Kathmandu

Kathmandu
Kath·man·du also Kat·man·du (kăt'măn-do͞oʹ, kät'män-)
The capital and largest city of Nepal, in the central part of the country in the eastern Himalaya Mountains. It was founded c. 723 and was a Gurkha capital from 1768 until the late 18th century. Population: 235,160.

* * *

City (pop., 2000 est.: 701,499), capital of Nepal.

Situated near the confluence of the Baghmati and Vishnumati rivers at an elevation of 4,344 ft (1,324 m), it was founded in 723. Its name refers to a temple (kath, "wood"; mandir, "temple") said to have been built from the wood of a single tree in 1596. The seat of the ruling Shah family of the Gurkha people since 1768, it is Nepal's most important business and commercial centre and the site of Tribhuvan University.

* * *

Nepal
also spelled  Katmandu , or  Kantipur 

      capital of Nepal. It lies near the confluence of the Baghmati and Vishnumati rivers, at an elevation of 4,344 feet (1,324 metres) above sea level. It was founded in 723 by Raja Gunakamadeva. Its early name was Manju-Patan; the present name refers to a wooden temple (kath, “wood”; mandir, “temple” or “edifice”) said to have been built from the wood of a single tree by Raja Lachmina Singh in 1596. A building, supposedly the original, still stands in the central square and is used for the accommodation of sadhus (holy men). Kathmandu has served as the seat of the ruling Shah family of the Gurkha people since 1768.

      The city has become the country's most important business and commercial centre through the efforts of its Newar merchant families. In the 1970s the construction of new roads and the expansion of air service were centred upon Kathmandu, making it the hub of the national transportation system, which for centuries was limited to footpaths. Many of the townspeople are engaged in agriculture, the Newar preferring to live in the city. Tribhuvan University was chartered in 1959.

      Kathmandu's two main streets contrast strongly to the older sectors of narrow streets and brick houses adorned with carved doors and windows. Destruction caused by an earthquake in 1934 resulted in the construction of many modern-style buildings. The city's most notable building is the old palace of the Malla kings, which includes Taleju temple (1549), built by Raja Mahindra Malla. The palace's main gate is guarded by a figure of the god Hanuman; in a small, adjoining square are several pagoda-style temples.

      To the east is Tundi Khel, the parade ground, in the centre of which is a stone platform surrounding a tree, from which important government pronouncements were formerly made first to the army. Between it and the city is a tall watchtower built by Bhim Sen Thapa, a former prime minister. On the outskirts of Kathmandu are many palaces built by the Rana family, the most imposing of which is the Singha Palace, once the official residence of the hereditary prime ministers and now housing the government secretariat. About 3 miles (5 km) northeast is the great white dome of Bodhnath, a Buddhist shrine revered by Tibetan Buddhists. The surrounding Kathmandu Valley, noted for its vast historic and cultural importance, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. In 2003 the valley was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger because of uncontrolled urban development.

      Festivals in Kathmandu include, in spring, the Shivaratri and the Machendra Jatra with its procession bearing the image of the god Machendra; in late summer, the Gai Jatra (festival of the cow); and, in early autumn, the Indra Jatra, during which the goddess Devi, represented by a young girl, is carried in procession. Pop. (2001) 671,846.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Kathmandu — Nepalese capital, from Nepalese Kathmandu, from kath wooden + mandu temple …   Etymology dictionary

  • Kathmandu — (Khatmandu), Hauptstadt des Himalajastaates Nepal, 1450 m ü. M., am Wischnumatifluß. nahe dessen Zusammenfluß mit der Bagmati, mit großem Palast des Maharadscha, zahlreichen Tempeln mit Dächern von Messing oder vergoldetem Kupfer, einer… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Kathmandu — Kathmandu, ostind. Stadt, s. Katmandu …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Kathmandu — → Katmandú …   Diccionario panhispánico de dudas

  • Kathmandu — Infobox Settlement official name = Hamro Ramro Kathmandu Metropolitan City other name = ñē̆ dēy (ञेँ देय्) Kantipur native name = येँ महानगरपालिका nickname = settlement type = motto = imagesize = 240px image seal size = image shield = shield size …   Wikipedia

  • Kathmandu — काठमांडौ Kathmandu …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Kathmandu — Original name in latin Kathmandu Name in other language Catmandu, KTM, Kantipur, Kantipura, Kathmandau, Kathmandou, Kathmandu, Katmandou, Katmandu, Katmanduo, Katmand Katmantou, Khatmandu, Kthmandu, Kthmnd jia de man dou, kateumandu, kath manthu …   Cities with a population over 1000 database

  • Kathmandu — Katmandou Katmandou Administration Pays Népal …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Kathmandu (Nepal) — Hotels: Bluestar Hotel Kathmandu (Centre) Country Villa Kathmandu (Mountainside) Dwarika s Hotel Kathmandu (City) Everest Hotel Kathmandu (Centre) …   International hotels

  • Kathmandu University — was started in 1991 with the motto Quality Education for Leadership . The University operates through its six Schools of Science, Engineering, Management, Arts, Education and Medical sciences. The University is operating from premises at… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”