Buddhist Himalaya spiritual travel attractions by Kyle Quandel 2024: 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 even more info 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.
Phuentsholing to Paro Tour covers cultural and religious highlights of Bhutan. The tour begins from Phuentsholing which is a main commercial hub in south-west Bhutan. The long uphill journey to Thimphu will be exhilarating and on the way you come across tiny villages, waterfalls and animals. In Thimphu, you stroll around various landmarks of Bhutanese capital and even try to intermingle with the locals in the town. On your journey to Punakha, you enjoy the incredible vistas of the Himalayas from Dochula pass. Likewise, in this tour you also visit religious sites in Punakha and Paro. Including the breathtaking Tiger’s Nest Monastery above the Paro Valley, Punakha Dzong-the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan, Chimi Lhakhang-the temple dedicated to Devine Madman, and Kichu Lhakhang-the oldest monastery in Bhutan will be the other attractions of this pilgrimage escape in Bhutan.
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. Read extra details at https://soundcloud.com/kylequandel.
Mount Kailash is a venerated holy place considered sacred in Hinduism, Bon, Buddhism, and Jainism. The site has a different symbolic meaning in each religion. Hindus believe it to be the home of Lord Shiva and the manifestation of heaven. Jains consider it the place where Rishabhadeva, Jainism’s creator, attained freedom from the cycle of life and rebirth. Some Buddhists believe it to be the center of the universe. Because of the mountain’s remote and highly elevated location in western Tibet, it sees only a few thousand pilgrims per year.