About this experience
For me, Kathmandu is a place where the line between the worldly and the sacred is blurred. And the main goal of my tours is to teach people to see the divine as the locals see it - completely real, close, and tangible. We will visit important temples and monasteries in the city, discuss the uniqueness of religion in Nepal, observe rituals, and participate in some of them.
What to expect
I pay special attention to spiritual traditions, sacred texts, explaining the essence of rituals and ceremonies, understanding the deep meanings of legends and interacting with the places we visit (offerings, arati, joint kirtans in temples, etc.).
Visit to the Living Goddess Kumari
Nepalis believe that the spirit of the goddess Taleju inhabits a little girl. She lives in a palace, which she only leaves on major festivals, but at certain times, she peeks out of the window of her palace for devotees to see her. During the meeting, we will talk more about this amazing cult of worshiping a living deity.
Palaces and Temples
Next, we will visit the Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace, the Bhairava temples, and other shrines in Durbar Square. Then we will head to Indra Chowk Square, stroll through the trading streets, and visit the beautiful courtyards of the Old City.
Sacred Stupa of Boudhanath
"The Great Stupa with Eyes" has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Kathmandu. We will circumambulate (holy walk) around the stupa and visit the temples and monasteries located around it. This area is also interesting because ethnic Tibetans live here - you will see their traditional homes and walk through market stalls with goods from Tibet.
Pashupatinath Temple Complex
Our day will conclude in one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus from around the world. "Pashupatinath" means "Lord of all living beings," and it is Shiva who manifests here in this form. You will visit the temples on the complex grounds, witness the Hindu cremation ritual, and learn about all the intricacies of this ritual. Finally, we end the day with a sunset ritual of the fiery pujas-arti on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River.
Organizational Details
- This is a walking tour with transfers between remote locations by taxi or a full-day rented vehicle (at your discretion)
- Additional costs: tickets (around $20 per person), transportation, meals
