| Bishnumati River | |
|---|---|
 Bishnumati River | |
| Location | |
| Country | Nepal |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Bagmati River |
The Bishnumati River (also known as Bisnumati River)(Nepal Bhasa:𑐰𑐶𑐲𑑂𑐞𑐸𑐩𑐟𑐶 𑐏𑐸𑐳𑐶, Nepali: विष्णुमति नदी), is a river flowing in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal that originates at Tokha on Shivapuri Mountain, north of Kathmandu.[1] It flows through the western part of old Kathmandu city. It is a holy river for both Hindu and Buddhist people. Literally, Bishnumati means the beloved river of Lord Vishnu. Sobha Baghwati and Indrayani along with Kankeshowri temple - a few of the holiest places of the Kathmandu Valley are on the opposite banks of this river. Karbir Masan, a revered cemetery is also on the bank of this river. the tributaries of this river are Sapanatirtha Khola, Sangle Khola, Lhora Khola, and Binap Falls. Bisnap[clarification needed] fall locates at the Shivapuri National Park .
Bishnumati is one of the very important rivers of the valley. It provides water for drinking, cultivating agriculture and ritual purposes of the local citizens. It has rich ritual cultural values. But for the last 35 years, it has been used as a dumping site. Encroachment on the river with the diversion of its water has occurred. For that surrounding environment should be improved. That is the riverside improvement and demand of greenery development by bioengineering system to be needed today
The 1500-year history of funerary architecture in the Kathmandu Valley is some of the finest examples of stone architecture found on the subcontinent. A caitya is placed in almost all courtyards in cities like Patan.[2]
