Tourism has no universal accepted definition it is a trade or business which is the largest and fast growing service oriented industry all over the world. It generates significant opportunities in its array of activities or allied sectors.
Heritage sites, natural or man made have been a perennial pleasure and joy for the people all over the world. They are common treasure. They hold and explain history, society, the passion and the purpose of all people whose civilization are bound up with them. More than any books any movie and any college course they are living lessons for all those who see them. These sites are the main attractions of the tourists, which may increase economic condition of the developing countries like Nepal.
Heritage sites, natural or man made have been a perennial pleasure and joy for the people all over the world. They are common treasure. They hold and explain history, society, the passion and the purpose of all people whose civilization are bound up with them. More than any books any movie and any college course they are living lessons for all those who see them. These sites are the main attractions of the tourists, which may increase economic condition of the developing countries like Nepal.
Heritage sites refer to those places being components of the natural environment or the cultural environment that have aesthetic, historical, scientific or social significance or other special value for the future generation as well as the present community.
UNESCO World Heritage sites
The sites listed by UNESCO(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as the world heritage site from all over world, are components of the natural environment or the cultural environment that have aesthetic, historical, scientific or social significance or other special value for the future generation as well as the present community. The sites listed by UNESCO are the places which can be mountain, forest, lake, island, desert, monuments, building, complex or city and temples.
Latest Data in 2014 shows that 1007 sites are listed by UNESCO. Out of Those 1007 sites, 779 are cultural, 197 are natural, and 31 are of mixed properties. Among these sites, Italy is home to the greatest number of World Heritage Sites with 50 sites, followed by China (47), Spain (44),France (39), Germany (39), Mexico (32) and India (32). The list of World Heritage site has already crossed 1k but with identification of other hidden and unexposed site can exceed to 1,200. Each year, UNESCO's World Heritage Committee may inscribe new sites on the list, or exclude sites that that no longer meet the criteria. So, the data will keep on changing every year.
"From Nepal - 10 sites listed."
In Asia, especially in South Asia, six countries (also called "state parties") has 51(41 cultural, 10 natural, and no mixed sites) site listed by UNESCO. In this region India is home to the most inscribed sites with 32 sites. And Nepal, despite being the small country has 10 sites listed by UNESCO.The first sites from the region were the Sagarmatha National Park and Kathmandu Valley, both in Nepal.
Nowadays, most of those sites are endangered and need their condition to be improved. So, if they don't meet the criteria of UNESCO, then hey might miss the list in upcoming days. So, the International community and country itself which own the site must preserve it. Despite having the sites include first in South Asia, Nepal is lacking the preservation of these places. These sites are the main attractions of the tourists, which may increase economic condition of the developing countries like Nepal.
10 sites listed by UNESCO as the world Heritage site are:
1. Kathmandu Durbar Square
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A traditional place, Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is situated in the heart of Kathmandu, is also known as Hunuman Dhoka. Knowingly, it is one of three Durbar (royal palace) Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. Around this place there is the palace of the Malla and Shah Kings.
Only few temples and attraction part is allowed for the foreigners. The main entrance holds the huge stone statue of Hanuman. The style of the temples and places around symbolize the type of the house during those years. The Durbar Square is surrounded with spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newar artists and craftsmen over several centuries.
Only few temples and attraction part is allowed for the foreigners. The main entrance holds the huge stone statue of Hanuman. The style of the temples and places around symbolize the type of the house during those years. The Durbar Square is surrounded with spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newar artists and craftsmen over several centuries.
Attraction around Kathmandu Durbar square are:
Kumari Temple(the living goddess), Taleju temples (only open for people of Hindu and Buddhist faiths), Kasthamandap, Jagannath temple(known for fascinating erotic figures carving in the wooden struts eaves), Kala Bhairab (one of the largest in Kathmandu representing the terrifying aspects of Shiva), statue of Pratap Malla, etc.
2. Patan Durbar Square
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One of the three Durbar Square of Nepal, Patan Durbar Square the great place to explore Newa architecture. It is situated in lalitpur city. Golden gate and golden window of the Palace in this place has got history, beauty and beliefs. The real art and architecture of Nepal is seen properly in this area. Patan Durbar Square has got numbers of buildings with thier own historical importance. The Palace here was also the residence of Malla Kings. The credit is given to Newar people for the existences of this wonderful place.
Attractions around Patan Durbar Square:
Krishna Mandir: Shikhara tyle, this templae was built by King Siddhinarasimh Malla (Special for during Krishnastami)
Bhimsen Temple: This temple was built by Srinivasa Malla in 1680, where tourist are not allowed inside the temple (special for businessman and traders).
Vishwanath Temple: The temple was built by Siddhinarasimha Mall in 1927 (Worshiped God Shiva)
Taleju Bhawani Temple: The temple was built by Siddhinarasrimha Malla in 1640 and rebuilt by Srinivasa Malla in 1667 after a fire.
3. Swayambhunath temple
One of the most recommended, visited, and popular place, Swayambhunath Temple is must visit place of Nepal. Because it is in Kathmandu, it's possible to visit by all who come in Nepal through airport. Even though the visit is short, to reach place and visit takes a very less time.The Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. This place has got historical and religious beliefs. The place is believed to have originated from elegancy lake of Kathmandu valley. Holy monkeys live here, so the temple is also known as Monkey Temple. Much of Swayambhunath's iconography comes from the Vajrayana tradition of Newar Buddhism. Both Hinduism and Buddhism followers visit has religious beliefs. The complex is an important site for Buddhists of many schools, and is also revered by Hindus.On the occasion of Buddha jayanti(Birthday), the place is well watched. The Temple is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
Main Attractions around Swambhunath Temple are:
1. Three painted Buddha statues from the 17th century near the base.
2. Stupa: The stupa on swayambhu stand on typical stylized lotus mandala base- a long time believed to have originated from elegancy lake of Kathmandu valley. A pair of painted eyes on all of the stupa symbolizes the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha.
3. 365 steps: A long stairway with 365 steps is situated at the back part of Temple, leading directly to the main platform of the temple.
4. Vajra:The first sight on reaching the top of the stairway.
5. Harati Devi Temple: dedicated to the Hindu goddess of smallpox and other epidemics.
6. Gompa (monastery prayer room).
7. Shree Karma Raj Mahavihar
4. Boudhanath temple
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Attraction around the temple
1. Boudhanath Stupa (represent the mythical Mt. Meru)-The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha,
2. Pyramid with 13 steps,
3. Buddha eyes on all four sides, and
4. 13 rings from the base to the pinnacle(symbolize the path to enlightenment)
5. Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square has got huge historical significance. The place has the plaza in front of the royal palace of the old Bhaktapur Kingdom, 1400m above sea level.It is situated in Bhaktapur, also known as Bhadgoan. Any one who visit the place can explore different monuments, architecture, temples and many more.
Major attractions around Bhaktapur Durbar Square:
1. 55 Window Palace: Built in the 15th century
2. Golden Gate: The main entrance to the palace, the golden gate is a masterpiece of artwork.
3. Lion's Gate:
4. Mini Pashupati Temple: The holy god Shiva temple.
5. Vatsala Temple:
6. Nyatapola
7. Erotic elephants temple
8. Ugrachandi and Ugrabhairab :The statues date back to 1701 A.D. and it is said that the unfortunate sculptor had his hands cut off afterwards, to prevent him from duplicating his masterpieces.
9. Rameshwor Temple
10. Badrinath Temple
11. Gopi Nath Temple: Two roofed pagoda style is the Gopi Nath Temple, attached to Rameshwar
12. Kedarnath Temple
13. Hanuman Statue
14. Vatsala Devi Temple
6. Pashupatinath temple
Most sacred place for the Hindu religion, Pashupatinath temple is located on the banks of the Bagmati River, in Deopatan, 5 kilometres north-east of Kathmandu Valley. Pashupatinath Temple's existence dates back to 400 A.D.The temple is of the Nepalese pagoda style of architecture. It attracts thousands of pilgrims each year and has become well known far beyond the Kathmandu Valley. Mostly, Indian Hindus visit to this places. This temple is related to Lord Shiva. Entrance to the temple is forbidden to non-Hindus. Despite, the temple is forbidden to non-Hindus, the place is always crowded. Especially, during the occasion of Maha Shivaratri and women's festival Teej, this temple becomes very crowded. Over 700,000 devotees visit here on this occasion.This temple has holy symbol of Lord Shiva.
Attractions around the temple:
two-tiered pagoda temple, temple of Vasuki, Dharmashila (where sacred oaths are taken), temple of Vasuki (the King of the Nagas), Arya Ghat, sanctum (contains a o
ne-meter high linga with four faces (chaturmukha) representing Pashupati, as well as images of Vishnu, Surya, Devi and Ganesh,) Pandra Shivalaya and The Bagmati River (Holy river).
7. Changu Narayan temple
Changu Narayan temple is an ancient Hindu temple located on a high hilltop that is also known as Changu or Dolagiri. It was built by Hari Dutta Verma in third century. This temple is considered as the oldest temple in Nepal. It is decorated with magnificent art works in metal and woods. The Temple has no specific style. The temple is said to be neither in Shikhara Style nor the Pagoda style. It is the traditional Nepali style temple. Changu Narayan has four entrances to temple and four mand made animals, lions, sarabhas, graffins and elephants are guards on each gate.
Major Attractions around the Temple:
1. The two-storey roofed temple (stands on a high plinth of stone),
2. Statue of Bhupalendra Malla,Chanda Narayan (Garuda Narayan), Sridhar Vishnu, 3. Vaikuntha Vishnu, Chhinnamasta, Vishworup, Vishnu Vikrant, Narasimha, and Kileshwor.
2. Statue of Bhupalendra Malla,Chanda Narayan (Garuda Narayan), Sridhar Vishnu, 3. Vaikuntha Vishnu, Chhinnamasta, Vishworup, Vishnu Vikrant, Narasimha, and Kileshwor.
The ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu and the other idols are carved in the struts.
4. Stone pillar with Chakra, Sankha, Kamal and Khadga all at the top of a i: These stone pillars has inscription in Sanskrit. This inscription is considered to be the oldest inscription of Nepal and the stone inscription pillar was erected by Lichhavi King Manadeva in 464 AD.
4. Stone pillar with Chakra, Sankha, Kamal and Khadga all at the top of a i: These stone pillars has inscription in Sanskrit. This inscription is considered to be the oldest inscription of Nepal and the stone inscription pillar was erected by Lichhavi King Manadeva in 464 AD.
8. Lumbini
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Places of inerest in lumbini are:
1. Mayadevi temple: Inside Mayadevi temple we can see the exact place of birth of Lore Buddha.
2. Bodhi tree: Under this tree Buddha attained wisdom.
3. Sacred Pool (Puskarni): It is said that the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and he too had his first bath in this pond.
4. Ashoka Pillar: Emperor Ashoka during his reign in the 3rd century BC, built many stone pillars including Ashoka pillar, which is located near Maya devi temple.
5. Eternal Peace Flame: A flame that has been burning continuously for an indefinite period.
6. Lumbini garden: It is described as a beautiful garden in the Buddha's time.
Here are a lot of chaityas, stupas and viharas to see.All these attraction places have their own historical beliefs.
More than 100k tourists visit Lumbini every year. All those followers of Buddha path wants to visit Lumbini at least once in their life. Lumbini has man made temples, monastries and other structures but the holy belief of this place, soothingly, attracts peace lovers.
9. Chitwan national park
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Chitwan National Park(CNP) is rich in natural resources in the Terai and is the subtropical southern part of Nepal.Over the years, this place place has played vital role in protection of rare animals, including, one-horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger and Gharial Crocodile and birds, King Fisher, green parkeets, blue tailed-bee ealers etc. A total of 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of herpetofauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park.
Attractive activities in this place are:
elephant-jeep-safaris, rafting tours, jungle walks, Night enjoyment in Hotel, Cultural performance by locals and many others.
10. Sagarmatha national park
Sagarmatha national park is a part of the Himalayan ecological zone prominent peaks including Lhosteshar, Cho Oyu, Ama-Dablam, Pumori, Kangatega, Gachung, Thamserku and Kwangde including the world’s highest mountain (Mt. EVEREST) with an area of 1148 sq. Km.It encompasses an area of 1,148 km2 (443 sq mi) in the Solukhumbu District and ranges in elevation from 2,845 m (9,334 ft) to 8,848 m (29,029 ft) at the summit of Mount Everest. Dudh Koshi, Bhote Koshi and the Imja Khola rivers flows through the park. Sherpa's are the main people living around there enjoying their original culture..
Attractions:
1. plants and tree: rhododendron, birch, blue pine, juniper and silver fir.
2. Animals: Ghoral, Musk Deer, Pikko, Weasels, Red pandas, Lynx, Wolves, jackal etc.
3. Birds: Impeyan pheasant, blood pheasant, snow cock, snow pigeon, red billed and yellow billed chough, Himalayan griffin vulture and lammergeier.
Attractions:
1. plants and tree: rhododendron, birch, blue pine, juniper and silver fir.
2. Animals: Ghoral, Musk Deer, Pikko, Weasels, Red pandas, Lynx, Wolves, jackal etc.
3. Birds: Impeyan pheasant, blood pheasant, snow cock, snow pigeon, red billed and yellow billed chough, Himalayan griffin vulture and lammergeier.
These historical, natural and cultural sites exhibit an important interchange of human values over a span of time, developments in architecture or technology, monuments arts, town planning or landscape design and bear a unique tradition to a civilization which is living or disappeared. These sites give the knowledge about the stages of human history which we have come through. Similarly, these sites provide research potentials to understand natural and cultural history of the country region, which helps in conservation of the endangered species of plants and animals as well as in protecting the local culture; tradition, history and religion beliefs from losing authenticity or even disappear.
As heritage sites are one of the important tourism products of Nepal, we not only can earn foreign currency but also get employment opportunities due to the development of tourism industry. The tourism industry has a responsibility to preserve and develop the heritage sites. Tourism industry has the got the responsibility and can motivate to ensure the survival of our earths’s treasures, enhance site and enrich the communities that surround them. The government, tourism organizations and tourism personnel’s must come up with effective plans and programs for the heritage conservation.
The heritage sites have been the same as before in terms of space availability, infrastructures facility, service, and amenities. With the improvement of technology, quality, and hospitality, Nepal should adopt the modern format and develop accordingly. Due to rapidly growing population here create a lot difficulties in infrastructures such as roads, and transportation, health, education, electricity, drinking water sewerage system, telecommunication, etc. This situation has lead to a number of management problems at these heritage sites. Similarly, other problems are garbage, pollution, and noise decline the site. The area around the heritage site must be naturally maintained but with growing population, the houses are made around making the heritage site crowded.
So, it’s time to think for the preservation of those sites for new generation, which will increase the number of visitors, improving the economic condition. Nepal has many other sites that could be placed on world heritage sites in the coming days by UNESCO such as Gorkha Durbar, Manakamana, Muktinath, Anapurna conservation Area, (Flora and fauna), Nuwakot Durbar, Janakpur, Tilaurakot, etc. To overcome the problems, emphasis should be given for the conservation of particulars feature of site or community as tourist attraction sites and benefits of the heritage among the local people. With operating and generating awareness about the importance of heritage among people, we can make anything possible.People should be made liberate and they should be given information about the sites for the visitors, controlling the surrounding architectural environment etc.
Encouragement for donors, agencies, industries, associations, NGOS and individuals should be given, because it help stop support and maintain certain or specific monuments of their choice. Tourism and Civil tourism board, etc. should try their best for the preservation of these sites, to full success as expected. People living in the vicinity area of heritage sites should be aware of the task of heritage conservation. Therefore, result-oriented and effective plan for the heritage conservation must be brought forward.
As heritage sites are one of the important tourism products of Nepal, we not only can earn foreign currency but also get employment opportunities due to the development of tourism industry. The tourism industry has a responsibility to preserve and develop the heritage sites. Tourism industry has the got the responsibility and can motivate to ensure the survival of our earths’s treasures, enhance site and enrich the communities that surround them. The government, tourism organizations and tourism personnel’s must come up with effective plans and programs for the heritage conservation.
The heritage sites have been the same as before in terms of space availability, infrastructures facility, service, and amenities. With the improvement of technology, quality, and hospitality, Nepal should adopt the modern format and develop accordingly. Due to rapidly growing population here create a lot difficulties in infrastructures such as roads, and transportation, health, education, electricity, drinking water sewerage system, telecommunication, etc. This situation has lead to a number of management problems at these heritage sites. Similarly, other problems are garbage, pollution, and noise decline the site. The area around the heritage site must be naturally maintained but with growing population, the houses are made around making the heritage site crowded.
So, it’s time to think for the preservation of those sites for new generation, which will increase the number of visitors, improving the economic condition. Nepal has many other sites that could be placed on world heritage sites in the coming days by UNESCO such as Gorkha Durbar, Manakamana, Muktinath, Anapurna conservation Area, (Flora and fauna), Nuwakot Durbar, Janakpur, Tilaurakot, etc. To overcome the problems, emphasis should be given for the conservation of particulars feature of site or community as tourist attraction sites and benefits of the heritage among the local people. With operating and generating awareness about the importance of heritage among people, we can make anything possible.People should be made liberate and they should be given information about the sites for the visitors, controlling the surrounding architectural environment etc.
Encouragement for donors, agencies, industries, associations, NGOS and individuals should be given, because it help stop support and maintain certain or specific monuments of their choice. Tourism and Civil tourism board, etc. should try their best for the preservation of these sites, to full success as expected. People living in the vicinity area of heritage sites should be aware of the task of heritage conservation. Therefore, result-oriented and effective plan for the heritage conservation must be brought forward.
Thanks for sharing the informative post with us.
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