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Dakshinkali Devi YatraKali at Dakshinkali, and the Shakti Sites of Kathmandu

The Dakshinkali Devi Yatra is a 2-day pilgrimage by private vehicle from Kathmandu airport to Dakshinkali on the southern rim of the valley, then the Devi temples of Kathmandu from Guhyeshwari to Bhadrakali. You spend one night in Kathmandu with a pilgrimage guide, and a puja or sankalpa can be booked at the temples if you want one.

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Journey at a Glance

Duration
2 Days1 night in Kathmandu
Difficulty
EasyBy road, no trekking
Altitude
About 1,400 mKathmandu Valley
Departures
Year roundOn any date a group asks for
Group Size
2 to 25
Start and End
Kathmandu airportPrivate vehicle

Package Cost

USD138

per person

(Group of 21 or more)

2 to 11 travellers
$207
12 to 20 travellers
$173
21 and above
$138

Last updated

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Kali and the Kathmandu Shakti Tradition

What is the Dakshinkali Devi Yatra?

The Dakshinkali Devi Yatra is a 2-day pilgrimage centred on Dakshinkali, the temple of Kali at the southern edge of the Kathmandu Valley. Pilgrims come to Kali for courage and protection, and to make offerings at one of the best-known Kali temples in Nepal.

Dakshinkali means Kali of the south. The temple stands about 22 km from Kathmandu, just below the town of Pharping, in a wooded setting. The Nepal Tourism Board describes it as one of the most famous Shakti Peeths of Kathmandu and a centre of Tantric worship. It is at its busiest on Tuesdays and Saturdays and during Navaratri and Dashain, when animal sacrifices are made. Many Nepali families also come here to have a new vehicle blessed.

The second day follows the Shakti sites of the city. Guhyeshwari, on the Bagmati near Pashupatinath, is described by the Nepal Tourism Board as the most important Shakti Peeth in Nepal, where tradition holds that the hips or yoni of the goddess Sati fell. Maitidevi takes its name from maiti, a woman’s parental home. Sankata, in Te Bahal, is worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists to ward off misfortune. Bhadrakali, also called Lumadhi Bhadrakali, stands on the eastern side of Tundikhel in central Kathmandu.

Between the two days lies Kirtipur, an old Newar town on a ridge south-west of Kathmandu. The group visits the Bagh Bhairab temple, whose walls carry historic weapons, and the Buddhist Chilamchu Stupa, with the Uma-Maheshwar temple and Lohan Dega if time allows.

“Kali of the south, and the goddesses of the city.”

Before You Book

Who the Dakshinkali Devi Yatra Is For

This is the shorter and more devotional of the two Kathmandu Devi journeys. It suits Kali and Devi devotees, Shakti groups, temple organisations and pilgrims with only two days in Nepal. It is easy going: every temple is reached by private vehicle, there is no trekking, and Kathmandu sits at about 1,400 metres, so altitude is not a concern. It suits senior pilgrimage groups.

Your group chooses the day for Dakshinkali. On Tuesdays and Saturdays the temple is crowded and animal sacrifices are made; on other days it is quieter. Groups can also ask to come during Navaratri or Dashain, knowing the crowds and waiting times are far larger then. Animal sacrifice is not included in the package, and pilgrims may make their own permissible offerings according to the temple rules and their own tradition.

Dakshinkali on the first day depends on when you land. Ideally the group arrives in Kathmandu early in the morning. If a flight is late, Dakshinkali moves to the second day and the itinerary is rearranged, so nobody is rushed.

Sama Yatra is the pilgrimage arm of Trek Mania Nepal, based in Kathmandu. It runs Devi journeys to bring local knowledge and proper planning to shrines that are hard to arrange alone. The vehicle, hotel and meals are settled before you land, and any puja is booked through the temple priests. Sama Yatra gives 11% of the revenue from every journey to education, healthcare and community projects in the regions it travels through.

Indian citizens need no visa for Nepal. Other SAARC citizens receive a free tourist visa of up to 30 days on a first visit in a visa year. Everyone else buys a tourist visa, which cost USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days and USD 125 for 90 days as of September 2026.

Booking works the same way on every Devi yatra. A single pilgrim is quoted on request. A 30% deposit confirms the booking and the balance is due before arrival. Bookings cannot be cancelled, but the journey can be postponed for up to two years at the same cost. Children under 5 who share a room with their parents generally pay only for food and permits, and children aged 5 and over pay the adult price, with the exact child price confirmed on booking. Prices are published in US dollars; Indian pilgrims can receive the price in rupees at the exchange rate on the day of quotation, with any lower Indian rates applied. A single room and hotel upgrades are quoted on request.

Journey Highlights

  • Kali darshan at Dakshinkali
  • Puja, sankalpa and abhishek on request
  • Tuesday, Saturday or a quiet day
  • Kirtipur heritage
  • Satsang and spiritual talk

Detailed Itinerary

2 DaysDakshinkali and the Kathmandu Shakti sites

The 2 days at a glance
DayRouteOvernightTravel
Day 01Arrival, Dakshinkali and KirtipurKathmandu, about 1,400 mAbout 22 km by road to Dakshinkali
Day 02Guhyeshwari, Maitidevi, Sankata, Bhadrakali and departureDeparturePrivate vehicle, then airport transfer
  1. Day 01Arrival, Dakshinkali and Kirtipur

    Our representative meets the group at Kathmandu International Airport and takes you to your hotel in Kathmandu, at about 1,400 metres. After check-in and a rest, the drive of about 22 km to Dakshinkali on the southern rim of the valley, for darshan, prayer, personal worship, an orientation to the temple and time for meditation. On the way back, the historic area of Kirtipur for a Newari lunch with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, the Bagh Bhairab temple, the Chilamchu Stupa and a walk through the Newar streets, with Uma-Maheshwar and Lohan Dega if time allows. If your flight lands late, Dakshinkali moves to day two. Back in Kathmandu, optional group bhajan, kirtan, satsang and evening prayer before a vegetarian dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu. Lunch and dinner included.

  2. Day 02Guhyeshwari, Maitidevi, Sankata, Bhadrakali and departure

    After an early breakfast, Guhyeshwari on the Bagmati for darshan, prayer, personal worship and an orientation to the temple. Then Maitidevi for darshan and prayer, and Sankata in Te Bahal for darshan and devotional time, followed by a vegetarian lunch. The circuit ends at Bhadrakali on the eastern side of Tundikhel with darshan and prayer. Depending on your flight there may be time for another temple, personal prayer, shopping or rest before the transfer to Kathmandu International Airport. Breakfast and lunch included.

What's Included

  • Kathmandu airport pickup and departure transfer
  • Private tourist vehicle with a professional driver for Dakshinkali, Kirtipur and Kathmandu, including fuel, parking and road costs
  • 1 night in a standard 3-star Kathmandu hotel, twin or double sharing, with breakfast. Hotels are not fixed in advance, and you stay in one of a similar standard
  • English-speaking pilgrimage guide, with temple orientation, darshan assistance and group assistance
  • Lunch and dinner as listed in the itinerary, all vegetarian except the Newari lunch in Kirtipur, which offers vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, and drinking water on road journeys
  • Temple visit coordination, with puja and priest coordination on request

What's Not Included

  • Nepal tourist visa
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Dakshinkali and Guhyeshwari puja, sankalpa, abhishek, homa and yagna, priest fees and the spiritual talk, arranged on request and charged separately
  • Temple donations and personal offerings
  • Animal sacrifice
  • Single-room supplement and hotel upgrades, quoted on request
  • Laundry, alcoholic drinks, personal shopping and other personal expenses
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Camera and video fees where charged
  • Medical expenses and emergency evacuation
  • Any service not specifically listed as included

Before you book

Questions Travellers Ask

Which temples does the Dakshinkali Devi Yatra visit?

The Dakshinkali Devi Yatra visits Dakshinkali and Kirtipur on day one, and Guhyeshwari, Maitidevi, Sankata and Bhadrakali in Kathmandu on day two.

How far is Dakshinkali from Kathmandu?

Dakshinkali stands about 22 km from Kathmandu on the southern rim of the valley, below the town of Pharping. The yatra drives there by private vehicle.

Which days are animal sacrifices made at Dakshinkali?

Animal sacrifices at Dakshinkali are made especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays, when the temple is at its busiest, and during Dashain. Your group can choose one of those days or a quieter one.

Is animal sacrifice part of the Dakshinkali Devi Yatra?

No. Animal sacrifice is not included in the package. Pilgrims may make their own permissible offerings according to the temple rules and their own tradition.

How much does the Dakshinkali Devi Yatra cost?

The Dakshinkali Devi Yatra costs USD 207 per person for 2 to 11 pilgrims, USD 173 for 12 to 20 and USD 138 for 21 or more, with twin sharing in a standard 3-star hotel. A single pilgrim is quoted on request.

Can I visit Dakshinkali on the day I land in Kathmandu?

Yes, if your flight lands early in the morning. If it lands late, Dakshinkali moves to the second day and the itinerary is rearranged.

Can we arrange a puja at Dakshinkali or Guhyeshwari?

Yes. Sama Yatra can arrange a Dakshinkali puja, a Guhyeshwari puja, sankalpa and abhishek with a priest, and a spiritual talk on the Devi tradition, subject to temple and priest availability. These are charged separately.

Can I join the Dakshinkali Devi Yatra during Navaratri or Dashain?

Yes, the yatra runs year round on any date a group asks for, including Navaratri and Dashain. Expect much larger crowds and longer waits at Dakshinkali in those weeks.

Is the Dakshinkali Devi Yatra suitable for older pilgrims?

Yes. Every temple is reached by private vehicle, there is no trekking, and Kathmandu sits at about 1,400 metres. It suits senior pilgrimage groups.

Do I need a visa for Nepal for the Dakshinkali Devi Yatra?

Indian citizens need no visa for Nepal. Other SAARC citizens receive a free visa of up to 30 days on a first visit in a visa year, and everyone else pays USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days or USD 125 for 90 days, as of September 2026.

What is the booking and cancellation policy for the Dakshinkali Devi Yatra?

A 30% deposit confirms the booking, and the balance is due before arrival. Bookings cannot be cancelled, but the journey can be postponed for up to two years at the same cost.

Do children pay less on the Dakshinkali Devi Yatra?

Children under 5 who share a room with their parents generally pay only for food and permits. Children aged 5 and over pay the adult price. The exact child price is confirmed with each booking.

Traveller Reflections

The first reflections are still being written.

We publish what travellers tell us in their own words, once they have travelled. Nothing here is borrowed or invented.

2 Days with Kali at Dakshinkali.Plan your Dakshinkali Devi Yatra.

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