The Legend of Kathmandu

Kathmandu was initially called Kasthamandup, named after a famous temple (which was later transformed into a public shelter) at Durbar Square of Kathmandu. Over time, it came to be called Kathmandu, perhaps as a shortened form of that word. Kasthamandup means "a wooden stage" or "a wooden platform." "Kastha" means "wood" and "mandup" literally translates as "stage" in Nepali. Since wood is used for burning or being burned, the name Kasthamandup can also be seen as a metaphor for sacrifice. Therefore, in that sense, Kathmandu can be thought of as a place or a stage for performing sacrifice.

The Kasthmandup temple, from which the city derives its name, is believed to have been made entirely of wood from a single tree. The temple, built in the Licchivi Era, suffered minor damages over the years and was renovated several times, but it became unrepairable when it was completely razed to the ground during the 2015 earthquake that rocked Nepal. A replica has since then been rebuilt using other materials; however, the original building built from the wood of that tree is now gone forever.

As for the origin of Kathmandu, according to legend, Kathmandu was originally a huge lake inhabited by nagas (mythical serpents). There is some evidence to suggest that Kathmandu indeed might have been a huge lake long ago. But how did this lake filled with serpents become a land habitable by human beings? Well, there is a famous story behind this.

According to Swayambhu Purana — an ancient scripture chronicling the spiritual geography of the Kathmandu Valley — there was a beautiful, divine lotus in the middle of Kathmandu Valley. This was no ordinary lotus. It radiated a supernatural glow and floated in the center of the vast lake that filled the valley.

Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, received a vision of this radiant lotus. Instantly recognizing it as a profound source of enlightenment, he decided to pay a visit — not just to admire it, but to make it accessible for all beings. Descending to the rim of the lake, Manjushri stood atop what is now Chovar Hill. With a single, decisive slash of his sword, he cut a gorge through the hills, creating a channel for the waters to drain away. Today, this dramatic geological incision is known as the Chovar Gorge. As the waters receded, the lotus settled on a hilltop — and that’s where Swayambhunath Stupa, the iconic “Monkey Temple,” now sits. With the valley drained and fertile land exposed, Manjushri stayed a while in this place meditating and even attempting to civilize the local nagas and spirits that dwelled in the newly revealed land by teaching them dharma.

As for the record of early human settlements in Kathmandu, we know that at around 400–750 CE, the Lichhivis established a powerful kingdom in the valley. During this time, Hinduism and Buddhism flourished side by side. The other significant settlement was that of the Mallas at around 1200–1768 CE. The Mallas played a key role in giving Kathmandu the form that it has today. Under the Mallas, the valley was divided into three different regions that we still see today — Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan. The Mallas also built plenty of temples, palaces, and monuments that still stand today and helped solidify the Newar community as the main residents of Kathmandu. Moreover, during that era, arts, literature, music, and architecture also flourished, contributing significantly to giving Kathmandu the richness of culture that we see today.