The most beautiful religious buildings Nepal

The Golden Temple, the "Golden Temple", owes its name to the golden metal plates that cover its facade: it is certainly one of the most beautiful in Patan. A passage guarded by two stone lions leads to a small courtyard that gives access to the main Buddhist monastery of Patan. The three-storey pagoda, with its gold-covered roofs, is said to have been built in the 12th century and houses a large prayer wheel. Nearby is a small shrine, also covered in gold. In its present form, the shrine was founded in 1409 by King Bhaskar Varna. Before entering the shrine, please get rid of all leather objects, which are impure materials. In a small space, treasures pile up in a jumble. Buddhas and Tara line up in whole rows, griffins appear here and there and goddesses ride elephants balancing on turtles. Bronze tongues hang from the roofs to suck up prayers. Upstairs there is a small shrine whose centrepiece is a statue of Lokesvar.

The temple is extended by a network of courtyards, Baidya Baha and Michu Baha, where doctors and goldsmiths of the Sakya caste live. Here Buddhist priests have long since renounced their vows of celibacy. A special feature is that the high priest of the Golden Temple is always a young boy under the age of 12. He holds this office for 30 days before being replaced by another one. In this place it is not uncommon to see mysterious rituals.

Changu Narayan, "The Moving Hill of Narayan", is undoubtedly one of the oldest shrines in the valley, as evidenced by the delicacy of its sculptures. The construction of this temple would go back to the 4th century, but nothing remains of the original wooden temple. A fire devastated it completely in 1902. The site is dedicated to Vishnu in the form of Narayan, and beautiful stone carvings from the Licchavi period depict several of his avatars. An entrance door, flanked by two stone elephants, opens onto a real open-air museum. In the centre of the courtyard stands the two-storey main temple. Behind the building are the attributes of Vishnu - the conch, wheel, lotus and lasso - set on the top of four pillars. A multitude of stone sculptures and small shrines dedicated to Lakshmi, Kali and Shiva surround it. The temple houses a gilded representation of Vishnu that only the priest is allowed to see. It is said that the statue sometimes oozed, testifying to Vishnu's fight against the Naga. The cloth used to wipe his forehead is said to protect against snake bites. Kneeling before its master, the statue of Garuda, more man than bird, probably dates from the seventh century. At its side, protected by a golden grille, the king of Bhadgaon, Bhupatindra Malla, and his wife are kneeling in the position of donors. The base of the wheel pillar bears the oldest inscription in the valley. Attributed to King Licchavi Manadeva, it dates back to the year 454. On the right, on a small terrace, stands a black stone slab with a broken upper right edge. This 8th-century sculpture symbolizes Narayan lying on the serpent Ananta, surmounted, as in Buhanilkanta, by Vishnu Vishwarup - in his universal form - with a thousand heads and a thousand arms, a mark of his power. On the temple of Lakshmi Narayan, another sculpture dating from the same period depicts Vishnu Trivikranta (he who takes three steps) who, taking the form of a six-armed dwarf, tears the universe from the claws of the Bali demon king. He then asks his permission to withdraw and, using his powers, travels in three gigantic steps through earth, sky and space. Next to it, an 11th century sculpture shows Vishnu in the form of Narasimha, the Lionman. On the other side of the temple, you will see Vishnu Vaikunthanata, the effigy of the ten rupee bills, the traveller riding Garuda, and Vishnu Sridhara, the most classical representation of Vishnu.

The Dattatreya temple would have been built, with the wood of a single tree. Dating from the 15th century, this three-storey temple is a Nepalese specificity where Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped in the same place. It is built on a wide brick base decorated with erotic scenes that are also found on the lintels. Two Malla wrestlers, identical to those at Nyatapola, guard the entrance. The building was formerly used as an inn and welcomed the Gosain, these Hindu monks who, between two preachings, traded with Tibet.

In the heart of the densely populated suburbs 6 km from the center of Kathmandu lies a historic Buddhist sanctuary: the Bodnath (or Boudhanath) stupa. For this reason, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is not only an important prayer site for the faithful, but also a major pilgrimage site for Tibetans, as it is closely linked to the creation of Lhasa. It was the culmination of the difficult Himalayan route for pilgrims who, over the centuries, left many offerings here to thank Buddha for their safe journey.

The original stupa was built by King Licchavi Amshuvarma in the ^11th century, then considerably enlarged in the ^14th century. Its spire was damaged in the 2015 earthquake, but has since been renovated and replaced. Today, it stands proudly at 40 metres high and 100 metres in circumference, its golden spire pointing skywards. It is encircled by the roofs of Tibetan monasteries, and below, along the circular square, a multitude of small religious and tourist stalls line up. Bodnath leaves no one indifferent. Could it be because of the whirlwind of pilgrims reciting " Om Mani Padmé Hûm ", coupled with the sound of prayer wheels? Whatever the reason, visitors will want to join the crowd and walk in circles around the giant white dome.

The stūpa, architecture and symbolism. In the Buddhist religion, the stupa is a religious sanctuary consisting of a white dome housing the relics of Buddha or a holy man, topped by a golden spire pointing skywards. Seen from the air, the imposing edifice, built on five descending terraces, forms the geometric diagram of a three-dimensional mandala symbolizing the universe and spiritual powers. This terraced structure symbolizes the Buddhist doctrine of the primordial elements: earth(Vasupara), water(Nagpura), fire(Agnipura), air(Vayapur) and the celestial vault(Akashpura). It also represents the five directions south, north, east, west and zenith. At the base, on the ground, a belt of prayer wheels in niches encircles it, forcing pilgrims gravitating around it to focus their attention on turning them, as is religious custom. These mills contain Tibetan mantras written inside, which are scrolled through as they are symbolically turned. At the entrance to the stupa, a chapel houses a large prayer wheel that chimes with each turn, illuminated by a multitude of small butter lamps. Note the two statues of warriors on elephant backs above the entrance. The dome rests on a circular base punctuated by 108 (the sacred number) medallions of Amithaba Buddha. The two blue eyes painted on each gilded side of the cubic harmika, set on the white dome, seem to scan the horizon. The arrow represents the path to enlightenment. Multicolored prayer flags float in the air, forming an aerial marquee. They undulate, casting their shadows against the bright white of the stupa. These colorful pieces of cloth, printed with mantras, float in the wind, symbolically diffusing them in the air and transmitting them to the gods. Blue, white, red, green and yellow, they are considered good luck charms. Here again, they represent the five elements. Blue: the sky, white: air, red: fire, green: water and yellow: earth.

Swayambhunath is one of the most important and oldest Buddhist temples (2,500 years old) in the Kathmandu Valley. For Buddhist Newars, Swayambhu is the holiest of pilgrimage sites. Most of Swayambhu's iconography is in the Vajrayana tradition of Newar Buddhism. This does not prevent the temple from being visited by Buddhists of all schools, as well as Hindus.

Orientation. The complex boasts a giant stupa and a myriad of Licchavi sanctuaries and temples. There's also a monastery, the national museum and a library, all of more recent construction. The stupa stands out from afar, with its white dome topped by a huge golden spire. The eyes of the all-seeing Buddha seem to reign over this valley. You'll have to earn your way up a staircase of 365 steps (the main entrance to the east), some of them very high! Another option is to drive to the parking lot via the south-west entrance. But climbing the steps is synonymous with the spiritual and physical elevation needed to admire this marvel and soak up the faith of the pilgrims, literally taking their breath away. The view of Kathmandu from the top is breathtaking.

Practical. At the top and bottom of the stairs, vendors selling coconut, fruit and cold drinks invite you to take a thirst-quenching break. There are also small cafés (including one with a rooftop) for a welcome break at the top and, of course, plenty of small stores selling Nepalese art, religious objects and souvenirs.

The legend. It is said that the valley was once a lake. At its center floated a lotus generating blue light, the manifestation of the primordial Buddha, Swayambhu, the "spontaneous". With a stroke of his wisdom sword, Manjushri opened the mountain, allowing the waters to flow and the light of an eternal flame to reveal itself at the top of the hill. It was here that he raised the stupa of Swayambhunath. The spire has been restored with 20 kg of gold, a renovation funded by the Nyingma Tibetan Meditation Center in California in 2008. It suffered damage in the 2015 earthquake, but everything has since been renovated.

History. According to the Gopālarājavaṃśāvalī, it was founded by King Mānadeva's (464-505 AD) great-grandfather, King Vṛsadeva, around the beginning of the^5th century AD. This coincides with what a damaged stone inscription found on the site says, indicating that King Vrsadeva ordered its construction in 640. Its foundations appear to be much older: emperor Ashoka is said to have built here in the ^3rd century BC! It was a Hindu monarch, Pratap Malla, King of Kathmandu, who ordered the construction of the main staircase in the ^17th century. The stupa was completely renovated in 2010, its ^15th restoration in almost 1,500 years of existence!

The stupa is the Buddhist monument par excellence. This white dome surmounted by a golden spire takes on different forms and names depending on the era and country, but the basic symbolism is unchanging. When the historical Buddha, Sakyamuni, went into Parinirvana, his body was cremated and his ashes divided into eight. This led to the creation of the first eight stupas, each linked to an episode in Buddha's life. The stupa has retained its function as a reliquary for the ashes or embalmed bodies of enlightened beings, or a garment or object that belonged to them. The stupa symbolizes the five elements, and should be walked around in a clockwise direction, the gyratory direction of the universe. This immense white dome has five golden Buddha shrines at its base, each with a Buddha statue inside. The Panch Buddhas are Buddhas in the Tantrayana metaphorical sense: Vairochana (the master of the temple), Akshobhya (the cosmic element of consciousness), Ratna Sambhava (the cosmic element of sensation), Amitabha (the cosmic element of Sanjna) and Amoghsiddhi (the cosmic element of confirmation). The dome is surmounted by the harmika, representing the Earth, with both eyes and eyebrows painted on its four faces, and thus looking in all four directions. Buddha's eyes" represent wisdom and compassion. The number one(ek), which resembles a question mark, signifies the unity of the primordial Buddha. Note the spiritual "^3rd eye", the red dot; this is the eye of knowledge. It is said that when Buddha preaches, cosmic rays emanate from the third eye. Note also the five pentagonal toranas above each of the harmika's four sides, with reliefs of Buddha, responding to the five Buddhas at the stupa's base. Resting on the cubic base, the half-sphere represents water, fire is symbolized by a pyramid, while air takes the form of a semicircle facing upwards. Next come the ten Bodhisattva lands to be crossed until the Buddha state is reached, symbolized by his three bodies(kaya). Nirvana, the great liberation, is represented by the umbrella that caps the building, surmounted by the sun and moon, Yang and Yin, symbols of knowledge and wisdom.

At the top of the grand staircase stands a giant vajra, symbolizing the durability of Buddhist doctrine, and two lions guarding the entrance. Turning in a gyratory direction around the stūpa, we discover a jumble of temples, monasteries, a museum and five small shrines. The great stupa is surrounded by a profusion of religious monuments.

Vasundhara Mandir temple. This is the first temple to be reached by the grand staircase. Dedicated to the goddess Earth. The temple is closed, but it is said that throwing a few coins over the threshold increases one's wealth. Pass the Agam house, a shelter for pilgrims where they are offered food. Then comes the small sanctuary dedicated to Vayu, the Vedic god of wind and storms. Beautiful statues of Tara face the stupa. On the second floor of the adjacent building is the Deva Dharma Mahavihar monastery: shoes must be removed before entering. Occasionally, an officiant crouching on the ground performs complicated rites in front of the half-open door of the very popular temple dedicated to Harati, a form of Ajima, the goddess who protects against smallpox. Buddhists see her as the incarnation of Maya Devi, the mother of the Buddha. Further back, the small sanctuary of Agnipur, guarded by two lions, is dedicated to the Vedic god of fire, Agni. Leaning against the wall, the beautiful, sober Gandhara-style statue of the standing Buddha is one of the oldest sculptures in the area. The Nagpur sanctuary, meanwhile, is a simple basin rarely filled with water, dedicated to the underground Naga deities.

Karmapa Sri Karma Raj Mahavihar Monastery. Located in the southeast corner of the kora, this Tibetan Buddhist monastery is still in operation, and it's not unusual to hear trumpets and oboes sounding. The entrance is overflowing with butter lamps lit by pilgrims. It's possible to walk around to the left, in semi-darkness, where statues of Manjushri and his consort Sarasvati can be made out.

Shantipur. You'll find this to the northeast of the stupa, past the Agni shrine and down a few steps. This is a place dedicated to the element of space. It is said that, in the^{5th century} , the hermit Shanti Shri walled himself up here, only to reappear when the time was right... He's still here.

Sarasvati. Behind the Vayu sanctuary, a path fluttering with mantra-covered prayer flags leads to the parking lot and nearby hill dedicated to Sarasvati, goddess of wisdom and learning. A white stupa marks the spot. During Basant Panchami, the festival of knowledge (or spring festival), held in February, schoolchildren gather here to have their penholders and inks blessed and increase their chances of passing exams.

Buddha Amideva Park. This shrine houses three giant golden statues: those of Sakyamuni Buddha, of the four-armed Chenresig, the Tibetan Bodhisattva of Compassion from whom the Dalai Lama is said to emanate, and of Guru Rinpoche. It is located behind, below and to the west of the Swayanbhunath hill.

Situated to the north of the bazaar, the Hindu temple of Bindebasini proudly displays its highly charged decoration. Its facades are covered with sculptures and colour is omnipresent. A two-storey building that bears witness to Newar architecture and the skill of its craftsmen, this large temple is dedicated to the goddess Durga, shown here in her destructive form. On New Year's Day, in April, a chariot in her image is pulled through the city.

Pashupatinah is a highly symbolic temple and pilgrimage site for Nepalese and international Hindus alike. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is dedicated to Pashupati, the incarnation of Shiva as "master of animals". Two major Hindu celebrations take place here, Maha Shivaratri and Teej. As you enter the 246-hectare sanctuary estate, with its many temples and ashrams, you'll find flower, incense and offering stores along the street leading to the temple.

Legend. It is said that Shiva, tired of his divine duties, hid in a forest on the east bank of the Bagmati River in the form of an antelope. Vishnu is said to have forced him back into his divine form by grabbing him by a horn, which then broke off and fell into the earth. The broken horn was worshipped as a linga, but over time it was buried and lost. One day, a young farmer noticed that one of his cows was spilling all its milk here. He decided to dig and discovered the linga, whose cult began with the construction of a temple.

The Golden Temple. This was built in the ^17th century by King Bhupatindra Malla. It is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu, and was first built in 400 AD under Prachanda Deva, a Licchavi king. Its triple golden roof is visible from the entrance, but the temple grounds are off-limits to non-Hindus. This is clearly posted on the door, and police officers will call you to order if necessary. However, just cross over to the monkey-populated opposite bank and, from a hill covered with eleven stone reliquaries containing the linga, you can see inside the sanctuary with Nandi at its center.

Body cremations. Cross the bridge between the temple and the hill to see the famous cremation pyres. Below you'll find the Bagmati River, a sacred tributary of the Ganges. Women come here to purify themselves and put on a new sari at the end of each menstrual cycle and during festivals. To the right of the bridge, at the foot of the Golden Temple, are the cremation ghats reserved for the royal family, generally decorated with flowers. To the left are the people's ghats, made up of stones on which the pyres are placed. Every day, around eighty bodies are burned on these pyres. Out of respect for the bereaved, you can see the pyres from the hill opposite, but don't get too close. Sensitive souls, please refrain! At bridge level, ashes fly and the air is saturated with the smoke of bodies burning in the open air.

Sadhus. You'll come across many sadhus in Pashipatinah. These men live as ascetic lives, on the bangs of the world, thanks to the charitable donations of the faithful. They have renounced the world in their pursuit of liberation, giving up all attachment to material life to devote themselves solely to their spiritual quest. There are two main families of Sadhus: Shiva worshippers and Vishnu worshippers. These often elderly men can be recognized by their hair, often long dreadlocks, their long beards and their clothes. They wear a loincloth, a long tunic called longhi, as well as exuberantly colorful outfits. Their make-up is just as eccentric. You won't want to miss those who show off their beauty on your way, offering, for a few rupees, a photo with them and a blessing.

Entrusted to the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, this vast area is home to a large number of Buddhist monasteries built by different countries or communities. Its two parts are located on either side of a central canal. To the west are the Chinese monastery Zhong Hua, the Korean, Vietnamese and Nepalese temples, the Grand Stupa Lotus and the monastery of the French congregation Ling Son. To the east are the monasteries of Thailand, Sri Lanka and Cambodia, as well as the Golden Temple (Burma) which has a large golden stupa.

Stone inscriptions dating back to the ^7th century allow us to date Bungamati, which once housed a royal residence. Built in a shikhara style, this temple is very impressive and stands out from the Newar style. It protects the deity Rato Macchendranath for six months of the year. The rest of the time, the statue is housed in Patan. With its chörten and enormous prayer wheel, it's well worth a visit. Macchendranath celebrations culminate in a procession of huge carts.

The temple of Kali is located above Dhulikel and dominates the valley. To reach it, you will have to climb the 1,000 concrete steps that lead to it. It will take a good half hour to get to this small temple, also called the temple of 1,000 steps. The building is only of relative interest, but once you get to the top, the view is simply breathtaking. It's nice to rest using the services of the beverage shop. Also note on the way up, the Shanti Ban, an imposing golden statue of the Buddha, the opportunity for a break in the ascent.

Its origin dates back to the 13th century, it is the most famous Hindu temple in Panauti. Implanted on a rather vast space between the two rivers, it is topped by a triple pagoda-style roof which represents a very good example of Newar architecture. Note the fine carvings that adorn the wooden pillars. Other small temples are visible nearby, including that of Unamanta Bhairab recognizable by the three figures looking out of the window.

In this temple, the altar does not contain an idol, but a khadga, a sacred sword, offered to Mukunda Sen, the king of Palpa, by Shiva. This gift was said to have been exchanged by the king for food when he had become an ascetic and had renounced his past life. Wrapped in layers of cloth since that time, the khadga has been revered as a symbol of female power. Legend has it that anyone who looks at the naked sword is condemned to instant death.

This small hilltop pagoda, 6 km north of Abu Khaireni, attracts crowds of pilgrims from the Kathmandu valley, as it is of great importance in local spirituality. The shrine, whose current building dates back to the ^19th century, is dedicated to Bhagawati, a wrathful form of Parvati who is believed to grant wishes: married couples come here to obtain offspring. While Buddhists come here to pray peacefully to Drölma, the Green Tara, Hindus are obliged to perform animal sacrifices.

Along the main road leading to Kathmandu, you'll see the Chabahil stupa, much smaller than the one at Bodnath. Legend has it that in the ^3rd century BC, King Ashoka's daughter Charumati had this stupa built before retiring with her husband to a monastery. The niches around the stupa are now empty, and all that remains is a superb statue, considered one of the most remarkable in the valley, of a standing bodhisattva with curly hair and full lips, reminiscent of the Lichavi style (^5th-9th century).

This Tibetan Buddhist monastery is one of the most beautiful in the valley, located in a Tamang village on a mountain 1,750 meters above sea level. It is also one of the valley's three most important sites, along with the stupas of Swayambunath and Bodnath. The Kartik Purnima and Buddha Jayanti festivals are particularly celebrated here. According to legend, 6,000 years ago, Buddha, then in the reincarnation of Prince Mahasatwo, discovered a tigress lying by a rock, starving with five babies. He sacrificed himself to feed her, leaving only the bones, which were then taken back to the village and buried in the Namo Buddha stupa. Some 3,500 years later, Gautam Buddha came to the village of Sange da Fyafulsa and made 3 rounds around the stupa before declaring that he was the reincarnation of Prince Mahasatwo. Today, the monastery is open to the public. It's possible to visit for the day, to hear the monks chant in the mornings and afternoons, but we recommend a stay to discover their daily life, Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, share meals with them, and attend religious services. The view of the Himalayas is breathtaking, the setting magnificent and the experience of staying here unique. Comfort is pretty basic, and all the money goes to cover the monastery's costs. You can hike in the surrounding area during your stay.

The temple of Maya Devi, the mother of the Buddha, is the spiritual center of Lumbini. Built on the site where Maya Devi gave birth, it features a series of ancient ruins (2,200 years old) currently being excavated. A sandstone sculpture depicting the birth of Buddha, donated by King Ripu Malla in the ^14th century, is now the object of devotion by the faithful. In front of the temple stands the column dedicated to Buddha by the Indian emperor Ashoka, who visited Lumbini in 249 BC. Standing 6 m high and made of pink sandstone, it is easy to spot.

Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of central Kathmandu? Take refuge in one of the city's oldest bahals, in Thamel. A bahal is a courtyard in a Buddhist monastery. A bahal is a courtyard in a Buddhist monastery, where you can enjoy a peaceful stop in front of a small stupa. Then take time to admire the interior of the Kichandra Bahal, starting with the central pagoda, the chaitya (sanctuary) decorated with standing bodhisattvas and the frescoed walls on the upper floor. One of these depicts Guru Mapa, one of Nepal's most odious ogres.

This temple, which is relatively difficult to find, is also colloquially called the Temple of a Thousand Buddhas. You will find there a replica of the temple of Bodhgaya, made in the 17th century with bricks: each one bears an effigy of the Awakened One, a particularity that gave the temple its name. Contrary to what one might think, the images of the Buddhas are not all identical, they differ according to the cardinal points. Chronicles have preserved the memory of Abhayaraja, the bronzer who financed this masterpiece with his own money. Following a marital conflict, the craftsman stayed for some time in Bodhgaya, where he learned how to melt copper coins. This art was developed during the reign of Amar Malla, king of Kathmandu, who was in great need of specialists in alloys at a time when the valley benefited from its monopoly on minting the coins circulating in Tibet. As in the time of Philip Augustus, the great art consisted in discreetly reducing the proportion of gold used in the manufacture of coins.

The houses that surround the temple are the stronghold of the bronze-makers and still belong to authentic descendants of Abhayaraja. The shops offer bronze statuettes and information on the different stages of their manufacture according to the lost wax technique. A fireclay mould is cast on the wax model. When heated, the wax melts and leaves a hollow shape that is filled with an alloy of molten metals. A long finishing work follows.

Heading west towards Tangal Tol via a street that joins the main axis linking Durbar Square to Lagankhel, you will arrive at the temple complex of Macchendranath the Red, Patan's most popular god. Revered by Hindus and Buddhists in many ways, this god responsible for rain and fertility enjoys a special status. He resides in Bungamati half the year: during ceremonies, devotees bathe and dress him in great pomp, and processions of his chariot are the main festival of the city.

Located north of Durbar Square, this Hindu temple is dedicated to Shiva. In the centre of a mysterious basin mysteriously fed by the waters of the sacred lakes of Gosainkund rises a five-storey pagoda which would date back to 1382. This place is particularly venerated during the festival of Janai Purnima. Its courtyard is dotted with licchavi, thakuri and malla sculptures. The sanctuaries of the mother goddess, renowned for her great powers, attract many supplicants.