The Kathmandu valley has a traditional as well as a modern setting. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the valley consists of three cities of historic, cultural and political importance - Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. The valley is at 1136 m. above sea level.
Pashupatinath Temple :
Originally built in the 5th century, this pagoda styled sacred temple of lord Shiva, one of the holiest temple in the world for the hindus popularly known as Pashupatinath is located at the banks of the sacred river Bagmati about 5 kms east from the city centre. Hindu pilgrims from all over the world gather here on the day of Shivaratri (March), the biggest festival of Shiva. Listed in the world heritage site, the area is also used as the biggest cremation place in Nepal.
Swoyambhunath :
Listed in the world heritage site, this temple is one of the masterpieces of Nepalese architecture in Stupa style. Believed to be built 2600 years ago, the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha protects the Nepalese from all bad things and is worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. People visit this temple everyday and during Buddha Jayanti (May) and Gunla festival (August) large number of devotees gather here. It is also known as 'monkey temple'' for the numerous monkeys which inhabit the surrounding forests.
Boudhanath Temple :
Boudhanath is one of the largest Buddhist shrines in Nepal. Built in the 6th century, the base of this temple is constructed in a mandala form. This temple, one of the biggest in the stupa style is a masterpiece of the medieval architecture of Nepal. A large number of Tibetans are settled around this temple. Many other monasteries surround this Stupa.
Dakshinkali :
Lying about 10 kms south of Kathmandu city this is one of the famous temple for hindus. Animal sacrifices are given every Tuesday and Saturday and during big festivals like Dashain.
Budhanilkantha :
The famous image of Lord Vishnu lying in the water is located about 8 km north of Kathmandu. Believed to be built around the 7th century a large number of Hindus and Buddhists worship this image with equal faith.
Outside Kathmandu Valley
MANAKAMANA TEMPLE
(THE WISH FULFILLING GODDESS)
Legend has it that Queen of Gorkha, King Ram Shah (A. D. 1614 - 1636), possessed divine powers known only to her devotee Lakhan Thapa. One day, the King found his Queen as Goddess. Following the revelation, he mentioned it to his Queen and suddenly died. He was cremated and his Queen committed sati on his funeral pyre, as per the custom. She consoled her lamenting devotee Lakhan saying she would reappear near his home. Six months later, a farmer ploughing his field hit a stone, cleaved it and blood and milk flowed which ceased when Lakhan worshipped it with his tantric knowledge. The site became foundation of the present shrine. The present pujari is the 17th generation descendent of Lakhan Thapa.
The Shrine of Manakamana renovated many times over the centuries has four story pagoda style roofs with entrance from the South-west. The pujari performs daily prayers and ritual in the temple behind closed doors by offering eggs, oranges, rice, red powder and strips of cloth to the deities. On completion of the pooja of the shrine by the priest, the turn of the public begins.
Manakamana temple lies 12 Km south of historic town Gorkha and located on a prominent ridge (1302 mt. above sea level) overlooking the river valleys of Trisuli (south) and Marshyangdi (west). The unique location of the place is dramatized during winter when the ridge appears as an island above the sea of morning mist.
People believe Manakamana Devi fulfills the wishes of her devotees, thus called the wish fulfilling
deity. The reward on reaching the shrine is both spiritual and physical exhilaration. Spectacular views include deep valleys, terraced fields and the Manaslu-Himalchuli and Annapurna ranges. In the past, the only access to the region was by arduous climb of over five hours but one can now visit the shrine in comfort by Manakamana cable car.
LUMBINI
The Lumbini is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam Buddha, who was born in 623 BC. It is situated about 284 km southwest from Kathmandu. There are many flights daily from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa from where it takes about an hour to get there.
Sacred Garden
The Sacred Garden, is the ultimate pilgrimage site for the Buddhist from all over world, has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Garden covers the pillar built by emperor Ashok which is called Ashokan Pillar. The pillar was erected by the emperor to mark it as the birthplace of Buddha. It also has a pond, where Queen Mayadevi, the mother of Gautam Buddha, believed to have taken bath before giving birth to him.
Mayadevi Temple
The Mayadevi Temple which consists of a stone relief depecting the birth scene of Siddhartha Gautam. The bass relief shows Maya Devi supporting herself by holding on to a branch of a sal tree and the newborn infant standing upright on a lotus pedestal.
Other Temples and Monasteries
Near Sacred Garden in the International Monastery Zone, you can see numerous temples and monasteries from many Buddhist countries. Because of all these temples and monasteries built in design and architecture of the respective countries you will be able to see many designs at one place. One of the most impressive temples is Lokamani Cula Pagoda, a gleaming gold and while structure in the style of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. It is also known as the Myanmar Temple. Built by Buddhist Association of China, China Temple is another magnificent complex of pagodas, prayer rooms and meditation cells. International Gautami Nuns Temple is a fine replica of the Swayambhu stupa in Kathmandu. The Nepal Buddha Temple and the Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha Vihara are located inside the Sacred Garden. There are number of temples and monasteries from the countries like Japan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand.
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