Dakshinkali Temple Tours and Activities

Dakshinkali Temple, 14 miles (22 kilometers) south of central Kathmandu and on the edge of the Kathmandu Valley, is a sacred Hindu temple famous for one thing. Twice a week, male goats and roosters are sacrificed here to the goddess Kali, who is said to be hungry for blood. Visitors can watch this event at the temple in the hills.
The Basics
Dakshinkali Temple is the most important Kali temple in Nepal. Kali is the Hindu goddess of empowerment, time, and change. Her name refers to the color black, kalo in Nepali, and she is often called Dark Mother. Devout Hindus believe that bloodthirsty Kali needs biweekly sacrifices. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, worshippers bring animals to the temple where they are killed and butchered. The meat is either taken home or cooked and eaten at the temple.
Travelers often visit Dakshinkali Temple on a day trip from Kathmandu that might include visiting nearby Pharping and Chobhar, too. Alternatively, Pharping is a good place to check out when hiking up Mount Champadevi.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple building itself.
- Be respectful of devotees when taking photos and watching the sacrifices as it’s a sacred ritual to believers.
- Those squeamish about blood might want to skip this temple, but travelers interested in learning more about traditional Nepali beliefs and customs will find it fascinating.
- There is no entry fee.
How to Get There
Local buses run to Dakshinkali from central Kathmandu’s Old Bus Park and Ratna Park (with additional buses running on Tuesday and Saturday to accommodate the extra visitors), and the trip takes about two hours. Alternatively, join a day trip with transportation included, or hire a taxi to take you to Dakshinkali.
When to Get There
The animal sacrifices are made on Tuesday and Saturday, so expect the temple to be crowded at these times. Saturday, the Nepali day of rest, is the busiest time to visit. It is also busy during the annual Dashain festival, Nepal’s biggest Hindu festival, which falls in September or October.
Visit Pharping
The town of Pharping is about half a mile (one kilometer) from Dakshinkali, and some tours visit both areas. Pharping offers views of bright green rice fields, through which you can take a short hike. Pharping is holy to Tibetan Buddhists who believe it is where Guru Rinpoche attained enlightenment. There are some important temples and meditation caves to visit, as well as golden-roofed monasteries in the hills around the town.
Address: Kathmandu, Nepal
7 Tours and Activities to Experience Dakshinkali Temple
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Pharping, Dakshinkali, Taudhaha Lake and Chobar Day Tour with Lunch
Discover Nepal’s rich religious traditions on this cultural private tour to Pharping, a sacred site for Tibetan Buddhists, and Dakshinkali Temple, dedicated to the bloodthirsty Hindu goddess Kali. Your private guide will explain local etiquette and lore as you visit cave temples, tantric temples, the Chobhar Gorge, and so much more. For ease, your day includes lunch and private 2-way transfers direct from your Kathmandu hotel.
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From
$83.00
Price varies by group size
From
$83.00
Price varies by group size

Kathmandu Cycling Tour - One Day
One Day Kathmandu cycling tour provides an opportunity to experience the rich culture of Kathmandu which is filled with ancient temple and monastery. During cycling tour you will also enjoy exploring local village and birding at Taudha lake.
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From
$135.00
From
$135.00

6 Days-Exclusive Kathmandu Valley Cultural Tour
Prepare for an all cultural experience inside the Kathmandu Valley exploring many religious, historical and cultural landmarks. You will travel to some of the most spectacular destinations bestowed with age-old culture and traditions. Discover traditional architectures, arts and craftsmanship of the valley locals and visit to medieval cities. The tour visits numerous temples, monasteries, stupas, shrines and you will also have a nice opportunity to watch the day to day lives of the people living inside the Kathmandu Valley.
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From
$844.34
From
$844.34
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Full Day Dakshinkali temple, Pharping and Newari Town Kirtipur Day Trip
Ever wonder to visit less crowded but equally worthy spot near Kathmandu, book this with the experienced tour guide, private Hotel pick up and drop off and only actual sightseeing in a sharing basis.
Pharping, is the sacred site of Yangleshö, famous for both Hinduism and Buddhism where Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche, known as lotus born God who spread Tibetan Buddhism in Tibeat) attained the level of Mahamudra vidyadhara.
Other important religious sites are Vajrayogini temple, Shesnarayan temple, Gorakhnath temple and self-arising Ganesh near Asura Cave.
Further south lays Dakshinkali temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. Devotees sacrifice chickens, goats, sheep and many more as an offering to the goddess. Dakshinkali is famous as a blood thirsty incarnation of goddess Parvati, consort of Shiva.
Come to Kirtipur for exquisite architecture, hilltop temples, and sweeping city views. Kirtipur offers some of the finest views of sprawling Kathmandu and the hills and mountains beyond.
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From
$60.00
Price varies by group size
From
$60.00
Price varies by group size

Escorted Full Day Pharping, Dakshinkali and Kirtipur Day Trip with Newari Lunch
Pharping, is known as the sacred site of Yangleshö, famous for both Hinduism and Buddhism where Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche, known as lotus born God who spread Tibetan Buddhism in Tibeat) attained the level of Mahamudra vidyadhara. Other important religious sites are Vajrayogini temple, Shesnarayan temple, Gorakhnath temple and self-arising Ganesh near Asura Cave. Further south lays Dakshinkali temple, the temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. Devotees sacrifice chickens, goats, sheep and many more as an offering to the goddess. Dakshinkali is famous as a blood thirsty incarnation of goddess Parvati, consort of Shiva.
Kirtipur is thought to be one of the oldest settlements in the valley. Come to Kirtipur for exquisite architecture, hilltop temples, and sweeping city views. Wandering around its winding streets feels like walking through a traditional Nepali village, yet Kirtipur offers some of the finest views of sprawling Kathmandu and the hills and mountains beyond.
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From
$87.00
Price varies by group size
From
$87.00
Price varies by group size

Private Tour of dreadful Kali, spiritual day trip in Kathmandu
1
Kali is known as wife of Lord Shiva. Kali is another form of Parbati, is very dreadful Goddess. Devotees of Kali sacrifice the Male goat at the temple. The best day to worship Kali is Tuesday or Saturday. Most of devotees of Kali go to temple on Saturday to worship.
The area of Kali Temple is mixed with Hindus, Buddhists and Christians. so you van enjoy the mixed culture of Nepali people at the same place.
It's more like a sabbatical break trip for those who has keen interest on culture, it's practice. To feel the symbolic meaning of culture and the nature, this trip is very interesting.
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From
$104.67
per group
From
$104.67
per group

Kathmandu World Heritage Sites with Pharping and Dakshinkali Tour
1
This tour is specially designed for the travel lovers who have got limited time bound and wants to explore all the major historical ancient places of Kathmandu as well as Pharping, Dakshinkali and Chobar. The tour covers UNESCO listed World Heritage sites of Kathmandu Valley which includes Pashupatinath temple one of the holy place of Hindu religion, Boudanath Stupa the biggest Stupa in Nepal, Swayambhunath Stupa known as monkey temple and Kathmandu Durbar Square once the royal palace of Nepal.
Pharping sacred site of Yangleshö, where Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche who spread Tibetan Buddhism in Tibeat) attained the level of Mahamudra vidyadhara. Other important religious sites are Vajrayogini temple, Shesnarayan temple, Gorakhnath temple and self-arising Ganesh near Asura Cave. Further south lays Dakshinkali temple, the temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. It is believed that Manjushree cut out the hill near Chobhar and drained away the waters to establish a habitable land.
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From
$150.00
Price varies by group size
From
$150.00
Price varies by group size
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