UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal

World Heritage Sites in Nepal Where Natural Beauty Meets Cultural Splendor

Discovering Nepal’s Timeless Heritage From Kathmandu Valley to Sagarmatha: Nepal’s World Heritage Gems.

Pashupatinath Temple World Heritage Sites in Nepal

Pashupatinath is a temple devoted to Lord Shiva, with “Pashupati” meaning animals and “Nath” meaning the Lord of Lords. This means Pashupatinath is the god of all the Animals.

The existence of the Pashupatinath Temple dates back to 400 CE. The linga of Shiva is kept in the ornate pagoda. The origins of the Aalok Pashupatinath temple are the subject of numerous stories. Pashupatinath temple is located aside by the holy river Bagmati, it is the most sacred place for Hindus around the world and the temple is strictly prohibited for non-Hinduans to enter the temple premises. Pashupatinath is also Nepal’s largest Hindu temple, and Hindus from all over the world visit it at least once in their lifetime.

Pashupatinath is a really important place for Hindu religious events, including funeral ceremonies where bodies are cremated. Every year, lots of people from all over the world come to pray there, especially during two big festivals called “Teej” and “Mahashivratri”. “Mahashivratri” is the biggest celebration at Pashupatinath, when thousands of people travel to Nepal just to pray to Lord Pashupatinath.

Pashupatinath carries a most important religious value not only for the Hindu people but also for those who don’t follow Hinduism, they come to learn about our culture, history, architecture, and people. From a tourism perspective, many foreign tourists come to visit Nepal and they do city sightseeing around Kathmandu valley and the Pashupatinath temple is one of them. The entrance charge to the Pashupatinath Temple is NPR 1000 for international nationals and inhabitants of all SAARC countries except India. Indians can enter the temple for free.

Kathmandu Durbar Square :one of World Heritage Sites in Nepal

Kathmandu Durbar Square is also known as “Basantapur Durbar” and “Hanuman Dhoka” which is situated in the capital of Nepal. It was a Royal palace constructed in the 16 century in Malla’s and Sha’s regime. This place is one of the main attractions in Kathmandu Valley, displaying the religious and traditional architecture of Newari craftsmen and artisans.

Kumari Chouk, also known as Kumari Bahal, is a three-story temple located on the southern edge of Durbar Square. This Malla-era temple serves as the home of the Kumari, a young girl revered as a living manifestation of the Hindu goddess Durga.

There is also a well-known story surrounding the Basantapur Durbar Square, which states that if someone translates the 17th-century stone carved in 15 different languages on the walls of the Basantapur Palace, milk will flow from the wall immediately.

The palace’s main attractions are The Storey Basantapur Tower, Hanuman Dhoka, Talegu Temple, Degutale Temple, Pancha Mukhi Hanuman Temple, Nasal Chowk, King Mahendra Memorial Museum, Mul Chowk, Sunradi Chowk, Mohan Chowk, Tribhuvan Museum, Jagannath Temple, Akash Bhairav temple, Kal Bhairav Temple, Kumari Ghar and so on. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is famous for cultural excursions and day sightseeing tours. Required fees to enter Durbar Square are NPR 150 for SAARC country nationals and NPR 1000 for other foreigners. Children under the age of ten can enter for free. This includes access to the palace’s museums.

Patan Durbar Square World Heritage Sites in Nepal

The heart of the Nepali city of Lalitpur is Patan Durbar Square. The Kathmandu Valley is home to three Durbar Squares, all of which are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This is one of them. The Malla Kings of Lalitpur lived in this medieval royal palace, which is one of its attractions.

Patan Durbar Squire was built in 1637 AD It consists of 136 Bahals and 55 main temples that exhibit its own culture, norms, and traditions. According to the legend that gives rise to the name “Lalitpur,” three farmers from Kamaru Kamachhya, in Assam, India, once lived in Kathmandu and worshipped Red Machhendranath, the god of rain, to bring rain to the valley. Among them was a man by the name of Lalit, who was thought to have done more to bring rainfall to the city when the sky finally opened up and filled the valley. People served him and named the valley after his name “Lalit” and “Pur” meaning township, thus “Lalitpur”.

The Durbar Square is a masterpiece of Newar architecture. The square floor is tiled in red bricks. There are numerous temples and statues in the neighborhood. The principal temples are arranged opposite the palace’s western front. The temples’ entrances face east towards the palace. There is also a bell in the alignment between the main temples. The Square also contains antique Newari residential dwellings. The Newa People constructed additional temples and constructions in and around Patan Durbar Square.

Patan Durbar Square is a must-see place when visiting Nepal. It’s packed with interesting sights that tourists love to explore. The main attractions include the Patan Museum and several beautiful temples. You can see the Mahaboudha, Kumbeshwar, and Krishna temples, as well as the Golden Temple, also known as Hiranya Varna Mahavihar. There’s also Mulchowk, an old royal courtyard, and a big bell with a special pillar dedicated to Yoga Narendra Malla. Other temples worth visiting are Jagat Narayan, Hari Shanker, and Bhimsen. Don’t miss Marga Hiti, an old water fountain, and Mani Mandap, a religious structure. If you need a break, you can stop at Cafe Pagoda.

The Rato Machhendranath Temple and Minnath Rudra Varna Mahavihar are also important sights. There’s even more to see, but these are the highlights. Many people visiting Nepal make sure to stop at Patan Durbar Square because it has so much history and culture in one place. Required fees to enter into the Patan Durbar Square is NPR 250 for SAARC country nations and 1000 for other foreign countries.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square one of a Beautiful World Heritage Sites in Nepal

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a former royal palace in Bhaktapur, Nepal. It hosted Nepal’s Malla monarchs from the 14th to the 15th century, as well as the kings of the country of Bhaktapur from the 15th to the late 18th century until the country was conquered in 1769. Today, this square has been recognized by UNESCO since 1979 AD, controlled jointly by the Archeological Department of Nepal and the Bhaktapur Municipality, and is undergoing substantial restoration due to the damages from the 1934 earthquake and the recent earthquake of 2015. Due to the periodic earthquakes, many of the buildings that formerly stood in the square have since been destroyed.

There were 99 courtyards in Bhaktapur Durbar Square at its height, but only 15 of them are still there now. Frequent earthquakes, especially those that occurred in 1833 and 1934, destroyed the majority of the square’s buildings and courtyards; only a small number of the damaged structures were rebuilt. It is particularly well-known for the 55-window palace that King Jitamitra Malla had constructed. Bhadgaon, also referred to as Bhaktapur Durbar Square, is made up of four main squares that highlight Nepal’s skillful craftsmanship and architecture: Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square, Durbar Square, and Pottery Square.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the biggest durbar square among the three durbar squares of Kathmandu Valley. The Lion Gate, Golden Gate, Art Gallery, King Bhupatindra Statue, Nyatapola Temple, and 55-windowed Malla Palace are the main attractions. Even though it shares a border with the capital city, Bhadgaon or Bhaktapur is the only area in Nepal that has not been influenced by Western culture. To enter into the  Bhaktapur Durbar Square Chinese nations and SAARC country nations must pay NPR 500 and for other foreigners NPR 1800 for the sightseeing around Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

Buddhanath Stupa : a Splended World Heritage Sites in Nepal

Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest spherical stupas in the world. It was built by the Tibetan King in 600 AD and it was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 AD and is one of the most famous tourist sites in Kathmandu. The stupa is a historical pilgrimage place for Buddhists all around the world. The stupa was decorated with numerous kg of gold.

The Boudhanath stupa was not surrounded by much civilization in ancient Nepal, but following the Chinese invasion in 1959, Tibetan refugees from Tibet began to establish themselves nearby. Subsequently, the stupa is now encircled by a variety of gompas, and the sound of the monks’ chants and prayers permeates the atmosphere.

During festivals such as Losar, the Tibetan New Year, and Saka Dawa, the birth anniversary of Buddha, the Boudhanath Stupa comes alive with joy and vibrancy. These festivals are a riot of color, sound, and celebration, featuring elaborate rituals, fluttering flags, and genuine joy. A day sightseeing around Boudhanath stupa will cost NPR 400 for foreigners and SAARC country nationals will cost only NRP 100.

Swyambhunath Stupa : One of a Beautiful World Heritage Sites in Nepal which is also called Monkey Temple.

In the northwest of the Kathmandu Valley, on the small hillock of Swaymbhunath, find serenity and offer prayers. Since the 1970s, tourists who found the name difficult to pronounce have referred to it as “Monkey Temple.” Swayambhu offers visitors a bird’s-eye perspective of the city as it overlooks the majority of the valley. For centuries, the Buddhist site has been associated with Hindu temples and deities, and the stupa has served as a symbol of faith and harmony. This is where the Kathmandu Valley’s fame is said to have begun.

Swayambhu, located on a hillside three kilometers west of Kathmandu, is one of Nepal’s holiest Buddhist stupas. It is said to have evolved spontaneously when the valley was formed from a primordial lake around 2,000 years ago. This stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal, with multiple temples and monasteries on its grounds.

Swayambhu means “self-created” in simple terms. It’s an old place, thought to have been built around 460 AD by King Manadeva. By the 1200s, it had become a really important Buddhist site. There’s a story that says Swayambhu came from a lotus flower that grew in a big lake that used to cover the whole Kathmandu Valley. Near Swayambhu, there’s a huge statue of Buddha.

It’s the biggest one in Nepal. Behind the hill, there’s a temple for Manjusri (also called Saraswati), who people see as the god of knowledge. The area around the main structure (called a stupa) is full of different religious objects and buildings, both Buddhist and Hindu. At the bottom of the hill, there are lots of prayer wheels and statues of gods. You can always see people walking around the stupa as part of their worship.

When you visit, look out for some important things. On one side, you’ll see a big gold thunderbolt called a Vajra. On the other side, there’s a statue of Buddha. You might also spot a Buddha that looks like it’s sleeping. If you go to the Dewa Dharma Monastery, you can see a Buddha made of bronze and some old Tibetan paintings.

There’s also a special place for Harati, who’s known for taking care of children. People say she used to be a mean monster, but Buddha changed her into someone who looks after kids. Visiting around Swayambhunat stupa will cost SAARC national entrance fee of NPR 50 Regular entrance fee of NPR 200.

Chagunarayan Temple

The two-story Changu Narayan Temple is thought to be the oldest in Nepal; its exact construction date is unknown. This temple, which features inscriptions from as far back as 365 A.D., is regarded as a masterpiece of Nepali architecture because of its distinctive structures and sculptures.

After a massive fire destroyed the temple in 1702, this ancient sculpture was rebuilt. Since the Hindu deity “Vishnu” is referred to as “Narayan,” this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple, which is located 15 km from Nepal’s capital, is home to sculptures of ten different incarnations of Lord Vishnu, including Vishwaroop, Vishnu Vikrant, Vishnu riding Garuda, and Nar-Singha Vishnu. Other gods and goddesses that are present include Kileshwar Shiva, Chinnamasta Devi, and other deities.

Still, the temple is particularly noteworthy, nevertheless, because of its old carvings on the pillars and the statues that depict the Manohara River meandering across the hills. Day tour around Changunarayan Temple will charge NPR 100 for SAARC country nationals and NPR 300 for other foreigners.

Lumbini (Birth Place Of Buddha)

Lumbini is the birthplace of Buddha located in the Terai plains mid-southwestern region of  Nepal, Rupandehi district. Where the lord Gautam Buddha was born in 623 BC. Confirmed by the text on the pillar that the Mauryan Emperor Asoka (249 BC) had built.

Lumbini provides the peaceful and calm vibes you’ve been looking for, as well as mindfulness that enlightens you from within. People come here for a variety of reasons, including yoga, meditation, trekking, and, most importantly, to learn about Buddhism in depth. Lumbini’s monasteries also include Chinese monasteries. Japan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Germany, and other nations. Some of the main attractions of the place are the Mayadevi temple, the Bodhi Tree in Lumbini Garden, and the Pushkarini – the sacred pond and the famous Ashok pillar. The entrance fee to visit Lumbini is NPR 100 for SAARC country nations and NPR 300 for other foreigners.

Chitwan National Park

The oldest national park of Nepal is Chitwan National Park which was established as a Royal Chitwan National Park in 1973 and enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The park is home to lots of wild animals. Some special animals that live there are one-horned rhinos and Royal Bengal tigers, which are both rare. You can also find sloth bears, gharials (a type of crocodile), and wild elephants in the park. It’s also a great place to watch birds. You might see many different kinds of birds like kingfishers, Bengal floricans, grass warblers, storks, and egrets.

Highlights of the National Park in Chitwan :

Investigate the habitats of the Royal Bengal tiger and the endangered one-horned rhino. Go on a Jeep safari in the forest to observe the wild animals without disturbing their natural habitat. Take a stroll through a Tharu village and study their way of life and Canoeing on the Rapti River.

Sagarmatha National Park (Mount Everest)

Sagarmatha National Park is another Natural heritage of Nepal, it is located in the eastern part of Nepal as part of the Himalayas. The park’s name is named after the world’s highest peak Mount Everest (8848.86m).

The first national park to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the category of Natural Heritage of the World is Sagarmatha National Park. It was founded in the year 1976 AD, and in the year 1979 AD, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This national park, which is located at the highest elevation on Earth, provides you with a diverse range of flora and animals along with sweeping views at every turn.

There are 152 species of birds, 28 species of mammals, 6 species of amphibians, 7 species of reptiles, and 26 species of butterflies living in the foothills of the Himalayan Sagarmatha National Park. Ensuring the survival of endangered species such as the Red Panda, Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, Wild Yak, Gray Wolf, Impeyan Pheasant, and Crimson Horned Pheasant, Sagarmatha National Park spans 1,148 square kilometers. Along with many other thrilling activities, the park offers well-known trekking routes including the Gokyo Lakes and Everest Base Camp treks.

A Journey Through Nepal’s Historic and Natural Wonders with Touch The Himalaya

Nepal is a veritable treasure trove of beautiful destinations. This small country has a lot to offer, from ancient temples to beautiful national parks. The ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites we’ve seen demonstrate how diverse Nepal’s culture and landscape are.

There is something for everyone, whether you enjoy gorgeous architecture, religious history, or wild creatures. You may visit sacred shrines, see ancient royal palaces, and see rare creatures like tigers and rhinos. Each location has its distinct history and beauty.

These exceptional areas are essential not only to Nepal but to the entire world. This is why UNESCO safeguards them. By visiting these locations, you are not only having a fantastic time but also helping to conserve them for future generations.

So, if you ever have the opportunity to visit Nepal, make sure to see some of these wonderful World Heritage Sites. They will help you gain a better grasp of Nepal’s history, culture, and natural beauty. And who knows? You might have the adventure of a lifetime! We Touch The Himalaya Here to assist you to Exploring the Rich Tapestry of World Heritage Sites in Nepal.