Exploring local sites
Oct 12, 2023, day 2: Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath Temple, and Boudhnath Stoupa. Roof top bar happy hour and Yangling for Momos
Woke up at 12:30am last night and kept drifting in and out of sleep. Over breakfast met up with Scott, Brad, and Steve, "The Three Horsemen." They are part of our 10-member group. We would meet them throughout the day at the touristy spots and later for drinks and dinner.
8am, Sonam Sherpa was in the lobby with Dilip, our guide for the day. Our plan for the day was to visit Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath Temple, and Boudhnath Stoupa.
As the car got into gear, Guide Dilip introduced himself and got to know us. He was born and raised near Durbar Square Kathmandu and has been a guide for the last 30 years. We got a quick lesson on the regions past, the culture and current politics
Bhaktapur, originally called Bhaktagaon (town of devotees), is an ancient town located 10 miles / 16 kms East of Kathmandu. The town is known for its Newari artisans and specialty cuisine. It suffered a lot of damage from the 2015 earthquake that hit the valley.
Our 2-3 hour stop in Bhaktapur would start with Nyatapola Square, visiting Siddhi Laxmi temple, the tallest temple in Nepal. We moseyed through narrow alleys between tall brick buildings, noting the damage from the 2015 earthquake visible in many places. Every alley would open up in a common area featuring a body of water, a "Faatcha" (a patio for the locals to hang out), or a small temple-like structure. One such alley adventure opened up to a square of clay pottery artisans.
Looping around the pottery artists, we visited Taumadhi Square, saw the famous Newari designed Peacock window, the 55-window palace, Dattatreya temple, and then the grand Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Our final stop in this lovely little town was at the Himalaya Wood Carving workshop. Next stop Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath Temple, located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in the world. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the god of destruction and regeneration. The temple is believed to have been built in the 5th century CE, and it is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Nepal.
Pashupatinath Temple is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus from all over the world. Every year, thousands of pilgrims visit the temple to pay their respects to Lord Shiva. The temple is also a popular tourist destination, and it is one of the most visited places in Nepal.
The banks of the Bagmati River near Pashupatinath Temple are also the sites for funeral cremations. These ceremonies run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The cremation grounds are a sacred place for Hindus, and they are a reminder of the cycle of life and death.
Boudhnath Stupa: We found a spot at Nani's Kitchen Roof Top Restaurant with a vantage view of the Boudhnath Stupa. This structure is also known as the Great Stupa of Boudha / Buddha, is a stupa located in the Boudhanath area of Kathmandu, Nepal, about 11 km from the city center. It is one of the largest stupas in the world and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The stupa is believed to have been built in the 6th century CE, and it is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in Nepal. It is said to entomb the remains of the Kassapa Buddha, the predecessor of the Gautama Buddha.
Boudhanath Stupa is a sacred place for Buddhists from all over the world. It is also a popular tourist destination, and it is one of the most visited places in Nepal.
The stupa is a massive white dome with a spire at the top. It is surrounded by a circular wall with 147 niches, each of which contains a statue of the Dhyani Buddha Amitabha. There is also a ring of 108 small stupas around the main stupa.
Got a chance to spin the giant prayer wheel and visited a painting school that is focused on nurturing and advancing the fine art of painting mandalas among the younger generation
It was getting toasty, combined with jetlag, it was time to head back to the nest for a nap
Rooftop bar and dinner: The five of us met at the rooftop bar and then proceeded to a no-frills restaurant Yangling that specializes in Momos. It was fantastic. Everyone was tired.
That's been the day