With the advent of the winter season, the sky above Kathmandu, and the surrounding areas take up a hue that befits the surrounding white Himalayas. As the cloudless deep blue is illuminated by the balmy rays of the winter sun, the mighty mountains look as if they are smiling upon their beholders.

Of the numerous places around Kathmandu where you can experience this unique amalgam of blue and white, Namo Buddha is perhaps one of the best. At Namobudha, you not only see the mountains, you also see Buddhist culture and tradition.

1.

As you explore the hilltop of Namo Buddha, you meet local people going about their daily lives. Looking at them, you wish you could stay back and enjoy a simple life near the picturesque mountains.

2.

Then there are times when it becomes hard for your eyes to believe that you are so close to the tallest mountains in the world. You are left in awe, and finally you come to terms with the reality. That is when you appreciate the beauty in front of you.

3.

While the snow-clad Himalayas offer incomparable vistas, the valley below and the surrounding hills also compete with the mountains for your attention. The valley is slowly turning into a concrete jungle, but there are still patches of green that lighten up your spirit !

4.

Then it would soon be time to head home, as the sun sets under a nearby hill in the west. It is time to wrap up the trip and head home, or to go indoors to escape from the cold breeze that slowly takes over the hill.