Kathmandu, Nepal: Pashupatinath Temple

After returning from our Annapurna Base Camp trek, we spent a day lazing around in Pokhara before we returned to Kathmandu*. For our last and only proper day in Kathmandu, we thought it was best to join a day-tour for some city sightseeing. While there were many private tours, we managed to find an affordable group-tour. Be warned, the bus broke down several times, until it got to the second last destination and couldn't be revived (we cabbed back so we wouldn't miss our flight). So I've yet to visit Dubar Square. What's most heart-warming was to see tourists from our tour bus (from India, or other parts of Nepal perhaps?) gamely get their hands dirty to give the bus a push, with nary a complaint and lots of laughs.

 

From the UNESCO site:

 The cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley is illustrated by seven groups of monuments and buildings which display the full range of historic and artistic achievements for which the Kathmandu Valley is world famous. The seven include the Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu), Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath and the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan. source

Pashupatinath Temple - Nepal's most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the greatest Shiva sites. The temple serves as the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath.

Peeking into the grounds

 We had some sweet Nepalese desserts, interesting! 

*Boy, was the jam from Pokhara to Kathmandu long-drawn, yet everyone seemed rather patient and understanding, afterall, no one wished for an accident to happen. The drive between the two cities can be precarious even for the most experienced of drivers. Drive safe, om mani padme hum.

More on Kathmandu: Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swoyambhunath

More pictures are available on my Flickr (simply click any photo).