6-Day Kathmandu to Pokhara Pilgrimage Tour with 5 Hindu Temples

Trip Detail:

• The Kathmandu-Pokhara pilgrim tour to the five most important Hindu temples in Nepal, rolled into one luxurious 6-day package, starts with Pashupatinath Darshan in Kathmandu and moves further to Dakshinkali, Manakamana, Bindhya Bashini, and Varahi.

• Pashupatinath, the most important Hindu temple in Nepal, stands on the banks of the holy Bagmati River northwest of Kathmandu and is a powerhouse of Hindu spiritual power. The Pashupatinath area is regarded as one of the most important places of pilgrimage for followers of Hinduism in the world. The temple is a subtle work of architecture, with its gold-plated roof, bejewelled doors, flowered motifs, and woodcarvings of the finest quality. The square-shaped, pagoda-like temple, built on a single platform 24 meters in height, stands in the middle of an open courtyard. The entrance to the temple is from all four sides and is decorated with gold-gilt doors. Inside the temple, there is a narrow walkway encircling the sanctum, from where one can have a closer view of the Shivlinga. The temple is barred to non-Hindus, but one can still have a good view of the temple and its surroundings from the opposite bank of the river.

• Dakshinkali, a blood-soaked temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, is situated at the confluence of two sacred streams in a rocky cleft in the forest and is a favorite pilgrimage destination for Hindus.

• Manakamana is one of the most important temples in the middle hills and is dedicated to the wish-fulfilling Hindu Goddess. The Manakamana Temple overlooks terraced fields and the Trishuli and Marshyangdi river valleys. The hilltop at 1302 m also offers a vantage point for taking in breathtaking views of the Manaslu, Himalchuli, and Annapurna massifs to the north. Manakamana is located south of the historic town of Gorkha and 6 km north of Mugling. In the past, millions of pilgrims used to do the long, arduous trek up to the hilltop. The cable car station in Cheres is about 104 km west of Kathmandu. From the base station at Cheres, we reach Manakamana Temple in 10 minutes. The ride covers a distance of 2.8 kilometers.

• Bindhya Basini, north of Pokhara, was founded in the 17th century and is sacred to the Hindu Goddess Durga, the warlike incarnation of Parvati, worshipped here in the form of Shaligram.

• Varahi stands on a small island in Phewa Lake, where we take a boat ride to reach the temple. The temple, founded in the 18th century, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his boar incarnation and is inhabited by a loft of cooing pigeons.

Important Note:

• Your safety is of paramount importance to us at Alpine Club of Himalaya.

• We have the absolute authority to cancel the trip or change the itinerary when deemed necessary or when we have reason to believe your safety is at stake.

• Weather conditions, the health condition of a group member, natural disasters, and similar factors can contribute to changes in the itinerary when travelling in remote mountainous regions. In these extreme situations, we kindly request that you offer your full cooperation to the trusted leader of the group appointed by Alpine Club of Himalaya. However, we assure you that we will make every effort to keep to the above itinerary.