The underlying tenets of Hinduism cannot be easily defined. There is no unique philosophy that forms the basis of the faith of the majority of Nepali's population. Hinduism is perhaps the only religious tradition that is so diversified in its theoretical premises and practical expressions as to be called a "museum of religions". This religion cannot be traced to a specific founder nor does it have a "holy book" as a basic scriptural guide. The Rig Veda, Upanishads and the Bhagwad Gita can all be described as the sacred text of the Hindus.

Unlike most other religions, Hinduism does not advocate the worship of one particular deity. One may worship Shiva or Vishnu or Rama or Krishna or some other gods and goddesses or one may believe in the 'Supreme Spirit' or the 'Indestructible Soul' within each individual and still be called a good Hindu. This gives an indication of the kind of contrasts this religion is marked by. At one end of the scale, it is an exploration of the 'Ultimate Reality'; at the other end there are cults that worship spirits, trees and animals.


When you travel across Nepal you will find there are many Hindu holy destinations in different parts of the country. Pilgrims travel to these destinations year round and on special auspicious occasions to express their devotion. Share this spiritual experience as you travel on a Hindu religious pilgrimage across Nepal. In these tour programs you will visit Muktinath Temple which is fine example of the religious harmony rested in the lap of Himalayas. Similarly, Gosainkunda, Dudh Kunda,Bhairab Kunda, Damodor Kunda Lakes are for Hindu worship. Pashupatinath Temple, 4 important Vishnu Temples, 4 important Ganesh Temples. 10 Bhairav Temples, 9 Durga Temples, 12 Joginies Temples and many other Hindu Temples  are around three cities in Kathmandu.


According to Purans, Himalaya is home of Lord Shiva and Parbati. Hence there are many Pilgrimage sites related to Lord Shiva in Nepal. Pashupati Nath Temple is the Holiest pilgrimage of Lord Shiva. There are several Shakti-peeths related to Durga Ma through out Nepal. Dakshinkali and Guheswori are most famous Shakti-peeths of Kathmandu valley. Other important Shakti-peeths are Pathibhara, Shaileswori, Vindyavashini, Mankamana, Jogeshwori and many more. Such Shakti-peeths are usually situated on the top of a mountain. The confluence of rivers, particularly when they are major tributaries of the Ganges, is always regarded as religiously significant by Hindus, as it is believed a third spiritual river also joins. Such confluence is called Triveni.

Pashupatinath:

Lord Shiva is worshipped as Pashupati, which means Lord of all living creatures. The temple of Pashupatinath is 6 Km east of city centre.  Many Hindu Pilgrims visit Pashupatinath all the year round. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu from all over the World make Pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri (Night of Shiva, one day before black moon in February). There are many temples of various Hindu Gods in the holy site. Guheswori temple is the most important among other temples. Pashupatinath Temple area is UNESCO World Heritage site.

Gosaikunda:

Gosaikunda is a glacier lake in Langtang. According to Hindu Puran, Lord Shiva had to digest the Kalkut poisan which was the product obtained from Samundra Manthan by gods and devils. To get relief from the reaction of the poison Lord Shiva went to Goshain Kunda and drank water from this glacier  lake. The most auspicious day for the Pilgrimage is Full moon day (Shrawan Purnima) in July. Many pilgrims from Nepal and India take a bath in the Lake.

The Shaligrams:

The Shaligrams are specifically described as fossil-stones which have taken shape in the Gandaki-river, and as characterized by the presence of discus marks . The legend, related at length tells us that Gandaki, the lady-devotee, performed penances for long years and  got a boon from Lord Vishnu, which made him to reside in her womb (in her depths) as her own offspring; thus the Shaligram-stones are  the forms of Vishnu. Like the worship of Siva in the form of a lingam, the worship of Vishnu in the shape of a Shaligram is an iconic in character. Shaligrams are  naturally found in the river Kaligandaki, Muktinath, Damodar Himal, Damodar Kunda, Devghat, etc.

Damodarkund:

Damodarkund is a glacier lake at the slope of Damodar Himal in Mustang. Damodar Kunda is  located at north east of the main Mustang trekking route and very close to the border with Tibet. Damodar Kunda is the source of River Kaligandaki where  Shaligrams the symbol of Lord Bishnu is found.

Ridighat:

Ridighat is 50 km from Tansen at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Ridi Khola. In this small place, here is a temple of Rishikeshwara (Vishnu) with 50 other small temples. Pilgrims visit here to earn merit for this life as well as for their next life. About 200 Vishshnavas of the Nimbarka & Sri Ramanuja Sampradaya sects live in near by Ridi Bazar.

Muktinath:

This is one of the 106th sacred Muktichhetra (assured of salvation) of 108 sacred place of Vaishnavs, where Lord Vishnu got free from the curse of Sati. Here is the largest Shaligram and Jwaladevi, a divine flame  continuously burning since thousands of year. This pagoda shaped temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu situated at an altitude of 3800 m and is set into the wall around 108 water spouts from which pure holy water pours down.

Devghat:

Devghat is a confluence of river Trishuli and Kaligandaki, is very significant religious Triveni. It is 6 Km north of Narayanghat where all 7 holy Gandaki Rivers meet together to form a Narayani River. Like Triveni of Ganges and Yamuna at Alahabad in India, Devghat is one of the main sites for the festival of Makar Shankranti in Nepal. Many pilgrims from around Nepal and India come here to immerse themselves in the river. Makar Shankrati is also popularly known as Maghe Shankranti in Nepal. It is the first day of Nepali month, Magh (Mid January). In this place the demigods came to honor Lord Vishnu when he saved Gajendra, an elephant from the attack of a crocodile after hearing his prayers of devotion.

Janakpur:

Janakpur is 375 Km south east of Kathmandu and is the famous Hindu pilgrimage site. Janakpur is the birthplace of Janaki(Sita). Janaki  was married to Lord Ram, the 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The most auspicious day for the Pilgrimage is Biwaha Panchami (November). It is day of celebration of the wedding of the Goddess Sita and God Ram with mock wedding processions. Many pilgrims from Nepal and India attend the celebration. A holy saint Sri Shurkiswor Das discover the ruins of the ancient capital of Mithila Kingdom and the birth place of Sita. The present temple was built by Queen Brishabhanu of Tikramgarh of India. Places of interests are: Janaki Temple, Biwaha Mandap, Sankat Mochan, Dhanusha dham and numerous beautiful ponds.

Barahachhetra:

Lord Vishnu, the Preserver of the Universe was incarnated as Baraha (Boar) in this region and hence it is called Barahachhetra. It is one of the four holy places in Nepal. According to Puran , Lord Vishnu came down to earth in the form of a boar and destroyed Hiranyakashyapu, an evil demon, at this very spot. It is on the bank of Saptakoshi which is accessed through Dharan. Since the site is related to Lord Vishnu it is assumed as sacred as Gaya for Shraddha (Offering to ancestors). The Pilgrimage is at a confluence of tributaries of river Koshi and hence many pilgrims around Nepal and India come here for dip at the day of Makar Shankrati.

Balmiki Ashram:

Goddess Sita was exiled from the royal palace and stayed here where  She gave birth to twins, Lava and Kusha. This Ashram was a retreat used by the great sage Balmiki, who wrote complete epic of Ramayan.It is an island in Narayani River near Triveni, 20 km south of Kusunde which lies between Narayanghat and Butawal in Mahendra Highway.