Best Day tours in Nepal / Kathmandu day tours

Kathmandu day tours

Kathmandu day tour is a short and sweet program for those who have a short period of time and want to see more of Nepal. It is a small program where you can finish your sightseeing activity within a day. Nepal is famed for being the home of eight highest mountains. Nepal is abundantly rich in scenery, wildlife, culture, and tradition. It is the famous home of two major religions that are Hinduism and Buddhism. So, Kathmandu day tours contain beautiful Hindu temples and ancient Buddhist monasteries along with great stupas that highlight Nepal to visit. You can visit a few places during your day tour in Kathmandu. There are numerous beautiful places in Nepal for a day tour, among them, some of the popular places are described below:

Kathmandu day sightseeing tour

Kathmandu is the biggest and capital city of Nepal. It stands at an elevation of 1400 m and 4600 ft above sea level. Kathmandu is the most facilitated and populated city in Nepal. Kathmandu is a popular tourist destination and famous vacation spot. The city is historically and religiously important for all Nepalese as numerous temples and monuments lie here.

Although there are lots of places for sightseeing in Kathmandu, among them Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Bhaktapur Durbar, Patan Durbar, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Changunarayan temple are the most popular sites. These places are known as 7 wonders of Kathmandu city and are listed under UNESCO World Heritage Site. All these sites are described below:

1. Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath is the holiest and sacred temple for all Hindus all over the world. The sacred temple is situated about 5 km east of Kathmandu. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is one of the most important temples in Asia for Hindu people. Pashupatinath temple is the same as its first construction around the 17th century and is situated on the banks of the holy river Bagmati. The temple is the largest complex in Nepal with high importance. The temple is dedicated to several other Hindu and Buddhist religions, so people from all over the world come to visit this temple.

There are lots of temples inside the territory of Pashupatinath, and the main temple is pagoda-style with a golden roof, four doors covered with silver, and the finest wood carvings. The area is full of security, and only Hindus can step inside the main temple. Inside the main temple is Shiva Linga, and outside sits a huge statue of Bull (Nandi), the vehicle of Lord Shiva. Thus, Pashupatinath Temple is the holiest temple for Hindus all over the world. Pashupatinath is not just a single temple; it is a huge complex. There are lots of attractions in the complex of Pashupatinath Temple; among them, some popular attractions are listed and described below:

1. Western Cremation Ghats
2. Eastern Ghats
3. Shiva Shrines
4. Viewpoint
5. Bachhareshwari Temple
6. Guhyeshwari Temple
7. Nandi Statue

Western Cremation Ghat

Western cremation Ghat is an important place for the Nepalese Hindu People. This is the place where only the members from the Royal family are cremated immediately. Dead bodies are wrapped in shrouds and laid along the river bank of Bagmati and cremated on the wooden pyre by fulfilling whole Hindu rituals. This is the most interesting aspect and powerful place regarding the notion of death and mortality.

Eastern Ghats

This is the ghat where normal people can perform the cremation rituals. Ghats of Pashupatinath are full of life, and it is worth taking some time to observe deeply. There you can get to see devotees ritually bathing in the water of the Bagmati River, holy men performing rituals on a stone step, and the sad families preparing the funeral of their loved ones.

Shiva Shrines

The garden of Pashupatinath Temple contains stone terraces covered in dozens of small one-roomed temples. These one-room temples are known as Shiva Shrines. These shrines were used by Shadus in ancient times for lodging purposes. All the shrines are built in different styles. They are designed with a mask of Bhairab, Shiva’s fearsome statue, Nandi, and a bullhead water spout.

Viewpoint

The viewpoint of Pashupatinath Temple is located at the hilltop of the temple. From there, you can view the area of the whole Pashupatinath Temple from a bird’s eye view. It offers you a view of the golden trident on the northern side of the temple with the golden figure of the king. From this place, you can also watch the cremation rituals below.

Bachhareshwari Temple

This is an amazing temple of Pashupatinath. It is believed that there was a system of human sacrifices at this temple. The temple is from the 6th century and is decorated with Tantric figures, skeletons, and erotic scenes.

Guhyeshwari Temple

Guhyeshwari Temple was built by King Pratap Malla in 1653. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Parvati (wife of Lord Shiva). The entry is banned for non-Hindu people, and you can see this temple from a path with four huge snakes supporting the central finial.

Nandi Statue

The statue of Nandi is located on the west side of the compound from the main gate. Nandi is the bull, and it is believed that Nandi was the vehicle of Lord Shiva. You can view the mighty golden behind an enormous brass statue of Nandi.

2. Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath is one of the largest Stupas in South Asia. Boudhanath is located 11 km away from the center of Kathmandu. The Stupa stands at the height of 36 m and 118 ft above sea level. The Stupa is from the 14th century and has huge importance for both Hindu and Buddhist religions, with a mandala-style structure. It is an important place of pilgrimage and meditation for local people, Tibetan or Nepali Buddhists, and a famous tourist destination in the Kathmandu valley. This Stupa is also called the Stupa of enlightenment or Bodhi Stupa.

The Stupa is white in color and big and spherical in shape, with the eye of Lord Buddha watching everyone. The Stupa is highly unique with a three-level mandala-style structure. Similarly, Boudhanath is one of the most fascinating and spiritual areas. Being a tourist destination, the area of Boudhanath always remains crowded. The Stupa is surrounded by irregular walls with 16 sides. Visitors should walk around the Stupa in a clockwise direction, and prayer wheels should spin in a clockwise direction, a rule of the Buddhist religion.

Ajima Temple and the historical pond are important sites in Boudha Stupa. Ajima temple is a very famous temple and known as the wish fulfiller. Similarly, the Historical Pond was formed when the soil of this place was used for the construction of the Stupa. Mamla Jatra, Chechnya Puja, Lhosar, Temple Jatra, Buddha Jayanti, and Ropai Jatra are the major festivals celebrated at Boudha Stupa, especially by Mongol people.

3. Swayambhunath Stupa

Popularly known as ‘Monkey Temple,’ Swayambhunath Stupa is one of the famous tourist destinations of Nepal. The area is equally crowded by monkeys and people. Located at the lovely little hillock, the Stupa lies about 4 km west of central Kathmandu, and this site offers one of the best panoramic views of the city. This is the oldest shrine in Kathmandu Valley, which was built more than 2000 years ago. There are two stupas of Swayambhunath: the first entrance and the main entrance. The main attraction is the large white dome stupa surrounded by many small shrines and temples.

The beautiful Swayambhunath Stupa stands on a typically stylized lotus mandala base. The hemispherical part of the chaitya is made of brick and stone. At the top of the hemispherical part lies the Hermida, which carries the eyes of Lord Vairochana, painted during the Malla period. The Stupa is also laden with all the directions and believed to have 13 gold-plated spires. It symbolizes the 13 stages to salvation. A golden umbrella has crowned the spire and is supported by a pole from the center. The Stupa is the result of donations made by merchants, monks, pilgrims, and Buddhist followers from ancient times.

Things to see around Swayambhunath Stupa

1. Amideva Budhha Park
2. The Vajra Mandala
3. The main Swayambhu Stupa
4. Buddhist Museum
5. Haariti Temple

Amideva Buddha Park

The Amideva Buddha Park is the star attraction for visitors. It is located at the very base on the way to Swayambhunath Stupa, near the road. There are wonderful three huge statues of Buddha sitting at the top of a little flight of steps. Furthermore, you will find a few beautiful and colorful artworks with weird, wonderful concrete mountains.

The Vajra Mandala

The Vajra Mandala lies just after the stairways on the eastern side. It symbolizes male power. It is believed that Vajra was the sword of Manjushree, who drained the lake of Kathmandu valley before it was ready for human settlement.

The main Swayambhu Stupa

Swayambhu literally means “self-existent one” and is an important center of Buddhism. It dates back to the 13th century. It is the oldest in its own right and contains numerous shrines and monasteries on its premises. To reach the Stupa, you need to climb 365 steps. The giant eyes are painted on the four walls of the upper portion of the stupa. It is believed that they are the eyes of Buddha, gazing out over the valley.

Buddhist Museum

There is a small red brick building just to the corner left of the stupa, and that is the Buddhist Museum. It is free for entry, and there is a small collection of various Buddhist statues and items.

Haariti Temple

Haariti is the goddess of healing and spirit possessor. Haariti Temple is one of the most popular two-tiered gilded beautiful Newari-style temples. The temple often remains crowded. Visitors are not allowed to take photographs in front of the temple or shrines. Special prayers are offered in the temple on Saturdays and Tuesdays.

Both Anantapura and Pratapura temples are situated on either side of Swayambhunath Stupa. The temples are dedicated to Vajrayana deities and were built by Pratap Malla in the 17th century. Both temples have the Shikhara style of architecture.

Five elements of life

The Stupa and all the sacred sites of Boudhanath represent the five fundamental elements of nature. The elements are believed to have been founded by Shankar Acharya, and they are:

• Vasupura (earth)
• Nagapura (the lord of water)
• Shantipura (space or sky)
• Jayapura (air)
• Agnipura (fire)

Some Important Days to Visit Holy Site

• Buddha Purnima, the birthday of Buddha
• August to September, the Buddhist month
• Kojagrath Purnima, which falls once every twelve years
• Lhosar

4. Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square is located at the heart of Kathmandu. This is the most visited place and a hard-to-miss location. In ancient times, Kathmandu Durbar Square was the palace of the Malla and Shah Kings. Kathmandu Durbar Square is also known as Basantapur Durbar Square and Hanuman Dhoka. The temples in this area are from the 3rd century. The Durbar square is surrounded by beautiful Newari architecture, high temples, popular shrines, and old royal palaces, and these are a treasure trove of history and culture in Nepal.

Basantapur Durbar Square is a living part of Kathmandu, filled with people worshipping in shrines, selling goods, or walking through. The Durbar is still used for official religious ceremonies like that of the living goddess (Kumari), whose residence is located there. You will get to see lots of beautiful carvings on the roof struts in Durbar Square that depict scenes of an amazing artist. Here, visitors are charged to enter. One of the interesting parts of the palace is the huge stone statue of Hanuman (the god of monkeys), placed at the main entrance, protecting the complex.

Some important monuments of this area

• The tallest Taleju temple
• The fascinating erotic figures carved in the wooden struts
• The Kala Bhairab huge stone statue
• The most important Kumari temple
• Kasthamandap, said to have been built from the timber of a single tree

5. Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is in Bhaktapur city, located around 16 km from Kathmandu city but inside the Kathmandu Valley. Bhaktapur is also famous as the city of devotees. Bhaktapur Durbar Square has a museum of medieval art and architecture with many examples. The museum is full of beautiful sculptures, woodcarvings, and colossal pagoda temples related to different gods and goddesses.

The area is huge and reflects the Newari culture of Nepal. The conch-shaped historic city is from the 12th century. You can see lots of temples step by step in the Durbar. This old city is inhabited by indigenous Newari people in large numbers.

Major attractions of Bhaktapur Durbar Square

• 55 Window Palace: The palace containing 55 windows is one of the oldest monuments in Nepal. It is considered to be a unique masterpiece of woodcarvings. The 55 Window Palace is the main architectural structure dominating the whole Durbar. The amazing monument was built in the 15th century.
• Golden Gate: Golden Gate is the main entrance of the palace and it is an eternal beauty itself. Golden Gate is the most beautiful and richly molded specimen in the entire world. It is the loveliest piece of art in the whole kingdom which is placed like a jewel.
• Lions Gate: Lion Gate is another interesting attraction of Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The gate consists of two beautiful statues of stone on both sides. The art of the statues is wonderful and represents the Hindu deities.
• Nyatapola Temple: The meaning of Nyatapola in Nepali means five-storied, symbolizing the five basic elements. This temple is dedicated to Siddhi Laxmi, the goddess of power and success. The temple is the highest pagoda in Nepal with perfection and artistic beauty.
• Bhairabnath Temple: It is a broad-fronted, triple-roofed temple. The temple is dedicated to Bhairab, the fearsome incarnation of Lord Shiva.

6. Patan Durbar Square

Patan Durbar Square is situated at the center of Lalitpur city. Lalitpur is also well known as the city of art. It takes around 45 minutes to reach Patan Durbar Square. This is the most beautiful and smallest Durbar Square among the other Durbars of Kathmandu. It is a marvel of Newar architecture and all square floors are tiled with red bricks. There are lots of temples in the area, close to each other. This Durbar Square is filled with a mix of Hindu, Buddhist, and Newar Temples. As Patan Durbar Square is small, it can be covered in an hour or two.

The whole Patan city is filled with interesting places and markets. So, it is well worth spending your day there because it is the best place for culture lovers. Also, you will love to see the old Newari houses near Patan Durbar Square. There are lots of interesting buildings on the premises of Patan Durbar Square, and some of them are described below:

Patan Museum

Patan Durbar Museum is one of the major attractions of the valley. This museum is a national treasure and provides a very valuable introduction to the art, symbolism, and architecture. The museum houses the finest collections of religious art in Asia. Visitors have to buy tickets to enter the museum, and photos can be taken freely.

Krishna Temple

Krishna Temple is the most important temple of Patan Durbar Square, built of stone in 1637. This remarkable temple was built by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is the most visited and beautiful temple in the city. Non-Hindu people cannot enter the temple to see the statue of Krishna.

Golden Temple

The Golden Temple is located on the north side of Patan Durbar Square. The temple was built in the 12th century by King Bhaskardev. The entrance of the temple is guarded by two stone elephants, and there is a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha inside the temple. There is a window above the gateway made from gold foil wrapped around a timber frame.

Temples and Stupas

The temples and palaces of Patan Durbar Square have the designs of pagoda, Shikhara, and Stupa styles. With the beautiful designs, they also have great historical, cultural, and religious significance. All the pillars, walls, doors, windows, and cornices bear wonderful craftsmanship.

7. Changunarayan Temple

The famous ancient Hindu temple of Changunarayan lies about 13 km east of Kathmandu. The temple is considered the oldest temple in the history of Nepal and was originally built in the 4th century. Changunarayan Temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, the god of creation. Standing majestically in the rice fields of Bhaktapur, it is a true gem of Nepal. Thus, the temple contains really old sculptures dotted around the courtyard. You will get to see the statue of Vishnu with the appearance of half-man and half-lion, called Narsingha.

The temple is double-roofed and beautifully decorated, clearly reflecting the culture of Nepal. To the west of the temple, there is a statue of Garuda, half man and half bird, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. You can find an inscription stone behind the statue that provides information about the history of Nepal. Some of the major attractions of Changunarayan Temple are:

Changu Museum

Changu Museum is a special attraction of the temple. The museum building is clean and tidy, with beautifully colored doors and carved wooden window frames. The museum houses a collection of artifacts, utensils, and coins along with the history of Nepal. Visitors can see each and every historic item inside the museum, and visiting this museum gives an amazing feeling.

Living Traditions Museum

Located south of Changunarayan Temple, this well-curated museum is an interesting part of the place. This is a restored building featuring 400 artifacts and displays on ethnic groups from the Kathmandu valley, along with the Terai, Middle, and Himalayan highlands. The site is worth visiting.

These seven sites are where you can do a short day trip inside the Kathmandu Valley. Visiting all seven sites in a day is not possible. You can visit a maximum of four sites out of these seven in a day, and you can finish visiting these places in two days.

In conclusion, a Kathmandu tour is one of the best day tours you can take to explore the history of Nepal. Within a day tour, you will explore unique temples, monasteries, royal palaces, art, and architectural places.