Kathmandu, which was once a lake, became suitable for human settlement after Manjushree cut a gorge at Chovar to allow the water to drain. Kathmandu had four legendary figures, namely Wak Bajra, Lila Bajra, Surat Bajra, and Manju Bajra Bajracharya. Whenever their magical deeds are read, they seem like fairy tales, but they carry deep influence in the daily rituals of bahals or courtyards of the valley. Wak Bajra from Kwabahal was the greatest tantric in 5 BC, who was believed to go to Kashi for his daily rituals and return the same morning. Si Gha Chaitya, which was originally built in Kashi by him, was brought to Kathmandu on a full moon day with the support of five-coloured threads. It was then established at Naghal, near Thamel — today’s major tourism spot in Kathmandu.
Another legend, Lila Bajra Bajracharya of Shikhamu Bahal near Hanumandhoka Durbar Square, built the majestic wooden temple called Kasthamandap from a single tree in the 7th century. The name of the capital city, Kathmandu, was derived from it.
Surat Bajra Bajracharya, another veteran tantric from Takse Bahal, Surat Shree Mahavihar near the historic Ason market in the 16th century during the Malla period, was very famous for his supernatural powers in both Nepal and Tibet. While having tea with a lama during a visit to Lhasa, he spat tea from the terrace. When asked for the reason, he replied that it was to extinguish a fire that had caught his house. Upon investigation, the lama later confirmed that his house had indeed caught fire at that exact time.
UNESCO mission wants Valley heritage in danger list
Another influential cultural teacher was Manju Bajra Bajracharya of the 16th century, who lived in Musum Bahal, Manisingha Mahavihar near Teku. He was a close adviser of King Pratap Malla and an expert in Vajrayana Buddhism and Tantric practices. Locally popular as Jamana Gubaju, meaning “the priest who does not eat rice,” he was well known for curing sick people and actively solving various social and mental problems of local communities.
There are other legends of Kathmandu such as Singh Sarthabahu of Bhagwan Bahal, Thamel, and Kesh Chandra of Itum Bahal. The Bajracharyas and Shakyas living in these areas are considered the present generation of these legendary figures. However, in-depth research and exploration of these historic personalities remain incomplete, and much of the information available today is based on hearsay. There is great potential to link these figures with heritage tourism, but the lack of factual and authentic information prevents us from doing so.
Heritage tourism generally relates to travelling to places with the objective of experiencing old artefacts and activities that express the history of people and places of the past and present. It also involves exploring and understanding local culture and historical sites by engaging with traditions. It helps generate direct employment for local people and has positive effects on the economy. The opening of guesthouses, lodges, souvenir shops, restaurants, etc., are some of the economic activities flourishing in heritage sites. It also creates new job opportunities, as seen in the numerous shops around Kathmandu’s heritage areas where people are employed as souvenir sellers and guides.
The layout of Kathmandu is believed to be sword-shaped, with temples of protective goddesses (Ajimas) placed along the boundaries of the city. With seven out of Nepal’s ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Kathmandu, every corner of the city has a unique and thrilling story to tell. Despite Kathmandu’s extraordinary and captivating history, with the potential to be one of the world’s leading heritage tourism hubs, the number of visiting tourists tells a different story when compared to other sites such as the Great Wall of China or the Taj Mahal in India, which attract millions annually. Accessibility, accurate information, promotional campaigns, and visitor facilities are key determinants in increasing tourist numbers.
In this regard, the conservation efforts of Hanumandhoka Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and other heritage sites in recent years have been commendable and result-oriented. The exploration, preservation, and rehabilitation of these sites, however, remain uphill tasks for federal and local governments. Following traditional methods of rehabilitation without damaging the authenticity of heritage sites makes the work costly. Entrance fees paid by international tourists have been supportive to some extent in funding these activities.
The increase in tourists at heritage sites has both positive and negative impacts. UNESCO has expressed concern about the negative impacts that rising tourist numbers can leave on heritage sites, and thus emphasises sustainable tourism development. Minimising negative impacts, ensuring equitable benefit-sharing with local residents and stakeholders, and securing active community participation are essential for sustainable tourism. Simply increasing tourist numbers without focusing on proper conservation will not help promote sustainability. In this context, the roles of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, along with the Nepal Tourism Board, are crucial in creating an environment that motivates communities to work jointly with the private sector, ensuring their participation in planning, decision-making, and implementation.
It is worthwhile to mention that the famous Hollywood film The Lord of the Rings was shot in the breathtaking landscapes, rolling hills, and majestic mountains of New Zealand. Following its release, travellers from around the world were drawn to this location. Similarly, the TV series Game of Thrones made Croatia a favourite tourist destination by attracting fans eager to explore its filming locations. Other movies such as Harry Potter and Notting Hill have turned London into a centre of attraction for film enthusiasts. In the same way, if the stories of Kathmandu’s legendary figures are properly explored, documented, and presented in documentaries at an international level, they could overshadow fictional stories like Avatar and Harry Potter. If Greece, London, and New Zealand can become centres of attraction due to films, why can’t we think of such an ambitious plan?
The author is Chief Administrative Officer at Nepal Mountaineering Association.
