Roaming Through The City Of Temples : 4 Sacred Spots In Kathmandu

1. The Sanctity of Boudhnath / Boudhanath Stupa

Many people who just want to visit one stupa in Nepal visit the most sacred of them all, the Boudhanath. Boudhanath, also known as Boudhnath, or Bodnath, is the largest stupa in Nepal, found on the eastern outskirts of Nepal in a town called Boudha. It is also considered the most sacred stupa outside of Tibet. Most of Boudhanath now houses Tibetan refugees, and many of the religious influence in the temple is hugely Tibetan as well. You’ll also find that all around the temple, in the monasteries, are a number of monks garbed in maroon robes, some of them from as far as Europe or the US who came to Nepal to study eastern philosophy with monks and sherpas from eastern Tibet.

While Boudhanath was affected by the 2015 earthquake, with parts of its walls still held up with scaffolding, full restoration is already underway. Nevertheless, the work doesn’t seem to deter the drove of pilgrims from all over the country and even from Bhutan and Tibet with their prayer wheels and yaks, not unlike the scenery centuries ago when the stupa was part of the trade route between Kathmandu and Lhasa.

A line of prayer flags gives a celebratory feel to this temple.

Boudhanath Temple

Address: Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

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2. The Monkey Temple, Swayambhunath

Swayambhunath means the “self-existent one” in English. This romantic translation somehow adds to the allure of the oldest stupa in the Kathmandu Valley, which happens to be a UNESCO Heritage Site. Legend has it that Swayambhu, the self-manifesting image of the Buddha, was born here out of a lotus flower that bloomed in the middle of the lake. It is said, and scientific data has proven, that Kathmandu Valley was once a lake. Swayambhunath is said to be in its middle, where the flower bloomed.

It’s quite a challenging trek going up the hill though because of its steep stone steps. But you’ll find that the panoramic view of the whole city and the monkeys begging for food make the trek worth it. That’s why Swayambhunath is known more to westerners as the monkey temple. You’ll find that there’s a busy mix of Hindu and Buddhist iconography here with numerous shrines and monasteries on the premises. There are prayer wheels at the base and a huge image of Sakyamuni Buddha on the western boundary.

Swayambhunath Temple

Address: Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

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3. The largest temple complex, Pashupatinath

Pashupatinath is considered Nepal’s most important Hindu temple, and one of the four most important religious sites in Asia for Shiva devotees. In other temples in Nepal, Shiva is worshiped as a destroyer, but here in Pashupatinath, he is celebrated as Lord of the Beasts, Pashupati. The temple traces its origins back to the Newar Malla Kings of the 5th century. Pashupatinath also happens to be the largest temple complex in Nepal, with the main pagoda of Pashupatinath in the center and 492 other temples dedicated to other Hindu and Buddhist gods and deities, around it. 15 of these temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva, and 12 of these temples are phallic shrines.

The temple covers both sides of the Bagmati River where many religious Hindu ceremonies are held, including cremation. In the 2015 earthquake, the cremation fires on the riverbanks became a defining image of the quake’s aftermath. Now, on its way to recovery, the temple is a busy hive of everyday religious ritual and a place of commerce with merchants selling all types of religious paraphernalia like tika powder and rudraksha beads.

Pashupatinath Temple

Address: Pashupati Nath Road, Kathmandu 44621, Nepal

Website: Pashupatinath Temple

4. The ornate carvings of Changu Narayan

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site situated about 7 miles (11.3 kilometers) east of Kathmandu and north of Bhaktapur, on a hilltop called Changu, is Changu Narayan. There’s also a small village that surrounds it called Changu Village. It is dedicated to Vishnu or Narayan, the Creator of Life. The temple, from an architectural standpoint, is quite special because of its ornate carvings that were made in the Licchavi Period, an ancient kingdom that existed in Kathmandu from as early as 400 CE.

The shrine is guarded by elephants, griffons, and lions and surrounded by champak trees with beautiful flowers that look like magnolias when in bloom. This is said to be the oldest Hindu temple in the history of Nepal. Only Hindus are allowed to enter through the doors but the exterior itself is quite a sight.

Changu Narayan Temple

Address: Changunarayan 44600, Nepal

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Iconic temples that surround the city

Kathmandu is filled with so much religious and cultural history. Because it’s the entry point for all of Nepal, most people usually relate Nepal to the iconic temples that surround the city. But there is more than meets the eye. All around the valley you’ll find hundreds of temples and shrines from different historical periods in Nepal. While luxury hotels, restaurants, and casinos can also be found in the city, it is still no question where many Nepalis congregate, no matter what part of the day - in their most ancient and inescapable places of worship.