UNESCO has listed four culturally and architecturally riched places of Nepal in the list of World Heritage Sites in Nepal which are Kathmandu Valley, Lumbini, Sagarmatha National Park, and Chitwan National Park.
Kathmandu Valley has 7 places that have their names on the list of World Heritage Sites in Nepal. These places have historical and cultural values that have been representing the different cultures and histories of Nepal through-out different time periods.
And there are 15 places or sites that are listed and recorded on the tentative list of World Heritage Sites. A member of UNESCO must have to maintain a list of tentative sites that may be considered for nomination in the future. The nomination to list a place is accepted only if the place is previously listed on the tentative list.
5 Historical Places Of Nepal That Should Be Enlishted In UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites
Here, we have made a list of 5 places or sites that we think should be listed in World Heritage Sites in Nepal. Some of these places are listed in the tentative list while some aren’t.
1. Janaki Mandir
The first thing that occurs in the mind of most Nepalese when they visit Janaki Temple(Janaki Mandir) of Janakpur is that why this historical, religious, beautiful, and stunning craft of art reflecting the history and culture of Nepal isn’t listed on the list of World Heritage Sites in Nepal.
Despite being an excellent example of art and being famous for a Hindu temple constructed in Mughal style, Janaki Temple has been always considered as one of the major religious places in Nepal due to its historical, religious, and cultural significance. Being built in the birthplace of Goddess Sita, Janaki Mandir has been a symbol of the Maithali Civilization.
Janaki Mandir has been listed in the tentative list in the year 2008. There are several reasons that support Janaki Mandir to be enlisted in the list of World Heritage Sites in Nepal. The effort of making so is being undergone by the provincial government as well as the Government of Nepal for few years.
Most of the Nepalese can’t wait to watch the name of Janaki Mandir in the list of World Heritage Sites in Nepal.
2. Muktinath Temple
Muktinath Temple is the second name in this list that we want to see in the list of World Heritage Sites in Nepal. Situated at an altitude of more than 3700 meters above sea level in the Mustang district, Muktinath Temple has a great historical, cultural, and religious significance among the Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims of Nepal and other countries where Hindu and Buddhists live.
The name Muktinath itself has a great religious significance for all the spiritual people living in the South-Asian subcontinent. “Mukti” literally means Salvation and “Nath” means God or Master. So Muktinath is considered to be the place that brings salvation to the people once the journey of Muktinath is completed by them.
There are 108 waterspouts in the backyard of this temple called Muktidhara where frozen water is continuously flowing from the bullhead and two Kunda (ponds in front of the temple). Taking bath in these 108 waterspouts and two Kunda (ponds) believes to bring salvation.
Muktinath Temple is the most unique place for mainly Hindus since Saligramas (that is considered as direct Lord Vishnu) are found only on the bank of Gandaki. Saligramas, Kali Gandaki river, and the entire Gandaki valley (From Damodara Kunda to Devghat) are highly praised in sastras and it is also termed 1 among 8 Bhulola Vaikuntha (Vaikuntha on earth).
3. Barahchhetra
This name might be an unpopular opinion among many. Still, we think this place should be listed in World Heritage Sites in Nepal.
Barahchhetra is one of the major Hindu pilgrimage sites in Nepal situated beautifully between the confluence of the Koshi River and Koka rivers at about 5 km northwest of Dharan City in Sunsari district. Though this place is one of the oldest places in Nepal, the existing appearance of the major temple of this place is constricted in 1991 BS by Judhha Shamsher after the temple was destroyed by the earthquake of 1990 BS.
Barahchhetra has a great significance and influence among the Hindu pilgrimages of Nepal and India. Many pilgrimages from Nepal and India come to this place during Karthik Purnima and Makar Sankranti because Barahchhetra is one of the oldest shrines mentioned in Puranas including Brahma Purana, Varah Purana, and Skanda Purana. This place is also mentioned and glorified in the epics of Mahabharat. People not only come here during Karthik Purnima or Makar Sankranti but every day people do come here from different parts of Nepal and India.
The main attraction of this place is Lord Varah, which is the 3rd incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the form of Boar. There is a big and beautiful image of Lord Varaha in Barahchhetra.
According to the Hindu Mythology, Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of Varah to rescue and protect Mother Earth from being submerged into the cosmic ocean by demon Hiranyaksha. It is believed that after defeating the demon, retrieving the Earth from the ocean with his truck, and restoring Earth to her place in the Universe, then Lord Vishnu sat with his wife Goddess Laxmi at the bank of Koshi River in the lap of the Himalayas and hills. And this is the way this place has got its name and that’s why this place has such religious significance among Hindus.
4. Khaptad National Park
Khaptad National Park isn’t only the best and most beautiful national park in Nepal, but with all pride, it is one of the best and most beautiful national parks in the world. It is located at the confluence of four districts of the hilly region of Nepal Bajhang, Bajura, Doti, and Achham. With a wide area of 225 sq. km, Khaptad National Park stands at 12,000 feet high stretching from 2400 to 3700 meters above the sea-level.
Due to its rich natural environment, it is also known as Piece Of Heaven, and Paradise of Far West. The park is also considered as a living garden of herbs, and a museum of natural history for its 224 species of medicinal herbs, 567 species of flowering plants of Nepal that is equal to 11 percent of a total of flowering plants in Nepal, 270 species of birds like pheasant, flycatchers, bulbuls, cuckoos, eagles, etc. This national park has also been a home for wild animals like deer, wild dogs, wild boar, ghoral, black bear, monkey, etc.
This is also a holy place where Khaptad Baba, also known as Late Swami Sachchidananda lived and performed penance. The Ashram where Khaptad Baba used to live and perform penance is located at Triveni. After him, this place is named as Khaptad area. Besides this Ashram, there are 22 temples and other famous religious places like Khapar Daha, Shiva Temple, Sahasrilang Ganesh Temple, Nagdhunga, and Kedhardhunga in and around this national park. There are many cultural fairs and pilgrims gathering that held in Khaptad for centuries.
Due to its rich natural resources, beautiful and stunning landscapes, different religious places, historical, and cultural significances, Khaptad National Park has been one of the major destinations in Nepal, and the most famous in the far-western part of Nepal.
5. Nuwakot Durbar
We have three major Durbar Squares i.e Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square listed in the name of World Heritage Sites in Nepal. All of these three durbar squares deserve to be on this list.
Besides these three durbar squares, Nuwakot Durbar is a palace that we think should be listed in the World Heritage Sites in Nepal. t is one of the oldest and historical palaces of Nepal that is considered an important landmark in the history of Nepal.
From its architecture to its location supports this palace to be enlisted in World Heritage sites. Nuwakot Durbar is located in the Nuwakot district of Nepal, situated at an elevation of more than 900 meters in the mid-hills of Central Nepal.
It was built during the regime of Prithivi Narayan Shah in the 18th century and considered an important landmark in the history of Nepal. The Durbar is a seven-story palace with historical and attractive architecture and can be reached after an hour uphill climb from Trisuli Bazaar. The recent earthquake of Nepal in 2015 damages the interiors of the palace but still there is a possibility for its visitors to roam around. Nuwakot Durbar area is composed of a Malla-style palace, Stone inscription, Taleju goddess, Taleju Bhawani temple complex with beautiful views all around.
Conclusion
These are the more five places of Nepal that we think should be also on the list of World Heritage Sites in Nepal by UNESCO. Since this is our personal opinion, many of you may agree or many of you may not agree with us. The addition of these places to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites will not only give a boost to the number of tourists visiting these places but will also encourage the local and central government to conserve and preserve these places that have a great impact on geography, history, and culture of Nepal.
The more our cultural and historical sites will be added to the list of World Heritage Sites in Nepal, the more our culture and history will be promoted in the world. That’s why we will love to watch these places or sites in the list of World Heritage Sites in Nepal. The addition of these 5 places will also make most Nepalese proud.
Do let us know your opinion regarding this article in the comment box, and share this if you find this article interesting. And also let us know about some places that you think should be listed in World Heritage Sites.
