Nepal Calls You

Introduction

Nepal, an abode of Gods will compel anyone to rejuvenate mentally, physically and spiritually.

Nepal, not only famous for its natural beauty but also is renowned as a cultural melting pot where two of the oldest religions amalgamate - Hinduism and Buddhism. Nepal has the glorious past which dates back to thousands of years, few of the oldest religious sites in Nepal are treasured as the holiest places on the planet to perceive/receive redemption by Hindus and Buddhists followers.

It is needless to mention that Nepal is recognized as one of the important touristic destinations in the whole world. Besides natural facet, religious tourism has been a major component of national
tourism in Nepal. Tourism is the largest industry in Nepal which possesses great potential to grow in an exponential fashion. Globally, travel and tourism is a true economic activity. As a Hindu-majority and a visible Buddhist minority, religious tourism is proliferating when it comes to internal tourism. Nepalese people have been adopting the viral trend of traveling and visiting pilgrimage sites, ‘Kundas’ (holy lakes, ponds) lately, which is good news for entire tourism fraternity.

In Nepal, religion pervades every aspect of life with festivals, occasions, daily chores and rituals, family gatherings, celebrations, and religious observances. At each step, one can maintain acquaintances with temples and shrines, processions and devotional sounds. Although Nepal was once the world's only Hindu Nation, but a secular now, is a tangled and beautiful tapestry woven of Hinduism, Buddhism and other faiths loving together harmony and forbearance.

Nepal is home to numerous holy temples, mountains and other religious destinations worth visiting. Nepal Calls You has come up with Top 15 Holy Places in Nepal which everyone should check out while in Nepal, a piece of paradise, perched in between India and China.

1. Pashupatinath Temple:

 

Devoted to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath is one of the four most important religious sites in Asia mainly for the devotees of Shiva. It was built up in the 5th century and renovated by Malla kings later. It is believed that the site itself has existed from the beginning of the millennium when a Shiva Linga was unearthed here.

Situated on the bank of holy Bagmati River, a bit away from the cacophony of the capital, Kathmandu this temple is the most sacred Hindu place in Nepal. Pashupatinath, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Nepal, is the must-visit place for Hindus, to mention straightforwardly. Here, the lives of many people settle down daily; come to an end, cremations take place, and lots of devout Nepalese come here to die.

On the bank, there lies a cremation site where the last rites and rituals of Hindus are performed. The final procession and cremation are definitely not for those faint-hearted souls. Still, we can see people watching those bereaving scenes. You can make a visit to Pashupatinath Temple for an out-of-this-world experience.

Writing about its structure, it is the largest temple complex in Nepal, which stretches on both sides of the Bagmati River from Gaushala to Guheshwori. The temple is built in pagoda styled has a gilded roof, silver-covered four sided roofs, and wood carvings of the top-notch quality. Also one can get to see/observe numbers of Temples and sub-temples devoted to several other Hindu and Buddhist deities surround the temple premises of Pashupatinath.

2. Boudhanath Stupa:

 

To the east of downtown Kathmandu, just 8 kilometers away, Boudhanath Stupa stands to be one of the most imposing landmarks in the capital which is easily visible from Tribhuvan International Airport. It is the largest ‘Chorten' in the valley, one can see as soon as he/she lands at TIA.

For Buddhists, the distinctive white dome and the golden pinnacle of Boudhanath Stupa is the most sacred site. It was built in the 14th century and is popular as one of the biggest Stupas in the world. Many Buddhist sites in Tibet are modeled on this astounding place. As we can see, Boudhanath premises is a hub of Tibetan lifestyle in Kathmandu, and the lanes and alleys around the stupa are full of Tibetan knick-knack shops, delightful restaurants catering to locals as well as tourists’ desires. If you are looking forward to pay a holy visit to Boudhanath Stupa we recommend you not to miss the auspicious round walk in the clockwise direction (called a Kora), and to spin the brass prayers' wheels along the way circling the dome.

3. Swayambhunath:

 

Resting on a hillock just 3 kilometers away to the northwest Kathmandu, Swaymbhunath, also known as the "Monkey Temple" among international vacationers and wayfarers, rests atop its hill and overlooking the valley. According to the travelers, this is the perfect place to catch staggering vistas of the city. This holy site itself has stood as an emblem of faith and harmony for centuries. The luster of Kathmandu valley is said to have risen from this holy point.

It is a primeval Buddhist Stupa on a small hill witnessing the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. One can reach the top via a steep staircase on its eastern side, or a gradual road on the west. We must say that it’s one of the most iconic sets of Kathmandu, with its white dome, ornate bronze spire, and painted Buddha eyes with complexity. Surrounded by numbers of statues, temples and stone Chortens, as well as the fiddle-faddle creatures that gives it, the nickname of ‘Monkey Temple’. Yet not as large as Boudhanath, it is also circulated in a clockwise direction. No rays of doubt! It's a must-visit place in Kathmandu.

4. Lumbini:

 

It is where Gautam Buddha was born in 623 B.C. Buddha is renowned as the ‘Light of Asia and happens to be the preacher of Buddhism. Today, Lumbini is one of the world's most important spiritual plots which is visited by legions of pilgrims every day. Here at Lumbini, you can visit more than 25 internationally built Buddhist monasteries, get insights on Buddhism, meditation and visit Buddha's birthplace itself within the sacred Mayadevi temple premises.

When we speak or write of Lumbini, Mayadevi Temple is of paramount. It's a prime site in the Lumbini Garden as it was recognized by many historians and archaeologists as the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Besides, in Lumbini, we can see inscriptions on the Ashoka Pillar which vividly refers to the spot as his birthplace. It is believed that there the newly born Prince (Buddha) had taken his first seven steps and gave a message of peace to humanity, to the world. "May peace prevails on Earth”; Nepal Calls You wishes.

5. Gosaikunda:

 

Positioned in the Langtang National Park, Holy lake Gosainkunda is a Hindu pilgrimage site as well as a famous trekking destination. We can reach this lake within 3 days of travel from Kathmandu. It's an alpine freshwater lake at an altitude of 4,380 meters above the sea level, surrounded by stunning mountain ranges which remains frozen for about half the year. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims flock to this region during the Janai Purnima festival. Followers and trekkers assume it as the important place for Hindus as according to Hindu mythology, the Gods Shiva and Gauri dwelled here. The best access to Gosainkunda is through Dhunche which lies at the 132km northeastern part of Kathmandu. Dhunche from where our trek gets started is linked with Kathmandu by a motorable road. There are all total 108 holy lakes in this region including nine more famous Kundas such as Saraswati, Bhairav, Surya, Ganesh Kunda etc. If you’re planning for Langtang Trek or Langtang Gosaikunda Trek, Gosaikunda is the main highlights of this trek.

If anyone reading this blog is interested to visit or make it to Gosaikunda, just don’t be late. Hurry up! You are missing something great, an awakening spirituality offered by Nepal. :)

6. Devghat:

          As the name implied, Devghat is a popular pilgrimage site located at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Trisuli river. “Ghat” in Hindu culture, is a sacred place where cremation and last ritual takes place or carried out by the families or relatives of a deceased after the death of a devotee. Lying to the north of the Chitwan National Park, this Ghat is a must-visit spot for Hindu followers and spiritual seekers.

During the month of Magh, Maghey Sankranti festival in January is celebrated here. We can witness legion of Hindu devotees’ crowd gathered to take holy baths in the river. Also, there are a numerous holy and historical sites in and around Devghat providing interesting short detours: the Triveni temple and Balmiki Ashram where the legendary sage Balmiki had retired, the Someswar Kalika temple and fort, Pandavanag, the place where the supporters of the Mahabharat lived once and the Kabilaspur fort which was built by the old rulers of Palpa district.

7. Badimalika:

 

Badimalika Temple is located in Bajura district of Seti Zone. It is one of the major temples in Nepal mainly representing Bajura. Dedicated to Bhagwati, Malika Chaturdashi is the major fest that is held in this temple annually. Being renowned among the hikers as an “Adventure in the Grasslands” this temple is served by two priests, one representing Kalikot and another Bajura district.

Lately, Badimalika is enlisted as one of the new trekking trails identified, explored and promoted by Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN). The temple is situated atop of a hillock at an altitude of 4,200 meters. It wears a festive outfit during Janai Purnima festival on the month of August. Thousands of people, pilgrims from different parts of the country as well as neighboring state, India pay a visit to the temple on this auspicious day of Janai Purnima. Yes! Bajura is well-off in terms of culture, nature and local traditions. We get to see locals performing different dances like Deuda, Thadi, Hudkeuli, and Bhuwo.

8. Muktinath:

 

At an altitude of 3,710 meters, Muktinath, a sacred place to both Hindus and Buddhists lies in Mustang district. It is believed to be a holy spot where liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth is found. Perched at the foothills of the legendary Thorung La (Pass), which is a most-sought after passed and should be crossed on the Annapurna Circuit trek. Muktinath can be approached via both trekking and driving or riding. It is a swift yet uphill drive (or a longer hike) from the village of Kagbeni in Lower Mustang. On a sunny day, we can get to witness the mesmerizing eyeshots of the snowy Himalayas and the rugged as well as the dry landscape of Mustang. Believe us the rustic setting of life in windy wonderland, Mustang is incredible. Literally, out-of-this-world experience. :)

The main shrine of Muktinath shaped in Pagoda style devoted to Lord Vishnu. Circled by the wall which is attached with 108 waterspouts to pour holy water and pilgrims are supposed to take bath under each ancient tap. As this is a high-altitude temple situated on a high mountainous part so it should be visited during fair weather conditions. To reach there, there are two options to get to Muktinath from Kathmandu. Either takes a direct flight from Kathmandu via Pokhara to Jomsom and walk for 7-8 hours via Kagbeni or you should choose the public bus from Kathmandu-Pokhara-Beni-Jomsom which takes around 7-8 days. You can also visit this holy site if you went to Pisang Peak Climbing.

9. Manakamana:

 

(Man= Soul/heart, Kamana= wish/will) As indicated by the name in Devanagari Lipi, Lord at Manakamana is famous to grant the wishes of devotees. It sits at an altitude of 3900 ft. offering stunning scenery of the Ganesh, Manaslu, and Annapurna mountain ranges, in Gurkha district. Every day hundreds of thousands of people make the journey via 2.8 km of Cable car ride from the bottom station at Kurintar to worship at Manakamana's Bhagwati Mandir. Visiting Manakamana temple indeed is a true Nepali thing to do.

10. Baglung Kalika Temple:

 

Baglung Kalika Temple is the name of significant Hindus shrine which is located in Baglung district, the western portion of Nepal. The temple of Kalika Bhagawati is one of the most prominent temples in Nepal.

Unlike other temples, we have to walk or stroll for five minutes into deep woods and verdant vegetation boasting Saal dominated dense forest just above the southern face of Kaligandaki River. Actually, the periphery resembles with the jungle of Terai perched yet in the hill. It is believed that the Bhagwati, goddess fulfills the demands/wishes of devotees if they could please her. Chaite Dashain Mela and Durga festival during the month of Bada Dashain is more famous when it comes to special occasions in Baglung Kalika Temple.

11. Patal Bhumeshwor:

 

Representing beautiful Wild West in Nepal, this holy land lies in a central geographical part of Patan Municipality in Baitadi district. Sad but the fact, though this region is rich with verdant vegetation and water resources accompanied by the deepest cave of Asia, Patal Bhumeshowr is still yet to come in the limelight of national tourism. We can reach here after an hour of the drive via jeep if we ride 18-20km towards northeast from Dasharath Chand Highway.

12. Pathivara Devi Shrine:

 

Pathivara Devi located at a height of (3794m) is a popular pilgrimage destination that is believed to grant the long-cherished dreams of pilgrims/devotees. Like in Muktinath, the deity at Pathivara is also worshiped with equal reverence by both Hindus and Buddhist followers. This temple is more famous for full-filling wishes and demands of her devotees, like sons for those without sons, and wealth for the destitute. Pathivara Devi is regarded one of the 'Shakti Piths' of entire Nepal.

Disciples from nooks and corners of Nepal and India come to this temple during special occasions. The believers of Pathivara also include members of the Royal family who ruled in Nepal for more than half a century. During the months of winter in January and February, this temple's premise gets blanketed with the layers of snow which makes it more alluring and hence visitors get flocks here.

13. Swargadwari:

 

To the west part of the district name Pyuthan (Rapti Zone), there lies the holiest spot of the region Swargadwari, a popular place for Hindu pilgrims. It lies almost 26 kilometers south of Khalanga Bazar, which is the district headquarter of Pyuthan. During the month of April and October on the auspicious occasion of festivals like Baisakh Purnima and Kartik Purnima devotees from different parts and corners of Nepal and India come to pay homage to this religious site.

14. Dolakha Bhimsen:

 

The temple of Bhimeshwar, popularly known as Dolakha Bhimsen lies in the upper part of Dolakaha district, east of the capital. The locals of Dolakha regard Bhimeswar as their supreme deity. The roofless temple is a haven to a Shiva Linga, beneath which there sits a holy pond(Kunda). Festivals and mega religious events are organized at this temple on the occasions as Bala Chaturdashi, Ram Navami, Chaitra Ashtami (Chaitey Dashain) and Bhima Ekadashi.

15. Khaptad Baba Ashram:

 

More popular by his alternative tag, Swami Sachchidananda, Khaptad Baba was a spiritual holy being who traveled along the rugged uplands of Nepal and settled down temporarily in Ilam, Kalinchowk, Swargadwari, Musikot, Chandannath and eventually in the Khaptad Valley in the 1940s in the course of meditation and worship. It is believed that he lived for more than five decades in the rolling hillocks of geo-heaven Khaptad valley and overlooked the establishment of Khaptad National Park in 1984. He is cherished as a Hindu saint. Within the Khaptad National Park, a graven image of Khaptad Baba rests inside Baba's and national park also contains a small lake, named as Khaptad Lake.

If there are any deserving religious sites to be enlisted, please feel free to inform us in our comment section. Nepal Calls You will be happier to include it. :)