There are many temples all around the country of Nepal. Previously, Nepal was a Hindu Nation but to address all religions, Nepal is now a secular country. Still, Hinduism is the most followed religion in Nepal. Nepal is well known for its temples and stupas. It is often called the land of gods and goddesses.
The capital, Kathmandu, is called the “city of temples” and has many temples representing rich culture and history. Nepali temples are famous not only in Nepal but throughout the World where Hinduism exists.
Best temples in Nepal
Today, we list some famous temples in Nepal among Nepalese and international tourists. We have picked up the top five famous temples in Nepal with a brief description of each.
Pashupatinath Temple
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Pashupatinath is the World’s most significant Hindu temple. It is one of the most sacred temples of the Hindu faith. It is located on the bank of the Bagmati river in the eastern part of Kathmandu. It has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1979. The main temple is designed in Nepalese Pagoda Style. There are many historical myths related to this temple. There is Lord Shiva Linga (idol) inside the main temple, which can be touched by only 4 priests. Thousands of Hindu devotees visit this temple daily. The main festival, like Shiva Ratri, Teej, and Bala Chaturdasi, is the time when millions of people from all over the World come to worship this temple.
It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and needs no introduction. During Shiva Ratri, Hindus from all over the World visit the temple, and it is believed that every Hindu at least once in a lifetime should visit the temple. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple, while others can only visit the premises. The Kali statue is here, representing one of the four-time periods of Hindu philosophy. It is believed that Kali was cursed by the gods to be stoned underneath the earth’s surface for marrying his mother. As per Hindu philosophy, the statue rises from the ground as the sins in the world increase, and once it thoroughly surfaces, the World will end.
Swayambhunath Stupa
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Swayambhunath stupa is an ancient religious temple in Nepal. It was believed that Kathmandu valley was once a lake between which there was a lotus. Manju Shree cut the gorge at Chovar. Then, the pond became Kathmandu Valley; Lotus became the hill, and the flower turned into the Swayambhunath stupa. It is also known as the Monkey temple since holy monkeys live in the northwest parts of the temple. It is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list. It has Stupas and different temples. For Buddhists, it is the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage. You can view the whole Kathmandu Valley from this temple.
It is one of the oldest religious sites in Nepal that shows the harmony between Hinduism and Buddhism. There is a temple and a stupa in the same place, and it lies atop a hill in Kathmandu. It is the oldest religious site in Kathmandu and is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Muktinath Temple
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It is located in the Muktinath Valley at 3710 m in Mustang, Nepal. It is one of the sacred places for Hindus and Buddhists. It has many mythological beliefs according to both Hindus and Buddhists. It is near Pokhara. It has 108 springs of water, and it is believed that taking a bath from all of these springs will wash out all your sins. It is also known by the name Mukti Kshetra which means place of liberation. The worship of the temple is conducted by Buddhists in the presence of Buddhist monks. It is said that Tibetan Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, had mediated in Muktinath on his way to Tibet.
It is situated at an altitude of 3,710m in the Mustang district. It is one of the biggest religious and tourist destinations in the country. It is a preferred destination for adventure lovers because of the geographical difficulty. It has equal importance for Hinduism and Buddhism followers.
Manakamana Temple
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Manakamana temple is the sacred place of the Hindu Goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Parvati. It is located in the Gorkha district of Nepal at 1302 m above sea level and about 140 km from Kathmandu. The Manakamana is derived from two words; mana means heart, and Kamana means to wish. So, many Hindus believe their heart wish will be fulfilled by worshiping the temple. To visit the temple, you have to take a drive of cable car for a distance of about 2.8 km from Kurintar. It was believed to be founded in the 17th century.
Lumbini Temple
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Lumbini is the Birthplace of Gautam Buddha. It is located in Rupandehi District. It is one of the most famous Buddhist Pilgrimage sites. It has many other temples like the Mayadevi temple, ancient monasteries, a sacred Bodhi tree, an ancient bathing pond, Ashoka Piller, monuments, and a museum. This site was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997. Many tourists visit this site annually.
