History of Kirtipur
The area of Kirtipur is steeped in legend. The entire Kathmandu Valley was once a giant lake and it was only when Manjushree (an enlightened being) came to the area, that the valley was created. He took a sword to one of the hills near Kirtipur, carved out Chobhar Gorge, and the lake drained from there, creating the valley as it’s known today. Taudaha Lake in southern Kirtipur is all that remains of the once-huge Kathmandu lake.
The Newari settlement of Kirtipur, meaning the ‘City of Glory’, dates back to Medieval Times, and many examples of traditional Newari architecture can still be seen today, along with rituals that have been practised for hundreds of years.
During Nepal’s unification in the 18th century, Kirtipur became known as a staunch defender of its territory. On his mission to unite Nepal, Prithvi Narayan Shah and his Gurkha army attempted twice unsuccessfully to conquer the town. As a sign of his frustration after eventually gaining control of Kirtipur, it is said he ordered the noses and lips to be cut off all the men in the town (except those who were able to play woodwind instruments for his entertainment). A number of Gurkha weapons taken during these battles are hanging at Bagh Bhairab Temple.
In more recent years, Kirtipur became the seat of education when Tribhuvan University, Nepal’s oldest university, was established in 1959 and there is a buzzing student scene that continues today.