Introduction (म्हसिका)

Swaniga: (Nepal Bhasa: स्वनिग: [sw0nigə] Nepali: काठ्माडौं उपत्यका) is a trilingual (English, Nepal Bhasa, and Nepali)  blog that intends to inform its visitors/readers on unique culture, customs, music, and lifestyle of Kathmandu Valley.

Swaniga: name for Kathmandu Valley in original inhabitant’s language. This is the capital city of Nepal that still attests the brand of ancient civilizations of Asia. Swaniga: is also known as “the city of gods,” since thousands of shrines, more than 130 important monuments and temples have made it their home. The valley boasts of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is the place of pilgrimage for many Hindus and Buddhists.

Geography

Swaniga: is a unified land of three districts: Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur which covers an area of 220 square miles/ 569.8 square kilometers (little smaller than Chicago, Illinois [227.1 sq mi] but bigger than California City, California [203.6 sq mi]). The valley is the nucleus of culture, politics, education and economy.

Bagmati, the major river, flows through the valley – Swaniga:

7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Swaniga:

• Kathmandu Valley: Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur
• Buddhist Stupas: Swayambhunath (aka Monkey Temple) and Boudhanath
• Hindu Temples: Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan

Other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal:

• Sagarmatha National Park (situated at 2,835 m (9,300 ft)
• Royal Chitwan National Park
• Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha

Places to See/Visit in the valley

• Kathmandu Durbar Square
• Patan Durbar Square
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square
• Thimi Durbar Square
• Changu Narayan
• Swayambhunath Stupa
• Boudhanath Stupa
• Pashupatinath Temple
• Nagarkot

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From Wikipedia:

Musical inspiration

• Cat Stevens wrote a song titled “Katmandu,” which appeared in his 1970 album, Mona Bone Jakon.
• Rock musician Bob Seger wrote a song titled “Katmandu,” which appeared on his 1975 album, Beautiful Loser.
• Kathmandu is mentioned in the song “Cry Baby,” by Janis Joplin.
• Kathmandu is also mentioned in the song “Nobody Told Me,” by John Lennon.
• A Russian rock band Krematorij had a song titled “Kathmandu” on their 2000 album Three Springs.
• The Argentinian musician Fito Páez has a song called Tráfico por Katmandú (“Traffic through Kathmandu” in English).
• New age guitarist Will Ackerman has a song called “A Happy Home in Kathmandu” on his 1993 album The Opening of Doors.
• The group Tantra recorded a song called “The Hills of Katmandu” in the early 80’s.
• Banjo player Béla Fleck has a number called “Kathmandu.”
• David Hughes from Sweden, included a track titled “Kathmandu” on his 2007 release “Foreign Shores”.