The land of Mt. Everest, Nepal, is the birthplace of the founder of Buddhism, Gautam Buddha. For this main reason, Nepal has been associated with Buddhism and is one of the pilgrimages for Buddhists all around the world. Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is a perfect example of the harmonious fusion of various ethnicities, cultures, religions, and people co-existing to create Kathmandu, unlike any other city. Even though it’s one of the urban areas of the country, you’ll bump across temples and monasteries every other alley and street, making it a unique mix of the old and the new.
Kathmandu Valley is a center for spiritual seekers and religious admirers, who need a getaway from the humdrums of fast-paced twentieth-century life. Here are a few monasteries around Kathmandu valley that you can visit just for a tour or for various spiritual retreats that are organized by the monasteries.
Balambhu Bihar
Where is it?
It's located 8km away from Kathmandu in Balambju, Chandragiri Municipality.
How to get there?
This monastery is roughly a 15-20-minute ride from Thamel, and you can easily get a cab to take you there, which might cost you somewhere around 500–1000 Nepali rupees.
What's so special about this Gumba?
Normally known as Pranidhipurna Mahavhiar, this monastery helped revive Theravada Buddhism in Nepal in the 1940s and is an important hub for young monks learning Buddhism. With an abbot as the head, this monastery is home to many resident nuns and monks. Apart from religious activities that happen all year round, the mahavihar also facilitates various activities for the local community, like health camps and retreats, with dharma classes for Buddhists This monastery is visited by many to conduct their sons and daughters life cycle ceremonies, which is a crucial ceremony for followers of Buddhism. Balambu Bihar also houses a senior citizens home for elderly people and invites people to nuture them regularly.
What to do there?
Once you get to Gumba, you can admire the architecture of the monastery, built in 1942. As you enter those gates, you'll feel serenity, and you can indulge in the peaceful environment of the mahavihar. If you learn more about the bihar, you can talk to the monks and nuns there, who will be more than happy to give you a tour and help you explore the monastery.
Share this Blog to: