Blogs

Nepal is an astonishing country with a diverse landscape. Surrounded by the great Himalayas and dotted with gently-flowing rivers and serene lakes, Nepal travel truly mesmerizes its visitors. It is not only a great adventure destination but also a place with much spiritual significance. The birthplace of Lord Buddha, Nepal is filled with numerous gompas and ancient Hindu temples. Many Buddhist and Hindu devotees come to Nepal on pilgrimage tours to seek blessings and pray for salvation. Mentioned below are the most famous sacred places of Nepal where you can head to for meditation and spirituality.

Pashupatinath Temple

Situated on the banks of the river Bagmati, Pashupatinath is a sacred pilgrimage place for Hindus in the capital city of Kathmandu. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is constructed in pagoda style, its roof made  of copper and painted with gold. It has four main gates, all coated with silver sheets. The western door has a huge Nandi statue made up of black stone and pated in bronze. The banks of River Bagmati are lined with ghats where devotees take their holy dips. Pashupatinath temple is also listed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Boudhanath Stupa

The largest stupa in Nepal, Boudhanath is located in the town of Boudha in the outskirts of Kathmandu. Probably built in the 14th century, it has become the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal and stands as the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. It looks like a giant mandala, with four Buddha dhyani marking the cardinal points and one in the center. The base of the stupa consists of three platforms which symbolize earth. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Boudhanath Stupa remains an important place for pilgrimage and meditation.

Swayambhunath Stupa

Perched on the top of a hill in the Kathmandu valley, Swayambhunath Stupa is the most important Buddhist temple in Nepal. An ancient set of 365 stairs leads you to the steep forested hillside and the temple - the journey is quite spectacular. You can also drive to the hill if you don't want to walk. The sleepy all-seeing eyes of Buddha drawn on the temple wall has become an important symbol of Nepal. There are other shrines located on the platform around the main stupa which were donated by various kings and Lamas. A trip to Kathmandu is incomplete without visiting Swayambhunath.

Lumbini

The birthplace of Lord Buddha, the city of Lumbini holds a sacred place among Hindus and Buddhists. A treasure chest of ancient ruins and antiques dating back to pre-Christian era, Lumbini attracts many travelers who come here to learn about the ancient past. It was described as a beautiful garden during the times of Buddha and still holds the same charm. One of the four important Buddhist pilgrimage site, thousand of devotees come to this place all around the year.

Muktinath

An important pilgrimage place for both Hindus and Buddhists, it holds special significance among spiritual people of South Asian subcontinent. Muktinath literally means salvation. People visit this place to achieve 'moksh' from the cycle of birth and rebirth. The holy shrine of Muktinath includes a Buddhist gompa and a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

There is lots more to explore and many spiritual sites to visit on a Nepal trip.