Kathmandu Ko Katha — The Story of a Valley

Kathmandu Ko Katha
Drag to turn the lotus. Scroll to enter the story.

Kathmandu Ko Katha

On a hill above the lake, Manjushri sees the lotus of light and bows to it.

With his sword of wisdom Manjushri cuts the hill at Chobhar; the lake drains away and the lotus comes to rest on the hill of Swayambhu.

The camera draws close to the lotus on the hill. The valley darkens as golden light gathers in its heart. The petals dissolve into rising embers; a column of light and expanding golden rings unveil the Swayambhu stupa, from its base to its spire.

Explore SwayambhuDrag to turn it, or just move the mouse

The camera pulls back; the stupa turns into the lotus again, the lake fills, the cut hill closes, and the story begins once more.

Kathmandu Ko Katha

The story is coming to light…

The story of a valley

It began with a light.

Long before Kathmandu was a city, the valley was a vast lake. In its still waters, a lotus bloomed with a light of its own.

01 / The lotus

A light on the water

Surrounded by hills and distant Himalayan peaks, the lotus shone over the lake. Its light was the beginning of the valley’s story.

02 / Manjushri

A journey toward the light

From the ridge above the lake, Manjushri saw the luminous lotus and bowed before it.

03 / Chobhar

The valley opens

With his sword of wisdom, Manjushri cut through the hill at Chobhar. Water flowed through the gorge, revealing the land beneath the lake.

04 / Swayambhu

From lotus to stupa

The lotus came to rest on the hill of Swayambhu. Its light rose in a column, and the Swayambhu stupa emerged.

05 / The return

Every ending, a beginning

The stupa returns to the lotus. The lake fills, the hills close, and the story begins again.