8-Day Hindu Temple Tour of Nepal with Muktinath and Manakamana

• Trip Detail:

• Nepal is a Hindu-majority country, and one can see temples and religious shrines in every nook and corner here. This pilgrim tour to the six most important Hindu temples in Nepal is rolled into one luxurious multi-day package, starting with Pashupatinath Darshan in Kathmandu and continuing to Dakshinkali, Manakamana, Bindhya Bashini, Varahi, and Muktinath.

• Pashupatinath, one of the most important Hindu temples 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 entire 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 of 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 have a good view of the temple and surroundings from the opposite bank of the river.

• Dakshinkali, a blood-soaked temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali and situated at the confluence of two sacred streams in a rocky cleft in the forest, is a favourite 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 the 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, you reach Manakamana Temple in 10 minutes. The ride covers a distance of 2.8 kilometres.

• 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 you 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.

• Muktinath is one of the sacred Hindu temples in Nepal, situated at an elevation of 3800 m, where Hindu pilgrims from all over the world come to bathe in the 108 water spouts shaped as cows' heads, and Buddhists come to pay homage at a shrine enclosing an eternal blue flame. Pilgrims bathe in the holy water spouts to purify their bodies before visiting the main temple for worship. The main shrine of Muktinath is a pagoda-shaped temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The nearby Jwala Mai temple has a spring and an eternal flame fed by natural gas. The pilgrimage journey to Muktinath, the holy dip in the Kunda, and the bath beneath the 108 water spouts are believed to bring about salvation. You reach Muktinath through a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom that offers magnificent views of the Himalayas as it flies through a narrow slice between the peaks of two Himalayan giants: Dhaulagiri (8167 m) and Annapurna I (8091 m). From Jomsom, you take a shared jeep on an adventurous drive to the temple of Muktinath.

• Temple Tour: Pashupatinath, Dakshinkali, Manakamana, Bindhya Bashini, Varahi, Muktinath, 8 Days

Trip Highlight:

• Temple Tours

• History

• Local Meals

• Local People

• Fewa Lake

• Himalayan Range

Important Note:

• Your safety is of paramount importance to Alpine Club of Himalaya. They have the absolute authority to cancel the trip or change the itinerary when deemed necessary or when they have reason to believe your safety is at stake. Weather conditions, the health condition of a group member, natural disasters, and similar circumstances 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, they assure you that they will make every effort to keep to the above itinerary.