One of the oldest cities in the world, Kathmandu was founded in 723BC. Before that the Legend states that the valley of Kathmandu was a lake and Bodhisatta Manjushree cut a gorge at Chovar with his sword to drain the water and to this day that is the only outlet of the entire rivers of the valley. However scientific evidence proves that the valley indeed was a lake about 10,000 years ago.
The three cites were independent kingdoms at onetime under the Malla Rulers and was conquered by King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha in 1768/69. After this era Kathmandu was declared as the capital of Nepal. All three cities follow a similarity of Culture as per Newa tradition who were the original inhabitants of the valley.
Each City has a festival known as Jatra in the local Newa dialect which is held once annually. The city of Bhaktapur celebrates Biska Jatra dedicated to Lord Bhairav in April. The city of Patan celebrates the Bhoto Jatra in honor of Lord Matsendra Nath in June/July and Kathmandu the Indra Jatra in September to honor The Living Goddess Kumari.
Two of the oldest Buddhist Stupa in the valley are Swayambhu Nath,
Situated on a small hillock in the outskirts of Kathmandu and Boudhhanath built on a mandala making it one of the largest spherical Stupa in the world.
Both stupas have eyes painted on all four directions said to represent the eyes of The Lord Buddha keeping a watch on righteous behavior of Humans in four cardinal directions. Over the ages the eyes have become the tourism brand of Nepal.
