Sacred Sites
14 sacred sites — temples, stupas, bahals & shrines of Nepal
FeaturedHiranya Varna Mahavihar (Golden Temple)
A stunning 12th-century Newar Buddhist monastery in Patan with a golden facade, one of the finest bahals in the Kathmandu Valley.
Patan Durbar Square area, Lalitpur, Bagmati
FeaturedMahabouddha Temple (Temple of a Thousand Buddhas)
A unique shikhara-style tower entirely covered in terracotta tiles, each bearing a hand-carved image of Buddha, modeled after the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya.
Mahabouddha Tole, Patan, Lalitpur, Bagmati
FeaturedItum Bahal (Keshchandra Mahavihar)
Kathmandu's largest Buddhist monastery complex with hidden courtyards, brass plaques depicting the Gurumapa legend, and a golden window relic.
Between Thamel and Durbar Square, Old Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Bagmati
FeaturedJana Bahal (Seto Machhindranath Temple)
A 10th-century 'living bahal' housing the White Machhindranath, worshipped as Avalokiteshvara by Buddhists and Machhindranath by Hindus — the finest example of Valley syncretism.
Keltole, between Asan and Indra Chowk, Kathmandu, Bagmati
Tanga Bahal (Jestha Varna Mahavihar)
One of Patan's oldest and most principal vihars, located opposite the Rato Machhindranath Temple's monastery near Mangal Bazaar.
Tangal Tole, Mangal Bazaar area, Patan, Lalitpur, Bagmati
Guji Bahal (Vaishravarna Mahavihar)
One of the 18 principal mahavihars of Patan, named after Vaishravana (Kubera), the Buddhist guardian king of the north and deity of wealth.
Sundhara, central Patan, Lalitpur, Bagmati
Bu Bahal (Yashodhar Mahavihar)
An ancient monastery named after Yashodhara, wife of the Buddha, historically notable as founded by a converted Brahmin reflecting the Valley's fluid religious boundaries.
Gabahal, Patan, Lalitpur, Bagmati
Dipankar Mahavihar
A hidden gem deep in Bhaktapur's alleys, housing the city's principal Dipankara Buddha alongside Hindu deities in a beautifully syncretic setting.
Between Kwathandou and Bekhal, inner Bhaktapur, Bhaktapur, Bagmati
Tukan Bahal
Tukan Bahal is one of the ancient and important Buddhist monastery of Kathmandu city. The monastic complex is located in ward no 12 of Kathmandu Municipality. The locality is called Hyumat Tole (lit: the ward of revolving lamp). The courtyard is inhabited by the indigeneous people of Kathmandu Valley-the Newars. Thus the name of the monastery has been derived from this language, more commonly and easily. The local people call the site as Tukan Bahal (lit: mustard leaf monastery).
Hyumat Tole near Jaisideval, inner Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Bagmati
Musum Bahal (Manisingha Mahavihar)
A unique 'double bahal' in old Kathmandu with inner and outer courtyards, each counted as separate mahavihars, and an active center of Vajrayana Buddhist learning.
Kwane Puin, downtown Old Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Bagmati
Om Bahal (Brahmachakra Mahavihar)
One of the 18 principal mahavihars of Kathmandu, the 'Wheel of Creation Monastery' lends its name to the surrounding neighborhood.
Om Bahal, Kwane Puin, Old Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Bagmati
Chatur Varna Mahavihar
Bhaktapur's most visited mahavihar near Durbar Square, built in 1492 with a fascinating mix of Buddhist and Hindu guardian figures.
Near Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Bhaktapur, Bagmati