Situated North of Kathmandu Shivapuri rests at an altitude of 2732m, the second highest hill after Phulchowki. Budhanilkantha, one of the auspicious temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is on the foot of Shivapuri hill. The Shivapuri, now a protected area, is home of sloth bear, langur, leopard, barking deer and a wide range of flora including Orchids, Rhododendrons. The origin of the Bagmati River that drains Kathmandu Valley is in Shivapuri.