Kathmandu Valley

The Kathmandu Valley and the outskirts is perhaps the most rich in terms of material culture.1 An astonishing seven of the cultural heritage sites enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage Site List falls in this valley.

The Newars chiefly reside this valley and call this 'Sva Nigah' meaning three cities in local language. The historic cities of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur (or Ye, Yala and Khvapa as referred to in local terms) are most notable. In addition, the ancient cities of Kirtipur (and seven adjacent villages), Pharping, Thimi (and Bode), Halchok, Tokha, Devpatan, Chabahil, Sankhu, Changu, Nala, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Panauti, Lele, Chapagaun, Lubhu, Harsiddhi, Bungamati, Godavari, Thecho, Khokana too supplement the Newar cultural life.

On the origins of the Valley, the Nagbasa daha became fit for settlement after Lord Manjushree drained out all the water of the once large lake. Refer to Lall, Kesar. Legends of the Kathmandu Valley. Kathmandu: Nepal Bhasa Academy. 2007.

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1. op.cit. Nepali, Gopal Singh. The Newars: An Ethno-Sociological Study of a Himalayan Community. Bombay: United Asia Publications. 1965.

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