Kathmandu

Introduction

Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal, in the central part of the country within the Kathmandu Valley. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, dating back to the 2nd century AD. The city sits 1,324 metres (about 4,344 feet) above sea level.

History

Historically, Kathmandu was called the Nepal Mandala. It has been an important place for the Newar people and was the royal capital of the Kingdom of Nepal.

Culture and Attractions

Kathmandu is a center for history, art, culture, and economy. The city has many palaces, temples, and gardens. It is also home to important groups like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Geography and Growth

Kathmandu is a gateway to the Nepal Himalayas. The city has several World Heritage Sites, such as the Durbar Square, Swayambhu Mahachaitya, Bouddha, and Pashupatinath. The city is growing quickly.

Etymology

The name Kathmandu comes from an old building called Kasthamandap. This building was in Kathmandu Durbar Square. It was destroyed in an earthquake in April 2015, but it has been rebuilt. In the ancient language Sanskrit, Kāṣṭha means "wood" and Maṇḍapa means "pavilion".

This wooden pavilion was rebuilt in 1596 and had three floors. It was made only from wood, with no iron nails or supports. Legends say that all the wood came from just one tree. Today, Buddhist priests still use the name Kāṣṭhamaṇḍap in their prayers. Sometimes, the city was also called Kāntipur, which means "City of light" in Sanskrit.

History

Main articles: History of Kathmandu and Timeline of Kathmandu

Archaeological digs in Kathmandu have found clues about ancient cultures. One of the oldest finds is a statue from the year 185 AD, found in Maligaon. Excavations at Dhando Chaitya revealed a brick with writing in Brahmi script, believed to be about two thousand years old. Stone writings are common at historic sites and help us learn about Nepal’s past.

The earliest known visit by a Westerner was by Portuguese Jesuit Father Joao Cabral in 1628. He traveled through the Kathmandu Valley and met the king at the time on his journey from Tibet to India.

Legends and myths tell stories about Kathmandu. One tale says the city was once a large lake home to mythical creatures. A Buddhist leader named Manjushri drained the lake to create space for people. Later, a king named Krishna helped drain the water again and brought people to live there.

From around 400 AD, the Licchavi people ruled the area. They built the city of Kathmandu and made it a key stop for traders traveling between India and Tibet. This brought growth and new ideas. Artists from Kathmandu became famous, and their work spread across Asia.

The Malla rulers who followed also made Kathmandu important. The valley had four main cities, each with its own leaders. They built many temples and public spaces and supported arts and learning.

In more recent times, Kathmandu became the capital of modern Nepal. New buildings showed European styles, and schools and hospitals were established. The city played a big role in Nepal’s move toward democracy.

Geography

Kathmandu is in the northwestern part of the Kathmandu Valley, north of the Bagmati River. It covers an area of 50.7 km² (19.6 sq mi) and sits 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) above sea level. The city is next to several places, such as Lalitpur Metropolitan City to the south and Bhaktapur to the southwest.

The city has many rivers, with the Bagmati being the main one. Other important rivers include the Bishnumati. These rivers start in mountains that are between 1,500 and 3,000 metres tall. The area around Kathmandu has many trees like oak, elm, beech, and maple.

Demographics

Kathmandu is the largest city in Nepal. In 2021, about 845,767 people lived in the city, with many more in the areas around it. Most people in Kathmandu are between 15 and 59 years old.

The main language spoken in Kathmandu is Nepali, but many other languages are also used, such as Newari, Tamang, and English. The largest group of people in Kathmandu are the native Newars, followed by the Bahuns and Chhetri.

Hinduism and Buddhism are the main religions practiced in Kathmandu. Important Hindu temples include the Pashupatinath Temple and Changu Narayan Temple. Buddhism has a long history in the city, with many traditional monasteries still present today. Other religions such as Sikhism, Jainism, the Baháʼí Faith, and Christianity are also practiced by smaller communities.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Kathmandu

Kathmandu's location has helped its economy grow. The city lies in a fertile valley, making farming easy. It is between India and China, so it became an important trading place. Traders from Kathmandu, known as Lhasa Newar, traveled across the Himalayas, sharing art and Buddhism.

Today, Kathmandu is Nepal's main business center. It has important offices like the Nepal Stock Exchange, the national bank, and many companies. Busy areas such as New Road, Durbar Marg, Ason, and Putalisadak are key spots for business.

Tourism is very important to Kathmandu. Many visitors come to see places like Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Changu Narayan Temple, and Budhanilkantha Temple. The city has many hotels, restaurants, and shops, especially in Thamel. Since 1950, the hotel industry has grown fast. Kathmandu is also famous for its handmade goods like carpets, clothing, and paper, sold both locally and worldwide.

Main article: Tourism in Kathmandu

Government and public services

The Kathmandu Municipal Corporation (KMC) runs the city. It became a metropolitan city in 1995 and has five sectors: Central, East, North, City Core, and West. The city is divided into 32 administrative wards. Each ward has representatives who help make decisions.

The main law enforcement agency is the Metropolitan Police. It is part of the Nepal Police and reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The city has a fire service that started in 1937 with one vehicle and has grown since then. Electricity in Kathmandu is managed by the Nepal Electricity Authority. Water supply is handled by Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited. However, the city often has water shortages. Many people use bottled water, water trucks, and old water sources called dhunge dharas. Projects like the Melamchi Water Supply Project aim to improve water supply.

Architecture and cityscape

Main article: Architecture of Kathmandu

Kathmandu is located on an ancient trade route between India and Tibet. This brought together many different styles of art and building. The city's buildings and temples show both Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

In 2006, UNESCO named some of Kathmandu's most important historic areas World Heritage Sites. These areas include three main squares with old palaces and temples, as well as several famous temples and a large Buddhist monument. These places show the skill of builders from long ago who created structures that are still standing today.

Education

Kathmandu has some of the oldest and most important schools and colleges in Nepal. The oldest modern school in the country, Durbar High School, and the oldest college, Tri-Chandra College, are both in Kathmandu. The city is also home to the oldest engineering college, Thapathali Campus. Because of this, many students from all over Nepal come to Kathmandu each year to study at its many schools and colleges.

Healthcare

Healthcare in Kathmandu is the best in Nepal. The city has many good hospitals and clinics. Bir Hospital is the oldest, opened in July 1889. Other important hospitals are Nepal Medical College (Jorpati), Patan Hospital, and Kathmandu Model Hospital.

Kathmandu also has special hospitals for specific needs, like eye care and children’s health. The Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology is famous for making affordable lenses for eye surgeries. Many medical colleges are in and around Kathmandu. The Institute of Medicine was the first, started in 1972. Other colleges include Kathmandu Medical College and more nearby.

Transport

Kathmandu has many roads that help people travel and support jobs like farming and tourism. These roads connect Kathmandu to places like India, China, and other parts of Nepal. Buses and smaller vehicles carry passengers around the city.

The main airport in Kathmandu is Tribhuvan International Airport. It offers flights both inside and outside Nepal. Many smaller planes fly there, and sometimes bigger planes can land too.

Mountaineering

Ropeways and cable cars

Ropeways in Nepal are a special way to travel in hilly areas. There used to be a ropeway between Kathmandu and Hetauda, but it stopped working. Long ago, a ropeway was built from Matatirtha in Kathmandu to Dhorsing in Makwanpur District. Today, you can take cable cars from Kathmandu up to the Chandragiri Hills.

Media

Kathmandu is the main place for television in Nepal. Nepal Television, which started in 1984, is the oldest and most popular channel. Other channels include NTV PLUS, Kantipur Television, Image Channel, Sagarmatha Television, Himalaya TV, and AP1 TV.

Many important newspapers have their main offices in Kathmandu, such as the government-owned Gorkhapatra, one of the oldest daily papers in Nepal, along with The Kathmandu Post, Nepali Times, Kantipur Publications, Naya Patrika, and The Himalayan Times.

Radio Nepal runs several radio stations, including Hits FM and Radio Kantipur. The BBC also broadcasts from Kathmandu, and there are local community radio stations as well.

Sports

Cricket, football, and volleyball are popular sports for young people in Nepal. Kathmandu has several stadiums. The largest is the Dasharath Rangasala, a multi-purpose stadium used mostly for football matches and cultural events. It was built in 1956 and can hold many people. Every year, a league called the Martyr's Memorial League is held there.

Kathmandu is also home to some of Nepal's oldest football clubs, such as Ranipokhari Corner Team, Sankata Club, and New Road Team. Other well-known clubs include Manang Marsyangdi Club, Machhindra FC, Tribhuvan Army Club, and Nepal Police Club. The city has old cricket clubs, and Kathmandu Gorkhas represents Kathmandu in the Nepal Premier League.

International relations and organizations

Kathmandu has an International Relations Secretariat to help make friends with cities around the world. The city’s first friendship began in 1975 with Eugene in Oregon, United States. Since then, Kathmandu has made friends with 15 more cities: Matsumoto in Japan, Rochester, Fredericksburg, and Boulder in the United States, Yangon in Myanmar, Xi'an, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Lhasa, Nanjing, Lanzhou in China, Minsk in Belarus, Varanasi in India, Seoul in South Korea, and Pyongyang in North Korea.

Kathmandu works to connect with other countries in South Asia and many big cities worldwide. This helps improve the city and its programs. The city is home to important groups like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Nepal

Kathmandu is twinned with:

Proposed sister cities

• Bangkok, Thailand

Notable people

Kathmandu has been home to many important people. They have worked in areas like politics, arts, and culture. They have helped shape Nepal and the world. Their stories show the city's rich history and many talents.