Exploring Kathmandu

I had two days to explore Kathmandu before we headed to Lukla to begin our trek. I arrived a day before the rest of the group so with a downloaded copy of maps from Google and no cell phone service, I set out. My hotel was in the heart of the Thamel a major commercial and tourist area, with everything a person would need to outfit themselves to trek. Though my first objective wasn’t to go shopping, I was heading to Hanuman-Dhoka Durbar Square a little over a mile from my hotel.

Hanuman-Dhoka is made up of many temples and other structures home to the Royal Palace of the Malla kings and also of the Shah dynasty. Many of the structures were damaged during the 2015 earthquake and are currently being repaired.

The next day was the first day of Holi, this year was much more subdued due to the Covid virus. Though there was still an impressive amount of people and many children throwing colors and water-balloons. I was lucky enough to only have water thrown on me, but missed getting covered in colors!

We started the day by visiting Pashupatinath Temple, a famous and sacred Hindu temple built in the 5th Century, it is a very sad place as there are many cremation ceremonies that are preformed on the banks of the banks of the Bagmati River. After some exploring we did find monkeys.

Next we visited Boudhanath Stupa, the largest Stupa in the world. Thousands of pilgrims from different religions gather here daily. They perform a ritualistic circumnavigation, known as the 'kora', of the colossal dome. It is believed that anyone who circumambulates the stupa with no ill thoughts in their hearts receives good karma.

Kathmandu is a beautiful city, full of amazing people. In my short time there I met so many people that just wanted to say hello, no high-pressure salesman, no one trying to take advantage. Just friendly people. I am looking forward to when i get to go back see all the things that I missed this trip.