Adjacent to, and bordered on three sides by Gokarna Forest Reserve is the old Newari village of Gokarna, which is notable for its Shiva temple. Built in 1582, the triple-roofed Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple stands on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here, Newar Buddhists and Hindus of all ethnic groups celebrate special festivals in honour of their deceased. The temple's great interest is the surprisingly diverse collection of sculptures and reliefs throughout the site featuring a varied collection of gods and goddesses, some dating back more than a thousand years.

The forest itself accommodates possibilities for long hikes and other activities. An 18 holes golf course attached to a restaurant is also located in the peripheries of the forest. A good combination would be visiting the temple, hiking through the forest and relaxing eventually in the restaurant’s terrace which has its own peaceful and serene beauty.

For bikers: Gokarna can be done in combination with other sightseeing places for those who have limited time. The distance from Thamel is 14 kilometers.

Adjacent to, and bordered on three sides by Gokarna Forest Reserve is the old Newari village of Gokarna, which is notable for its Shiva temple. Built in 1582, the triple-roofed Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple stands on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here, Newar Buddhists and Hindus of all ethnic groups celebrate special festivals in honour of their deceased. The temple's great interest is the surprisingly diverse collection of sculptures and reliefs throughout the site featuring a varied collection of gods and goddesses, some dating back more than a thousand years.

The forest itself accommodates possibilities for long hikes and other activities. An 18 holes golf course attached to a restaurant is also located in the peripheries of the forest. A good combination would be visiting the temple, hiking through the forest and relaxing eventually in the restaurant’s terrace which has its own peaceful and serene beauty.

For bikers: Gokarna can be done in combination with other sightseeing places for those who have limited time. The distance from Thamel is 14 kilometers.