25 Interesting facts of Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu Valley is surrounded by four mountain ranges – Phulchoki, Chandragiri, Nagarjun and Shivapuri Hills. Phulchoki is situated at elevation of 2,695 meters from the sea level, Chandragir at 2,551, Nagarjun is at 2,095 and Shivapuri is situated at elevation of 2,732 meters from the sea level.

There are several myths and interesting stories about the Kathmandu Valley. According to Swayambhu Puran, the Kathmandu Valley was once a lake, deemed by scientists as Paleo Kathmandu Lake. The hill where the Swayambu Stupa rests had lotus plants with flowers in bloom. One story says that the God Manjusri cut a gorge at a valley called Kashapaal (later called Chobhar) with a sword called Chandrahrasha and drained away the waters in order to establish a habitable land.

According to Gopal Banshawali, Krishna cut the gorge with his Sudarshana Chakra to let the water out. He then handed the drained valley to the Gopal Vansi people, who were nomadic cow herders.

The Kathmandu valley covers three ancient cities- Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur (also known as Patan). The Bagmati River separates Kathmandu and Patan. The historical valley is reach in nature, culture, tradition, amazing practices and lifestyles of local native Newar people.

Mount Everest seen from Kathmandu during lockdown due to Covid-19 in 2020. 

Here are the top 25 Interesting Facts of Kathmandu valley

1. The Kathmandu Valley is believed that it may have been inhabited as early as 300 BCE, since the oldest known objects in the valley date to a few hundred years BCE.
2. As per geologists, Long years ago the valley was a huge lake and surrounded by mountain ranges.
3. Kathmandu Valley is surrounded by four mountain ranges – Phulchoki, Chandragiri, Nagarjun and Shivapuri Hills.
4. Kathmandu Valley and neighboring areas were in a single confederation named- Nepal Mandala.
5. The name Kathmandu came from the structure in Kathmandu Durbar Square – Kasthamandapa, it’s a Sanskrit word which means Wooden Shelter. It was built in the 15th century. The entire structure was made by woods only even no contains of iron nails or any supports
6. Newar communities are the indigenous inhabitants and the creators of the historic civilization of the Kathmandu valley.
7. Kathmandu valley is rich in culture, arts and traditions. It has 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites which is the testimony to the traditional civilization of the valley.
8. Archaeological excavations in parts of Kathmandu have found evidence of ancient civilizations. The oldest of these findings is a statue, found in Maligaon, that was dated at 185 AD.
9. Kathmandu Valley lies at the crossroads of ancient civilizations of Asia, and has at least 130 significant monuments, including numerous pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Buddhists.
10. The valley is made up of the Kathmandu District, Lalitpur District and Bhaktapur District covering an area of 220 square miles (570 km2).
11. Kathmandu is renowned as the city of Temples. The valley hosts temples, monasteries, monuments and many historic and cultural places.
12. During the late 1960s, the hippie trail started and Nepal witnessed an influx of foreigners with long hair and beards, commonly known as hippies roaming the streets of Kathmandu.
13. The highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest (8,848.86m) is located some 240 kilometers away from the Kathmandu valley but it can be seen from the Valley.
14. Kathmandu is the 18th highest capital in the world. This city is standing at an elevation of 1,400 meters (4,593 feet) from the sea level.
15. The Kathmandu Valley is the most developed and populated place in Nepal.
16. Kathmandu is the largest city in the Himalaya region also known as Himalayan hill region.
17. The total population of Kathmandu valley is about 2.6 million.
18. Kathmandu was established as a municipality in 1931.
19. Kathmandu was once known as ‘Kantipur’ which means the ‘City of Glory’.
20. The diverse cultural heritage and religions are the foundation of the CIty of Glory.
21. Kathmandu is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in South Asia.
22. Thamel is the tourist hub and center of Kathmandu's nightlife. It is known by its narrow alleys crowded with various shops and vendors.
23. Kathmandu stands top in archeological, historical and cultural travel destinations in the world.
24. Kathmandu valley hosts many street festivals called Jatra in Nepali, including three popular Jatras – Indra Jatra, Bisket Jatra and Rato Machhindranath Jatra.
25. Kumari is regarded as a Living Goddess in Kathmandu Nepal. She lives in Kumari Ghar at Kathmandu Durbar Square.