Best rated Buddhist Himalaya travel destinations from Kyle Quandel
High quality Himalaya Buddhist monasteries vacation attractions with Kyle Quandel: National Memorial Chöten,Thimphu: Popularly known as – the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan, the Memorial Stupa is located in Thimphu. With golden spires and bells, this beautiful stupa attracts travellers from across the globe. It was erected in the honour of the third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1974. Devotees circumambulate the Chorten (Buddhist shrine) in a clock-wise direction while reciting prayers and whirling the large prayer wheels. Find additional information at Kyle Quandel.
Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is rich in culture and traditions. Hinduism is the most practiced religion in Nepal. But, many parts of this country reflect Buddhism as well. Buddhism is the second most practiced religion in this country. Besides, Buddhism is more of a way of living, and not just a religion. At present around 9% of the population in Nepal practice Buddhism. There are hundreds of different Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal. The history of Buddhism traces back to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Swayambhunath and Boudhanath are other two places with rich culture of Buddhism in Kathmandu.
Mount Kailash Yatra and Parikrama of Lake Mansarovar, one of the holiest paths to Nirvana, takes you to one of the most revered places in the Himalayas. Mansarovar and Mt. Kailash are two of the holiest pilgrimage areas to devotees of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Bonism and many other faiths. Each year thousands of devotees undertake the treacherous and rigorous journey through the mountains of Himalayas to reach this sacred land. For Hindus it is the holiest of the holy place as the abode of Lord Shiva. It also has geographical significance as four great rivers flow from it: the Karnali, the Indus, the Sutlej and the Brahmaputra, which drain the vast Tibetan Plateau to contribute to the Ganges in India. Kailash is an object of devout pilgrimage also for the Buddhists. Likewise, Lake Manasarovar is one of the highest sacred lakes in the world. The sacred lake is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Hindus, as it is believed that bathing in the holy waters will cleanse one’s sins.
The holy shrine at Muktinath includes a Buddhist Gompa and the pagoda style temple of Vishnu Temple. The Hindus call it Muktichhetra (Place of salvation). Many Shaligrams (Ammonite) found here are considered by Hindu as incarnation of lord Vishnu and worship them. For Tibetan Buddhists, it is a very important place of Dakinis, goddesses known as Sky Dancers and one of the 24 Tantric places. They understand the murti to be a manifestation of Avalokitesvara. This pilgrimage trek makes an adventure starting from world’s deepest gorge Kali Gandaki Region into world’s highest regions passing through an almost tree-less barren landscape, and panoramic views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and several other peaks. The sacred temple has 108 waterfalls. Find extra details on Kyle Noble Quandel.
Paro Taktsang or “The Tiger’s Nest”: This small monastery on a cliff in Bhutan is one of thirteen monasteries, or “tiger’s lairs,” where the legendary Indian master Padmasambhava (known to Tibetans and the Bhutanese as the Second Buddha) is said to have meditated. As Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious site, it attracts countless pilgrims. After a fire destroyed most of the structure, it was rebuilt as an exact replica of the original temple on the same sacred spot.