Thamel is a tourist destination located in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. The word Thamel is believed to have been derived from the Newari word tha-bahil. The night life here is very good. Thamel is considered as an area that never sleeps and never closes. The narrow alleys of Thamel are crowded by locals and tourists. For four decades the pubs, monuments, cozy cafes and restaurants, magnificent temples, and narrow alleys of the Thamel have been serving the tourist industry of Nepal. The entire area of Thamel is a Wi-Fi zone. This place is the number one choice of all people for shopping for good food, clothes, music albums, and trekking gear and equipment. Thamel has been declared as a vehicle free zone to avoid the high traffic and crowd.
Thamel was previously known as Tabitha Bahal. The maze streets of Thamel consist of several stalls lined up one after another. The tag of a touristy place has led to an increase in the price of goods and services offered in this area. However, the goods and services sold here are one of a kind. The plethora of travel agencies located in this area provides the convenient services for those internal and external tourists coming to explore Nepal. Along with pedestrians roaming around the streets, Thamel is also filled with taxis, bicycles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers. Thamel also houses the several cozy cafes and restaurants that serve delicious and mouth-watering dishes.
Thamel at a Glance
Average Weather: 15° C to 25° C
Opening Time: 24 Hours
Entry Fee: Free
Major Attraction: Nightlife & Shopping
Tips for Thamel Visit
Major Attraction in Thamel
Even though the thriving nightlife and the shopping streets are the major highlights of Thamel, one can’t estimate how blissful and reviving a heritage walk across Thamel can be. Only a few visitors know about the other side of Thamel, the side which is beyond the parties and noises. Thamel is believed to be 1000 years old, which consists of the Nepalese gems. At the centre of this area, you can find Vikramshila Mahavihara Monastery, which is centuries old. Likewise, it houses the manuscript of Swayambhu Purana, which explains the story of Kathmandu valley.
Some of the popular cultural monuments of Thamel are:
This temple is devoted to the Goddesses Dakshinkali, Jawala Mai, and Mankamana. It is one of the less popular temples in Thamel that carries a huge historical significance.
This shrine is devoted to Lord Ganesha. It lies in the northern region of Thamel, below a pavement. It is a bland concrete monument where the god is decorated with carvings and ornaments.
It is a natural water source in Thamel, which was damaged severely by the 2015 earthquake. However, it is still used by locals there to fulfill the daily needs of water.
This shrine is devoted to the Lord Shiva and is very close to Thamel Marg. This temple is crowded daily and many pilgrims around the area visit here to worship daily.
This stupa is devoted to a renowned Indian Emperor Ashoka and holds a rich historical significance of Nepal. Even though there is no proof regarding the date of its establishment, it is believed that it has been in Thamel for over 1000 years.
Shopping in Thamel
There are many shops and tourist companies in Thamel. The shops and vendors here generally sold foods, fresh vegetables, trekking gear and equipment, music DVDs, woolen items, handicrafts, souvenirs, pastries, clothes and so on. While shopping in Thamel, you can get a good bargain especially on handicraft materials. However, if you are not a good bargainer, then you can also choose to hire a Nepalese shopper’s assistant. Moreover, if you are good at basic Nepalese language and know about the average price rate of the products, then you might save yourself from overspending.
The major items to buy in Thamel are:
Nightlife in Thamel
Thamel is the major entertainment area in Kathmandu. Most of the people visit this place to get rid from their day-to-day problems and stresses. Thamel is a home to a plethora of casinos, bars, and clubs, which operate 24 hours. Besides these, Thamel is also the most visited place by movie lovers as there are a few movie halls, which show the latest Nepali and Hindi movies. This area has been successful in stealing the limelight from its other neighboring areas. Among all the entertainment sources, casinos are the most popular and happening nightlife in Thamel.
Some of the popular casinos, movie theatres and nightclubs alive in Thamel are:
Casinos
Movie Theaters