Chilanchu Vihara

Around the Kathmandu Valley


Built in 1515, this stately stupa crowns the hilltop. The harmika (square tower) above the dome was painted a rich blue, but it was removed for repairs after the 2015 earthquake and had not been reinstated when we last visited. The main stupa is surrounded by a garden of chaitya and fronted by a giant dorje (thunderbolt) symbol. To get here, go behind the Lohan Dehar temple, take a left down the narrow passageway and follow the alleyway down to the stupa.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Around the Kathmandu Valley attractions

1. Lohan Dehar

0.07 MILES

From the main square, take a turn right, exiting at the southeast corner of the square to reach the 16th-century stone shikhara-style Lohan Dehar…

2. Main Square

0.17 MILES

Ringed by the former residences of the royal family of Kirtipur, many showing some signs of earthquake damage, this square is now a popular hang-out for…

3. Bagh Bhairab Temple

0.19 MILES

In a courtyard off the north side of the main square, the imposing Bhairab Temple features an incredible armoury of tulwars (swords) and shields belonging…

4. Nagar Mandap Sri Kirti Vihar

0.25 MILES

At the bottom of the hill, follow the left fork of the main road around the base of the hill to this classic Thai-style wat (Buddhist monastery)…

5. Uma Maheshwar Temple

0.28 MILES

From the main square, head west through the village to a Ganesh shrine and a stone stairway that climbs to the triple-roofed Uma Maheshwar Temple. It’s…

6. Adinath Lokeshwar Temple

1.12 MILES

In the village of Chobar is (or was) the curious Adinath Lokeshwar Temple, originally built in the 15th century. The three-tiered Newari temple and its…

7. Manjushree Park

1.48 MILES

Manjushree Park is the result of a project to repair the damage created by a now-defunct cement factory, which scarred the landscape of Chobar Gorge,…

8. Jal Binayak Temple

1.59 MILES

Built in 1602, Jal Binayak Temple is one of the valley’s most important Ganesh shrines. There was quite some damage from the 2015 earthquake and…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "nepal/around-the-kathmandu-valley/kirtipur/attractions/chilanchu-vihara/a/poi-sig/1432618/357131",
      "destination": "Around-the-Kathmandu-Valley",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "Nepal",
      "region": "Around-the-Kathmandu-Valley",
      "position": "superzone"
    }