Top 20 Famous Temples in Nepal That You Should Not Miss

Nepal is rich in religious and cultural legacy. It is also called the house of Gods & Goddesses. Many national and international tourists find their way to some of the major spiritual sites of Nepal. The most beautiful thing about Nepal is that you will never run of religious places here.

This country houses scores of ancient temples that are designed on the same archaic architectural style. People know Nepal as a home of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest but very fewer people know that there is no dearth of other tourist destinations in Nepal.

Let’s have a look at some 20 popular temples of Nepal:

1. Pashupatinath Temple – A Religious Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most pristine Hindu temples in Nepal. This temple doesn’t need an additional introduction for those people who are following the Hindu religion. People come here to worship ‘Lord Shiva’ from diverse parts of the globe.

This temple lies on the bank of ‘Bagmati’ River. Only Hindu religion people can enter in the premises of the temple while others are not allowed there and they can only observe from banks of the Bagmati Temple. This temple is also listed in the ‘UNESCO World Heritage Site’. It is situated 5 km north of Kathmandu valley and designed in pagoda style.

2. Manakamana Temple – A Mysterious Hindu Temple

Manakamana temple is another popular Hindu temple in Nepal. It is situated in the ‘Gorkha’ district of Nepal. People come here to fulfill their wishes since the 17th century. Manakamana also has origin from the words “Man” means heart (soul) and “Kamana” means wish so it is called Manakamana.

It is situated 106 km away from the ‘Kathmandu’ district. This temple has its mystery that you can explore during your delightful Nepal tour. It is believed that it was made when the farmer accidentally hit the stone and blood & milk came out of it, later it was declared as the recreation of a Goddess and this huge temple was made there and in present as Manakamana Temple.

In the earlier time, mostly Hindu religion people go there for worship but now people of other religions are also going there.

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3. Dantakali Temple – Goddess Sati Devi Temple

Dantakali temple is also one of the best famous temples in Nepal. Old people told that it was established when a tooth of Goddess ‘Sati Devi’ fell here when Lord Shiva was carrying her dead body and roaming here and there. “Dant” means teeth and “kali” in the form of Sati, so it is called ‘Dantakali’ temple. This temple located in the middle hill chowk of Vijaypur in Dharan.

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4. Changunarayan Temple – An Oldest Pagoda Style Temple

Changu Narayan temple is another popular Hindu temple in Nepal. This architectural marvel was built in the golden medieval time of ‘Mall’ period. This temple is also listed in the ‘UNESCO World Heritage Site’.

It is the oldest pagoda style Hindu temple of Lord Vishnu in Nepal. It is located about 8 miles east of ‘Kathmandu’ district in Bhaktapur. Travelers from different countries come here to experience the majestic beauty of this astonishing temple.

It also has some mystery against its construction but nobody knows the exact truth. A large number of people gather in festivals, culture and cultural activities that are held at this temple.

5. Dakshinkali Temple – A Temple of Blessing

Dakshinkali temple is situated about 13 -14 miles from Kathmandu valley. This temple is dedicated to ‘kali goodness’ and local people said that Dakshinkali Temple came into existence after goodness kali appears in the dream of ‘Malla’ king.

It takes 45 min from Kathmandu valley to go to Dakshinkali and the road is spiral, so it is very difficult to go there. The Dakshinkali Temple is very significant for those who need the blessing. It is believed that the blessing of ‘goodness kali’ do their desires come true. Thus, most of the people go there to complete their wishes. It is one of the Nepal’s famous temples.

6. Budhanilkantha Temple – A Splendid Temple of Lord Vishnu

This temple is renowned as the place of peace & power. It is located about 10 km far from Kathmandu city. This temple lies at the base of ‘Shivapuri Hill’. It is another famous temple of Hindu people. Only Hindu religion people can touch the feet of Lord Vishnu lying on the snake ‘Sheshnag’.

It is believed that the sculpture is founded by the farmer who was cultivating the field. Many Hindu people go there to see this splendid temple. If you are on a Nepal sightseeing tour then you must visit here and seeks the blessing of the god. It is one of the most beautiful temples in Nepal.

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7. Swayambhunath Stupa – Hindu & Buddhist Religion Site

Swayambhunath Stupa is both a Hindu & Buddhist temple in Nepal. If you wish to witness the best of Nepal then this temple is one of the best places to get along with the spiritual beauty of this country. Its extravagant white vault & radiant brilliant tower are noticeable from all sides of the Kathmandu valley.

There, chronicled records found on a stone drawing that confirms the Stupa was at that point a vital ‘Buddhist’ journey goal by the 5th century AD. It is birthplaces, in any case, time to a significantly prior era, well before the landing of Buddhism into the valley.

The 15th century ‘Swayambhu Purana’ recounted a supernatural lotus which planted by a past Buddha and it bloomed from the lake that once secured Kathmandu valley. It is one of the most splendid temples in Nepal.

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8. Janakpur Temple – Goddess Sita’s Temple

The Ram Janaki Temple is situated in Janakpur (Nepal). It is dedicated to the Goddess Sita (Wife of Lord Rama). It is said that it is related to the considerable epic of the “Ramayana” and the range had a place with the domains of King Janak.

The Ram Janaki Temple is the most heavenly place for Hindu people. Various remnants of the 11th and 12th Century AD can be found here. The religious importance of this temple accommodates its stable upkeep and support. This temple is one of the most famous Nepal tourist attractions.

This temple is a religious site and can be contrasted with diverse comparative locales like the Lumbini World Heritage Site and Pashupati Monument Zone of Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site etc.

9. Bindabasini Temple – A Pagoda Style Hindu Temple

Being one of the top holiday destinations in Asia, Nepal fascinates a large number of tourists round the year and Pokhara in Nepal is a famous goal that is loaded with a lot of charming sights for vacationers to research and a standout amongst the most common is the attractive Bindabasini Temple which is also known as Bindhyabasini Mandir.

It is designed with white pagoda-style which is approximately 3000 feet above from the ocean level along with the popular Annapurna & Machapuchare mountain ranges. It lies close to the bustling Old market of Pokhara. Nepal trip is incomplete without experiencing the magical beauty of this temple.

10. Baglung Kalika Temple – A Famous Place for Nepali Music

Baglung Kalika temple is a famous place in Baglung, Nepal. Several tourists are going to this temple and many individuals are worshiping this temple. All of the local people believe that the Baglung Kalika is one of the greatest goddess in Nepal. Baglung and adjoining zones are wonderful places for Nepali music. The zone has presented ascend to a portion of the more noticeable names in people’s music.

11. Maydevi Temple – A Buddhist Temple

The most significant temple in Lumbini (Nepal) is the charming Maya Devi Temple named after the mother of the Lord Gautama Buddha. This is one of the 4 most sacred places in all of Buddhism.

Other famous destinations are – Bodhgaya where he got illumination under the holy Bodhi tree; Sarnath (north of Varanasi) where he gave his 1st sermon & lessons and Kushinagar where his physical body passed on. These consecrated Buddhist places are in India except for the sanctuary in Lumbini in Nepal that was found near to the Indian outskirt.

12. Boudhanath stupa – Tibetan Buddhists Place

Boudhanath stupa is the Buddhist temple in Nepal. It is the central point of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu & wealthy in Buddhist imagery. The Boudhanath stupa is located in the town of Boudha on the eastern edges of Kathmandu district.

Bodnath was most likely worked in the 14th century after the Mughal intrusions. This temple is on the top of the list of things to do in Nepal. Today it becomes a necessary destination of journey and meditation for Tibetan Buddhists and nearby Nepalis. The spiritual aura of this majestic temple is beyond any description. Nepal tour is incomplete without paying a visit here.

13. Maula Kalika Temple – A Popular Traveler Site

It is located in the premises of the sacred religious site “Devghat Dham”. The Maula Kalika temple is a famous religious journey & traveler site. This place is situated on the peak around a kilometer north of the East-West Highway in Gaindakot Municipality of Nawalparasi which lies in the lap of the Narayani River in the mid-part of Nepal. It takes 2 km trek to slope upward from 3 kilometers west of Narayan Garh of Chitwan Park.

14. Devghat Dham – Religious Holy City

Devghat is a town in Tanahu District in the Gandaki Zone of central Nepal. This town is located at the intersection of the Seti Gandaki & Krishna Gandaki waterways and is one of the holiest destinations for Hindu folklore. It lies 150 km southwest of the capital Kathmandu district. Various Hindu temples and religious sites are there which is worth to visit.

15. Tal Barahi Temple – Best Picnic Place in Nepal

Tal Barahi Temple is a famous little pagoda-style place which is related to the God ‘Tal Barahi’. The unique structure of this temple is built of stone and has a ‘thatched’ rooftop. This Temple is on a little island in Fewa Lake. Tal Barahi is famous as most celebrated travel places in Nepal & numerous Hindu people come to venerate the deity.

This temple is situated in the heart the ‘Pokhara’ valley at lakeside and beautiful sits on a little hill encompassed by the completely clear waters of “Fewa Lake”. This place is most popular as a picnic destination and one can spend the weekend here.

16. Pancha Kanya Temple – A Famous Religious Site

This Hindu destination is located toward the finish of the primary street of “Vijayapura Hill” at its most astonishing point in an isolated forested zone. There are 2 little sanctuaries on this site. The primary one has some lovely carvings and statues, generally speaking that it was the minimum enthralling of the 4 fundamental sanctuaries to watch in Dharan.

17. Kathesimbhu Stupa – Tibetan Pilgrimage Sites

Kathesimbhu Stupa is the 17th version of the well-known Swayambhunath temple and this Stupa is one of the most famous Tibetan pilgrimage sites in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is located between Thamel & Durbar Square and this stupa was constructed using the leftover materials from Swayambhunath Temple complex.

It is set in a hidden courtyard that is surrounded by smaller stupas with engravings and statutes. Although, it is well maintained and intact and also included in the ‘UNESCO World Heritage Site’. It was witnessed minor damages in the 2015 earthquake.

18. Ashok Binayak Temple – A Lord Ganesha Temple

The most popular religious site of Nepal, Ashok Binayak Temple is the destination that should not be missed. In the middle of rubbles from the temples, a small golden shrine lies at the top of Maru Tole. This temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

This place of pilgrimage is one of the most vital shrines in the valley. Lord Ganesha is one of the most loved gods among the local people of Kathmandu and hence this holy place has thousands of visitors every single day from all over the world.

19. Muktinath Temple – A Temple of Various Hindu Deities

While on your Nepal holiday visit Mukhtinath temple, perched at the height of 3,710 m from the foot of the mountain ‘Thorong La Mountain’ in Mustang locale (Nepal). It is one of the best religious and vacationer goals of the country. It is the holy place for both Hindu and Buddhist religions.

This place covered in the small area and contains a human-sized luminous statue of Lord Vishnu known as Shri Mukti Narayana. It also has bronze pictures of Bhoo Devi (the Earth-goddess), the Goddesses Saraswati and Janaki Devi (Sita), Garuda (the mount of Vishnu), Luv-Kusha (the children of Rama & Sita) and the Sapt Rishis (7 Sages made by Lord Brahma).

20. Guheswari Temple – Famous Temple of Goddess Parvati

Guheswari temple also additionally spelled Guhyeshwari or Guhjeshwari is one of the respected blessed places in Kathmandu, Nepal. This temple is related to Goddess Parvati. It is trusted that Lord Shiva meandered the world assigning the collection of Sati after she consumed herself to death. Amid this procedure, her yoni (the female sexual image) fell at this place.

Lord Pratap Malla assembled this temple in the 17th century. The temple name starts from Guhya (surrender) and Ishwari (goddess). Only Hindu people are permitted to enter this temple. Guheswari Temple is situated near to the famous Pashupatinath temple.

Due to these religious sites and popular temples in Nepal, many places are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site. So, one can see these religious sites with Nepal tour packages.

Whether you’re the religious type or someone who has an interest in the beautiful architecture of Nepal, you’ll love your trip to the ancient temples in Nepal. So book a customized tour package to Nepal and let the captivating history of Nepal fascinate you. So, contact us now!

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Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd. (IHPL) is a 2 time National Tourism Award winning destination management company based in Delhi. This travel blog is an initiative to inform the visitors about all aspects of India that include her history, heritage, culture and tourist attractions and destinations.

Comments ( 6 )
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  • Mehul

    Nepal is best place to visit in summers and the peoples from there are so nice and gentle and everything in this blog is very informative.

    • Tusharika

      Hi Mehul,

      Thank you for your kind words! Keep on following our blogs for more such posts in the future.

  • kanta guru

    very nice blog

    • Tusharika

      Hi Kanta,

      Thank you for your kind words! Keep on following our blogs for more such posts in the future.

  • Rajat Kumar

    I visited Kathmandu at the end of 2013 and I dream to go back there again. This post reminded me of some of the memories from my journey.

    • Tusharika

      Hi Rajat,

      Thank you for your kind words! Keep on following our blogs for more such posts in the future.