Temples and Stupas in Kathmandu: Photos

Kathmandu is home to some of Nepal’s most remarkable religious monuments, where Hindu and Buddhist traditions are deeply woven into everyday life. From the historic temples of Durbar Square to the iconic stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, the city offers an extraordinary variety of architecture, spiritual traditions, and photographic opportunities.

This photographic journey explores four of Kathmandu’s most fascinating religious sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple.

Holy Places to Visit in Kathmandu

• Kathmandu Durbar Square – Once the coronation site of the city’s kings, this historic square is filled with palaces, temples and courtyards. Several buildings were damaged or collapsed during the April 2015 earthquake.
• “Monkey Temple” (Swayambhunath) – Climb the 365 steps leading to this hilltop temple, accompanied by plenty of curious monkeys.
• Boudha Stupa (Boudhanath) – A beautiful Buddhist monument where you can walk clockwise around the great white dome, spin the prayer wheels and soak up the spiritual atmosphere.
• Pashupatinath Temple – A surreal experience, especially when walking near the cremation ghats along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, where traditional Hindu cremation ceremonies take place.

“Nepal is a beautiful country with a lot of holy places. I also like the country because it’s close to the Himalayas. According to Hindu mythology, that’s the abode of Lord Shiva.” – Kailash Kher

Kathmandu Temples and Stupas in Photos

Kathmandu’s religious sites offer much more than impressive architecture. They are places of worship, reflection, and daily rituals, where centuries-old traditions continue to shape the city’s atmosphere.

From intricate temple carvings and colourful prayer flags to the watchful eyes of Buddha and the activity surrounding the stupas, these photographs capture some of the distinctive details and moments that make Kathmandu such a fascinating destination for photography.

“The stupa is a white dome with a conical stone tower emerging from its center. There are two eyes painted on the tower, the all-seeing eyes of Buddha. They’re purple and look a little sinister, like an Old Testament Buddha.” –Joshua Isard

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