Nepal Travel Guide
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Sightseeings in Nepal
Religious sites
Boudhanath
Gosainkund
Pashupathinath
Swayambhunath
Nepal Visitor Guide
Religious Sites

Balmiki Ashram

The Balmiki Ashram was a retreat site used by the great Hindu sage Balmiki. This is where Sita came to live with her two sons Labha and Kusha after separating from Rama. Various statues were unearthed in the area during an archaeological excavation in late 60s. The Ashram is situated in a forest on the bank of the Tribeni river, at the south-western corner of the Chitwan National Park. It can be reached by boat.

Bauddha (Bodhnath / Boudhanath)

Is about 1 km east of Chabahil on the road to Sundarijal or Sakhu. The Bodhnath Stupa is 38 m high and 100 m in circumference. It is the largest stupa in Nepal and is revered by both Tibetan and Newar Buddhists. Swayam
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Bodhnath
Boudhanath

All the major festivals are fixed according to lunar patterns: Mamla Jatra (January/February), Losar (usually in February), Timal Jatra (March/April), Gonai (July/August)

Barah Chhetra

Is one of the great Hindu pilgrimage centres, where Sarah the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu, protector of the universe, fought with the demon Hiranakshya and killed him. Apart from the main shrine dedicated to Barah, there are many other temples that bear the image of Bishnu's boar incarnation. It is located at the confluence of the mighty Sapta Koshi and Koka Rivers, a few kilometres from the industrial town of Biratnagar in east Nepal. A religious fair takes place here in November.

Devghat

Is where the Trisuli and the Kali Gandaki rivers confluence to form the Narayani, a major tributary of the Ganga. Confluences of major rivers such as these are considered very holy. It is situated 6 km to the north of Bharatpur, the gateway to the Chitwan National Park, where hotels are available. There are daily flights and bus services from Kathmandu. On the day of the Makar Sankranti (winter solstice) festival in January, pilgrims converge here to take holy dips.

Manakamana

The temple of Manakamana is perched on a hill 1,302-m high. The deity is one of the manifestations of the Hindu Goddess Bhagwati who is believed to have the power to fulfil wishes. It is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Nepal. It is situated 125 km to the west of Kathmandu. It is a steep three -hour hike to the hilltop from Abu Khaireni on the Kathmandu -Gorkha highway. Or you can take the Cable car at Cheres, 104 km from Kathmandu on the highway to Pokhara. Package tours are available, and you can be back the same day. There are hotels at Manakamana if you want to stay the night.

Manakamana

Muktinath

Is revered as sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists. The main shrine is a pagoda- shaped temple dedicated to Lord Bishnu. Set into the wall around it are 108 waterspouts from which pour holy water. The Jwala Mai temple nearby contains a spring and an eternal flame fed by natural gas spewing out of the ground. Muktinath (altitude 3,800 m) is situated in north central Nepal on the northern arc of the Annapurna Circuit trekking trail. It is a six hour walk from Jomsom airport (2,713 m). Helicopter services are also available. There are pilgrim rest houses, lodges and restaurants at Ranipauwa nearby.
Ridi

Is second only to the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu in holiness. The Rikheswar Narayan Mandir situated here is the local version of the Pashupatinath temple with its auspicious cremation ghats. It is situated at the confluence of two rivers the kali Gandaki and the Ridi Khola in mid-west Nepal. Devotees from Nepal as well as from India were brought here on Makar Sankranti for a ritual dip in the water. A 50 km dirt road links Ridi with the hill resort town of Tansen, where accommodation is available.

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more religious sites in the Kathmandu Valley
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