At. 10:00 AM: After your breakfast at the hotel, you will participate in full-day sightseeing of Pashupatinath Temple, Jal Narayan, Patan Durbar Square, and Banglamukhi Temple. Your transportation will arrive at the hotel to pick you up for sightseeing.
Firstly, you will start with Pashupatinath Temple, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva. You will wander through the maze of the temple, surrounded by small shrines, each with its own religious significance. Then, you will drive towards Jal Narayan Temple. Take your time to appreciate the intricate details of the reclining statue of Lord Vishnu, its size, and the open air settings. You can have your lunch in between the sightseeing, according to your timing and nearby places of interest.
Later in the afternoon, your next exploration will be at Patan Durbar Square, one of the three Durbar squares, where you will travel through the historical lane. After that, the final destination today will be Shree Banglamukhi Temple, which is about 600m from Patan Dhoka and a few minutes of walk from there. You can learn more about the temple’s history and significance while you observe the rituals and offerings made by the devotees. After your sightseeing, head back to your hotel and rest.
Pashupatinath Temple is the largest and holiest shrine for Hindus, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple, situated on the bank of the Bagmati River, was built in the 5th century. It is represented by a four faced shiva-lingam housed in the main temple. There are around 492 temples, 15 Shivalayas (shrines of Lord Shiva), and 12 Jyotirlingas (phallic shrines) to explore. Although only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed on the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river. A centre for Hindu pilgrimage, this temple hosts different major festivals such as Maha Shivaratri and pujas such as Rudra Abhishek and evening Aarti. Additionally, no entrance fee is charged for Indian nationals to enter the temple.
The Jal Narayan Temple, also known as Budhanilkantha Temple, is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is around 8 km north of Kathmandu at the base of Shivapuri Hill. The temple is famous for its large, reclining statue of Lord Vishnu resting on a bed of stone serpents in a pool of water. The temple is religiously significant for both Hindus and Buddhists. Unlike other Hindu temples, Budhanilkantha is an open-air shrine offering a unique and serene atmosphere.
Patan Durbar Square, one of the three durbar squares in Kathmandu Valley, is 6 km southeast of Kathmandu. The square is an important example of Newari architecture, surrounded by prominent temples, palaces, courtyards, and statues. The Keshav Narayan Temple, which was built in the 17th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, is a masterpiece of pagoda architecture. The temple is known for its nine roofed pagodas and its richly decorated interior. Other notable key attractions on the square are the Krishna Temple, the Taleju Temple, the Bhimsen Temple, and the Patan Museum. Wandering through the narrow alleys lined with traditional Newari houses, bustling markets selling handicrafts and souvenirs, and local shops showcasing local artisan’s work is an interesting sight to see.
Shree Banglamukhi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Banglamukhi, one of the ten Mahadivyas. The temple is located in Patan, Lalitpur. The temple is a two-story structure with a pagoda style roof. The main deity of the temple is a statue of Banglamukhi, which is made of stone. The temple is especially crowded on Thursdays, which is considered to be an auspicious day for worshipping Baglamukhi.
Optional Activity: You can also take part in the thrilling Everest Mountain Flight. It is a sightseeing adventure flight that departs at 06:30 AM from Kathmandu airport to Kathmandu airport, a 1 hour flight that takes you to the stunning aerial view of Mt. Everest (8848 m) and several other mountains such as Lhotse (8516 m), Kanchenjunga (8586 m), Shishapangma (8027 m), Nuptse (7881 m), Ganesh (7422 m), and Chamlang (7319 m).