This retreat will be held in various places in Nepal. You will visit the famous attractions, stupa, and temples in Kathmandu, Nagarkot, Balthali, and Lumbini.
Nepal
The Kingdom of Nepal covers an area of 147,181 square kilometers, and stretches 145 to 241 kilometers north to south and 850 kilometers west to east. The country is located between India in the south and China in the north.
At latitudes 26 and 30 degrees north and longitudes 80 and 88 degrees east, Nepal is topographically divided into three regions: the Himalaya to the north, the hills consisting of the Mahabharat range and the Churia Hills in the middle, and the Terai to the south. Elevations are varied in the kingdom. The highest point is Mount Everest (8,848 meters) in the north and the lowest point (70 meters above sea level) is located at Kechana Kalan of Jhapa District.
Altitude increases as you travel south to north. The north temperatures are below -40 degrees Celsius and in the Terai, temperatures rise to 40 degrees Celsius in the summer. During June, July, and August, the kingdom is influenced by monsoon clouds.
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is the medieval town known as Bhadgaon. One of the Malla kings built this conch shell shaped town in the ninth century. You will see the unique palace with a golden gate and a single window with 55 openings at the Durbar Square.
The statue of Great King Bhupatindra Malla, one of the rulers of the Bhaktapur city-state sitting on the stone lotus set on a stone pillar still prays to the Almighty Goddess Taleju in front of the Golden Gate at the Durbar Square that he created during his reign in the beginning of the 17th century. This exquisite statue of King Bhupatindra Malla is the greatest single masterpiece of the Malla dynasty in Bhaktapur.
Changu Narayan
The temple of Changunarayan is one of the Kathmandu Valley's oldest temples. The richness of Changunarayan is surpassed only by the wealth of the greatest temple of Pashupati. The temple sits on the hillock called Changu, whose the name is derived from the name of the God. Around the temple, you will see the stone image of Garuda, the half-bird half-man that is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, another name of Changunarayan.
The superb image of Lord Vishnu astride the Garuda to the left of the main temple door is of such importance in the Nepal's art history that it is featured on the ten-rupee note. To visit this remarkable temple, you may walk up from the Sankhu Road or bike up from Bhaktapur. However, the most interesting one would be the half-day hike along the hill ridge route from Nagarkot to Changunarayan.
Lumbini
Lumbini is the symbol of peace for all humanity and the most sacred place for Buddhists and Nepalese Hindus because Queen Maya Devi gave birth to a child in this area, who later on became the Buddha. It is situated at 232 kilometers to the southwest of Kathmandu. In 249 B.C, Emperor Ashok erected a pillar, to commemorate his visit to this holy place. Now, it stands proudly right in front of the Mayadevi temple as a historical monument.
Adjacent to the Mayadevi temple is a sacred pond called “pushkarni”, where Prince Siddhartha got a first bathe after the birth. He became Sakyamuni Buddha later on. You can travel to Lumbini both by road via Pokhara or Chitwan or directly by air from Kathmandu.
Nagarkot
Nagarkot is the place where once Manjushree Bodhisatto stood and watched the lake in the Kathmandu Valley. Nagarkot is at the eastern periphery of the Kathmandu Valley. The hilltop called Nagarkot is at more than 2,000 meters above the sea level and is the second highest peak in the Kathmandu Valley.
After an hour long exciting and winding drive, you will be able to feel the cool breeze of air blowing endlessly into your face, and see the widest range of Himalayas including Mount Everest with your bare eyes from here. It is also one of the best spots to visit for unmatched sunrise and sunset views.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan is also called Lalitpur, the beautiful city or the center of fine arts and superb craftsmanship. It has more than 55 major temples and 200 courtyards. The most famous and artistic temple is the Krishna Mandir dedicated to Lord Krishna. Major events mentioned in the great Hindu epic called Mahabharat are carved in the stones.
This temple is an outstanding masterpiece of Nepalese stone craftsmen. You need to explore some of the hidden sacred shrines such as Mahaboudha, popularly known as the temple of thousand Buddha, and the golden temple beyond the Durbar Square area to familiarize with the artistic treasure of Patan. If you want to see the temple architecture, you need to visit the Bhimsen Temple and the Kumbheswor Temple, too.
Pashupati
The Pashupati temple is one of the holiest Hindu temples in the Hindu world. It is situated only 5 kilometers east of the city center. Hindus worship the deity in the inner sanctum of the temple in the names of Lord Shiva, which means the enlightened one. Pashupati means free from worldly bondage and Mahadev means “the supreme God”.
The holy river called Bagmati flows nearby the temple. Cremation sites along the holy river are the most sacred place for Hindus to burn up their deceased ones. However, non-Hindus have to be satisfied with the glimpses of the periphery of the temple.
Thamel
Just 20 minutes leisurely walk from the city center, you will be taken to the busy streets at Thamel, another interesting and lively commercial tourist spot. You can buy anything you need and you want, and not only buy, but also sell the things you do not need.
This is the area where you might even meet with your old friends whom you have not met for years. The narrow but clean streets at Thamel are crowded with overseas visitors, street vendors, vehicles, and street hawkers throughout the year. You can enjoy the busy street just strolling or enjoy a nice meal at the restaurants or stay overnight at a lodge for a meager price.
