South Kathmandu Tourist Places

South of Thamel

Thahiti Tole
Thahiti Tole is south from Thamel, from the Thamel Chowk it is the first open square. In the center of the square is a stupa with an inscription on it saying it was made in the 15th century.

The Nateshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Siva is on the south side of the square. On the metal plates on the door are figure playing different musical instruments.

South of Durbar Square
On a road that runs southwest of Kastha Mandap is the Bhimsen Temple. The Jaisi Dewal Temple is an interesting temple dedicated to Lord Siva. It is further down the road from the Bhimsen Temple and then at the dead-end you turn left and climb up the hill. Across from the temple is a 2m high Siva-linga.

Bhimsen Tower, built in 1832, is a landmark southeast of Durbar Square near Kantipath. It is white, minaret-like watchtower built by a Rana prime minister. It is also known as Sundhara. It is near the main post office.

Singha Durbar, in the southeast part of the city, was built in 1901 by Chandra Shamsher Rana, the Prime Minister of Nepal. It had 400 rooms (at one time over 1500 rooms), but much of it was destroyed by a fire in 1973. It now has government offices and ministries in it that can not be visited. You can visit the gardens and the main wing.

Near the Bagmati River are the Kalamochan Temple and Tripureswar Sundari Temple (1818).

The Pachali Bhairab Temple, between Tripureshwar Marg and the Bagmati River, has an altar with a deity of Pachali surrounded by tridents. Over it is a large, ancient pipal tree. The Pachali Bhairab Jatra festival is on the fourth day after the bright fortnight in late September or early October. The main worship days are Tuesday and Saturday.

Mahakala Temple
This temple is on the east side (Tundikhel) of Kantipath, a little north of New Rd. It was damaged during the 1934 earthquake and is still in poor condition.

Inside the temple is a 1.5m high deity of Mahakala (the great black Siva). This is an especially fierce form of Lord Siva. Kal means “black” and also death. Hindu and Buddhist worshipper both come to this Tantric temple.

There are good views from the top of one of the buildings in the temple courtyard.

Three Goddesses Temples
The temples of the three goddesses are next to the Sanchaya Kosh Bhawan Shopping Centre and opposite the immigration office in Thamel. These three temples are dedicated to Mankamna, Jawalamai and Dakshinkali. There are some interesting carvings, including erotic one, on the roof stuts. The street outside is Tridevi Marg. Tri mean “three” and Devi means “goddesses.”

Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides