Trip To Kathmandu - An Amazing Sacred Experience

[My Nepal Tour]

Kathmandu is a city of temples. While on a trip to Kathmandu, you are bound to stumble upon a sacred religious figure, statue or temple on every turn you make. Kathmandu, along with its sister cities, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, is estimated to have more than 150 major religious sites within its boundaries and countless other minor sites.

Even though Nepal is primarily considered a Hindu country, Buddhism has as big influence as Hinduism. Especially in Kathmandu valley the two religions go hand in hand. The Newar community here has been following both religions together, with most deities overlapping both religions. This makes Kathmandu a perfect destination to experience the magnificence of both.

The capital, houses the most significant and sacred sites of both the religion in the country. Firstly, the most famous one has to Pashupati Nath Temple. The temple houses an incarnation of Lord Shiva and is one of the holiest temple of the deity. The temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims from all over Nepal and India as a pilgrimage of huge importance. The complex of Pahupati Nath is next to the holy river of Bagmati and its banks are a significant site for common open air cremations. The complex is a sight to behold during the night and days following Shiva Ratri, with thousands of pilgrims and monks flocking from Nepal and the neighboring countries.

Another religious site of a huge significance is the Swayambu Nath Stupa. It is the oldest stupa in the Kathmandu valley and is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites. It is a large complex of temples both Hindu as well as Buddhist significance, built on top of a hill west of Kathmandu city. It is also known as the “Monkey Temple”, with the woods surrounding the site sheltering numerous family of monkeys. The location of the stupa itself provides a sort of a blissful feeling, while looking onto the Kathmandu valley from the peaceful serenity complex.

Boudha Nath Stupa, one of the largest stupa in the world, is another significant site in Kathmandu. Located in the northeastern part of the city, Boudha Nath is deep inside the largely Tibetan based community of the capital. The stupa is the holiest site for Buddhist and a haven for everything Tibetan in Nepal. The ambience of Boudha, filled with numerous monasteries, souvenir shops and cafes burning incense, not only provides the sense of understanding about the sacred Tibetan Buddhism but also provides one a look into the importance of Buddhism in the lives of the people here.

It is fair to say that religion is ingrained in the life and surroundings of Kathmandu, regardless of the aforementioned three major religious sites. The Hindu and Buddhist influence can be seen spread throughout the city and the valley as a whole. Every site of religious importance is too numerous to mention, but the best place to find a relatively large cluster of such monuments are the Durbar Squares. The Durbar Square complexes of the three cities, Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur are filled with various Hindu temples built in the medieval times.

The best ways to experience the spiritual core of the country is with a religious and/or cultural Nepal Tour Package on a trip to Kathmandu. Ask any Nepal tour operator for such a Nepal Tour Package and you will not miss the best known sites and the limit to which you want explore the rest of the countless locations is all up to you.