Pashupatinath Temple
This important Hindu temple is dedicated to Shiva in his form as the Lord of the Beasts. While only Hindus are allowed to enter the inner sanctum, the surrounding temple grounds are open to all visitors. The area features not only historic architecture and rich religious iconography, but also sadhus (holy men), a market for spiritual items, and a revered sacred cave. One of the most fascinating parts of the complex is the cremation ghats along the banks of the Bagmati River. These are best experienced in the early morning or evening, with striking light and moving devotional ceremonies beginning around 7 PM. Buddhist visitors should not miss the nearby caves — just beyond the high-caste cremation area— where the great teacher Tilopa instructed Naropa, who later attained enlightenment there.
- Getting there
- 20-minute walk past several temples from Boudhanath
Listing from Wikivoyage: Kathmandu/East, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.