Thousand years old temples in Kathmandu

Nepal, which has a Hindu majority, has several temples, shrines, stupas, and various other symbols, idols, sculptures, and portraits that people worship. They are all built for different gods and goddesses, or their different forms or incarnations.

Many temples were built by kings during their time to demonstrate their devotion to the gods and goddesses they most worshipped.

The majority of Kathmandu's temples were built or renovated after the 15th century. However, a few have been discovered or are known to be more than 1,000 years old.

These historic sites contain centuries of history and knowledge, making them an important part of national heritage.

5 Temples that are over 1,000 years old in Kathmandu

Pashupatinath Temple

A Hindu architectural masterpiece, Pashupatinath, one of the most popular religious sites, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his various forms. It is also the home of numerous Hindu gods and goddesses.

The two-storied pagoda-style temple has a gilded roof, four sides covered in silver, and wood carvings of the finest quality. The inner temple has a black granite statue of Lord Pashupatinath and outside sits a large statue of Nandi, Shiva’s bull.

Only Hindus are allowed to enter the Pashupatinath Temple premises. The Pashupatinath Temple is believed to have been built in the Licchavi period by Prachanda Deva.
However, the current structure is thought to date from the 17th century AD.

Changunarayan Temple

Changunarayan Temple is one of Nepal's oldest structures. According to an inscription found in the temple premises, it was built in 464 AD during the reign of King Manadeva of the Lichhavi dynasty.

It honors Lord Vishnu (also known as Purusha/Narayan). This temple is located at Bhaktapur. It is a two-tiered pagoda-style temple with four stone lions guarding the entrances.

Swayambhu Mahachaitya

Swayambhu Mahachaitya, commonly known as the Swayambhunath or Monkey Temple, is a sacred site for both Hindu and Buddhist people in Nepal.

It is situated on a hilltop in the Kathmandu valley, west of the city. This stupa is also recognized as the crowning glory of Nepalese architecture. Swayambhu was established in 460 AD by King Manadeva and is one of Nepal's oldest religious landmarks.

Boudhanath Stupa

For the Buddhist community, Bouddhanath is one of the holiest sites in Kathmandu. It is also the most important Buddhist temple in Kathmandu.

This stupa was established in 600 AD and later repaired in the 8th century by the Licchavi dynasty. It is regarded as the centerpiece of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.

Bajrabarahi Temple

Bajrabarahi is a tantric goddess temple located south of Patan. The temple's structure is beautiful since it is created in Nepalese style with two roofs (one made of tiles and the other of metal plates).

Although the current temple construction was built in the 17th century. According to history, the original temple was built in 784 BS by Shrinewas Malla, and it is claimed that the goddess Bajrabarahi was incarnated from the pond where the current temple is located.