Ason Tole – The Oldest Market Place
Ason Tole is one of the oldest markets place inside Kathmandu Valley. Located in the proximity of Kathmandu Durbar Square, it was one of the largest market places during the medieval and modern periods of Nepal. Primarily inhabited by the Newar community, the area houses several temples, monuments, monasteries which are historical and religiously important buildings and monuments. It does not allow the four-wheeler to enter the area during the daytime. However, a very good number of tourists, shoppers, and businessmen visit the area every day.
Tourists chose to visit here as a historical market tour. They can buy souvenirs and see the long-surviving medieval and neoclassical influence architecture peculiarly. Ason is a popular marketplace to buy souvenirs, groceries, clothes, kitchen utensils, metal crafts, and handicrafts including any kinds of daily needs.
History and Tales
Evidence proves that the ancient market of Ason is existing here since the 6th century. An archeologically important stone tap found here, with the name of King Man Dev inscribed in it, proves its existence from his time. Although the market does not seem that large, you will find here anything you need. It sells things ranging from groceries to construction materials. Still today, people even from the remote place visit the market place for shopping as they believe whatever be the things they can buy there. Oriental Journeys’ cultural tours include visiting the Ason Market. It lets our client experience the cultural part of the Kathmandu valley.
Visit Ason Market with
There is a local proverb about the Ason market that long ago a farmer was traveling through the streets of current Ason, carrying a sack of rice. He paused for a rest and could not pick up the sack again. He returned home bare hands. When the family member asked about the rice sack, he replied it is there (Anasa in local language means just there). After that, all the members of his family come to take the sack but still could not. Later they discovered that it is due to the power of Annapurna Mata, Goddess of harvest living beneath. After that, the local people constructed the temple at the same place. People believe that the place got its name from the same incident.
Culture and Religion
At the southeastern side of the main junction of Ason, there is the temple of Annapurna Goddess of a Classical Nepali style. Daily, thousands of local people and devotees from different parts of the country visit the temple to pay their homage. Every year, the temple management committee (Guthi) organizes different festivals and chariot processions to mark the significant festival in the town. Indra Jatra, Gai Jatra, Gathe Muga among others are the major occasion that conducts feasts and festivals in the area. It has a strong connection with the temples and royal palace of Kathmandu Durbar Square.
At the central point of the junction, there is a stone image of a fish. It also carries an interesting story. According to the story, long ago, astrologers find a lucky time on which there would be rainfall along with fish. They had to choose the place where they should get fish. Finally, the place was identified as the center of Ason, where the fish fell from the sky at the forecasted time. To mark the same incident, later on, the statue of the fish was installed here. During the medieval age, there was a formal practice that the fish point was used as the central point for astrological calculations.
Why visit Ason Market?
People still visit the market from distance with confidence that they can buy anything you need. The narrow streets from all the direction of Kathmandu valley meet at the center of Ason Market. The street is the pathway to several marketplaces nearby. Ranging from groceries and medicine it opens to fancy markets. One should visit the marketplace to get an insight into the ancient trade system. The opportunity lets you collect souvenirs and antique things for your memorable collection.