Hindu Temples of Nepal

Budhanilkantha Temple

बूढानीलकण्ठ

Home to the largest stone carving in Nepal — a magnificent 5-meter reclining Vishnu sculpture from the 7th century, lying in a recessed water tank.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Pashupatinath Temple

पशुपतिनाथ मन्दिर

Nepal's holiest Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the banks of the Bagmati River.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Sworgadwari Temple

स्वर्गद्वारी मन्दिर

A sacred hilltop pilgrimage site in Pyuthan believed to be the 'Gateway to Heaven', where sage Ved Vyas is said to have composed parts of the Mahabharata.

Pyuthan, Lumbini

Manakamana Temple

मनकामना मन्दिर

Hilltop shrine of the wish-fulfilling goddess Bhagwati, tended by Magar priests descended from her first devotee — and reached by Nepal's first commercial cable car.

Gorkha, Gandaki

Changu Narayan Temple

चाँगुनारायण मन्दिर

The oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley, home to Nepal's earliest dated inscription — and traditionally remembered as spared by the 1349 invasion.

Bhaktapur, Bagmati

Nyatapola Temple

न्यातापोला मन्दिर

The tallest pagoda-style temple in Nepal, a five-storey masterpiece built in just 214 days by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1702, dominating Taumadhi Square.

Bhaktapur, Bagmati

Yaksheshwor Mahadev Temple (Pashupatinath of Bhaktapur)

यक्षेश्वर महादेव मन्दिर

Bhaktapur's own Pashupatinath — a 15th-century two-tiered pagoda modelled after the famous Kathmandu temple, with erotic carvings and a four-faced Shivalinga.

Bhaktapur, Bagmati

Vatsala Durga Temple

वत्सला दुर्गा मन्दिर

A striking white stone shikhara temple in Bhaktapur Durbar Square, famous for its 'barking bell' that is said to make dogs howl when rung.

Bhaktapur, Bagmati

Dattatraya Temple

दत्तात्रय मन्दिर

Bhaktapur's landmark three-storey pagoda in Dattatraya Square, dedicated to the combined trinity form of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva and central to the old Tachapal quarter.

Bhaktapur, Bagmati

Kal Bhairav

काल भैरव

A massive 12th-century stone relief of the fearsome Bhairav — Shiva's terrifying aspect — standing six feet tall in the open court of Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Akash Bhairav Temple

आकाश भैरव मन्दिर

A three-storey temple at Indra Chowk housing the 'Sky Bhairav' — a disembodied silver head worshipped as the Bhairav of the heavens.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Swet Bhairav

सेतो भैरव

A giant gilded head of White Bhairav hidden behind a lattice screen for most of the year, dramatically revealed only during the eight days of Indra Jatra.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Taleju Temple

तलेजु मन्दिर

The tallest temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square — a 36-metre triple-roofed pagoda dedicated to the tutelary goddess of the Malla kings, open to Hindus only on Dashain's ninth day.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Hanuman Statue (Hanuman Dhoka)

हनुमान मूर्ति

The standing stone figure of Hanuman draped in a red cloak at the entrance to the old royal palace — the image that gave Hanuman Dhoka its name.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Shiva-Parvati Temple

शिव पार्वती मन्दिर

An 18th-century temple famous for the carved wooden figures of Shiva and Parvati leaning out from the upper window, gazing at the life of Durbar Square below.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Naradevi Temple

नरदेवी मन्दिर

An old inner-Kathmandu goddess temple near Durbar Square, worshipped as Sweta Kali and known to Newars as Nyata Ajima.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Bhadrakali Temple

भद्रकाली मन्दिर

A prominent Shakti shrine on the eastern edge of Tundikhel, known as Lumadhi Bhadrakali and closely associated with the Nepal Army.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Krishna Mandir

कृष्ण मन्दिर

Nepal's finest stone shikhara temple, built in 1637 by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla — a three-tiered masterpiece with 21 golden pinnacles and exquisite Mahabharata and Ramayana bas-reliefs.

Lalitpur, Bagmati

Bhimsen Temple

भिमसेन मन्दिर

A three-story pagoda at the northern gateway to Patan Durbar Square, dedicated to Bhimsen — the Mahabharata warrior venerated as patron deity of Newar traders and merchants.

Lalitpur, Bagmati

Vishwanath Temple

विश्वनाथ मन्दिर

A handsome two-tiered Shiva pagoda in Patan Durbar Square, guarded by stone elephants and adorned with erotic roof-strut carvings in the classic Newar tradition.

Lalitpur, Bagmati

Baglamukhi Temple

बंगलामुखी मन्दिर

A revered tantric goddess temple in Patan dedicated to Baglamukhi, the Mahavidya of stambhana, known for Thursday puja, dispute-resolution prayers, and its sacred Kumbheshwar-side complex.

Lalitpur, Bagmati

Hari Shankar Temple

हरिशंकर मन्दिर

A three-tiered pagoda dedicated to the rare combined form of Vishnu and Shiva — built by a Malla princess and known for its vivid roof-strut carvings of hellish punishments.

Lalitpur, Bagmati

Jagannarayan Temple (Char Narayan)

जगन्नारायण मन्दिर

One of the oldest temples in Patan Durbar Square, this 1565 two-tiered Vishnu pagoda anchors the southern end of the temple row with erotic roof struts and ancient stone carvings.

Lalitpur, Bagmati

Chyasin Deval (Octagonal Krishna Temple)

छ्यासिन देवल

A striking octagonal stone shikhara at the entrance to Patan Durbar Square — built as a memorial to the queens of King Yoganarendra Malla who committed sati upon his death.

Lalitpur, Bagmati

Salinadi

सालीनदी

Ancient sacred river ghats and cremation ground along the Sali River at Sankhu, renowned for its Licchavi-era stone sculptures and as the primary site for Swasthani Brata holy bathing.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Dakshinkali Temple

दक्षिणकाली मन्दिर

One of Nepal's most powerful tantric Kali temples, set in a forested ravine at the confluence of two streams south of Kathmandu, renowned for its animal sacrifice rituals on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Shesh Narayan Temple

शेषनारायण मन्दिर

One of the four sacred Narayan (Vishnu) temples of the Kathmandu Valley, built into a limestone cliff face in Pharping with natural spring water and exquisite Licchavi-era stone carvings.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Ichangu Narayan Temple

इचंगुनारायण मन्दिर

One of the four sacred Narayan (Vishnu) temples of the Kathmandu Valley, set on a peaceful hillock west of Swayambhunath with ancient Licchavi-era stone carvings and far fewer visitors than its famous siblings.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Bisankhu Narayan Temple

विशंखु नारायण मन्दिर

One of the four sacred Narayan (Vishnu) temples of the Kathmandu Valley — the Char Narayan — set on a rocky hillside above Godawari in southern Lalitpur, where the deity is worshipped as a natural rock and pilgrims squeeze through a narrow rock fissure said to test their sins.

Lalitpur, Bagmati

Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple

गोकर्णेश्वर महादेव मन्दिर

A historically important Shiva temple on the banks of the Bagmati River at Gokarna, featuring superb Licchavi-era stone carvings and serving as the principal site for Kuse Aunsi (Father's Day) rituals.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Indreshwar Mahadev Temple

इन्द्रेश्वर महादेव मन्दिर

Claimed to be the oldest existing temple in Nepal, this magnificent three-storied pagoda at the confluence of two rivers in Panauti features remarkable medieval wood carvings and an atmosphere of timeless devotion.

Kavrepalanchok, Bagmati

Bagh Bhairav Temple

बाघ भैरव मन्दिर

A hilltop temple of the Tiger Bhairav in Kirtipur, whose walls still bear the shields and swords from the historic battle against Prithvi Narayan Shah's army, with panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Batuk Bhairav Temple

बटुक भैरव मन्दिर

A small metal-roofed shrine at the Lagankhel crossroads holding Bhairav in his child form — the temple whose priests close Patan's great chariot festival by sending word of it to the sky and the underworld.

Lalitpur, Bagmati

Bhairavnath Temple

भैरवनाथ मन्दिर

A three-tiered pagoda on the north side of Taumadhi Square — dedicated to **Akash Bhairav**, the fierce form of Shiva — whose chariot opens the nine-day **Bisket Jatra** that ushers in the Nepali New Year each April.

Bhaktapur, Bagmati

Tal Barahi Temple

ताल बाराही मन्दिर

A two-storey pagoda on a tiny island in the middle of Phewa Lake — Pokhara's most iconic Hindu temple, dedicated to the goddess Barahi, reached by short wooden rowing boats from Lakeside.

Kaski, Gandaki

Devghat

देवघाट

A major Hindu pilgrimage confluence near Bharatpur where the Kali Gandaki and Trishuli rivers meet to form the Narayani, especially busy during Makar Sankranti.

Chitwan, Bagmati

Doleshwar Mahadev Temple

डोलेश्वर महादेव मन्दिर

A Shiva temple in Bhaktapur associated by tradition with Kedarnath, visited as a Kathmandu Valley pilgrimage and day-trip shrine.

Bhaktapur, Bagmati

Khaptad Ashram

Remote highland ashram associated with Khaptad Baba inside Khaptad National Park, a far-western Nepal pilgrimage retreat.

Bajhang, Sudurpaschim

Ram Janaki Vivah Mandap

Marriage pavilion beside Janaki Mandir in Janakpur, central to the Sita-Rama wedding tradition and Vivah Panchami celebrations.

Dhanusha, Madhesh

Janakpur Sacred Ponds

The sacred pond network around Janaki Mandir, including Dhanush Sagar and Ganga Sagar, used for ritual bathing and Janakpur festival circuits.

Dhanusha, Madhesh

Suryabinayak Temple

Eastern Kathmandu Valley Ganesh shrine and one of the four Char Binayak temples, visited for protection and auspicious beginnings.

Bhaktapur, Bagmati

Karya Binayak Temple

Char Binayak Ganesh shrine near Bungamati, invoked for success in work and important undertakings.

Lalitpur, Bagmati

Jal Binayak Temple

Char Binayak Ganesh shrine at Chobar near the Bagmati gorge, one of the valley's major Ganesh pilgrimage stops.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Chandra Binayak Temple

Northern Kathmandu Valley Char Binayak shrine at Chabahil, a busy Ganesh temple in the old pilgrimage corridor.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Badimalika Temple

बडीमालिका मन्दिर

A stone shrine to Bhagwati at 4,200m on the Malika meadows of Bajura — the Far West's most important pilgrimage, walked to en masse at Janai Purnima.

Bajura, Sudurpaschim

Ramdhuni

रामधुनी

A Ram shrine inside protected sal forest in southern Sunsari, built around a dhuni fire said to have been lit during Ram's exile — and the site of one of eastern Nepal's largest melas.

Sunsari, Koshi

Dupcheshwor Mahadev

दुप्चेश्वर महादेव

A self-manifested Shiva shrine among river boulders on the Suryamati in eastern Nuwakot — three hours from Kathmandu, and packed on Dhanya Purnima and Shivaratri.

Nuwakot, Bagmati

Pumdikot

A 108-foot Shiva statue on the hilltop south-west of Phewa Lake, ringed by 108 stone lingams — Pokhara's newest pilgrimage site and one of its best all-round viewpoints.

Kaski, Gandaki

Nala Bhagwati (Ugrachandi)

उग्रचण्डी भगवती

A four-tiered pagoda — one tier more than the valley norm — on the square of the Newar village of Nala, and one of the Bhagwati sisters paired in tradition with Palanchowk, Naxal and Shobha.

Kavrepalanchok, Bagmati

Kumbheshwar Temple

कुम्भेश्वर मन्दिर

Patan's five-tiered Shiva temple — one of only two five-storey pagodas in the Kathmandu Valley — built around a spring-fed tank believed to run underground from Gosainkunda, and the focal point of Janai Purnima.

Lalitpur, Bagmati

Pathibhara Temple

पाथीभरा देवी मन्दिर

A high-altitude Shakti pilgrimage temple in Taplejung, revered for wish-fulfilling blessings and long eastern-hills views toward Kangchenjunga country.

Taplejung, Koshi

Baraha Kshetra

वराहक्षेत्र

One of Nepal's four great kshetras, a major Vishnu pilgrimage complex near Chatara where the Sapta Koshi leaves the hills and enters the plains.

Sunsari, Koshi

Janaki Mandir

जानकी मन्दिर

A magnificent Mughal-Rajput style marble temple in Janakpur dedicated to Goddess Sita, the only temple of its kind in Nepal.

Dhanusha, Madhesh

Navadurga Temple (Nava Durga Dyo Chhen)

नवदुर्गा मन्दिर

The sacred temple-house where Bhaktapur's legendary Nava Durga dance masks are created, consecrated, and displayed — the spiritual epicentre of the city's unique tantric masked dance tradition.

Bhaktapur, Bagmati

Taleju Bhawani Temple

तलेजु भवानी मन्दिर

The holiest shrine of Bhaktapur's Malla kings, hidden within the Mul Chowk palace courtyard and accessible only to Hindus — guarded by the magnificent Golden Gate.

Bhaktapur, Bagmati

Bindhyabasini Temple

बिन्ध्यवासिनी मन्दिर

One of the oldest and most important Hindu temples in Pokhara, set on a small wooded hilltop in the old bazaar — dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati, a form of Durga.

Kaski, Gandaki

Ashok Binayak

Maru Ganesh shrine near Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of the city's most visited Ganesh temples but not part of the Char Binayak circuit.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Kalinchowk Bhagwati

कालिन्चोक भगवती

An open-air trident shrine to Bhagwati on the 3,842m summit rock above Kuri, with a spring held to source the Sun Koshi — Dolakha's great Janai Purnima and Dashain pilgrimage.

Dolakha, Bagmati

Palanchowk Bhagwati

पलाञ्चोक भगवती

A hilltop shrine east of Banepa holding a black stone Durga of eighteen arms, dated by tradition to the Licchavi king Manadeva and reckoned the eldest of the Bhagwati sisters.

Kavrepalanchok, Bagmati

Uma Maheshwar Temple

उमा महेश्वर मन्दिर

A hilltop Shiva temple in Kirtipur offering some of the finest panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley and the Himalayan range, a peaceful spot away from the tourist trail.

Kathmandu, Bagmati

Chandeshwori Temple, Banepa

चण्डेश्वरी मन्दिर

Banepa's presiding goddess in a three-tiered pagoda above the Punyamata, its west wall carrying a Bhairava mural repainted by hand each year — the anchor of Chandeshwori Jatra.

Kavrepalanchok, Bagmati

Kalika Bhagwati Temple, Baglung

कालिका भगवती मन्दिर, बागलुङ

Baglung's great goddess temple, set in a protected sal grove above the Kali Gandaki — the ritual centre of the district at Dashain and Chaite Dashain.

Baglung, Gandaki

Triveni Dham, Khaptad

त्रिवेणी धाम, खप्तड

The sacred three-river confluence at the heart of the Khaptad plateau, with a Shiva temple and the far west's biggest high-meadow fair at Ganga Dashahara.

Bajhang, Sudurpaschim