2. The UNESCO has enlisted various important
sites and monuments from Nepal into the
World Heritage List. The joint effort of
government and local people is vital for the
preservation of such heritage since they
reflect our culture, history, art, nature and
glory. At the same time, they carry economic
importance too.
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3. The monuments or sites that are culturally,
religiously, historically and naturally
important are defined as national heritages.
They have been passed from one generation
to another. Nepal is very rich in heritages due
to its variation in physical features, climatic
condition and biodiversity. The multi-
cultural, multi-lingual and multi-ethnic
features of it also have enriched heritages in
Nepal. These heritages are the true assets
(Properties), pride and identity of a nation.
Lesson: 3.1 (2nd Period)
2076/02/02 3
4. According to UNESCO, heritages are broadly classified
into three types:
1. Natural Heritage: Natural heritage refers to
components of natural environment that have
aesthetic, historic, scientific and social significance.
For example: mountains, rivers, scenery, forest,
wildlife etc.
2. Cultural Heritage: Cultural heritage refers to those
sites, objects and intangible things that have
historical, aesthetic (artistic), archeological,
scientific, ethnological, anthropological, etc. values
to groups and individual. For example: temple,
mosques, stupas, church, language, literature, art,
costume and way of life etc.
3. Digital Heritage: Digital heritage is made up of
computer based materials of enduring that should
be kept for future generations.
Lesson: 3.1 (2nd Period)
2076/02/02 4
5. UNESCO, an agency of UNO, has included four
domains (areas) from Nepal into the World
Heritage Sites. Among them, the two are cultural
– the Kathmandu Valley and Lumbini, the birth
place of Lord Buddha and other two are natural –
Sagarmatha National Park and Chitwan National
park. The Kathmandu region incorporates the
seven sites whereas each of the other stand solo
(alone) making the then sites in totality. To be a
part of world heritage Sites in a matter of
immense pride. It exposes the site in the
international arena. It is, therefore, imperative on
our part that we conserve and protect them.
Lesson: 3.1 (2nd Period)
2076/02/02 5
6. There are six cultural and four natural criteria
to be enlisted in world heritage site of the
UNESCO. They are;
Lesson: 3.1 (2nd Period)
2076/02/02 6
7. Situated on the bank of the Bagmati in Kathmandu,
the Pashupati Area is a very holy place of the Hindus
in Nepal and abroad. It includes pshupatinath
Temple, Aryaghat (cremation bank), electric
crematorium, Deupatan, Jayabageshwari, Gaurighat,
Kutumbahal, Gaushala, Pingalasthan and the area
around the Shleshmantak forest. The Pashupatinath
temple is built in the pagoda style with golden roof.
There are about 492 temples, shrines (place of
pilgrimage), chaityas, etc. and about 1000 shivalingas
in the area. Ancient art, architectures, sculpture and
carvings are very attractive. The Pashupati
Development Trust works to preserve and promote
this area. It was included in the World Heritage Sites
in 1979 AD.
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2076/02/02 7
8. This temple area lies on a hill top in the north of
Bhaktpur. It is said to have been built by
Lichchhavi king Mandev in the fifth century. It is
an excellent example of pagoda style. There are
beautiful idols and statues of birds and animals
at the entrance. This site is important because of
ancient inscription on stone, wood and metal. It
is a venue of some jatras and festivals. Along
with six other cultural sites of the Kathmandu
valley, Changunarayan was also included in the
list of the World Heritage Sites as a unified
cultural site in 1979 AD. It remained dangerous
as it was also badly shaken by the quake in mid
2015. The reconstruction of the damage just
started in the beginning of 2017.
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2076/02/02 8
9. The Boudhanath Mahachaitya, the biggest
stupa in Nepal, lies about 7 km east from the
capital city. It is one of the sacred shrines fro
the Buddhists. It is believed that the stupa
was built around the 5th century by king
Mandev in the Lichhivi Period. It is aslo called
Khasti Chaitya, the stupa is 45 m in height
and about 100m in diameter. The chaitya has
ever watching eyes of the Buddha just above
the white dome. It contains more than 45
monasteries in this area.
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10. It is a very ancient temple in Kathmandu and is a
very holy place for the Buddhist pilgrims. Around
the sutpa can be seen several shrines,
monasteries and idols. No long ago, the largest
idol of Lord Buddha in Nepal was constructed in
its premises. A temple of Goddess Saraswati, the
Goddess of Learning stands there. This is an
example of religious tolerance in Nepal. It also
entered in the World Heritage Sites in 1979 AD.
Pratappur Temple was badly damaged by the
earthquake and it was just repaired later.
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11. Hanumandhoka Durbar Square is situated in the
heart of Kathmandu with chowk full of cultural,
ancient crafts, drawing and handicrafts. There is
marusttal made from only one saal tree. It is also
called Kastamandap. This Kastmandap was made
by an artist in the period of King Laxminarsimha
Malla. Afterwards, the name changed into
Kathmandu. Hanumandhoka, temple of Taleju
Bhawani, temple of Panchamukhi Hanuman, the
temple of Kumari, the temple of Shiva Parbati,
Ganesh Gaddi Baithak, etc have decorated this
Durbar squre.
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12. Patan Durbar Square, located in Lalitpur district,
was the residence of Mall kings during the
Medieval period. The square is full of temples,
shrines, chowks, taps, ponds and antique crafts,
carvings and paintings. There are three major
country-yards in the palace: Mul Chowk, Sundari
Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk. The Krishna
temple built in the Shikhar style with 21
pinnacles is the gorgeous temple made up of
stone. The Royal Bath, another stone architecture
is the master piece of Malla art. Other temples
like Kumbheshwor Mahadev, Rato
Machhiindranath, Bhimsen, Maha Bouddha, and
the statue of Yog Narendra Malla, the windows of
elephant bones and hides, etc. are of the great
interest to the visitors.
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13. Bhaktpur Durbar Square lies at a distance of
about 15 km to the east of Kathmandu. During
the Malla period there was a powerful kingdom. It
was centre of art and architecture. Now it is a
major tourist destination in the Kathmandu
Valley. Much of the existing structures such as
Nyatapola temple, and Fifty-five Windowed
Palace were constructed by King Bhupatindra
Malla. Dattatraya temple, statue of Bhupatindra
Malla, colossal bell, kettle drum and museum are
among other attractions of the area. The carvings
on the walls, windows and doors of the Fifty-five
Windowed Palace are exquisitely beautiful. In
1979 AD it was listed as a World Heritage Site
along with the two other Durbar Squares and four
religious sites of the valley. This monument zone
was also badly damaged the earthquake of 2015.
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14. Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. It is
the most sacred place of the Buddhists from
round the world. There stands a famous stone
pillar erected by Indian Emperor Ashoka, who
visited the place in 245 BC. Pusharini Pond and
Mayadevi Temple are also very famous. The
Lumbini Development Committee of 13 countries
including Nepal was formed in 1970 AD to carry
out a master plan for the development of this
area. Beautiful stupas, monasteries, vihars,
libraries, a museum and a research centre are
constructed there. Many countries such as China,
Myanmar, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, India,
Thailand, France and Germany have erected
vihars there. Lumbini was included in the list of
the World Heritage Sites in 1997 AD
Lesson: 3.1 (2nd Period)
2076/02/02 14
15. Located in Solukhumbu district of Sagarmatha
Zone, Sagarmatha National Park lies at the
highest altitude above 3,000 meters
coverting an area of 1148 sq km. It includes
various higher peaks of the world such a Mt.
Everest, Lhotse, Choyu, Nuptse, Pumori,
Amadablam, etc. It also preserves various
flora and funna. The rhododendron, pine,
spruce, fir, etc. are the chief vegetation found
here. It is the habitat of animals like snow
leopard, red panda, polar cheetah, wild yak,
mongoose, musk deer and birds like
lophoporous (danphe).
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2076/02/02 15
16. Chitwan National Park is situated in Chitwan,
Makawanapur and Parsa districts. It is nearly
120 km south-west of Kathmandu and
occupies an area of 932 sq km of forests,
marshes and rivers. It preserves rare and
endangered animals like one-horned rhino,
spotted tiger, elephant, leopard, bear,
crocodile and birds like hornbill and peacock.
It is a famous destination for tourists. It was
recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1984
AD.
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17. The list of our heritage sites does not end here.
There are many more heritages in Nepal such as
Bardiya National Park, Shivapuri National Park,
Halesi Mahadev of Khotang, Ram Janaki Temple
of Janakpur, Jayabageshwari of Nepalgunj,
Chandannath of Jumla, Muktinath of Mustang,
Pathivara of Taplejung, Chhintang Devi of
Dhankuta, Vindyabasini and Talbarahi of
Pokhara, Kalika of Baglung, Gosainkunda of
Rasuwa and Swargadawri of Pyuthan. All these
heritages sites should be preserved and
promoted. The government, organizations and
individuals and individuals have their parts to
play for this.
Lesson: 3.1 (2nd Period)
2076/02/02 17
18. “National heritages reflect our identity and
glory.” Justify.
Why do you think so many countries have
established monasteries in Lumbini? Write in
four points.
Lesson: 3.1 (2nd Period)
2076/02/02 18
