Budhanilkantha

The Basics

The statue of Budhanilkantha is thought to have been carved in the fifth century, and is still in very good condition, with a lot of intricate detail intact. The pond in which he lies represents the cosmos. Vishnu appears to lie peacefully in his golden crown beneath an orange canopy, surrounded by carved snakes and draped with orange marigold garlands.

As Budhanilkantha lies beneath the Shivapuri section of the Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park, the temple is a great place to make a detour on the way to the park. Many hiking tours to the park include a stop at the temple.

Things to Know Before You Go

• This is a Hindu site, and the name means “old blue-throated Vishnu.” (It has nothing to do with the Buddha.)

• Non-Hindus are not allowed to touch the statue, but as it is surrounded by water and a fence, this isn’t a difficult rule to follow.

• There is no entry fee.

How to Get There

Budhanilkantha is 5 miles (8 kilometers) north of central Kathmandu. It’s easy to get there by microbus (if you speak or read Nepali), or on the green Sajha Yatayat buses that follow a south-north route from the Lagankhel Bus Park in Patan, through Kantipath in central Kathmandu, and on to Budhanilkantha. Alternatively, it’s easy to get a taxi from anywhere in Kathmandu. From the Thamel area it should take about 20 minutes, depending on traffic.

When to Get There

The temple is open daily from dawn till dusk. Budhanilkantha devotees are especially active in the early morning and around dusk. A big fair is held at the temple every July and November during the Harishayani and Haribodhini Ekadashi festivals (dates vary according to the Nepali lunar calendar), marking each end of the period when Vishnu is believed to go to sleep. It is crowded with thousands of pilgrims at this time.

Visit the Tallest Shiva Statue in the World

Travelers who enjoy checking out Hindu statues will like visiting the world’s tallest Shiva statue, the Kailashnath Mahadev Statue. It’s located on the eastern edge of the Kathmandu Valley, at Sanga. The statue is 143 feet (44 meters) high, and looks out over Bhaktapur and Kavrepalanchok districts. It’s a good place to start a gentle day hike through the hills to Panauti.