Budhanilkantha (Sleeping Vishnu)

Kathmandu Valley

About Budhanilkantha (Sleeping Vishnu)

A 5 m stone Vishnu reclining on a bed of snakes in a sacred pond — carved from a single boulder some 1,400 years ago, at the foot of Shivapuri.

Getting there

30 min from central Kathmandu; combines well with Shivapuri hikes.

Cultural etiquette

Non-Hindus can view from the surrounding walkway but not enter the inner enclosure.

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Pharping & Asura Cave

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Where Guru Rinpoche attained realization in the Asura cave — a hillside of monasteries, retreat centres and the self-arisen Tara of Pharping, sacred to all Tibetan lineages.

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Vajrayogini Temple (Sankhu)

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Ancient tantric goddess temple in forest above the Newar trading town of Sankhu — moss-grown chaityas, stone spouts and one of the valley's most atmospheric short climbs.

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Pashupatinath Temple

Hindu temple

Nepal's holiest Hindu shrine and a UNESCO site: the great Shiva temple on the Bagmati, its ghats, sadhus and evening aarati. The main sanctum is open to Hindus only; the wider complex welcomes all.

Best: Year-round, Maha Shivaratri festival (Feb/Mar)

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Plan trip

Route-stop and itinerary details for Budhanilkantha (Sleeping Vishnu) are still being verified by the NepalBuddy team and will appear here once confirmed.

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Warming up the yaks…