About Kailashnath Mahadev


Located beyond Bhaktapur city, 20km from Kathmandu city, just before the village of Sanga.

Kailashnath Mahadev statue near Bhaktapur
Kailashnath Mahadev statue near Bhaktapur
The Kailashnath Mahadev Statue (कैलाशनाथ महादेव) is the world's tallest statue of the Hindu god Shiva, standing at 143ft/44m. It is also the world's second tallest Hindu statue.

Built between 2004 and 2011 with funding from Indian-born Kamal Jain, who now resides in Nepal, the project required a weekly team of engineers to secure the hilltop location. The statue is primarily constructed from concrete, with copper, zinc, and steel used as well.

The Kailashnath Mahadev Statue is highly popular with Hindus from both Nepal and India, although claims of 5,000 to 10,000 visitors per week are dubious. However, weekends do see a significant influx of visitors.

Did you know?

Kamal Jain also owns the adjoining Hilltake spa and resort, which is the only nearby accommodation.

Environmental Concerns at Kailashnath Mahadev Statue


The majestic Kailashnath Mahadev Statue stands tall, but the surrounding hill presents a worrying picture. Once pristine, it is now marred by giant advertisements driven by domestic tourism. These intrusive billboards clash with the serene environment and raise concerns about their impact on the local ecosystem.

International visitors often express disappointment as the advertisements detract from the grandeur of the statue. Even more concerning are the potential environmental consequences. These large signs may harm the hill's trees, wildlife, and delicate fauna.

Nestled below this visual cacophony lies Kathmandu Fun Valley, a water park and fun fair buzzing with local weekend crowds, mostly arriving by car. While it offers leisure options, its environmental impact adds to the growing concerns.


What is there to see at the Kailashnath Mahadev Statue?


For most tourists there's not a lot to see at the statue. While tall, you cannot climb up the statue. There's a small garden surrounding it. There is also a set of steps leading up to the statue that contain 12 Shiva lingams including the Kailashnath Mahadev Shiva lingam.

The statue is mainly popular with Hindu tourists due to the religious and cultural aspect of the statue and the surrounding area.

The statue is easily visible on the main road from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur where most tourists simply admire it from a distance. It's certainly worth keeping a look out for it. Taking a private tour to the statue is probably of little interest to anyone other than for religious proposes. Or, for those looking to partake in the nearby spa.

 


Entrance Fee


While there is no official entrance fee for Kailashnath Mahadev Statue, there are some catches. If you enter from the easy-to-reach Hilltake Spa and Resort side to the rear of the statue, you will be charged 100 rupees. This charge is for admission to the resort's "parking" and "amusement park" entrance fee.

Meanwhile, if you take the broken path to the left of the resort to the front of the statue, there's meant to be no entrance fee at the gate into the statue. However, if you ask anyone at the gate, they'll charge 25 rupees. It's best not to say anything and just walk on in.

Opening hours: 7:30am-6pm. However, you can walk up for sunrise if you park outside the parking area.


Directions to Kailashnath Mahadev


By taxi: A short taxi ride from Bhaktapur is the easiest form of transport. It will cost around 800 rupees. From Kathmandu it's over an hour away with good traffic at a cost of around 2000 rupees.

By bus: from Kathmandu’s Ratna bus park catch a bus heading to Sanga (80 rupees), you need to tell the driver or ticket collector you want to be dropped off at “Shiva Statue. Kailashnath Mahadev” or “Hilltake resort”. A second option is to take a bus to Bhaktapur and transfer there to a local Sanga bound bus. In either case you will have to walk up the hill to the statue from the road.

Map to Kailashnath Mahadev Statue


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