Where is Budhanilkantha?

Budhanilkantha is in Kathmandu district, Bagmati Province, in the Pahad belt of Nepal.

What is the altitude of Budhanilkantha?

About 1,450 m (4,757 ft) above sea level.

How much does it cost to visit Budhanilkantha?

Budhanilkantha is in or right next to Kathmandu, so it is an easy day visit. Budget for a taxi there and back (about NPR 600–1,500, US$5–11) and meals (NPR 1,000–2,500, US$8–19 per person). If you stay in Kathmandu, rooms cost about NPR 1,500 / US$11–NPR 4,500 / US$33 a night.

How many days do I need for Budhanilkantha?

Half a day to a full day is enough; it is a short ride from central Kathmandu.

Do I need a permit or ticket for Budhanilkantha?

No special permit or ticket is normally needed.

When is the best time to visit Budhanilkantha?

Year-round; Haribodhini Ekadashi (Kartik)

How do I get to Budhanilkantha?

30–45 minutes north of central Kathmandu. It is about 8 km (straight line) from Kathmandu.

Budhanilkantha

Name: Budhanilkantha
Address: Kathmandu, Bagmati Province, NP

Temple & shrine Pahad1 min readUpdated: October 2026

In Nepali: बूढानीलकण्ठ

Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu — Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A 5-metre stone Vishnu reclining on a bed of serpents in a pond, carved in the Licchavi period.

At the foot of Shivapuri hill, a single block of black stone carved as Vishnu sleeping on the coils of the cosmic serpent Ananta lies in a small tank of water. It dates from around the 7th century, in the Licchavi period, and is the largest stone sculpture in the valley.

Priests bathe and dress the image each morning. The biggest fair is at Haribodhini Ekadashi in Kartik, when Vishnu is believed to wake from his four-month sleep. Nepal's kings traditionally never visited, following a prophecy.

What to see and do

Watch the morning puja when priests bathe and anoint the reclining Vishnu, and see devotees offer flowers and rice. The image lies in a small tank reached by a walkway (for Hindus). The temple is also revered by Buddhists, who see the figure as Avalokiteshvara.

From here, trails climb into Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, making it easy to combine a temple visit with a forest hike.

Good to know

Non-Hindus can view the image from the edge of the tank. Early morning is the best time. It is busy on Ekadashi days and during the Haribodhini Ekadashi fair.

Quick answers

Where is Budhanilkantha?: Budhanilkantha is in Kathmandu district, Bagmati Province, in the Pahad belt of Nepal.
What is the altitude of Budhanilkantha?: About 1,450 m (4,757 ft) above sea level.
How much does it cost to visit Budhanilkantha?: Budhanilkantha is in or right next to Kathmandu, so it is an easy day visit. Budget for a taxi there and back (about NPR 600–1,500, US$5–11) and meals (NPR 1,000–2,500, US$8–19 per person). If you stay in Kathmandu, rooms cost about NPR 1,500 / US$11–NPR 4,500 / US$33 a night.
How many days do I need for Budhanilkantha?: Half a day to a full day is enough; it is a short ride from central Kathmandu.
Do I need a permit or ticket for Budhanilkantha?: No special permit or ticket is normally needed.
When is the best time to visit Budhanilkantha?: Year-round; Haribodhini Ekadashi (Kartik)
How do I get to Budhanilkantha?: 30–45 minutes north of central Kathmandu. It is about 8 km (straight line) from Kathmandu.
What is Budhanilkantha called in Nepali?: बूढानीलकण्ठ