Nepal Sightseeings Kathmandu Valley's Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites Old temples in Kathmandu

The Kathmandu Valley is rich in places of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists. For centuries pilgrims have come from India, China and Tibet to circumambulate the great stupas, climb the sacred hills where Buddhas and Bodhisattvas dwelt, and visit the temples of the valley. Here are a few of the most important sites.

SWAYAMBHU STUPA

This holy place is situated in the Kathmandu Valley about six kilometers west of Kathmandu. The stupa is dedicated to the supreme Adi-Buddha. Its significance is described in the Swayambhu Purana, written in the fifteenth century. According to an inscription, the stupa was already in existence in the fifth century. The viewing places surrounding the stupa of Swayambhu offer a wide panorama of the Kathmandu Valley. The stupa stands on a massive plinth, and is surmounted by a square harmika, on which are painted great pairs of eyes, symbolizing the all-seeing powers of the Buddha. Around the main shrine are niches enclosing figures of the Buddhas of the five directions.

The National Museum and the Buddhist Art Gallery are situated in the lap of Swayambhunath, Kathmandu's famous Buddhist holy place.

The Judhajatiya Art Gallery, is the second oldest historical building within the premises of the 116-year-old historical buildings. The historic structure erected during the reign of Juddha Samsher more than a hundred years back has been converted into a museum now. The museum houses the 16th century priceless works of paintings, ancient artifacts, wooden and other carved idols. The museum also has a life-size statue of the Rana prime minister Juddha Samsher JBR..Among others, the museum houses idols of Shakyamuni Buddha in his various forms and re-incarnations - Dipankar Buddha, Tantrakalin Buddha and Manjushree. The museum also houses weapons and dresses used by the Mallas, the Ranas and the Shah kings.

The Buddhist Art Gallery has invaluable collections of the work of art and paintings related to Buddhism. It has the collections from famous Buddhist holy places in the country such as: Lumbini, Kapilavastu, Nigalihawa, Araurakot, Sagarhawa, Gotihawa and Bajanra Hills. The collections of artifacts are works of paintings, metallic coins, idols and statues, which have been handed down from generations to generations. Engraved on the relic are symbols and other masterpiece of arts depicting the culture and history dating back to the Mauryan empire, Sungas, Kushan and Gupta kings, whose reign saw the golden period of Buddhist art and architecture in Nepal.

KATHESIMBHU

This stupa is a replica of Swayambhunath and is also known as Singha Bahal or Ghata Vihara. Constructed in the sixteenth century, it stands in a courtyard in the center of old Kathmandu. It is a common belief that the stupa was built in the heart of the town for the old and infirm who could not climb to the main stupa on Swayambhu hill. Buddhists believe that if one performs ceremonial rites at Kathesimbhu stupa one will obtain the same religious merit as if one made the journey to Swayambhu. The name Kathesimbhu literally means "Swayambhu located in Kathmandu."

KIMDOL VIHARA

On the left side of the road to Swayambhunath there is a big Bodhi, or pipal, tree. On going up a small, narrow lane one comes to Kimdol Vihara, which means the vulture's beak vihara. In olden days while travelling from Tibet to India many Lamas stopped at this place and found enlightenment. Among the great Lamas who practiced here were the l3th Karmapa, the 10th Sharmapa, and the 8th Tai Situ. Kimdol Vihara was actually established in seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It has several shrines with marvellous images of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

BOUDHA STUPA

This stupa is one of the largest in the world, standing on the ancient trading route from Tibet as it entered the outskirts of old Kathmandu. It is said that the stupa stands at the center of a natural mandala, and is a powerful focal point of psychic energy in the valley. It is a geometrical and cosmogenic representation of the universe: the cubical base symbolizes the earth, the dome symbolizes water, the central tower above the dome represents fire. It is believed that the Boudha stupa enshrines the spirit of the Bodhisattvas, the Buddhas of the ten directions, and the Buddhas of the past, present and future.

NAMOBUDDHA

On a hill about thirty kilometers east of Kathmandu stands a stupa dedicated to a Buddha of a previous time. According to legend, the Buddha in a previous life came upon a starving tigress and her cubs. In his great compassion he cut pieces of flesh from his body to feed the tigress. At this place is a carved stone depicting the legend. The name Namobuddha means "Hail to Lord Buddha." Near the stupa is a small monastery where monks live in retreat, and to the north, the backdrop of the Himalaya. Namobuddha is a fine day-hike from the resort village of Dhulikhel.

YANGLESHO

On the road from Kathmandu south to Pharping is a place called Yanglesho. At this place it is said that the great teacher Padmasambhava, or Guru Rimpoche, attained mastery of Mahamudra, the ultimate and supreme attainment. There is a cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated. On the ceiling of this cave, the guru's hand and head prints are visible.

THE TEMPLE OF WHITE MACHHENDRANATH (Jana Bahal)

This shrine is considered one of the most sacred shrines of Kathmandu. It stands in the heart of Kathmandu on the narrow market street which connects Indrachowk with Asan Tole. The image is of white Avalokitesvara, and standing beside him are images of White and Green Tara. Tibetan Buddhists believe that the image was made from a single piece of sandalwood in the seventh century at the time of Emperor Songsen Gampo. The image is worshipped by Hindus and Newar Buddhists as well and is the focus of two major festivals, the jatra, or chariot procession, of the god in the spring, and the ritual bathing of the god in the middle of winter.

MAHABUDDHA

This is one of the most unique temples of the valley. Lying southeast of the Durbar Square of Patan and built in the tall shikhara style, it is a masterpiece of terra-cotta. The temple was built
by a Brahmin scholar named Abhaya Raja and his descendants in the year 1601. It was rebuilt after the great earthquake of 1934. It is also called the 'temple of a thousand Buddhas," as each
brick in the structure is impressed with an image of the Buddha.

HIRANYA VARNA MAHAVIHAR (Kwa Bahal)

This monastery is also called the Golden Temple and is situated a few minutes' walk from the main Durbar Square complex of Patan. Its principal image is Sakyamuni Buddha. This
multi-storeyed temple is one of the most elaborately decorated in Nepal, with a particularly fine repousse front facade. On an upper floor on the north side is a Tibetan Buddhist shrine room.
In the temple courtyard are several sculptures of Bodhisattvas from the early Malla period, among the finest metal sculptures remaining in Nepal.

FOUR ASHOKAN STUPAS

There are four ancient stupas at the four corners of the old boundaries of the city of Patan. It is commonly believed that Ashoka, the Buddhist king of India, had erected them, although
archaeological evidence does not agree. Some are plastered and others are grassy mounds. By the northern stupa are some especially fine, very old, stone sculptures.

FOUR SACRED PLACES

According to Buddhist legends, there are four sacred places at the four cardinal points of the Kathmandu Valley: Siphucho on Shivapuri hill, north of Kathmandu; Jamacho, the top of Nagarjun hill to the west; Dhyanacho, near the hilltop town of Kirtipur, and Phulchok, on the hill south of town. On Jamacho, legend says, Vipasvi Buddha sat in meditation. He threw a lotus seed into the lake which once filled the valley. From the seed grew a lotus shining with the light of the Adi-Buddha. Manjushri came from afar, and drawn by the light, cut the Chobar Gorge to drain the valley?

It is mentioned in the Buddhist literature that only a person who pays homage to these places can become a teacher of the doctrines of the Vajrayana. Indeed, some of the greatest Vajrayana masters have lived and meditated in the Kathmandu Valley. These places have long been, and long shall be, the sources of inspiration and the destinations of devout pilgrims..