Gentle and charming people, exquisite temples, deep spirituality, vibrant culture, rich artistic heritage, bursting with colors, delightful chaos – those are what come to mind when we think of Kathmandu.

Our hearts wrenched thinking that many of the splendid cultural heritage sites and sacred places that captivated us no longer stand as a result of the recent devastating earthquake.

But most of all, our hearts go out to its people.  We couldn’t help thinking of those wonderful people we met and those who we simply observed as they were going through the rythmn of their everyday lives.  We wonder how they are, if they’re okay.

As Kathmandu mourns and recovers from the tragedy, we reminisce our experiences and impressions during our visit in this soulful city four years ago.  Allow us to share them with you.

We remember being in awe of Durbar Square, a World Heritage site that is the religious and social center of Kathmandu’s old city. Durbar Square was a dizzying complex of splendid palaces, exquisite Hindu temples and lovely courtyards built between the 12th and 18th centuries by the ancient kings of Nepal. (Very sadly, many of the structures in the square were leveled from the earthquake. )

People frequent the square not only to visit the temples but also to socialize.

Cows and battalions of pigeons were also regular visitors of Durbar Square.

 A sandhu, a Hindu holy man, blessing passersby outside one of the temples.

Women chatting outside a temple next to overflowing garlands of marigolds.

A mother and child making an offering to Hindu deity Shiva in Durbar Square.

This is the window to the home of Kumari, a living goddess worshipped by Hindus in Nepal. We found this tradition fascinating.  We learned that a Kumari is always of pre-pubescent age. The current one is only 6 years old. People believe that she is a representation of divine female divinity. She is chosen based on certain physical characteristics (neck like a conch shell, eye lashes like a cow, etc. ). She is no longer a goddess if she starts having a period or loses a teeth, then a search for new a Kumari begins.

Rickshaws waiting for passengers.

We enjoyed walking around and perusing the trinkets for sale in the bazaar in Durbar Square.

Beautiful schoolchildren strolling in the bazaar.

Keith with friendly kids in the square.

Lovely old women relaxing and mingling in the bazaar.

People carrying heavy loads on their back was a common sight.

 A woman and child watching the goings-on in the street.

A narrow street in old town bustling with pedestrians, motorbikes and rickshaws.

The narrow street in old town led to a market where fragrant and colorful spices delighted our senses.

Vegetable vendors in the market.

It was fascinating to stumble into Freak Street, a famous street in Kathmandu where the hippies converged in the 1960’s

A store in Freak Street with colorful fabrics and hippie-ish accessories.

Like Freak Street, Thamel is a shopping street that was also a hippie haven. A lot of hippie items are still for sale in Thamel.

Although a Hindu nation, Nepal is also home to many Buddhist sacred sites. Swayambunath is an ancient Buddhist temple complex and is one of the oldest religious sites in Nepal. It is popularly known as the “monkey temple” because of the many monkeys living in parts of the complex.

A young boy selling candles in Swayambunath and an old an making a candle offering in one of the temples.

A lady spinning prayer wheels in Swayambunath.

A woman walking by prayer flags in Swayambunath.

Another important Buddhist site in Kathmandu is the stupa of Bodnath. It is the largest one in Nepal and one of the holiest Tibetan temples outside Tibet.

Pilgrims circumnavigating the stupa. Also know as Little Tibet, Bodnath has become has become one of the most important centers of Tibetan Buddhism after the arrival of thousands of Tibetan refugees following Chinese invasion in 1959.

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We are hopeful that the strong, resilient spirits of the people of Nepal will prevail and that they will heal and rebuild. For now, they desperately need our help.

How We Can Help
Here are links to some of the aid groups where you can send your donation. They are all rushing to provide crucial help to the survivors of the devastating earthquake in Nepal.

• UNICEF
• WORLD FOOD PROGRAM
• RED CROSS
• The American Jewish Joint Distribution committee (JDC)
• CARE
• WORLD VISION
• OXFAM
• SAVE THE CHILDREN
• PAYPAL GIVING FUND
• SAMARITANS PURSE
• DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS

All photographs are copyrighted and cannot be used without any permission. 

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 Linking to Travel Photo Thursday, Weekend Travel Inspirations, The Weekly Postcard.

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