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No minimum number of attendeesNo minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
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Free booking and cancellationFree payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
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Namaste! My name is Milan and I am from the eastern part of Nepal. I studied in Kathmandu and have long time experience working in tourism in various roles where I had a good chance of exploring a bit of country as well. There is so much to see, feel, taste, explore, learn and understand in our small Himalayan country that it has kept me very curious about so-so many things, keeping me motivated to learn different aspects of the complex structure of our lifestyles, culture, and philosophy. Meeting people from around the world and sharing & learning ideas, knowledge, and bizarre thoughts are things that I like most about what I do. I hope to convey facts and stories, to the best of my knowledge to provide insights into the natural & cultural beauty of Archaic Nepal.
Let’s Discover the basic beliefs and lifestyle of Nepalese People
Nepal is predominant a Hindu country with more than eighty percent following Hinduism – more than ten percent Buddhism and remaining Christians, Muslim, Sikhs, Jain and others. However, the intrinsic belief of normal Nepalese comprises the values from both Hindu and Buddhism practices and worships deities from both pantheons. A running joke is that – an average Nepalese is 60 percent Hindu and 60 percent Buddhist, because they are seen celebrating and worshiping in every occasion, making it more than a hundred.
Every day is a festival in Nepal – we just don’t happen to know, because of the multiple ethnic groups and their own culture & traditions, something is always happening somewhere. Despite the popular everybody’s festivals, every ethnic group – more than 125 speaking their own language – have their own distinct style of worship to a variety of deities, following with a ceremony or rituals accordingly.
We will be walking from Paknajol to Swayambunath Stupa, around 2.2 km, for 35 minutes total (one way).
We will stop at two different temples - Indrayani Temple and Shobha Bhagwati Temple before arriving at Swayambunath Stupa.
To enter Swayambunath Stupa – travelers need to pay Rs 200 as entry fee. All the other attractions are free to enter, although you can make a small donation for the temple if you like.
Please note:
- Meals and transportation are not provided in this tour.
You can find me at the Paknajol Line (in front of Gokarna House Restaurant). I am 5'5 ft (165cm), have matted long hair, wear All Star Converse (black and white), carrying a bagpack, and wearing face mask.
Indrayani is one of the mother goddess from the group of eight Matrikas, whom are the different forms of Goddess Parvati. She is consort and queen of Lord Indra (King of Gods and Thunder & Lightning), described as endless beauty with orange and golden complexion. Known to be Goddess of Jealousy and Wrath, she also bestows any wish for her devotees.
Shoba Bhagwati is the holiest temple dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati (one of the form of Goddess Parvati) and have statues of different forms including nine Durga and eight Matrika. It is one of the oldest, yet smallest temples which attracts many worshippers during biggest festival like Dashain, and perform rituals and animal sacrifices.
Swayambunath, popularly known as Monkey Temple, is an ancient and sacred Buddhist Stupa located on top of a hillock where you will be greeted with fluttering prayer flags, burning incense and long staircase walk towards the complex which is full of different carving, chaityas, murals, statues etc depicting various aspects of Hinduism and Buddhism along with the myths and legends that are associated with temple. One has to pay Rs 200 as entrance fee to enter the temple.
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).
