BENEATH THE HIMALAYAS Beneath the Earth's tallest mountain peaks is the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. Pokhar is located in the centre of Nepal and captivates by its tranquil calm. Its inhabitants are extremely tolerant and here both the Buddhist and Hindu faiths exist side by side. The Phewa Lake contains many fish and is also a holiday paradise. Whether Mount Everest or Annapurna, the Himalayas fascinate all who see them. Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, is a one thousand year old city steeped in religion, mystique and tradition, a vibrant yet reflective 'home of the gods' and everywhere there are temples, pagodas and shrines. The city of Bhaktapur was founded in the 9th century A. D. and contains twelve Hindu monasteries. It was featured in Bertolucci's film, 'Little Buddha.' Patan is a city of great beauty and is like a living museum of art and where the octagonal pavilion of Chyasilin Deval is dedicated to Krishna and the meditational atmosphere is augmented by wisps of smoke that rise dreamily above sacred images. Changu Narayan is one of the most important Hindu sanctuaries in Kathmandu Valley and is dedicated to the god, Vishnu. Of particular interest is the captivating Aruda Narayana Temple with its painted wooden sculptures, many shrines and heavily gilded roof. The journey comes to an end at the foot of the Himalayas in an enchanting world in which the gods are very much revered and very much alive!