Panauti Travel Guide

A Hidden Capital

Diverging off of the dusty busy highway which cuts through Nepal, Panauti is a historic Newar town lost in time. While the sprawling cities of Bhaktapur, Patan, and Kathmandu have become economic and political hubs. Panauti never truly extended itself beyond the banks of the Punyamata and Roshi Rivers. Therefore preserving most of its stunning architecture and ancient culture.

If you are wanting to get a glimpse of what an unspoiled medieval Nepali town would look like, traveling to Panauti should definitely be on your itinerary. In other tourist hubs in the valley, you will be plagued with hawkers, crowds, and tour groups. Travelers in Panauti will virtually have the entire old city to themselves, transporting them to a time of ancient temples and vibrant traditions.

Looking to travel to Bhaktapur? Read more on their biggest festival here!

Getting to Panauti

The Araniko Highway is a concrete link connecting Nepal’s capital to the Himalayan border town of Kodari. It is along this congested road that you will find some of the busiest centers in the whole country. After passing through Bhaktapur and reaching the town of Banepa, a right turn will take you off of the smooth highway and on to the bumpy roads taking you straight to the historic town of Panauti.

From Kathmandu, you can find buses to Panauti at Ratna Park Bus Station. Buses typically run every 15 min and cost 60 rupees (0.50 USD). The total journey will only take about 1.5 hours and drop you off in the central Panauti bus station. Another option is to first take a bus to Banepa then transferring to a bus to Panauti. Along the Araniko Highway, it is quite easy to flag down transportation to take you between Panauti and Kathmandu.

You can get more info on buses in Kathmandu here!

Tribeni Ghat

Without a doubt, Panauti’s Tribeni Ghat is the center of history and culture in the city. Traditional Newar pagodas raise above the traditional brick and wood houses which make up the old town. Festivals and rituals are weekly held among the towering temples and winding alleyways. Whenever there is a procession in Panauti, you can be sure that it either began or ended at Tribeni Ghat.

For those who are familiar with South Asian culture, rivers exist as a place for life and worship. At Panauti’s Tribeni Ghat you will find devotees placing offerings into the river, cleansing themselves in the water, and even cremating their dead by the banks.

Be sure to check out the bi-monthly aarati puja in Panauti! Read more here!

Pilgrim’s Rest House

The three major pagodas which peek out above the Panauti skyline is the Brahmayan Temple (located on the other side of the river), the Krishna Temple, and the Indreshwar Temple (the largest of the three). These three towers barely scratch the surface of the number of stupas, shrines, and temples located in Panauti’s old town.

At the center of the peninsula, where the two rivers converge, you will find the Pilgrim’s Rest House. It is here where you will find wander sadhus and priests lazily lounging about and smoking ganja. Especially during holidays, the entire ghat and surrounding temples will attract holy men from all throughout the valley. Without tons of crowds, you are sure to have the chance to get up close and personal to true Nepali culture.

You can read a detailed guide to Panauti here!

The Heart of Panauti

Panauti is nowhere near as massive as the sprawling metropolis’ of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. This small valley town does, however, encompass all the things that make a Nepali city mesmerizing. It is not the chaotic streets and sea of people that will make you fall in love with Nepal’s cities. It is the labyrinth of alleyways and courtyards that offer peace and quiet in the midst of the madness that will have you out exploring the concrete jungle day after day.

In a place such as Kathmandu, you will feel as if you are in the eye of a raging hurricane once you step into one of the tranquil courtyards which are sprinkled around the city. Panauti, on the other hand, has a certain calm in the air which hangs over the entire old city. From the secret courtyards to the temple steps, you will practically have your run of the entire town!

You can read more on Panauti here!

Sorhakutte Square

Although considered the center of old Panauti, Sorhakutte Square is one of those places hiding in plain sight. Without knowing where you are going, travelers are sure to walk right past this peaceful enclave tucked into the heart of the brink mass of buildings downtown.

Sorhakutte Square is simple. A wooden pavilion where old men perch to play cards and an egg white stupa which dominants the courtyard. Here you can lean against one of the elaborately decorated pillars of the gazebo, sip on milk tea, and watch life pass by.

Although the old town of Panauti cannot be called large by any stretch of the imagination, travelers can still spend hours exploring all the back alleys and plazas that are hidden throughout the city.

Prince Mahasatwo and the Tigers

One of the major attractions which brings tourists to Panauti is its proximity to Namo Buddha Monastery. From this temple’s roost on the top of a mountain roughly two hours from Panauti you will be amongst hundreds of monks studying and praying in the shadow of the Himalayas.

The founding of this breathtaking temple is based on a myth of self-sacrifice and enlightenment. It is said that a young prince named Mahasatwo gave his own life to feed a starving tigress and her cubs. This selfless act elevated Mahasatwo to the status of being a Buddha and has attracted devotees to the place of his death for centuries to come.

In one of the many secretive squares hidden away in the old town of Panauti, you can actually find the birthplace of this Prince turned Buddha. After stepping through a dark passageway cut through the middle of a housing block, Mahasatwo’s modest stupa and prayer wheels stand forgotten except to curious travelers and locals who call this courtyard home.

Looking to get out of the city? Read about hiking to Namo Buddha Monastery from Panauti here!

The Best View of Panauti

An endless amount of green hills and mountain peaks surround the town of Panauti. Tucked into the middle of this breathtaking valley, you may be wondering where can you get the best view of the city and its temples. From Namo Buddha, you can get a full view of all of the fields and villages that make Panauti special. Due to the monastery being two hours away, the town of Panauti is lost in the distant haze. The place to best get an aerial view of the old town is actually just minutes away from the city’s most famous temples.

Across the Punyamata river, on the opposite side of the ghat, lays Goraknath Hill. Many laughing children and young couples looking to steal a kiss can be found on the side of this dreadfully steep hill. Despite the crowds, you are sure to still find an amazing view of the entire city of Panauti.

You can read about Panauti’s many festivals here!

Goraknath Temple

Unfortunately, from the top Goraknath Hill, you will not find a panoramic view of the entire town of Panauti and the surrounding emerald countryside. At its peak, there are many trees obstructing the view of the city below. While the view may be disappointing, the trees represent a return to life to the once barren hill. It was just a few decades ago that the entire face of the hill was stripped of all vegetation what so ever.

Other than the tall trees, a modest temple stands at the center of Gorakanth Hill. This shrine to Lord Shiva is nowhere near as spectacular as the pagodas below, but it is home to many wandering sadhus and priests. At one time a holy man was famous for standing at this temple for decades without ever taking a rest. Since the sadhu’s death several years back, Goraknath Hill has been a pilgrimage spot for priests and devotees alike.

Looking to see some old pictures of Panauti? Click here!

Escaping to the Country

Other than the deserted historic Newar district in Panauti, one of the obvious pulls of this town is it’s proximity to the Nepali countryside. Many travelers will spend loads of money for the chance to embark on trecks and explore some of the more remote, rustic parts of the country. While Panauti doesn’t have any snow-capped mountains nearby, you will still find an abundance of green fields, rivers, and waterfalls in the valley.

The old town of Panauti transforms into an endless view of farmland as soon as you cross the bridge over one of the rivers the city is situated on. After stepping outside of the busy main streets of downtown, the town transforms into a land of striking natural beauty and sleepy hamlets. The great things about Panauti is that you can explore all the beauty of rural Nepal without having to venture too far away from the comforts of the city.

One of the most beautiful places you can check out near Panauti is Balthali! Read more here!

Lost in Time

Although just a mere 30 km from the roaring highway connecting the largest cities in Kathmandu Valley, Panauti is a remote enclave where time works at its own pace. As you depart from the madness of urban Nepal and roll down the winding road towards Panauti you feel as if you are being transported to a place which exists completely outside of the confines of the rest of the country.

The green fields, jungles, mountains, and temples are all within a reasonable walking distance from each other. This means that on any day you can just grab your backpack and take off to the hiking trails knowing you are sure to discover something new before dinner time. Above all else, Panauti is a place which will make you wish that your life moved as slowly as time does in the valley. If so, then maybe you could spend just a little more time in this memorable city.