Etiquettes at pilgrimage centres

Etiquettes to visit Buddhist Viharas, Monasteries and Hindu Temples in Nepal

There are number of Buddhist Viharas, Monasteries and innumerable deities in the Hindu religion in Nepal. If you are planning to visit inside, please follow these general codes of conducts.

1. People from all around the world are allowed to enter inside Buddhist Viharas and monasteries.

2. Be aware that Hindu temples generally do not allow non Hindu visitor. Please take permission from local guthi (Office) before entry.

3. Devotees can offer various things such as flowers, fruit, coconut, sweets, candle, oil lamp, incenses etc. Hindu pilgrims believe these things will please the Gods and in return god will fulfill their wishes.

4. Remove your footwear outside the viharas, monasteries and temple.

5. Leave your leather jacket, belt, leather goods outside the Hindu temple.

6. Many temples have separate queues for men and women, and you will have to follow it accordingly for Darshan.

7. If you have something to offer to the deity, hand it over to the priest. If the priest gives you anything, accept it with your right hand (avoid taking or giving anything with the left hand). Generally they give “Jal” sacred water, 'prasad' or something edible to eat. Jal & Prasad are considered holy. Do not eat prasad at temple premises.

8. When you finally see the idol as close as you can, join the palms of your hands near the heart into a Namaskar and bow. This is the best minimum you can do in the form of a respectful gesture.

9. Do not attempt to touch any single statues and deities at the temple premises. Keep a descent distance.

10. Photography is restricted in many temples and monasteries. Take permission from the local authority before taking any picture. Watch out for its rules, there may be written outside on notice boards. “Photography prohibited”

11. If you feel like donating, fold the bills and put them with your right hand in the donation box. But remember that no matter how many others are donating or in what quantities, donations are never compulsory and you are never obliged to give any cash.

12. Do respect to the social norms, do not expose your body during temple and monasteries visit. Avoid mini skirt, micro skirt in monasteries and temples.