Krowded Kathmandu

We arrived in Kathmandu with only one full day left to do all of our sightseeing. It also happened that Nepal was in the middle of some political debates that caused the whole country to be forced into a strike. This meant we could still do our sightseeing but we would have to hire a specially marked 'tourist taxi'. Since we had such a short time we had to choose our destinations wisely. We decided to see the two most important religious sites in the city: the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and the Buddhist stupa of Bodhnath.

The street outside Pashupatinath; a typical third world scene full of traffic and cows.

Inside we were greeted by quiet courtyards and stone carvings.

We peered over the wall at the Golden Temple, which non-hindus are not allowed to enter.

Devout followers lighting lamps before entering the temple.

One of many elaborately carved entrance ways.

Pashupatinath is situated on the banks of a river that flows in the Ganges. This is a very important site for the Nepali Hindus, as they believe that cremation on the banks of the Ganga river will further their enlightenment.   All are cremated here, from commoners to royalty.

This structure is an alter that was historically used for human sacrifice, but now only the lives of animals, such as goats and sheep, are offered to the gods here.

The small structures seen among the rocks are meditation caves used by Sadhus, seeking solitude.

This guy wins the award for sweetest dreads.

A painting of lord Shiva meditating high in the Himalayas.

The goddess Durga vanquishing a demon with the help of her lion.

These five temples are in the centre of a place where elderly women can come to live before they die, so they can pray in a very sacred place and be looked after.

Next stop was the world's largest stupa, Bodhnath. 

We visited a nearby Buddhist Monastery.

There were elaborate paintings on the walls all around us.

We were lucky enough to witness the monks chanting and reciting prayers, occasionally ringing bells, blowing horns and hitting a massive brass gong. They left us entranced by their rhythms.

A shrine to his holiness the Dalai Lama.

A 'mani' wall aka prayer wheels.

The next day we boarded our first flight in more than 4 months of travelling. The Nepal chapter of our journey was at an end. Now the south-east asia adventure would begin, starting in Bangkok!