Historical Places in Nepal

The regal Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the three Durbar squares in the country. To date, the place remains the most remarkable legacy of Kathmandu's traditional architecture. The magnificent Durbar Square has often been referred to as the heart that houses all the traditions of the old town of Kathmandu and is one of the top historical places in Nepal.

One of the holiest Hindu shrines in Nepal, the Pashupatinath Temple is stretched across both the banks of the sacred Bagmati River on the eastern fringes of Kathmandu. The sanctum devoted to Lord Shiva draws in thousands of devotees who come to offer their prayers and seek blessings from Him. Sprawled across a large area with temples and ashrams, this temple is a repository of pictures, images, and intricately inscribed tablets.

Situated at a distance of about 11 kilometers from Kathmandu, the stupa receives many devotees of different religions who bow their heads in humble prayers or come to seek refuge around it. The massive mandala of this magisterial stupa makes it the largest in Nepal and the continent. In 1979, Boudhanath Stupa was honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This stupa is said to be the spot where the remains of Kassapa Buddha lay in rest. 

Located in the Bhaktapur district some 12 km east of Kathmandu, Changu Narayan is Nepal's oldest temple and authentic Newari-style architecture is very true to its roots. The temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and houses several of his avatars and other deities. Look for the 1500-year-old, ten-headed, and ten-armed stone carving of Vishnu. It is a unique piece which cannot be seen in other Hindu temples.

Known For : Maya Devi Temple World Peace Pagoda Lumbini Bodhi Tree, Lumbini

Nestled in the Himalayas in Nepal, the beautiful town of Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Lumbini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many ancient stupas dating back to 2000 years and monasteries built by past dynasties. People come here from all over the world to this abode of Buddhism to study scriptures, meditate, practice yoga, trek, learn more about Buddhism and find inner peace.

Best Time: April to May

23 Lumbini Attractions

The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once home to the royal family of Bhaktapur. Locally known as Khwopa or the ancient Newa City, the entire complex consists of four different squares – Taumadhi Square, Durbar Square, Pottery Square, and Dattatreya Square. Typical findings here are the Bhaktapur royal palaces along with several temples and other ancient structures dating back to the 17th and 18th century.

Perched on top of the Semgu Hill, located in the outskirts to the west of the Kathmandu Valley, this temple is often considered to be one of the crowning glories of the country’s architectural skills. Also referred to as the Swayambhunath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, and the Swayambhu Maha Chaitya, this holy place of worship has been in existence for several centuries

Known For : Janaki Mandir Ram Mandir, Janakpur Rolwaling Valley

Janakpur is a city in Nepal, close to the Indian Border, which is believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita and the place of her marriage with Lord Ram. Watch history come alive and dance vibrantly right before you, as you explore the sacred city. Also known as the City of Ponds, Janakpur boasts more than seventy ponds that dot its verdant landscape.

Best Time: September to March

9 Janakpur Attractions

Of the one hundred and eight sacred Shri Vaishnava temples, Muktinath Temple holds the 106th rank among the Divya Desam, or 'premium temples'. This holy sanctuary is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for both Hindu and Buddhist devotees. One of the eight sacred shrines, Muktinath Temple, adorns the Pagoda-styled central temple, which is home to the gold statue of Lord Vishnu. It also has one hundred and eight water springs. 

Among the world's greatest archaeological mysteries, Mustang, or Sky Caves in Nepal, are a collection of over 10,000 man-made caves dug into the sides of valleys near Kali Gandaki River. Built in 1,000 BC, Mustang Caves displays 600-year-old mummies of religious human sacrifices; fascinating caves carved 155 feet above the ground, recovered reams of Buddhist and Bon manuscripts, and meditation chambers.

Located on the picturesque Kopan Hills (20 minutes drive from the city centre) on the fringes of Kathmandu, Kopan Monastery is a stunning Tibetan Buddhist Monastery established between the late 1960s and early 1970s. People who are interested in learning Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism visit this place. One can choose to enrol in a short-term (7 days) course to get a gist of this ancient way of living. 

Dedicated to Goddess Sita, Janaki Mandir is the biggest temple in Nepal, located in Janakpur. It is constructed at the place where Goddess Sita was born. The attraction is now considered a religiously important monument and a heritage site but is still an active temple for devotees. Anybody seeking a slice of the legend of Ramayana must visit the divine Janaki Temple. 

Chitwan National Park is the first step that Nepal took toward the protection of wildlife and nature at large. Located in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal, the national park covers an area of 952.63 sq. km. over the districts of Nawalparasi, Parsa, Makwanpur and Chitwan. The place was granted its long-due status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Sagarmatha National Park is a wildlife reserve that is well known to people for its location, which Mount Everest dominates in the Himalayas of Eastern Nepal. The location, which is in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal, has been visited by tourists since the 1960s; although it was officially established in the year 1976, the number of people have been flocking to the area increased over the years because of the stunning scenery and the adventurous trails for trekking and hiking.

Rishikesh Complex of Ruru Kshetra is an archaeologically significant Hindu pilgrimage and cremation site in religious epics. Located in the snow-capped Himalayas of Palpa District, this entire medieval ensemble displays Hindu and Buddhist craftsmanship and 15th-century sculptures. It is believed that those who take a holy bath in the Kaligandaki River thrice and pray in Rishikesh Temple can obtain Moksha.