The Swayambhu Purana tells us that Kathmandu, whose history is inextricably tied up with that of the Kathmandu valley itself,  emanated from the bed of a deep lake known as Nagdaha because it was infested with snakes. It was the Bodhisatwa Manjushree who drained the lake that covered the valley with a cut his sword and in its place set up the city of Manjupattan. Then the demon Banasur once more converted the city into a lake— but this time it was Lord Krishna who drained it after killing the demon. Of such myths and legends has been shaped Kathmandu, and the valley wherein it lies. We, in one swoop, also get a deep insight into the inflections of Hinduism and Buddhism which drive Nepal’s spirituality.

Nepal’s capital and biggest city Kathmandu is not only the city of temples, it also mushrooms with palaces, mansions and gardens because of its royal lineage as the First City of the Hindu Kingdom of Nepal. Sequestered in its Himalayan enclaves it offers a profusion of holiday experiences underpinned by its history, culture, art and religious festivals. Tourism largely drives the economy here.

Visitors from around the world arrive in droves throng at the UNESCO-acclaimed World Heritage Sites of Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhnath and Pashupatinath, major cultural and religious hubs in the city. Sign up for a vintage Vespa ride tour of the sights and sounds of the Old Quarter of Kathmandu, where even the backstreets and courtyards lend themselves beautifully to photography tour as well. Learn to cook the Nepali way at a home cooking demo, at which one gets to interact with a local family. Learn the fine art of stone carving from fourth generation Nepali master sculptor Jaya Raj Bajracharya.

The fusion of the old and the new offers some of the most fascinating vignettes of Kathmandu’s engagement with the streams of visitors that pass through. As a gateway to the Nepal Himalayas it sees scores of mountaineering buffs from around the world arrive to climb its famous snow peaks such as Mt. Everest, the world’s highest mountain, which dates to the time of the British era. Visitors today are happy enough to sign-up for a champagne breakfast at Everest Base Camp, in plain sight of this mystery-bound peak.

In the Old  City, wander through the heritage-rich precincts of Darbar Square, with its showcase of 50 temples and buildings,  a legacy from four kingdoms that represent Nepalese history— Kantipur, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Kiritpur. A visit here to the Kumari Ghar and its secretive world, introduces you to the deeply embedded tradition of the worship of Kumari, the virgin girl-child goddess. Dating to the 17th century the practice was constituted by King Jaya Prakash Malla. Imbued with rituals, pageantry and deep veneration, her worship is common to both the Hindu and Buddhist community in Nepal.

Not to be missed is  walk around Nepal’s UNESCO-acclaimed Boudhnath Stupa, where you may get many new insights on the Buddha connect with Nepal, the monastery rituals, the daily routines, education, even football from your monk-cum– guide.

While Malla-era old Nepali art defines the Nepalese Renaissance age, it’s the contemporary street art scene which is literally making heads turn on the streets of Kathmandu now. Contemporary Kathmandu offers new face to visitors with its flourishing street art culture summoned up by an artistic explosion as an aftermath to the devastating 2015 earthquake, from which the city has risen anew and is a rich amalgamation of vibrant colors sights and d scents.