Nepal Things to Do Tips by butterfly_girl

Bouddhanath! Bodnath Stupa Review

The Bouddhanath Stupa is brimming with activity. This stupa is a must see to experience the lovely Buddhist, spiritual vibe. You will see Buddhist monks in their red robes and worshippers making a circle around the stupa. You will hear CDs of monks chanting throughout. There are prayer flags surrounding the stupa and it is a wonderful place to sit and watch all the activity or close your eyes and meditate. ~OM~

Address: Five KM north east of Kathmandu

Directions: Near the Hyatt

Other Contact: sraj@wlink.com.np

Phone: 489257

Buddhist Monastery on Tibetan New Year or Anytime!

While in Nepal you must visit a Buddhist Monastery. There are so many there that I really can't recommend one, but if you can make it to one on or around Tibetan New Year it is a beautiful, exquisite experience! I was able to sit inside a monastery in Pokhara and listen to 40 monks chanting... with bells ringing and drums beating. It was so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes.

Address: All over Nepal

Directions: Unfortunately, I never got the name of the monastery in Pokhara that I went to, but there are many to choose from.

Shiva Ratri festival in Pashupatinath Pashupatinath Review

Shiva Ratri is the festival of Shiva's Night, a Sadhu and Hindu festival of the outlandish and divine. We took a taxi to the festival and the sights and sounds were mind blowing. saints, sadhus and mystics filled the grounds. It was like being transported to another mystical world. I had never seen anything even close to the visions I was seeing. There were groups and groups of long bearded, dreadlocked Sadhus huddled in mass, smoking pot with eyes glazed over and a mysterious look about them. They say that thousands of pilgrims come to the sacred festival, like a Hindu version of Mecca. As we walked the steps, these mystical men would just look at us with half open eyes, not really in the world. We later found out that Sadhus and infants are the only Hindus that don't get cremated, they get buried, because they have already left this world.

Address: Pashupatinath Temple, near Kathmandu airport

Lovely Pokhara! Pokhara Review

Do not miss the chance to go to this lovely lakeside village, with colorful boats sailing through the water, smiling villagers and an air of peace and relaxation, compared to the chaos of Kathmandu. If you are lucky, on a clear day, you will see the most spectacular view of the snow covered mountains. This is the starting point to many treks, but if you just want to sit and stare at the lake, you will be perfectly content.

Address: 200 KM from Kathmandu

Directions: We flew Buddha Air to Pokhara and it was a good airline. Check out flights at www.buddhaair.com