Our Heritages

Tradition:

Arts, cultures, customs which have been prevailing in the society, for example: different festivals, Jatras etc., are called traditions.

Social Values:
Those things which help to maintain peace, love, understanding in the society are called social values. For example: To respect elders is a social value because they have given birth, education, knowledge, to the young ones so they should be respected.

Norms:
Norms means ideas that are prevalent in the society. For example: To be honest, sincere, hard working are social norms.

Heritage:
All the cultural features and resources which are created, protected and promoted by our ancestor and handed to future generations are called heritages.

Types of Heritages:

1. Natural Heritage:

All those things created by nature for example: mountains, rivers, lakes are is called natural heritage.

2. Cultural Heritage:

All those things created by our ancestors and are modified, used and handed over to new generation is called Cultural Heritage. For example: festivals, temples etc.

Importance of Cultural Heritage:

1. It is symbol of national unity and pride.
2. It helps to fulfill social, cultural and economic needs.
3. It promotes creative activities like art, song etc.
4. It is the source of civilization.

Natural Heritages of Nepal:

Sagarmatha National Park:

• Area:1148 sq. km. Lies in Himalayan region
• It includes some of the highest peaks like Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Nuptse, etc.
• The animals of Himalayan region are found here. For e.g. Snow leopard, Red panda, Blueship, Lophophorous, etc.
• There are high altitude plants like pines, rhododendron, etc.
• It lies between 2500 to 8848 meters.

Chitwan National Park:

• Established in 2030 B.S.
• Area: 932 sq.km.
• It includes Terai, Bhabar and parts of Churia range.
• The plants found here are elephant grass, Khayar, Simal, Sal, climbers, bushes, thatch grass, etc.
• The animals found here are One horned rhino, asiatic rock python,etc.
• It is famous for jungle safari.

Cultural Heritage:

Lumbini:

• Located at the southwest of Kathmandu in Rupandehi district.
• Birth place of Lord Buddha.
• There is famous Ashoka Pillar built in 245 BCE.
• There is Mayadevi Temple.

Hanumandhoka Durbar

• Pratap Malla established Hanuman image in 1672 AD. It has culture of Lichchhavi, Malla and Shah dynasty from 13th to 20th century.
• Its buildings have best wood carvings.
• Malla rulers laid foundation to the old structure.
• There are monuments, temples and stupas.
• In the western side lies Pashupati temple, Indreshwor, Krishna, Jagannath and Bishnu.
• The King Pratap Malla built Degutalle temple.
• There are many images of lichhavi rulers .
• Mahendra Malla constructed mulchowk Taleju Temple.
• Pratap Malla established Mahan Chowk, sundar Chowk etc.
• During Prithivi Narayan Shah to Prithivi Bir Bikram Shah, it was used as royal palace.
• There is kastamandap built in 12th century.
• In Hanuman Dhoka many festivals like Indrajatra, Dashain etc are observed.
• Taleju is opened once a year in Dashain.
• It as a great importance of political and religious activities.
• People visit to observe historical and cultural value.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square:

• Bhaktapur means 'city of devotees'. In ancient times, it was called "Khriping Khopa". In Kirat time, it was called "Khopring". Amshuverma developed Bhaktapur as trade centre. During Malla period, it was the capital of Nepal and called "Tripura". The city was established in 12th century by Anand Dev. Shrine, monuments were built in 17th to 18th century.
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square contains Nepalese architecture, art of wood, metal and terra cota.
• In 1696 AD, Bhupatindra Malla built 99 chowks and 55 windowed palace.
• In 1934 AD, it was damaged by earthquake and was rebuilt.
• At present, there are 7 chowks namely Mul chowk, Bhairav Chowk, Itta chowk, Kumari Chowk, Bharati Chowk , etc.
• Each Chowk has own importance for example Nasal Chowk for music, Mul Chowk for religious activities.
• Yakshya Malla built Mul Chowk. The Taleju was also built by him.
• Nyatpole was built in 1720 AD by Bhupatindra Malla. It is the tallest temple.
• There is 1 storeyed Bhairav Kasinath temple built by Jagat Jyoti Malla.
• Bhaktapur Durbar is famous for typical Newari culture.
• The Malla palace is the model of the Nepalese architecture.
• There are 2 gates to the square. They are white and golden gate.

Suggestions:

• This area needs preservation and renovation.
• Department of Archaeology and Local Authority should take care of it.
• Internal and international tourist visit it to observe culture, art and architecture.

Patan Durbar Square:

• It is located in Mangalbazar of Lalitpur.
• It is known as Lalitpur or Patan or Aeladen. There is artistic newari culture. The square is famous for palaces and temples.
• It is said that the Kirants were ancient inhabitants of the place.
• The Lichchhavi also developed the square as many monuments of that time is still found today.
• The palace contains 3 beautiful Chowks and gardens.
• The palace has 2 to 3 storeys building .
• It is believed that monuments were built between 16th to 18th century.
• There are 30 monuments.
• In patan durbar square, there are many chowks like sundari, narayan etc.
• Krishna mandir, Narayan mandir and Mani Ganesh mandir also lies there.
• Siddhi Narshing Malla built a small pond where 80 royal priest and royal family would bath.
• Krishna mandir was built by Siddhi Narshing Malla in Shikhar style.
• In malla period, many temples and monuments were built.
• It shows Patan was well flourished that time.

Pashupati Area:

• It is located in the bank of Bagmati river.
• One of the few most important Hindu pilgrimage.
• Dedicated to lord Shiva.
• Thousands of pilgrims visit this area from all over the world.
• It is regarded as the most sacred temple of lord Shiva.

Boudhanath Stupa:

• Largest stupa in Nepal.
• Located 7 k.m. east of the capital.
• One of the oldest stupas of Nepal constructed around 5th century.
• There are 45 Buddhist monasteries in this area.