|
<<
Indian Himalayas
<<
Pilgrimage
Travel Destinations
>>
<<
Pilgrimage Travel Nepal>>
Pilgrimage Travel Nepal
|
Location : |
Kathmandu
|
|
Altitude: |
1,336m
|
|
Significance: |
Capital Of Nepal
|
|
Best Time To Visit: |
Throughout the Year
|
Kathmandu valley consists of
three main cities of great historic and cultural interest Kathmandu, Lalitpur (Patan)
and Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon). Situated at an altitude of 1,336 m, the Kathmandu
valley covers an area of 218-sq-miles.
Balmiki Ashram
The Balmiki Ashram is situated in a forest on the banks of the Tribeni river, at
the south - western corner of Royal Chitwan National Park. It was a retreat used
by the great Hindu sage, Balmiki. This is where Sita is said to have lived with
her two sons, Labha and Kusha, after separating from Rama. Various statues were
unearthed in this area during an archeological excavation I the late 60's.
Recently, a temple of Sita has been built here.
Devghat
Devghat is situated 6 km to the north of Narayanghat, the gateway to the Royal
Chitwan National Park. On the day of the Makar Sankranti festival in January
pilgrims come here to take holy dips in Narayani, formed by the meeting of the
Kali Gandaki and Trishuli. There is a settlement of a community of elderly,
retired people here. Devghat can be reached by taking a daily flight or bus
service.
Muktinath
Muktinath of religious importance to both Hindus and Buddhists. The main shrine
of Muktinath is a pagoda - shaped temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. In the
walls around it are 108 water spouts. The Jwala Mai temple nearby has a spring
and an eternal flame fed by natural gas.
Muktinath is set in an altitude of 3,800 mt. in the north - central part of
Nepal. It is a six - hour walk from the Jomsom airport. Helicopters are also
available.
Gosaikund
A lake is believed to have been created by Lord Shiva when he thrust his
Trishula (trident) into a mountain to extract water so that he could cool his
stinging throat after he had swallowed poison. There is a large rock in the
center of the lake, which is said to be the remains of a Shiva shrine. People
often claim that they see Shiva lying in the water. Devotees gather here in
hordes on the full moon night of August to take holy dips in the lake.
Gosaikunda is situated at the altitude of 4380 mt. to the north of Kathmdnu on
the Langtang trekking trail. The holy lake is a two day long trek from Dhunche,
which can be reached through an adventurous 118 km mountain road from Kathmandu
via Trishuli Bazaar.
Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu -
Pashupatinath is Nepal's holiest Hindu Pilgrimage site (followed by the remote
Muktinath in the Himalaya). Like Varanasi in India - although on a much smaller
scale - it is a time-warp of temples, cremation ghats, ritual bathers and
bearded, half-naked sadhus (religious mendicants). Dedicated to Lord Shiva (one
of the Hindu trinity), the shrines and temples of Pashupatinath straddle the
now-polluted Bagmati river which, like the Ganges, is considered sacred by the
faithful. To die and to be cremated here is to be released from samsara (the
cycle of rebirth in this world).This wooded ravine near the golf course and
airport is considered to be one of the abodes of Lord Shiva who is the patron
deity (in one of his more benign forms) of Nepal. Pashupati is another name for
Shiva and means 'Lord of the Animals'.
Tour Packages
Itineraries Nepal Himalaya /
 Hotels
in Nepal
|
. .
B
I J U.
.
Trekking Itineraries
