Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple, Hindu temple in Chandragiri, Kathmandu District, Nepal
The Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple sits on a hilltop near Chandragiri in Kathmandu District and looks out over the Kathmandu Valley. The structure is modest in size, centered on a shrine dedicated to Shiva with few buildings around the main sanctuary.
The temple connects to Nepal's past, as Prithvi Narayan Shah used this strategic hilltop location while planning the unification of the Kathmandu region. The site grew into a sacred place with deep religious meaning for Hindu devotees over the centuries.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and during Shivaratri and the month of Shrawan, devotees gather to perform ceremonies with specific ritual offerings. You can watch pilgrims at this sacred place as they pray and carry out traditional practices.
Visitors can reach the temple via cable car from the valley below, with service running daily and extra options available during religious festivals. Access is fairly straightforward, though the elevation requires taking time to adjust gradually to the higher altitude.
According to local legend, this spot marks where the forehead of goddess Sati Devi fell, making it one of Nepal's most sacred religious sites. This mythological connection draws pilgrims who view the shrine as deeply significant for their spiritual practice.
Location: Kathmandu District
Elevation above the sea: 2,551 m
GPS coordinates: 27.66610,85.20540
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:44
Nepal offers photographers an exceptional range of subjects, from the highest mountains on Earth to centuries-old religious sites. The Himalayan range dominates the northern regions, where trekkers head to Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp. At middle elevations, traditional mountain villages like Namche Bazaar and Manang Village provide cultural contexts, while Kali Gandaki Gorge ranks among the deepest in the world. High-altitude lakes including Gokyo Lakes, Rara Lake and Gosaikunda Lake lie in remote areas and attract photographers seeking untouched landscapes. The historic cities of the Kathmandu Valley preserve a rich architectural tradition. Boudhanath Stupa stands as one of the largest Buddhist structures of its kind, while Swayambhunath sits atop a hill overlooking the capital. In Bhaktapur, the five-tiered Nyatapola Temple rises above the townscape, and Durbar Square displays examples of Newari architecture. Lalitpur contains Patan Durbar Square with its temples and palaces. Beyond the valley, Lumbini marks the birthplace of Buddha, and Janaki Temple in Janakpur represents Hindu temple architecture. Phewa Lake in Pokhara reflects the Annapurna range, while viewpoints such as Sarangkot, Poon Hill and Nagarkot provide panoramas of multiple peaks above 26,000 feet (8,000 meters).
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