budhanilkantha: also known as narayan temple, it is located at the base of shivapuri hill about 9 kilometers away from the main city. the main deity here is of 5 meter long lord vishnu which is reclining on a bed of snakes. it literally means “old blue throat”. vishnu’s legs are crossed and the eleven heads of shesha (cosmic serpent) cradle his head. his four hands hold objects that are symbols of his qualities: a chakra or disc, a conch-shell, a lotus flower  and the club. only hindus are allowed to walk down the steps and touch his feet. there are other two sets of exactly similar, but smaller replicas – balaju garden and other at hanuman dhoka palace.