Kathmandu is known as the land of temples. In every street corner and every neighbourhood, you will find a temple dedicated to Hindu and Buddhist deities. These temples are revered and worshipped by many devotees. Out of the many temples in Kathmandu, 4 are on the UNESCO heritage list.
If you are planning to visit Kathmandu, here’s a list of famous temples in Kathmandu that you should not miss visiting.
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in Kathmandu that is revered not only by Nepalese devotees but also by Hindus all over the world. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to hold immense spiritual significance, especially for travelers that come from India.
There are many small shrines situated within the temple premises and the main temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a visit to Pashupatinath is not just a trip to a religious place, but a sacred journey as you can also soak in the Hindu culture and mythology in and around the temple. You will find many Holy men or Ascetics around the temple and people deep in prayer.
It is believed that visiting Pashupatinath temple is believed to wash away the sins and bring peace to departed souls. As such it is also one of the most sought out locations to perform the last rites and cremation.
The Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu is located next to the Bagmati river. The temple’s golden pagoda-style roof and intricate wood carvings showcase classic Nepalese architecture, making it a both visual and spiritual delight.
How to get there:
Pashupatinath temple is easily accessible as it is located just 20 minutes from the airport. You can make it your first stop right after leaving the airport.
Best time to visit:
During Maha Shivaratri in February-March, Teej, August-September and during winter months from October to February.
Guheswari Temple
Located just a short walk from Pashupatinath, the Guheswari Temple is an important Shakti Peeth in Nepal. Devotees often visit Pashupatinati and Guheswari temple together as the temple is dedicated to Guheswari Devi or Sati, an incarnation of Parvati, the wife of Shiva. This temple is revered as a place for divine feminine energy.
According to legend, this temple is one of the sacred sites where parts of Sati Devi’s body fell after her self-immolation. After her death, a distraught Shiva carried her body around until Lord Vishnu cut her body into 51 pieces in order to reincarnate Sati and to comfort Shiva.
Unlike most temples in Kathmandu valley, this temple does not have an idol. Rather, it houses a kalash symbolizing the goddess. It is said that Guheswari temple should be visited before visiting Pashupatinath temple.
How to Get There
Guheswari temple is just a five-minute walk away from Pashupatinath temple. And 20 minutes away from the airport. You can visit both temples at the same time.
Best time to visit
During Dashain or Navaratri in September to October, especially on Nawami. Teej and Maha Shivaratri.
Boudhanath Temple
One of the popular Buddhist temples in Kathmandu, the Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Boudha Stupa and its surroundings are known for its serene atmosphere and spiritual energy. It is a must-visit destination, not just for Buddhist but for all travelers interested in architecture, culture, spirituality and history.
The stupa is about 1500 years old and is said to house relics of Kassapa Buddha, a previous incarnation of Lord Buddha. With a towering white dome, with a gilded spire on top and the all seeing eyes of the Buddha painted in all four directions of the stupa. An iconic symbol of Nepal, Boudhanath Stupa receives hundreds of visitors daily.
The Boudhanath temple in Kathmandu is not just a religious center, but it is also a center for Tibetan Buddhism, culture and food. Pilgrims and visitors can perform kora (circumambulation) of the massive stupa while listening to Buddhist chants playing on speakers.
You can also visit the shops selling Tibetan items or cafes and restaurants to enjoy authentic Tibetan and Nepali cuisines such as momo, thukpa, thenduk and laphing.
How to get there:
Boudha is situated 6 kilometers from our hotel in Thamel. You can get there via a 30 minute taxi ride.
Best Time to Visit
During Tibetan Lhosar or Tibetan New Year in February/March. Buddha Jayanti in April/May and on Full Moon Days, which are considered to be highly auspicious.
Swayambhu Temple
One of the most sacred and ancient sites in Nepal, the Swayambhunath temple is perched atop a hill overlooking Kathmandu valley. This Buddha temple in Kathmandu is said to be over 2000 years old. Similar to the Boudhanath Stupa, the Swayambhunath is not only a symbol of Nepal’s spiritual heritage but it is also a representation of harmony between Hinduism and Buddhism.
The word “Swayambhu” means “self-created” or “self-existing”. According to legend, the Swayambhu stupa is said to have emerged from a lotus floating in the center of Kathmandu Valley when it was a giant lake. Then the deity Manjushri, cut open the valley and drained the lake, the lotus emitted a light and that is where Swayambhu was created.
The Swayambhu stupa area houses many monasteries and shrines including that of Manjushree, Harati devi, several small stupas and a mysterious temple called Shantipur.
How to get there:
Swayambhu is 2.5 kilometers from Thamel and you can either walk to the stupa or take a 10-minute ride.
Best time to visit
Visit during Buddha Jayanti, Lhosar or during the Gunla (9th month of Lunar calendar falling on July/August). The best time to visit is early morning, when the site is peaceful, or evening, when the stupa glows beautifully under butter lamps.
Changu Narayan Temple
Known as one of the oldest Hindu temples in Nepal, the Changu Narayan Temple. Located in Bhaktapur, atop a hill called Changu or Dolagiri, this temple is also on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and should definitely fall in your list of temples to visit in Kathmandu.
The temple enshrines a beautiful idol of Narayan in the form of Garuda Narayan. There are also several other depictions of Vishnu’s avatars such as Narasimha and Vamana. The temple area is peaceful and quiet, enhancing the spirituality, making the experience an unforgettable one.
Built in the 4th century, the Changu Narayan is not just a temple but an open museum for ancient architecture and culture. This temple has some of the most intricate sculptures which date back over 1500 years, preserved within the temple premises.
How to get there
The distance from Thamel to Changu Narayan is about 22 kilometers. You can combine a tour to Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changu Narayan as the temple lies about 6 kilometers from Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Take a vehicle from Thamel to Bhaktapur and then to Changu Narayan.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit is during spring (March-May), autumn (September-November) and winter (December-February).
Budhanilkantha Temple
Another temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is the Budhanilkantha temple in Kathmandu. Also known as the Sleeping Vishnu temple in Nepal, it is located at the foothills of Shivapuri Hills and Shivapuri National Park. The temple is famous for its 5-meter long statue of Lord Vishnu, here known as Budhanilkantha or Jal Narayan. The reclining black stone statue of Vishnu appears to be floating on a serenely sacred pond on a bed of coiled snakes (Shesha Naag).
This temple holds a deep spiritual connection and mythology for its devotees as the temple is said to be built in the 7th century and the statue is around 1400 years old. The calm expression of the deity with his four hands holding a chakra, shankha, gada and lotus flower resonates an air of peace and tranquility where devotees feel calm and connected to spirituality.
Many Hindu devotees find similarity between Budhanilkantha and depictions of Vishnu in temples of India like Tirupati Balaji or Ananta Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
How to get there
The temple is located about 10 kilometers from Thamel and can be reached by taxi or private vehicle. You can combine a trip to the temple with a visit to the Shivapuri National Park which is just beyond the temple premises.
Best time to visit
During Dashain (Navaratri) during which time devotees visit major temples in Kathmandu. Or during Haribodhi Ekadashi in October/November which marks the awakening of Lord Vishnu after four months of cosmic rest. Shivaratri (February/March) is also a good time to visit.
Dakshinkali
Dedicated to the fierce manifestation of Goddess Parvati, the Dakshinkali temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in Nepal, situated in the outskirts of Kathmandu. For Hindu devotees, especially devotees of Shakti and Kali Mata, this temple offers a deeply spiritual experience which the temple nestled amidst the Pharping hills.
The name combines two words, Dakshin, meaning south and Kali, the Goddess of time and transformation. The temple faces south where it is believed that Kali’s most powerful energy flows in this direction. The temple itself is situated to the southern edge of Kathmandu valley. Kali is seen as a symbol of protection and this temple is said to have been built in the 14th century by an ancient king in order to protect Kathmandu and its people from negative forces.
The temple is surrounded by forest trees and it is visited by wild monkeys, so make sure to keep your belongings safe.
How to get there:
The temple is located 22 kilometers south of Kathmandu near Chobar. You can combine a trip to Chobar Gorge, the Asura Cave Monastery in Pharping and Jal Binayak Temple in Chobar.
Best Time to Visit
During Dashain festival (September-October) or every Tuesday and Saturday, considered as auspicious days for Kali worship.
If you were to ask how many temples there are in Kathmandu, you wouldn’t get a straight answer because there are so many major temples and small shrines scattered throughout the city that it is impossible to count. Some estimate that there are over 2500 ancient temples in Kathmandu! Pashupatinath temple complex alone has around 500 smaller temples. You may not have time to visit all the temples in Kathmandu, however, the most famous temples that you shouldn’t miss out on.
