# Pilgrimage Tours in Nepal

## Pilgrimage tours in Nepal: sacred sites of Hinduism and Buddhism

Nepal is a holy land for both Hindus and Buddhists. It is home to **Pashupatinath**, one of the most sacred temples of Lord Shiva; **Muktinath**, the high Himalayan temple of Lord Vishnu revered by Hindus and Buddhists alike; **Lumbini**, the birthplace of the Buddha; and **Janakpur**, the birthplace of Sita. Every year thousands of pilgrims travel to these sites to pray, bathe in sacred waters and receive blessings.

Our **pilgrimage tours in Nepal** include the **Muktinath yatra** by road, by flight to Jomsom or by **helicopter**, the **Pashupatinath darshan** tour in Kathmandu, the **Manakamana** cable car temple, **Lumbini** and **Janakpur**, and the holy lakes of **Gosainkunda**. We look after transport, hotels, vegetarian meals and temple visits, with guides who understand the rituals.

- **For:** Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims from India and around the world
- **Travel:** private vehicles, domestic flights or helicopter
- **Best time:** March–June and September–November

## Trips
- [Muktinath Pilgrimage Tour](https://www.himalayanhiking.com/muktinath-pilgrimage-tour.md): 5 days, Easy, max About 3,800 m / 12,470 ft (Muktinath Temple), from US$690. The Muktinath pilgrimage tour is a 5-day Muktinath yatra from Kathmandu by flight to one of the holiest temples in Nepal. Fly to Pokhara and on to Jomsom betwee...
- [Lumbini Tour: Birthplace of Buddha](https://www.himalayanhiking.com/lumbini-buddhist-pilgrimage-tour.md): 4 days, Easy, max 1,400 m / 4,593 ft (Kathmandu), from US$490. The Lumbini tour takes you to the birthplace of Lord Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Terai plains of southern Nepal. Visit the Maya Devi Temple with...

## Pilgrimage tours in Nepal: a guide to sacred Hindu and Buddhist sites

Nepal is one of the most sacred lands in Asia. It is the birthplace of the Buddha, the home of Lord Shiva's holiest temple in Pashupatinath, and the site of countless shrines, holy rivers, sacred lakes and mountain temples revered by Hindus and Buddhists. For centuries, pilgrims have walked, ridden and now flown to these places to pray, bathe in sacred waters, make offerings and seek blessings.

This guide describes the most important **pilgrimage sites in Nepal**, including **Pashupatinath**, **Muktinath**, **Lumbini**, **Janakpur**, **Manakamana** and **Gosainkunda**, and explains how to reach them, the best times to visit, festivals, travel tips for elderly pilgrims and information for visitors from India. Our Kathmandu team put it together.

## Why make a pilgrimage to Nepal?

For Hindus, Nepal is part of the sacred geography described in ancient texts. The Himalaya is the abode of Lord Shiva, and rivers such as the Bagmati, Gandaki and Koshi are holy. Many important temples lie within a short distance of each other, and others are set in some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes on Earth. For Buddhists, Nepal is where the Buddha was born, and the Kathmandu Valley has been a centre of Buddhist learning and art for more than two thousand years.

Nepal's religious traditions are also remarkably intertwined. Hindus and Buddhists often worship at the same sites, and festivals are shared across communities. A pilgrimage here is a journey through a living faith, not simply a visit to historic monuments.

## Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu

**Pashupatinath** is the most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal and one of the holiest Shiva temples in the world. It stands on the banks of the **Bagmati River** in eastern Kathmandu, and its two-tiered golden roof and silver doors shelter a sacred four-faced lingam of Shiva as Pashupati, lord of all living beings. The temple complex includes hundreds of shrines, lingams, ashrams and ghats.

Only Hindus may enter the main temple courtyard. Pilgrims offer flowers, milk and prayers, and many perform rituals for ancestors on the ghats. Open-air cremations take place on the riverbank, as dying beside the Bagmati is believed to bring liberation. The evening **Bagmati aarti**, with lamps, bells and devotional songs, draws large crowds. Pashupatinath is also a UNESCO World Heritage monument zone and is at its busiest during **Maha Shivaratri**, when hundreds of thousands of devotees and sadhus gather.

## Muktinath Temple, Mustang

**Muktinath** lies at about 3,710–3,800 metres in the Mustang district, beneath the Thorong La pass and surrounded by the barren peaks of the trans-Himalaya. For Hindus it is one of the most sacred Vishnu temples, and it is counted among the 108 Divya Desams, the holy abodes of Vishnu. The name means "place of liberation", and pilgrims believe that bathing in its waters frees them from the cycle of rebirth.

Behind the pagoda-style temple, water from a sacred spring pours through **108 bull-headed spouts**, and pilgrims walk beneath them before bathing in two sacred pools. Buddhists know the site as **Chumig Gyatsa**, "Hundred Waters", and associate it with Guru Rinpoche, who is said to have meditated here. A small shrine, Jwala Mai, shelters a natural gas flame burning above flowing water, a rare meeting of the elements of fire and water that adds to the site's sanctity. Nearby, the Kali Gandaki river is famous for **shaligram** stones, black ammonite fossils revered as forms of Vishnu.

### How to reach Muktinath

- **By road:** drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, then continue along the Kali Gandaki valley road to Jomsom and Ranipauwa, the village below the temple. The full journey takes two to three days each way.
- **By flight:** fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara and from Pokhara to Jomsom, then take a jeep of about one to two hours to Ranipauwa. From there, pilgrims walk, ride a horse or take a short motorbike ride to the temple.
- **By helicopter:** a **Muktinath helicopter tour** from Kathmandu or Pokhara allows darshan and a return on the same day, which suits elderly pilgrims and those with limited time.

Because of the altitude, pilgrims who arrive quickly by air should move slowly, drink plenty of water and rest if they feel unwell.

## Lumbini: birthplace of the Buddha

**Lumbini**, in the Rupandehi district of southern Nepal, is where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha, in around the 6th century BC. It is one of the four holiest sites in Buddhism and a **UNESCO World Heritage Site**.

The heart of Lumbini is the **Sacred Garden**. The **Maya Devi Temple** protects the ruins of earlier temples and a marker stone believed to identify the exact spot of the Buddha's birth. Beside it stands the **Ashoka Pillar**, erected by the Indian emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC, with an inscription recording his visit to the birthplace. The **Puskarini** pond, where Mayadevi is said to have bathed before giving birth, lies nearby. Around the garden, the **Monastic Zone** contains temples and monasteries built by Buddhist communities from countries including Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, China, Germany and Vietnam, each in its own style. The **World Peace Pagoda** stands at the northern end of the site.

Lumbini is reached by a short flight from Kathmandu to **Bhairahawa**, followed by a drive of about 30 minutes, or by road from Kathmandu, Pokhara or Chitwan. Nearby sites associated with the Buddha's early life, such as **Tilaurakot**, the ancient capital of Kapilvastu, can also be visited.

## Janakpur: birthplace of Sita

**Janakpur**, in the eastern Terai near the Indian border, is revered as the birthplace of **Sita**, the wife of Lord Ram, and the capital of her father, King Janak. The magnificent **Janaki Mandir**, completed in the early 20th century in a white Mughal-Rajput style, is the city's centrepiece and one of the largest temples in Nepal. Nearby, the **Ram Mandir** and the **Vivah Mandap**, marking the place of Ram and Sita's wedding, are also important pilgrimage sites, and the city is dotted with sacred ponds.

Janakpur is the centre of **Mithila** culture, known for its bright Mithila (Madhubani) paintings, traditionally made by women on the walls of village houses. The city is busiest during **Vivah Panchami**, the celebration of Ram and Sita's wedding in November or December, and during **Ram Navami** in spring. Janakpur is reached by a short flight from Kathmandu or by road.

## Manakamana Temple

**Manakamana**, on a ridge above the Trishuli river in Gorkha district, is dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati, believed to fulfil the wishes of her devotees; the name comes from *mana* (heart) and *kamana* (wish). The temple is reached by a **cable car** from Kurintar on the Kathmandu–Pokhara highway, a journey of about ten minutes with fine views over the river valley and, on clear days, the Himalaya. Manakamana is easily visited on the way between Kathmandu and Pokhara or Chitwan.

## Gosainkunda: the sacred lakes

**Gosainkunda** is a group of alpine lakes at about 4,380 metres in Langtang National Park. According to legend, Lord Shiva created the lake by striking the mountainside with his trident to find water to cool his throat after swallowing poison during the churning of the ocean. During the **Janai Purnima** full moon in July or August, thousands of Hindu pilgrims walk up to bathe in the icy water, and shamans (jhankri) perform rituals. Gosainkunda is reached by a trek of three to four days from Dhunche, or by **helicopter** from Kathmandu.

## Other sacred sites in Nepal

- **Budhanilkantha:** a huge stone statue of Vishnu reclining on a bed of serpents in a pool, north of Kathmandu.
- **Dakshinkali:** a temple to the goddess Kali in a forested gorge south of Kathmandu, where devotees make offerings on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
- **Changu Narayan:** the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley, dedicated to Vishnu.
- **Swayambhunath and Boudhanath:** the great Buddhist stupas of Kathmandu.
- **Guhyeshwari:** a Shakti Peetha temple near Pashupatinath, dedicated to the goddess Guhyeshwari.
- **Pathibhara Devi:** a hilltop temple near Taplejung in eastern Nepal, revered by Hindus and Buddhists.
- **Halesi Mahadev:** a sacred cave temple in eastern Nepal, important to both Hindus and Buddhists.
- **Tengboche and Lo Manthang:** Buddhist monasteries in the Everest and Mustang regions.

## Kailash Mansarovar via Nepal

Many pilgrims travel through Nepal on their way to **Mount Kailash** and **Lake Mansarovar** in Tibet, sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and followers of Bon. Routes from Nepal include the overland route via the Kerung border and the route via Nepalgunj, Simikot and Hilsa in far-western Nepal. The yatra requires Chinese permits and a visa that must be arranged through authorised agencies, and opening dates and regulations can change from year to year. Contact us for the latest information and to discuss your plans.

## Sample pilgrimage itineraries

### Pashupatinath and Kathmandu temples (2–3 days)

Visit Pashupatinath for darshan and the evening aarti, followed by Guhyeshwari, Budhanilkantha, Dakshinkali, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath. Suitable for pilgrims with limited time.

### Muktinath yatra (5–7 days)

Drive or fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara, visit Manakamana on the way, fly to Jomsom and continue to Muktinath for darshan and bathing under the 108 spouts, then return via Jomsom and Pokhara, with time for sightseeing by Phewa Lake.

### Nepal pilgrimage circuit (8–10 days)

Combine Pashupatinath and the Kathmandu temples, Manakamana, Muktinath and Pokhara, with an extension to Lumbini or Janakpur. Buddhist pilgrims can combine Lumbini with Boudhanath, Swayambhunath and Namobuddha.

## Best time for a pilgrimage to Nepal

- **March to June:** a popular season for Muktinath and the Kathmandu temples, with warm days; the Terai (Lumbini and Janakpur) becomes very hot from May.
- **September to November:** clear skies, pleasant temperatures and major festivals such as Dashain and Tihar.
- **December to February:** comfortable for Lumbini, Janakpur and Kathmandu, but cold at Muktinath, where snow is possible and some facilities close.
- **July and August:** monsoon rains can affect roads and flights; Gosainkunda is busiest during Janai Purnima.

## Major religious festivals

- **Maha Shivaratri** (February or March): the great night of Shiva, celebrated at Pashupatinath.
- **Ram Navami** (March or April): the birth of Lord Ram, celebrated in Janakpur.
- **Buddha Jayanti** (April or May): the birth of the Buddha, celebrated in Lumbini, Boudhanath and Swayambhunath.
- **Janai Purnima** (July or August): the sacred thread festival and the Gosainkunda pilgrimage.
- **Teej** (August or September): a women's festival with fasting and worship at Pashupatinath.
- **Dashain and Tihar** (September to November): Nepal's biggest festivals.
- **Vivah Panchami** (November or December): the wedding of Ram and Sita, celebrated in Janakpur.

Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and change each year. Hotels and flights fill quickly during major festivals, so book early.

## Information for pilgrims from India

Indian citizens do not need a visa to visit Nepal. They must carry a valid **passport** or **voter ID card** issued by the Election Commission of India; requirements for children and for air travel can differ, so check the latest rules before travelling. Indian rupee notes of certain denominations are widely accepted in border areas, but Nepali rupees are needed in most places, and ATMs are available in major towns. Many pilgrims travel overland through border points such as Sunauli–Bhairahawa (for Lumbini and Pokhara), Raxaul–Birgunj and Jogbani–Biratnagar, while others fly into Kathmandu.

## Tips for elderly pilgrims

Many pilgrims travelling to Nepal are elderly, and a little planning makes the journey safer and more comfortable. Choose flights or helicopters instead of long road journeys where possible, and allow rest days between sites. At Muktinath, move slowly, drink plenty of water and avoid exertion because of the altitude; horses and motorbikes are available for the final climb to the temple. Carry any regular medication, consult your doctor before travelling to high altitude, and consider travel insurance that covers medical treatment and evacuation. Our team can arrange wheelchairs, porters and assistance at temples where needed.

## Food and accommodation

We arrange **pure vegetarian meals** throughout pilgrimage tours on request, including Jain and satvik food where available. Accommodation ranges from comfortable hotels in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini to simpler lodges in Jomsom and Muktinath. At major pilgrimage sites, we can arrange priests, puja materials and special rituals such as rudrabhishek at Pashupatinath or shraddha ceremonies for ancestors.

## Etiquette at sacred sites

Dress modestly, covering shoulders and legs. Remove shoes and leather items before entering temples. Walk clockwise around temples, stupas and shrines. Ask before photographing people, rituals and the inside of temples, where photography is often forbidden. Respect areas reserved for Hindus at Pashupatinath and some other temples, and be especially sensitive at cremation ghats.

## Buddhist pilgrimage in the Kathmandu Valley

For Buddhist pilgrims, the Kathmandu Valley is a sacred landscape in its own right. Beyond the great stupas of **Swayambhunath** and **Boudhanath**, the valley is home to **Namobuddha**, where according to legend the Buddha in a previous life offered his body to a starving tigress and her cubs; **Pharping**, where Guru Rinpoche is said to have attained realisation in the Asura and Yanglesho caves; and **Kopan Monastery**, a centre of Tibetan Buddhist study that welcomes visitors and offers meditation courses. Pilgrims can combine these sites with Lumbini for a complete Buddhist pilgrimage in Nepal.

## More sacred places on the way

Several important sites lie along the main routes between pilgrimage destinations. **Devghat**, at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Trishuli rivers near Chitwan, is a sacred bathing place with many ashrams. **Gorkha Durbar**, the hilltop palace and temple of the Shah kings, overlooks the Himalaya. **Ridi**, on the Kali Gandaki, is an ancient pilgrimage town famous for its shaligram stones and Rishikesh temple. The **Bindhyabasini Temple** in Pokhara is an important shrine to the goddess Bhagwati. We can include any of these stops in your itinerary.

## Group pilgrimages

We regularly organise pilgrimage tours for families, temples, community associations and religious groups. For larger groups, we arrange comfortable buses or fleets of vehicles, block bookings in hotels, group flights, special puja arrangements and, where needed, a tour leader who travels with the group throughout. Please contact us early for group departures during major festivals, when demand for flights, helicopters and hotels is highest.

## What to pack for a pilgrimage tour

- Modest clothing that covers shoulders and legs, and a shawl or scarf for temples.
- Warm clothing for Muktinath and Gosainkunda, including a jacket, hat and gloves, even in summer.
- Comfortable footwear that is easy to remove at temples.
- A change of clothes and a small towel for bathing at Muktinath's spouts and pools.
- Regular medication, sunscreen, sunglasses and a refillable water bottle.
- Your passport or accepted identity documents, and several passport photos for permits.

## What does a pilgrimage tour cost?

The cost of a pilgrimage tour depends on the sites visited, the mode of travel (road, flight or helicopter), hotel standards, the number of days and the size of the group. Most packages include transport, hotels, vegetarian meals, guides and permits such as the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit for Muktinath. Helicopter tours, puja arrangements and special rituals can be added. Contact us with your dates and preferred sites for a detailed quote.

## Travelling safely

Mountain roads in Nepal can be affected by landslides, particularly in the monsoon, and flights to Jomsom depend on the weather. We plan buffer time in every itinerary, use experienced drivers and reliable airlines, and stay in constant contact with our travellers. At high-altitude sites such as Muktinath and Gosainkunda, we monitor elderly pilgrims closely and can arrange oxygen or a rapid descent if needed.

## Muktinath yatra: a typical itinerary by flight

DayPlan1Arrive in Kathmandu, evening aarti at Pashupatinath2Darshan at Pashupatinath, Guhyeshwari and Budhanilkantha; visit Swayambhunath or Boudhanath3Fly or drive to Pokhara, visiting Manakamana by cable car if travelling by road4Early flight to Jomsom, jeep to Ranipauwa, darshan and bathing at Muktinath, overnight in Ranipauwa or Jomsom5Visit Kagbeni and the Kali Gandaki riverbed to look for shaligram stones, return to Jomsom6Fly to Pokhara, visit Bindhyabasini Temple and Phewa Lake7Fly or drive to KathmanduThe itinerary can be shortened with a helicopter to Muktinath or extended with Lumbini, Janakpur or Chitwan. We always include buffer time in case weather delays flights to Jomsom.

## Shaligram stones of the Kali Gandaki

The riverbed of the Kali Gandaki, between Kagbeni and Jomsom, is the only source of the sacred **shaligram** stones. These black, rounded stones contain fossilised ammonites, sea creatures that lived around 150 million years ago, when this part of the Himalaya lay beneath an ancient ocean. Hindus worship shaligrams as natural manifestations of Lord Vishnu, and many pilgrims search for them on the riverbanks or buy them from local sellers. Your guide can explain the traditions associated with different types of shaligram.

## Pilgrimage photography and customs

Photography is forbidden inside many temple sanctums, including the main shrine at Pashupatinath, and at some ceremonies. Always look for signs or ask your guide before taking pictures, and avoid photographing people during private rituals such as cremations. Offerings of flowers, incense and sweets can be bought at stalls near every major temple.

A pilgrimage to Nepal is a journey of faith, culture and natural beauty. From the ghats of the Bagmati to the high spring of Muktinath and the sacred garden of Lumbini, each site offers moments of peace and devotion that stay with pilgrims for a lifetime.

## Book your pilgrimage tour with Himalayan Hiking

We're a travel company based in Kathmandu. We organise pilgrimage tours to Pashupatinath, Muktinath, Lumbini, Janakpur, Manakamana and Gosainkunda, with flights or private vehicles, helicopter options, hotels, vegetarian meals and guides who understand the rituals and traditions. Tours can be arranged for individuals, families and large groups. Browse our pilgrimage tours above, or contact us with your dates and preferred sites for a tailor-made itinerary.

## Frequently asked questions
### How do I reach Muktinath from Kathmandu?
Travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara by road or flight, then fly to Jomsom or drive through the Kali Gandaki valley. From Jomsom, a jeep takes about one to two hours to Ranipauwa below the temple. A **Muktinath helicopter tour** from Kathmandu or Pokhara can visit the temple in a single day.

### What is the altitude of Muktinath Temple?
Muktinath Temple stands at about 3,710–3,800 m. Pilgrims arriving quickly by flight or helicopter should move slowly, drink plenty of water and watch for symptoms of altitude sickness. Elderly pilgrims should consult a doctor before travelling.

### Do Indian citizens need a visa for a Nepal pilgrimage tour?
No. Indian citizens do not need a visa for Nepal, but they must carry a valid passport or voter ID card. Rules can change, so check the latest identity requirements before you travel, especially for air travel.

### Which festivals are best for a pilgrimage to Nepal?
Major festivals include **Maha Shivaratri** at Pashupatinath (February or March), **Buddha Jayanti** in Lumbini (April or May), **Janai Purnima** at Gosainkunda (July or August) and **Vivah Panchami** in Janakpur (November or December). Hotels fill quickly, so book early.

### Can pilgrimage tours include vegetarian meals?
Yes. We arrange pure vegetarian meals throughout the tour on request, and can include puja arrangements, priests and special rituals at temples.


Web page: https://www.himalayanhiking.com/category/pilgrimage-tours-in-nepal