Nepal is a country that offers a myriad of experiences that seep into your senses and linger on in your memory. The  capital of Nepal – Kathmandu is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world. This cosmopolitan city lies in he Himalayan foothills and hosts palaces, mansions and gardens built by the Nepali aristrocracy.

Here are 3 things that you must see in Kathmandu –

Pashupathinath temple

The Pashupatinath Temple is a prominent religious symbol for Hindus in Nepal. One of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, this temple overlooks the dazzling stretch of the Bagmati River. The primary temple of this area is the Pashupatinath temple. However, there are hundreds of small temples inside the complex. Guhyeshwari Temple, Vatasala Temple, Ram Temple, Sati’s Gate, and other temples can be found here. Further, there are many small tombs inside the Gorakhnath temple complex. The temple is a symbol of spiritual energy and hence one of the best tourist places in Nepal. It has four entrance gates of which the primary one is located on the western side. The other entrances are only opened during festivals and special events. The experi8ence is worth it as you feel a sense of peace inside the temples. Photography is prohibited, so you need to deposit your camera and phones.

Best time to visit – The ideal time to visit the temple is from October to December. This is the time of year when the weather is pleasant and dry. Also, the sky will be clear. 

Timings :  4 AM to 9 PM. Lingam visit – 5 AM to 12 PM and 5 PM to 7 PM.

Timing of Abhishekam: 9 AM to 11 AM.

Evening arti – 6:00 PM onwards. The Bagmati Ganga Aarati, which is performed by the banks of the Bagmati, has recently gained popularity. During the evening Ganga Aarati, Shiva’s Tandava Bhajan is also carried out.

Dress code : Only Indian wear. Beware of monkeys as they are mischievous and can take away eatables from your hand.

Patan Durbar Square

This UNESCO heritage site has a marvelous architecture and history Located just a few kilometres from Kathmandu City, the Durbar Square Patan is one of the three main Durbar Squares in Kathmandu Valley and offers a perfect blend between ancient history and culture. There are three chowks or courtyards in the Patan Durbar Square. One of them is Keshav Narayan Chowk, located inside the premise of Patan Museum. The largest one of them is Mul Chowk, which houses the Vidya Temple and the shrine of Taleju Bhawani – the family deity of the Mallas.

The best time to visit – October to December. It is often overcrowded during the weekends so it is best to visit during the weekdays. Unfortunately, a lot of this area was destroyed during the 2015 earthquake, but in-spite of that, the government has put in their efforts to rebuild this area, making Patan one of the most artistic Buddhist cities in the world. The Patan museum displays a staggering of the long history and evolution of the Newari ethnicity displayed so artistically. It also encompasses Keshav Narayan Chowk and a temple of the same name in its core. There is also a Krishna temple which houses a statue of Lord Krishna in the ground floor with his consorts, Srimati Radha and Queen Rukmini on either side. There is a Bheem temple  – a shrine dedicated to the third Pandava, Kunti’s middle-born and a great wrestler-warrior Bhima. The Bhimsen Temple is known for its three interconnected golden windows. It was built in 1680 by King Srinivasa Malla.

Entry fee –  INR 94.

Timings  –  Tuesday to Saturday – 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM and on Sundays – 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Boudhanath Stupa

It is the largest stupa in Nepal which was built during the 14th century after the Mughal invasions. It remains a significant place of pilgrimage for Tibetan Buddhists and Nepalis. Boudhanath looks like a giant mandala, where one can roam around to buy local Tibetan stuff from the vendors around the stupa. Surrounding Boudhanath Stupa are narrow streets which are lined with beautiful homes and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. You can feel the strong healing vibrations just by gazing at this beautiful stupa and invoke the diving blessings. There are fabulous cafes and small restaurants where one can enjoy a good meal and take in the blissful sight of the stupa.

Entry – Free