The first of the 12 pilgrimages is at Gokarneshwor.

There are only twelve tirthas (sacred pilgrimage sites) in Kathmandu and Lalitpur. Among them, the punyatirtha (sacred site of great merit) in Gokarna, located in Gokarneshwar Municipality, is considered the first. Following that, the other tirthas are:

Shantatirtha in Guhyeshwari,

Shankaratirtha in Shankhamul,

Rajatirtha in Dhanvantari (Lalitpur, Jwagal),

Manoharatirtha on the way to Tokha (Fusinkhya),

Nirmalatirtha in Shobha Bhagwati (Bhacha Khusi),

Nidhantirtha at the confluence of the Vishnumati River (Kankeshwari) — where the river meets when coming from Ganeshsthan, Kathmandu,

Jnanatirtha in Kalimati (behind the police station),

Chintamanitirtha at the confluence of the Bagmati and Vishnumati rivers in Pachali,

Pramodatirtha (beside Danagaa Bayodha Hospital),

Sulakshanatirtha in Chobhar,

Jayatirtha — located at the confluence where the Nakkhu River (historically called the Prabhavati) meets the Bagmati.

Each of these pilgrimage sites has its own legends and oral traditions — some of which are quite fascinating. The rituals for bathing and making offerings at each tirtha vary, with specific methods and required items. However, some of these sites have already vanished, and others are on the verge of disappearing. There is a growing sense of urgency for more research and exploration into these sacred sites.