PilgrimTrips - India Pilgrimage

The capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu lies right in the heart of the Kathmandu valley which is surrounded by verdant agricultural hills. Two other important destinations in Nepal, Patan and Bhaktapur lie close to Kathmandu in the Kathmandu valley itself. Almost all the ethnic group that form the population of Nepal are found in Kathmandu which has a population of around half a million people.

For first time tourists, Kathmandu presents a wonderful amalgamation of a modern and a traditional city. A number of tourists attractions dot the land and there is also an opportunity to shop around for a host of items.

Buddhism in Kathmandu

Legends say that the area where Kathmandu is located was once submerged under a lake. It was Buddhist god Manjushri who cut open a hill to the south and enabled the water to flow out thereby making the region habitable.

Today, Kathmandu is the best place to explore Buddhism in Nepal. This is because it is home to all the ethnic groups of Nepal. Also, quiet a few famous Buddhist shrines and colleges make it a wonderful destination for any Buddhist tourist.

Buddhist Attractions

Boudhnath Stupa

At a distance of around 7 km from Kathmandu stands the largest stupa of Nepal, Boudhanath Stupa. Also known as the Khasti Chitya, the stupa is considered one of the oldest one in Nepal. The stupa rises to a height of 36 metres and has the eyes of Buddha painted on all four sides. The stupa is constructed in the form of a mandala, a symbol of the universe quiet often used in Buddhist meditations. The stupa is also symbolic of the five elements - the base stands for earth; the dome for water; the spire for fire; the crescent atop the spire for light; and the flame shape topping the spire for ether. The stupa ground is entered by passing through a colourfully painted gateway which leads to a buzzing market. The gate leading to the stupa lies tight opposite the main gate of the ground. You should remember to walk clockwise around the stupa.

Swayambhunath

The second most important Buddhist shrine in Kathmandu, the Swayambhunath stupa is located at a hilltop. The stupa is extremely important for the Vajrayana Buddhists of Northern Nepal and Tibet, but it is the Newari Buddhists who hold the stupa in the highest reverence. The stirs that lead to the stupa complex has 6 statues of Buddha as well as the bearers of Five Dhyani Buddha. The stupa itself is a white dome crowned with a gilded spire. Four eyes on the four sides of stupa represent the eyes of Buddha guarding the four directions. Between two eyes is a figure that denotes number 1 in Nepali. The figure is symbolic of the sole way of attaining enlightenment, that is, through Buddha's teachings. The best time to pay a visit to the stupa is in the morning.

Chabahil - Stupa

Located 1.5 km west of the Boudhnath Stupa, this stupa is not as well maintained as the former. In design, the Chabahil stupa reminds you of the Boudhnath Stupa. The hemisphere is plain and sits on a low platform while the shrines of the Dhyani Buddhas facing the four points of the compass. Reliefs depicting events from the life of Buddha appear below the shrine. Around the stupa are a number of chaityas, some of which date back to the Licchavi period. Each of these chaiteyas has a stupa of its own. The stupa compound also has what is considered one of the finest sculptures of the valley - a metre high free standing statue of Buddha Shakyamuni dating back to 6th century.

Gorakhnath Cave and Ashura Cave

The cave is named after saint Gorakhnath who meditated in the cave and also left back his footprints on the rock that lie infront of it. A number of temples and monasteries are located around it including the one that is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche who introduced Buddhism in Tibet. The Ashura Caves, as per Buddhist beliefs, is the entrance to the kingdom of demons.

The National Museum

Nepal's National Museum is located in Chhauni, near Swayambunath and is open on all days except Tuesday from 10.30 am to 4 pm. On Friday, it is open only till 2.30 pm. The museum is segragted into three buildings exhibiting three different collection. The Buddhist exhibits are in the building at the back of the museum compound. On display are the religious objects of Buddhism that help you to understand the highly complex iconography of Nepal's form of Buddhism. The only problem here is that being the newest section of the museum, this section is not very well organised.

How to Reach

By Air

The only international airport of Nepal is located in Kathmandu. It receives flights from international destination, mostly via Delhi or Bangkok. There are daily flights from Delhi, India, operated by airlines like Jet Airways, Air India and Sahara Air. Taxis are available from airport to transfer you to your hotel.

By Road

Kathmandu can be reached by bus from Varanasi and Lucknow in India as well as other parts within Nepal itself.

For getting around, motorised or bicycle driven rickshaws, buses and taxis are available.