Copyright: Pankaj Joshi

KATHMANDU

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal. And what pride it exudes being the capital of a nation where even time has stood still to watch its grandeur.

People of Nepal are peace-loving, and being religious comes as a second nature to them. They find a sense of religious satisfaction in the eternally peaceful eyes of the Buddhist stupa called Swayambhunath on top a small hillock.

How apt it is for this city to be a valley. As you can see the backdrop of mountains it provides is simply breathtaking. And as the dusk beckons, the sun hides behind its boudoir to relax after a long day's toil. The visual feast that the sun and the mountains combine to present leaves you spellbound.

PATAN

The Kathmandu Valley boasts of three eminent cities - each of them having its own uniqueness - namely, Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. Lalitpur, also known as Patan, comes as a city where people to people binding, so continually vanishing, still survives and flourishes.The city, both simple and beautiful at the same time, has no hangovers about it and always greets the visitors with a pair of welcoming hands.

Perhaps the acme of artistry can never be defined. But the works of artists during the glorious reign of the Malla Dynasty, the period known as the Golden Age of Nepal, seem to suggest that the acme could not have been far out of reach.

A view of Patan Durbar (Royal Palace) Square. Amidst everinvading modern kitsch, the Durbar Square looks aesthetically unblemished.

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BHAKTAPUR

Among the three brother cities in the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur is the eldest one. And how well it has played its role. To some, Bhaktapur is simply the culmination of a voyage in search of the ethereal ; while to some, with its imposing look and elderly poise, it simply stands tall against its younger neighbours.

The epitome of Malla architecture could be found in the consumately symmetric temple of Nyatapole (left)and extremely beautiful temple of Dattatraya (right). Influence of this architecture can be seen in the Chinese pagoda style.

It was not just a perfection in architectural sphere that the artists in the Malla period achieved, but also in the elaborate intricacies of woodwork and metalwork. As the works on Goddess Taleju(left) and a peacock in full display(right) suggest. Artistry was something that the people understood and lived with.

Encased in the showcase that Nepal is, is a priceless pearl called Pokhara.

Nepal could not be more fortunate than having Lumbini in its lap. Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, lends a pristine sacredness to the country.