Furnish Heritage Facts

Long history, centuries-old monuments, cultural and natural diversity have made Nepal a distinct nation in the world. The festivals celebrated across this country are so unsurpassed that every foreign visitor gets amazed to see them. With its numerous shrines, temples and other tangible and intangible heritages, the Kathmandu Valley may probably be one of the most fascinating places in the world for cultural enthusiasts to explore and study.

This valley is home to a number of monumental sites, including seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Hanumandhoka Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Changunarayan, Bouddhanath and Swayambhunath. The UN body has recognised these sites for their precious monuments and artefacts. 

The Valley also possesses several museums showcasing a myriad of historical and cultural facets of our society. Such heritages have not only helped make the nation known to the outside world but also significantly contributed to our tourism industry. Most tourists visiting Nepal are familiar with these heritages since these prized monument sites are included in every travel itinerary. Travellers, especially those interested in getting archaeological knowledge and insights, may find these monuments to be interesting. All these heritage sites are home to countless monuments and shrines. But visitors often find their deep curiosity far from quenched about these heritages sites.

If the detailed information about these sites is provided to visitors, the latter could learn much about these places. The sharing of information may help further promote these notable monuments at home and abroad. 

Every heritage site is exceptional given their cultural values and artefacts they harbour. Instances are aplenty. The Patan Durbar Square boasts distinctive features. Chyasing Dega, a Shikhara-style temple, is one of the tourist attractions at the Patan Durbar Square.

The temple that was built by Princess Yogamati, who was King Yognarendra Malla’s daughter, in 1723, holds the rather uncomfortable distinction of being devoted to the King, and his almost three dozen queens and concubines who observed Sati following his demise. The statues of Ganesh, Narsingha and Hanuman are placed on the opposite to the temple close to the entrance of the Sundari Chowk. 

The Char Narayan Temple is another significant monument located across the brick-paved street from Patan Museum. The famous Kartik Naach is performed on the stage of the Char Narayan Temple, which is regarded as the oldest temple in the whole Patan Durbar complex. There are many more statues and temples in the Patan Durbar Square. Each of buildings and other structures carries such interesting history. However, no brochure or other materials highlighting such information is available.

This means that nobody shares enchanting information with visitors arriving here. According to a news report carried by this daily on Thursday, more than 400 visitors visit the Patan Museum daily to learn about the artefacts on display from their information cards and the museum staff. 

But this is rarely possible. Locals say that the story of the museum building and its surrounding structures is more exciting than the objects placed inside them. The brochure just offers information about some of the major historic sites located inside the core City of Lalitpur such as Kumbheshwor, Golden Temple, Kumari House, Mahaboudha and Okubahal.

The Patan Museum also used to offer free guided tours to visitors. Other monument sites such as the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square are also not found sharing all the facts and information that are historically and culturally important and interesting. No doubt, preservation of the monuments is indispensable. What is equally essential is the need to disseminate their importance effectively so that more people know and visit them.