Today, we will spend our time exploring different historical sites in Kathmandu. We start our day after breakfast.
Day's Summary:
Pashupatinath Temple
Listed as a World Heritage Site, the two storied pagoda-style temples is one of the most sacred temples in the Hindu religion. Devotees from different countries come to worship the god Pashupatinath (incarnation of Lord Shiva). Tourists are not allowed inside the premises. However, they can see the temples from the top of Biswarup. Tourists are, however, allowed to enter the temple’s backyard premises where open cremation on the banks of the holy river Bagmati takes place.
Boudhanath
It is South Asia's largest stupa. Legend says that Kasyapa Buddha's bones are buried under the base of the stupa. The first stupa at Boudhanath was established after AD 600- after Songtsen Gumba, the Tibetan king converted to Buddhism. As per legend, the king built the stupa as atonement after he killed his father. Mughal invaders wrecked the first stupa in the 14th century, Boudhanath, as we know it today, is a more recent construction, but just as pure and holy.
The whitewashed dome and the gilded tower painted with Buddha’s eyes which are known to see it all is a three-dimensional reminder of Buddha’s path to enlightenment. The plinth of the stupa represents Earth, the dome (Kumbha in Nepali) represents water, the square tower ( harmika) means fire, the spire is air, and the umbrella featured at the top symbolizes ether beyond space or the void. There are 13 levels to the spire, and they represent stages a human must pass through to attain nirvana. You will see that there are 108 small images of Dhyani Buddha Amitabha around the stupa’s base and a hoop of prayer wheels which you are supposed to turn clockwise making three rounds of the stupa. We will explore the highly symbolic stupa and its surrounding with a well-informed guide.
Swayambhunath
Swayambhunath is also listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The ancient architecture complex is swarmed with monkeys as it sits on a hilltop surrounded by numerous trees hence it is also famously known as the ‘Monkey Temple.’
The complex has a white stupa in the center and also hosts a temple making it equally significant for Buddhists and Hindus. Besides being a historically and religiously significant site, the Swayambhunath also gives a great view of the sunset over Kathmandu city
The stupa at Swayambhunath is only second to Boudha for Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism. We will enjoy the site with briefings from our experienced guide.
Basantapur Durbar Square Experience the unique architecture of Nepal as you walk the premises of Basantapur Durbar Square (also called the Kathmandu Durbar Square) filled with pagoda-style temples and palaces built in the Malla and Shah dynasty. You can also witness the renovations being done to the buildings that suffered major damage during the 2015 earthquake.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square lies in the medieval city of Bhaktapur and is an excellent example of the Newari architectural style. Away from the main city, the culture and lifestyle of the local people still revolve around pottery, handicrafts, and agriculture. The 55 windowed palaces, Nyatapola, Golden Gate, Dattatreya Temple, Bhairavnath Temple, and Vatsala Temple among others are some of Bhaktapur Durbar square's significant attractions. You can even taste the local Newari cuisine and the famous King curd while you are here. It concludes a day of sightseeing and also our Kathmandu Cultural Tour-2 day package. Our representative will drop you to the airport according to the timing of your flight.
