pharping: around 10 kms from kathmandu lies pharping, an important pilgrimage site for buddhists. it lies on the way to dakhinkali. key places of interest around here include:

• dakshinkali temple: dedicated to the hindu goddess kali, it is one of the most popular places of worship in kathmandu. it is located southwest of kathmandu which is about forty-five minutes’ (22 kms) drive from kathmandu and about a kilometre from the village of pharping. non-hindus are not allowed to enter the building of main deity. the shrine is especially crowded on tuesdays and saturdays when animal sacrifices are offered. this place is also a popular picnic spot
• bajrayogini temple: 17^th century newari styled temple dedicated to tantric goddess bajra yogini.
• drolma lhakhang: shrine sacred to hindus and buddhists which is dedicated to goddess tara.
• guru rimpoche caves: there are two main caves in this area. the lower yanglesho cave is controlled by local hindus for whom it is an important place to worship vishnu. the upper asura cave has a monastery built around it which was constructed by the great master tulku orgyen.
• shekha narayan or shesh narayan temple: situated between chobar and dakshinkali, the temple of shekha narayan is one of the four narayan temples in kathmandu valley. the other three narayans are – changu narayan of bhaktapur, visankhu narayan of patan and ichangu narayan of kathmandu. it is around 20 kms from kathmandu close to village pharping.
• taudaha lake: located 6 km south from kathmandu’s balkhu on the way to dakhinkali, this place offers huge tourist potential. literarily “ta” stands for snake and “daha” village. this is largest natural lake in kathmandu valley. according to locals, boating is not allowed in the lake because it is inhabited by the serpent god or “nag”. restaurants around the lake serve the tourists. amused tourist can be seen feeding the fish and taking photographs.