Chobar

Chobar sits at the southwestern edge of the Kathmandu Valley, perched above the narrow gorge through which the Bagmati River exits the valley. According to the valley's origin myth — recorded in the Swayambhu Purana — the bodhisattva Manjushri travelled from China and, finding the valley filled with a vast lake, struck the southern hills with his sword to drain the waters. The cleft he created is the Chobar Gorge, and the geological evidence (lake sediment deposits across the valley floor) lends the legend a striking plausibility.

Atop the hill overlooking the gorge stands the Adinath Lokeshwar Temple, a Licchavi-era shrine sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple is famously covered in pots and pans nailed to its exterior — offerings from newlywed couples seeking blessings for a harmonious household. Below the temple, a 19th-century iron suspension bridge (one of the first in Nepal, built with Scottish engineering) spans the gorge, offering dramatic views of the river cutting through vertical rock walls.

Chobar is an easy half-day excursion from Kathmandu or Patan. The Jal Binayak Temple (dedicated to Ganesh) lies at the gorge's base and can be combined with a Chobar visit. From the hilltop, the panoramic view encompasses the valley floor, Kirtipur's ridge, and the Chandragiri hills. The area is accessible by local bus or a short taxi ride from Patan. No entry fee is charged.