The most famous temples in Kathmandu are Pashupatinath (Shiva), Boudhanath stupa, Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple), Budhanilkantha (the sleeping Vishnu), Changu Narayan and the temples of the three Durbar Squares. Pashupatinath and Boudhanath are close together and fit into one half-day.
Pashupatinath
Pashupatinath, on the bank of the Bagmati river about 5 km east of the centre, is the most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal and one of the great Shiva temples of the subcontinent. The main temple is a two-tiered pagoda with a gilded roof and silver doors, and it holds a four-faced lingam. Entry to the inner courtyard is for Hindus only; Indian visitors are admitted, and it helps to carry ID. Others can see the temple and the cremation ghats from the terraces across the river.
Evening aarti on the riverbank, with lamps, bells and singing, begins around six and is open to everyone. Maha Shivaratri in February or March draws very large crowds, including holy men from across India.
Boudhanath
About 2 km from Pashupatinath stands Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world and the heart of Tibetan Buddhist life in Nepal. A great white dome sits on stepped terraces, with the Buddha's eyes on the tower above. Pilgrims walk round it clockwise from dawn until after dark, spinning prayer wheels, and the ring of buildings round it holds monasteries, shops and rooftop cafes. Dusk, when butter lamps are lit, is the best hour.
Swayambhunath
The hilltop stupa in the west of the city, known as the Monkey Temple, is the oldest of the great Buddhist sites of the valley and has the best view. See the Monkey Temple guide.
Budhanilkantha
At the foot of Shivapuri hill, about 9 km north of the centre, a five-metre stone figure of Vishnu lies on a bed of coiled serpents in a sunken pool. It was carved from a single block of dark stone and is thought to date from the 7th or 8th century. Morning puja, around seven to nine, is the time to go. By tradition the kings of Nepal did not visit this image.
Changu Narayan
On a ridge about 6 km north of Bhaktapur, Changu Narayan is often described as the oldest temple in the valley still in use. A stone pillar here carries an inscription dated to the 5th century. The courtyard is an open-air museum of stone sculpture of Vishnu in many forms, and the village path up to it is pleasant and quiet.
Dakshinkali and Pharping
About 20 km south of the city, in a wooded gorge, the Dakshinkali temple is dedicated to the goddess Kali. Tuesdays and Saturdays are the main days of worship and are very busy. Nearby Pharping has caves and monasteries linked to Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), which makes the area important to Buddhists as well.
The Durbar Square temples
Each of the three old royal cities has a palace square full of temples.
- Kathmandu Durbar Square: the Taleju temple, the Kumari Ghar where the living goddess lives, Kasthamandap, the wooden pavilion that gave the city its name and was rebuilt after 2015, and the fierce Kala Bhairav image.
- Patan Durbar Square: the stone Krishna Mandir of 1637, and a short walk away the Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar) and the five-storey Kumbheshwar temple.
- Bhaktapur: Nyatapola and the Dattatreya temple. See the Bhaktapur guide.
Temples a little further out
Manakamana, the wish-fulfilling goddess, is reached by cable car from the Kathmandu to Pokhara highway and is an easy stop on the drive. Doleshwor Mahadev near Bhaktapur is honoured by many as linked to Kedarnath in India. Muktinath, at 3,710 m in Mustang, is the great mountain pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists: see Jomsom and Muktinath.
Etiquette and practical tips
- Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered.
- Take off shoes and leather items where asked.
- Walk clockwise round stupas and shrines.
- Ask before photographing people, rituals or cremations; inside many temples photography is not allowed.
- Carry small notes for offerings and entry fees. Most major sites charge foreign visitors a fee, with lower SAARC rates.
- Go early. Morning is when temples are most alive and traffic is lightest.
A one-day temple plan
Start at Swayambhunath at sunrise, walk through Kathmandu Durbar Square mid-morning, have lunch in Patan and see its square, then go to Pashupatinath for the late afternoon and finish at Boudhanath at dusk. It is a full day by car. With two days, give the second to Bhaktapur and Changu Narayan.
Which temples matter most to Indian pilgrims
For Hindu visitors from India the essential stop is Pashupatinath, honoured as one of the most important Shiva shrines anywhere. Many pilgrims add Budhanilkantha, Guhyeshwari, a Shakti shrine close to Pashupatinath, and Dakshinkali. Longer pilgrimages continue to Manakamana, Muktinath in Mustang, Janakpur, the birthplace of Sita, and Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. Muktinath can be reached by flight or road to Jomsom and needs care with altitude, since the temple stands at 3,710 m.
Common questions
Which is the most famous temple in Kathmandu?
Pashupatinath, the great Shiva temple on the Bagmati river, is the most sacred. Boudhanath and Swayambhunath are the best-known Buddhist sites.
Can Indians enter Pashupatinath temple?
Yes. The inner temple is open to Hindus, and Indian Hindu visitors are admitted. Carry an ID. Non-Hindu visitors view it from the far bank of the river.
How many days are needed for Kathmandu temples?
One full day covers the main four or five. Two days allow Bhaktapur, Patan and Changu Narayan at a relaxed pace.
What time is the Pashupatinath aarti?
The evening aarti on the Bagmati bank usually starts around 6 pm and lasts about an hour. Times shift a little with the season.
Heights, dates, fees and rules are approximate and can change, so confirm the current details with us before you book.
