The brilliant white dome of Peace Temple Pokhara crests Ananda Hill in Nepal. Also known as the World Peace Pagoda, the shrine is dedicated to global friendship. Four alcoves of golden Buddhas preside over the mountainside. Each represents historic events in the life of the compassionate sage. Visitors from the world over receive blessings at this tranquil sanctuary.
At an elevation of 1100 meters, the pagoda offers sweeping views of the Annapurna mountain range and beautiful Phewa Lake. The sun’s rising and setting are especially stunning from the summit. The shrine has a height of 35 meters and is 105 meters wide. Its white colour symbolizes peace. Two staircases lead to the temple entrance, and two tiers of walkways circumvent the base. Visitors are asked to remove their shoes before treading the sacred steps.
Representing the divine mind of Lord Buddha, the temple enshrines His holy relics. According to Buddhist tradition, great merits are bestowed to those who encircle the shrine three times in a clockwise direction. Among the many boons said to be granted are long life, prosperity, and protection.
Peace Temple Pokhara was built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii, a Japanese Buddhist monk. After meeting Mahatma Gandhi in 1931, he dedicated his life to promoting nonviolence. In 1947, distraught by the devastation of World War II, the monk began a mission of building pagodas to encourage worldwide peace. Over the course of 50 years, 80 temples have been built throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States. Peace Temple Pokhara opened to the public in 1999.
Peace Temple Pokhara welcomes pilgrims daily from 5:30am-5:30pm. There are three means of access:
- Hire a taxi to the temple base. Cabs travel the road from Chhorepatan, involving a 25-minute drive. Fares range from 1,000-1,500 in Nepalese Rupees (NP). Then pilgrims hike a wooded incline up to the temple entrance.
- Take a mini-bus from Lakeside to Chhorepatan, followed by the paved trail up the hill to the pagoda. Bus fare is currently 5 NP.
- Hire a rowboat from Lakeside Pokhara, and hike from the south side of Phewa Lake. Prices for rowboat transport are posted at the Lakeside dock. Cost varies, but typical prices are 400 NP one way and 700 NP round-trip.
To return, visitors can retrace their route or walk past the temple to the main road. Alternatively, a footpath leads to Chhorepatan and along Pardi Bazaar. From there, a mini-bus heads back to Lakeside at a cost of 5 NP.
For safety, travel with a guide or as part of a group. Also, bring water, a hat, and hiking shoes. Don’t worry about getting famished. Food is available at restaurants along the route. The 3-meter trek up the stone steps takes roughly one hour to tread. Colourful flowers cheer guests along the way.
Smiling from its serene mountain peak, the shrine inspires unity. A trip to Peace Temple Pokhara is a life-changing pilgrimage.The brilliant white dome of Peace Temple Pokhara crests Ananda Hill in Nepal. Also known as the World Peace Pagoda, the shrine is dedicated to global friendship. Four alcoves of golden Buddhas preside over the mountainside. Each represents historic events in the life of the compassionate sage. Visitors from the world over receive blessings at this tranquil sanctuary.
At an elevation of 1100 meters, the pagoda offers sweeping views of the Annapurna mountain range and beautiful Phewa Lake. The sun’s rising and setting are especially stunning from the summit. The shrine has a height of 35 meters and is 105 meters wide. Its white colour symbolizes peace. Two staircases lead to the temple entrance, and two tiers of walkways circumvent the base. Visitors are asked to remove their shoes before treading the sacred steps.
Representing the divine mind of Lord Buddha, the temple enshrines His holy relics. According to Buddhist tradition, great merits are bestowed to those who encircle the shrine three times in a clockwise direction. Among the many boons said to be granted are long life, prosperity, and protection.
Peace Temple Pokhara was built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii, a Japanese Buddhist monk. After meeting Mahatma Gandhi in 1931, he dedicated his life to promoting nonviolence. In 1947, distraught by the devastation of World War II, the monk began a mission of building pagodas to encourage worldwide peace. Over the course of 50 years, 80 temples have been built throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States. Peace Temple Pokhara opened to the public in 1999.
Peace Temple Pokhara welcomes pilgrims daily from 5:30am-5:30pm. There are three means of access:
- Hire a taxi to the temple base. Cabs travel the road from Chhorepatan, involving a 25-minute drive. Fares range from 1,000-1,500 in Nepalese Rupees (NP). Then pilgrims hike a wooded incline up to the temple entrance.
- Take a mini-bus from Lakeside to Chhorepatan, followed by the paved trail up the hill to the pagoda. Bus fare is currently 5 NP.
- Hire a rowboat from Lakeside Pokhara, and hike from the south side of Phewa Lake. Prices for rowboat transport are posted at the Lakeside dock. Cost varies, but typical prices are 400 NP one way and 700 NP round-trip.
To return, visitors can retrace their route or walk past the temple to the main road. Alternatively, a footpath leads to Chhorepatan and along Pardi Bazaar. From there, a mini-bus heads back to Lakeside at a cost of 5 NP.
For safety, travel with a guide or as part of a group. Also, bring water, a hat, and hiking shoes. Don’t worry about getting famished. Food is available at restaurants along the route. The 3-meter trek up the stone steps takes roughly one hour to tread. Colourful flowers cheer guests along the way.
Smiling from its serene mountain peak, the shrine inspires unity. A trip to Peace Temple Pokhara is a life-changing pilgrimage.
