First Glimpses of Kathmandu’s Allure

Right after leaving the airport, the first thing tourists catch sight of is a colorful, bustling street of Kathmandu. You will be able to notice a strange combination of tradition and modernity: temples, shrines, and stupas stand side by side with modern buildings and shops. The lively atmosphere is marked by the sounds of street vendors, the fragrance of local food, and vibrant hustle and bustle of local life.

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the prominent landmarks along the way, almost next to the airport. It falls into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites category and is one of Nepal’s most prominent temples dedicated to Lord Shiva; thus, it appeals to people with pilgrimages from all parts of the world. You may just be passing, but you will feel the spiritual energy around this iconic temple all the time, especially with the river Bagmati flowing beside it where Hindu cremation rituals take place. If time permits, this site is definitely worth a deeper exploration for its cultural and spiritual meaning.