The Temples of Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and is also the country’s largest city. In the midst of modernization in other cultures, Nepalese try to keep their rich cultural heritage preserved. Kathmandu alone has several temples that are visited by millions of devotees each year. The strong religious beliefs of the people have remained along with the temples that have stood there for so many years, bearing witness to their culture, history and religion.

Here are some of the Kathmandu temples that continue to draw thousands of tourists each year:

1. Pashupatinath Temple – This temple is also known as the “Temple of Lord Shiva”. It is one of the oldest temples in Kathmandu and has ornately crafted pagodas together with roofs colored in gold and doors in silver. The Pashupatinath temple is located at the Bagmati River banks along the city’s eastern part thirukadaiyur temple. The temple is now included as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This temple is mainly for Hindus, but non-Hindu visitors are also welcome to see the entire temple.

2. Guhyeshwari Temple – Kathmandu’s Guhyeshwari Temple is one of the holiest temples in the city. It was built as an offering to Goddess Parvati. Only Hindus are allowed to go inside the temple, due to its sanctity.

3. Akash Bhairav Temple – The Akash Bhairav Temple is located at Indra Chowk, which is Kathmandu’s main market. The temple was built in dedication to the god Indra. There is a yearly celebration in the temple commemorating the occasion of Indra Jatra. Also found inside the temple is the image of Lord Akash Bhairav.

4. Hanuman Dhoka Temple – This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built between the twelfth and thirteenth century and was once the Durbar Square during the reign of the Malaya Kings. Within the corridors of the Hanuman Dhoka Temple, other smaller temples are found.

5. Kumari Ghar – This is one of the temples in Kathmandu that has exquisite architecture. The Kumari Ghar is an attractive palace that makes it a favorite of tourists and visitors. The living goddess resides in the Kumari Ghar.

These temples of Kathmandu, Nepal are some of the most fascinating and historical ones that continue to express the culture of the people. Unlike other Asian countries, the people of Nepal have kept their ancient beliefs and colorful culture alive. Most of these temples still strongly stand in the hearts of Nepal.

Ms. Pinky is a mom of 3 school children. She is a Systems Engineer, a Technology Researcher and an Independent Medical Billing and Coding Consultant. She and her family is well-traveled all over the world!