Sacred Excursion, Trails & Himalayan Heritage Escape

Duration: 2 Nights / 3 Days

A thoughtfully curated journey blending cultural heritage, sacred sites, nature walks, wellness, and countryside relaxation in the hills above Kathmandu.

Sankhu (historically known as Shankharapur) is an ancient Newari town located about 17 km northeast of Kathmandu. It is one of the oldest known urban settlements in the Kathmandu Valley and was once a wealthy commercial hub along the historic trade route between Kathmandu and Lhasa (Tibet).

Mythological “Conch” Design
* Unique Layout: The town is famously designed in the shape of a Shankha (conch shell). Legend says the goddess Bajrayogini instructed King Sankhadev to build it this way to symbolize purity.
* The Ritual Gates: Historically, five (originally eight) gates defined the town’s boundaries, each serving a specific life-cycle ritual:
* Bhau Dhwakha (Bride Gate): Used for welcoming new brides into the town.
* Mhyamachaa Dhwakha (Daughter Gate):Used to bid farewell to daughters moving away after marriage.
* Dya Dhwakha (God Gate): Reserved for religious processions and chariots.
* Si Dhwakha (Death Gate): Used exclusively for carrying out the dead for cremation.
* Naari Dhwakha: Historically used for agricultural movement and access to the river.

Spiritual Significance:
* Salinadi River: The banks of the Salinadi are a major pilgrimage site. Every year during the month of Magh (Jan/Feb), thousands of devotees perform the Swasthani Vrata, a month-long fast and ritual bathing tradition.
* Bajrayogini Link: The town acts as the gateway to the sacred Bajrayogini temple complex on the hill above, where a famous eight-day festival (Jatra)is held every April.
* Living Museum: Due to its medieval character and narrow red-brick streets, it is currently on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

Recovery from the 2015 Earthquake
Sankhu was one of the towns most severely affected by the 2015 earthquake, with over 65% of its historic buildings destroyed. In recent years, there has been a significant “Revival of Sankhu” project to rebuild homes and temples using traditional Newari methods to preserve its “Living Museum” status.

Manichud Daha (Pond) is a peaceful freshwater lake at about 2,400 meters inside Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park near Sankhu. Surrounded by oak and pine forests, it is a popular day-hike destination with spiritual, cultural, and natural significance.

Bajrayogini Temple (also known as the Sankhu Vajrayogini Temple) is a historic Tantric temple complex located on the forested Manichuda hill, about 20 km northeast of Kathmandu near the town of Sankhu. It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the Kathmandu Valley, uniquely revered by both Hindus and Buddhists

Religious & Historical Significance
* Tantric Deity: The main deity is Vajrayogini, a powerful female Tantric goddess representing enlightened wisdom and transformation.
* Dual Identity: Buddhists worship her as a form of Ugra Tara or Ekajati, while Hindus associate her with Parvati or the goddess of wisdom.
* Ancient Roots: Though the current three-story pagoda was built by King Pratap Malla in the 16th century, the site is much older, with inscriptions dating back to 538 CE.
* Mythology: Legend says the goddess used her curved knife to drain the lake that once filled the Sankhu Valley.

Key Features of the Complex
* Architecture: The main temple is a classic Newari pagoda style with bronze roofs and intricate wood carvings.
* The Idol: The central statue of the goddess features a striking red face and three eyes.
* Sacred Caves: The area is dotted with nine ancient caves, including the Dharma Pap Gupha(Cave of Virtue and Sin) and a chamber used by the famous Buddhist master Milarepa.
* Unique Stupa: One smaller temple on the site uniquely contains a Swayambhunath Stupainside its structure.
* Eternal Elements: The complex houses an “Eternal Fire” (Fire of the Kalpa) and a water basin that reportedly never dries up.