Namobuddha – Paunauti Hiking

Namobuddha- Panauti Hike is one of the easiest yet the most worthwhile hiking destinations surrounding the kathandu valley. Regarded as one of the most important pilgrimages for the Buddhist, the Namobuddha Stupa is located at a distinct height with voice of birds chirping and wind brushing the leaves encircling the area. 

The hike begins from Panauti which is a small village filled with flora and fauna and rice fields and ends up eventually in the beautiful and peaceful, Namobuddha Stupa. From the significance of Hindu to Buddhist pilgrimages, the Namobuddha-Panauti Hike shows unity in cultural diversity in a large aspect. 

About Namobuddha and Panauti 

Panauti is a small village located in 32 km southeast of Kathmandu. It is tucked away at the southern corner at the sacred convergence of Roshi Khola and Pungamati khola. Panauti is home to cattle rearing and rice fields. 

The small village has significant Hindu temples and provides a great insight of the entire village life near Kathmandu. The player flags all around the village and the ancient temples give a sense of belongingness and tranquility. 

Namobuddha on the other hand is regarded to be the third most significant pilgrimage for the Buddhists. The Namobuddha Monastery is home to 250 monks and thousands of pilgrims every year. 

The Route 

The starting point of the hike is Panauti located on the Southern side of the Kathmandu valley. Panauti can be reached from any public bus from Kathmandu. The entire hike from Panauti to Namobuddha is estimated to take 3 hours. You pass through rice fields and local plantation along the way from the village. 

After a two hour walk you reach a small village across a river. It leads to a monastery that lies at 1750 meter above the sea level. After 45 minutes of walk you reach the Namobuddha Stupa. After sightseeing you can move back to Dhulikhel or your respective destination. 

The Scenery 

Panauti offers a magnificent natural view of the greenery all around the village and also the ancient Hindu Temples with prayer flags hanging at many places. It is believed in ancient history that Namobuddha is the place where Buddha gave up his body. Thus stone sculptures of Buddha are seen in the Stupa. 

One of Buddha’s incarnation Mahasattva’s sculptures are also observed in the stupa. The stupa itself is not as big, but the vicinity that it is located in is large. The golden roof of Namobuddha Monastry is an example of excellent architecture.
 

Trip Highlights

• Panauti is a small village located in 32 km southeast of Kathmandu. It is tucked away at the southern corner at the sacred convergence of RoshiKhola and Pungamatikhola. Panauti is home to cattle rearing and rice fields.
• The small village has significant Hindu temples and provides a great insight of the entire village life near Kathmandu.
• The player flags all around the village and the ancient temples give a sense of belongingness and tranquility. Namobuddha on the other hand is regarded to be the third most significant pilgrimage for the Buddhists.