Sankhu, home to the Bajrayogini Temple, is a classical Newari town on the eastern outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley. It is a famous pilgrimage site for the Newari Buddhists. Also, it is a popular site for hiking in Kathmandu valley.
It was the formerly used Tibet trading route (Lhasa). Bajrayogini, Pukhulachhi, and Suntol are the three former V.D.C.s that make up the municipality of Sankhu. Sankhu has four gates, each of which serves a particular purpose. One of them is to carry the goddess from the temple into Snkhu, bring the bride to the groom's house, send the daughter after the wedding, and remove the body of a deceased person from Sankhu for burning or burial. The main attractions in Sankhu include the Milarepa Meditation Caves, Sankhu town, Sankhu fort, Sankhu Jatra, Sali River, Sankhu Sikar Bajrayogini shrine, and Sankhu Jatra.
Before the Malla Dynasty in Nepal, there was a claim of a separate kingdom called Sankhu. The Durbar square (Layaku) still exists. One of Sankhu's guises is the shrine dedicated to Bajrayogini (also known as Khadgayogini).
We can see the sunrise, sunset, and mountain ranges from Nagarkot. It is 32 kilometers east of Kathmandu and 2175 meters above sea level. From here, one can view all of the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna, Langtang, Choba Bhamre, Gaurishanker, Number Karyolung, etc.
Program ( 1 Day )
Sankhu Nagarkot Hike
The drive from Kathmandu to Sankhu takes about an hour. We park our vehicle in Sankhu and start our hike towards the Bajrayogini Temple. The Bajrayogini temple sits in the middle of the hill. You can also check out the famous Siddha cave near the temple.
After exploring the temple, we make our way toward Nagarkot. The total duration of the hike is about three to five hours.
We can end our short hike in Nagarkot or make our way back to Sankhu. Nagarkot is famous for its tranquil environment and a clear view of the Himalayan range. There are many resorts in Nagarkot that cater to luxurious and budget-friendly stays. Moreover, a night's stay at Nagarkot can help you replenish your mind and soul.