Religious Places of Nepal
Nepal is a diverse country. In Nepal, different castes, languages, religions, cultures, traditions, customs, and various cultural characteristics exist. It is a country full of religious heritage. Since ancient times in Nepal, there are variously historical, geographical, cultural, and religious heritages. Various religious heritages have been enhanced and promoted by the government of Nepal. Being a multireligious country in Asia, Nepal is home to different religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Jain, Sikhism, Kirant, etc. All of them have their own unique and famous religious heritage.
Some of the religious places of nepal are described as follows:-
Changunarayan temple is in Doladri (a high hill named Dolagiri) in the northeastern part of the Bhaktapur district. This temple is one of the oldest in Nepal with the statue of Lord Vishnu located in it. According to old stories, the monk named Haridatta Varma 386 A.D built the temple. Later King Mandev worshipped and erected a pillar with an eagle in the ChanguNarayan temple. The temple is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979.
2. Janaki Temple
Janaki temple lies in Janakpur. This temple is very beautiful and magnificent. There is also a custom to call the temple “Naulakha temple”. The temple was built in 1898 at a cost of 9 lakh Nepali Rupees. It is a three-storied temple structured with sixty rooms. The height of the temple is 50m with an area of 4,806 sq. feet. The ground floor of the temple consists of a beautiful wedding Mandap along with a statue of god and Goddesses. Thousand of pilgrims from Nepal and India visit and worship Lord Ram and Goddesses Sita at the Janaki temple during Bivah Panchami.
3. Pashupatinath Temple
The temple of Pashupatinath is on the banks of the Bagmati river and is a holy temple of Hindus. This is a very famous temple of Lord Shiva. The temple is also listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. People celebrate the festival of Lord Shiva (Mahasivaratri) with great pomp. This magnificent two-storied temple has a copper roof coated with gold. A golden Statue of Shiva’s vehicle (Nandi) is placed to the west of the temple. There is a small hill in front of Pashupati called Mrigasthali. This hill is believed to have been worshiped by Shiva in the form of a deer. The hill is also beautiful and attractive. There is a temple of Naiguheshwari on the banks of Bagmati below the hill.
4. Pathivara Temple
Pathivara temple is a famous Hindu temple. It is at an altitude of 3794 meters above sea level. It lies in Taplejung district, the eastern hilly district of Nepal. There is a popular belief that if a person with sin in his heart and a pregnant woman visits the goddess temple, it will bring bad luck.
5. Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath is a famous Buddhist stupa in Kathmandu valley. The stupa lies in the northeast of the valley. In 5th-century Lichchavi King Mandev built the stupa. This monastery is one of the oldest stupas in the world. Both Hindus and Buddhists visit this stupa. It is also included in the World Heritage list.
6. Muktinath Temple
Muktinath Temple lies in the lap of the Himalayas of Mustang District. Most of the time snow covers the temple. It is a sacred religious place for Hindus. Every year thousands of devotees visit Muktinath temple. Not only from Nepal, but devotees from India also visit Muktinath, so it has become a place of pilgrimage for all Hindus. Because of the natural beauty, a large number of hikers also come to this area.
7. Manakamana Temple
The temple located in the Gorkha district has the Statue of Durga Bhawani. It is believed that the wife of King Ram Sahi was the incarnation of Devi. After her death, Siddha Lagan Thapa built the temple and started worshipping. There is a cable car route from Kurantar to Manakamana temple. Different Hindu devotes from Nepal and India visit this temple. The temple is famous because it has been fulfilling the wishes of Hindu devotees.
The famous Buddhist pilgrimage site Swayambhu lies in the western part of the Kathmandu valley. It has been a holy shrine for all Buddhists and Hindus. Buddhists of kathmandu valley celebrate a big festival on the full moon day of Baisakh. The sacred asthdhatu (bone) of Lord Buddha is protected in the Swayambhu. From Swayambhu you can observe the beautiful scenery of Kathmandu Valley.
8. Halesi Mahadev Temple
From Diktel, the headquarter of Khotang district, to the 200 feet height of Mount Kailash in the western part, the naturally built Shivlinga-shaped structure is Halesi Mahadev Temple. There is complete darkness inside this cave, which has four doors outside. Halesi Gupaf has a beautiful harmony of natural forms and religious beliefs. A fair is held here and on the occasion of Ramanavami for 16 days. Most people gather here on that occasion. On the day of Mahashivaratri, different bhote caste people come here and worship Shiva Parvati in the form of Sumnima Pruhang. On the day of Balachaturdashi, Hindu devotees come here and scatter Shatabij.
9. Alam Devi Temple:
Alamdevi Mandir is about 66 km west of Syangja headquarters in Kaligandaki rural municipality ward No. 3. It lies on Lasargha Deurali Hill about 1350 meters above the surface. There is a belief that worshipping the goddess will fulfill the wishes and vows. In ancient times, warriors used to worship the temple and win battles.
10. Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Valley lies in the mid-hill region of Nepal. Kathmandu Valley lies at an altitude of 1337 meters above sea level. As Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal, the population density is high here. Rather than being the capital of the country, Kathmandu is a place with a lot of temples with a history of ancient times. Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Swayambhas Stupa, and Chagannunayana Temple are notable historical sites in the valley. The proper conservation of these heritages shows the possibility of making this valley one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations forever. The valley is a famous city in Nepal. The major rivers here are Bagmati and Bishnumati. Pashupatinath, Guheswari, Swayambhu, Buddh, Budhanilkanth, Dakshinkali, Hanumandhoka, Gokarna, Teku, Shalinadi, etc are the major pilgrimage site located here.
Apart from being the capital city of Nepal. Kathmandu is a storehouse of ancient art, skills, culture, civilization, and historical resources of the country. In addition to this, the country’s leading educational institutions, modern well-equipped hospitals, and the country’s only international airport are also located in this city. This is making it a center of attraction for locals and foreigners.
Nagarkot, Nagarjuna, Shivpuri, Chandragiri, and Paflchuoki are famous hills near Kathmandu Valley. The beauty of this valley has been greatly enhanced by the presence of these hills.
