Almost everyone in the Kathmandu valley knows about the infamous Basantapur, a casual hangout for the youth and cultural significance as well. Basantapur is a beautiful mixture of cultures portraying the history and amazingly crafted sculptures. There are roughly 50 temples, hence the name”‘museum of temples” and each of the temples holds great history. The area around Basantapur holds so much importance to the locals and it is a great place for visitors and tourists to immerse themselves in rich Nepalese culture.
The must-visit places in Basantapur are:
● Hanuman Dhoka
● Kumari Ghar
● Nautale Durbar
● Kasthamandap
● Museum
● Taleju temple(only opens on the 9th day of Dashain)
● All the surrounding temples and the bell.
As much as Basantapur is covered with cultural heritage, it is also very popular for its Newari cuisine which is mouth-watering and delicious. You can also find a wide selection of food items that will pique your interest and will surely get you hooked. This place has a fusion of both traditional and modern cuisine combined. If you walk around Basantapur you will surely know about many tattoo shops that are present here near freak street since it is the best place to get tattoos. If you walk around a little more you will get to explore street vendors selling handmade products and intricately designed souvenirs. Other things like pashmina and thangka paintings have also been the main attraction to foreigners. But alas, all good things must come to an end, and it all did end when an earthquake of 7.8 magnitudes hit Kathmandu on 25/04/2015 which
resulted in a huge number of deaths and the loss of our once-standing temples. But as of now, almost everything has been restored.
The best time to roam around Basantapur is in the evening because the lighting and environment would be perfect. A short walk with a loved one or friends would be exquisite whilst trying new places to eat and explaining new things to do. It is also a very happening place in Nepal due to its ideal background for making movies and cinema.
Entry Fee for Kathmandu Durbar Square:
Foreigner- NPR 1200
SAARC- NPR240
Students- Minimum charge
