ASAN TOLE
From this star-shaped crossroads, follow the traditional route taken by the merchants, which extends diagonally. The bazaar leads to the small square of Kel Tol, but just before it, on the left, a courtyard guarded by two griffins opens up. The sanctuary hidden there is dedicated to Seto Machendranath, the white form of the protector of the valley. Not far away, the copper and tinware district extends nearby, leading to the Asan Tole square, in the heart of the old town, where the traditional market is held.
The temple dedicated to Annapurna, goddess of grain and fertility (another form of Lakshmi, goddess of wealth), dominates the square. One street continues straight on towards Kantipath and the National Theatre, which is at the corner, while another artery on the right joins Rani Pokhari and Kantipath Avenue, from where it is possible to find a rickshaw or a taxi to reach his hotel.
From Asan, stroll through the narrow streets leading to the old northern districts of Kathmandu. A detour of a hundred meters, behind the Annapurna temple, will lead you to the Mahabouddha temple, where a very large painted statue of Buddha is strangely locked in an anonymous building. Only a white stūpa signals its existence. Back in Asan, turn left through the fruit and vegetable market. Shortly after, the street narrows and, on the left, an ordinary door opens onto the courtyard of Haku Bahal. There stands a window and a balcony topped by an ancient torana, an arc of a circle loaded with sea monsters.
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