bus east from Pokhara, or about the same time by bus west from Kathmandu. A cable car runs from the cable station of Cheres, just 5 kms east of Mugling to Manakamana in fifteen minutes. It is an exhilarating ride as you pass the river and up two ridges to the top. If you want, you can return by walking down the former well-used track down to its exit on the Gorkha road, just 1 km north of the town of Abu Khareini.

There are many simple hotels and lodges in the village. Some even advertise hot water in attached bathrooms, but many are run down as there was a hotel building rush a few years ago and now that the cable car operates most people do not spend the night in the village. In the quietest months most restaurants will be closed and food will consist of momos or daal bhat only.
In theory it is possible to walk from Gorkha to Manakamana, passing along the hill-top ridge through forest and paddy, although you would probably need a guide. When I tried to hire a guide for this walk two years ago, the would-be guides were concerned about swollen rivers. So probably this is a walk for the dry season, although it should be an exciting walk of about seven hours or so.
Added note: When the cable car opened in 1998 it was with the understanding that the local people would benefit. Numbers of people visiting the sacred temple have doubled but people walking up the path from Abu Khareini have dwindled to almost zero and scores of lodges and tea houses have lost almost all their business. Perhaps empowered by the Maoists' show of strength against big business, in late August 2001 people from the village stormed the cable car offices and destroyed the computers and ticketing machines. For the first time since they had started operating, the cable cars were silent for almost one week. Even though you can now buy only a return ticket on the cable car, you might like to consider walking up or down the path one way and buy a meal or stay overnight in a lodge en route to help the dwindling trade of people who built their business without the concept that a giant like a cable car industry could destroy them.