Pilgrimages were the first form of tourism. In history people started travelling certain areas to reach sacred places. Nowadays pilgrimages, travels to holy places or buildings, are still popular among tourists. Reaching the religious place as a part of their journey or as a goal on itself. Nepal has been one of the most famous destinations in terms of pilgrimage tours. Many sacred places for hindus, but also the birth place of Lord Buddha for example and much more other meaningful destinations can be found in this country. Nepal can also be used as a gateway to special places like Tibet's Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. The majority of people in Nepal practice Hinduism, the second largest religion is Buddhism. Hinduism is a multi disciplinary religion called Shanatan Dharma. This religion has a large number of Gods, but the trinity of Gods is considered supreme. The trinity of Gods are: Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver or Savior and Shiva the Destroyer. For this reason, many temples and locations are related to these Gods and the historical stories around them. In Nepal you will find a very interesting variety of sacred places, more than worth to visit in life!

It is possible to visit most temples, stupas and shrines, except the inner sanctum in some cases. You will be informed by signboards if entry is restricted. Remove your shoes before entering temples and monasteries. Shoes, handbags, belts and other accessories made of leather are prohibited in most religious places. When entering a temple courtyard, go around in a clockwise direction. There is a small stone or metal Mandala circular diagram on the ground in front of most shrines. Please do not step on it. Photography is generally allowed. Using flashbulbs when people are worshipping may be inconsiderate. It is polite to ask permission before taking photographs, especially when you like to take a picture of other people (performing sacred rituals for example). Please do not touch the offerings or persons when they are on their way to a temple or performing a ritual. Eating is not done inside the shrine precincts. Please do not sit or climb on top of the statues. Please remember that temples are active places of worship.

According to Purans, the Himalaya is the home of Lord Shiva and his wife Parbati. Hence, there are many pilgrimage sites related to Lord Shiva in Nepal. The Pashupatinath temple is the most holy place of Lord Shiva. Mt. Kailash is the mountain of Lord Shiva and it is considered the holiest of all holy mountains. Mt. Kailash is in Tibet, near the Nepal-Tibet border. Sometimes mountains are holy because of a religious history, but a mountain with a temple on its top is also considered a holy mountain. There are several Shakti-peeths related to Durga Ma through out Nepal. Dakshinkali and Guheswori are most famous Shakti-peeths of Kathmandu. Other important Shakti-peeths are Pathibhara, Shaileswori, Vindyavashini, Mankamana and Jogeshwori. 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 Kathmandu. Pashupat-Chhetra (the site of Pashupatinath) is one of the holiest places in the (mostly) Hindu kingdom of Nepal. Many Hindu Pilgrims come to Pashupatinath round the year. Shivaratri is one of the most important festivals for Hindus, being the day on which Lord Shiva is celebrated. There are many temples of various Hindu Gods in the holy sites. The Guheswori temple is also one of the most important temples. A walk from this temple to Aryaghat, near  the Pashupatinath temple, is very popular among non-Hindu tourists. The Pashupatinath temple area is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Gosaikunda

Gosaikunda is a glacier lake in Langtang. It is 2 to 3 days trekking from Dhunche to reach Gosainkunda lake. According to Purans, lake Gosaikunda was created by Lord Shiva using his trident. The most auspicious day for this pilgrimage is the full moon day (Shrawan Purnima) in July. Many pilgrims from Nepal and India take a bath in the Gosainkunda lake on this day.

Damodarkund

Damodarkunda is a glacier lake at the slope of Damodar Himal in Mustang. The Damodar lakes are located three days walking north east of the main Mustang trekking route and very close to the border with Tibet. Damodarkunda is the source of the river Kaligandaki. The site is in the region of Shaligram and hence it is also called Shalgrams.

50 km from Tansen, at the confluence of the Kaligandaki and Ridi Khola, in a small place, there is the 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 Vishnavas of the Nimbarka & Sri Ramanuja Sampradaya sects live near by, in Ridi Bazar.

Muktinath

Mukti Chhetra (assured of salvation) is the sacred place where Lord Vishnu got free from the curse of Sati. The largest Shaligram is in this place. Here is also a Jwaladevi, a divine flame is continuously burning since thousands of year. This pagoda – shaped temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is situated at an altitude of 3800 m. Set into the wall around 108 water spouts from which pour holy water.

Devghat

Devghat is a confluence of river Trishuli and river Kaligandaki and is very significant religious triveni. It is 6 km north of Narayanghat. Here 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 to immerse themselves in the river. Makar Shankrati is also popularly known as Maghe Shankranti. It is 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 in 375 Km south east of Kathmandu and is famous Hindu pilgrimage site. Janakpur is a birthplace of Janaki Sita. Janaki Sita was married to Lord Ram the 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Places of interest are: Janaki Temple, Biwah Mandap and numerous beautiful ponds. The most auspicious day for the Pilgrimage is Biwah Panchami (November). It is day of celebration of the wedding of the Goddess Sita and the God Ram with mock wedding processions. Many pilgrims from Nepal and India attend the celebration. A holy saint Sri Shurkiswor Das discovered the ruins of the ancient capital Mithila King and the birth place of Sita. The present temple was built by Queen Brishabhanu of Tikramgarh of India.

Baraha chhetra

Lord Vishnu, the Preserver of the Universe, has incarnated as Baraha (Boar) in this region and hence it is called Baraha Chhetra. It is one of the four holy places in Nepal. According to Purans, 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. This pilgrimage 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 a dip at the day of Makar Shankrati.

Balmiki Ashram

Lumbini, where Buddha was born as Prince Shiddhartha Gautam. The site is now in a beautiful garden. Lumbini is about 20 minutes driving from Siddarthanagar, a town in mid-west of Nepal. Ashok Pillar, the Maya Devi temple, archeological excavation sites, various Buddhist temples and monasteries from Buddhist countries from all over world are in the Lumbini Garden.

Namobuddha

Namobuddha is the place where Lord Buddha, in an earlier life, offered his body to a starving tigress so she could feed her cubs. It is said that his hair, bones and so forth were made into a stupa; the stupa now known as Namobuddha. It is in the east of Kathmandu, near Panauti.

• Namobuddha hike - 5 days