Pashupatinath Temple
Explore the sacred Pashupatinath Temple Kathmandu Nepal, a revered site adorned with stunning craftsmanship and rich traditions.
Pashupatinath Temple situated on the banks of the holy River Bagmati is the most revered Hindu temple in Nepal. A gold-plated roof, four silver doors, and wood carvings of the finest quality decorate the pagoda temple of Pashupatinath. The main temple complex is open only to the Hindus; non-Hindus must satisfy themselves by observing from the terraces just across the Bagmati River to the east. As a mark of reverence and tradition, leather items that include shoes, belts and cameras are forbidden within the temple complex and must be left outside. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the main Pashupatinath temple.
Pashupatinath is actually the name of Lord Shiva. Shivaji’s name is also mentioned in many scriptures and Vedas, but Shivaji’s real name is Pashupatinath in the Shiva Purana. Lord Shiva is called ‘Pashupatinath’ because he appeared in the form of an animal when Pandavas from Mahabharata came to visit him to be freed from the sin of genocide.
Pashupatinath Temple has been the centre of attraction to the different sects like Buddhism, Ganapati, Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Jainism etc. Bagmati River has added more charm and importance to this temple, where various rituals are organized from birth to death. The temple area of Pashupatinath looks like an open museum as it is the oldest religious site in the Kathmandu Valley, which has very ancient shrines, temples, statues, and ancient records. One can find thousands of Shivlings around the temple. Famous as the Pashupati region since the Lichhavi period, various idols dating back to the 3rd century BC have been found in this region.
The most important festival observed here is Shivaratri, or ‘the Night of Lord Shiva’ – the night Lord Shiva self-originated – when devotees and pilgrims from far and wide across Nepal and India, including sadhus (barely attired holy men with long locks of hair and smeared in ashes) and ascetics, throng the temple to have a darshan (glimpse) of the sacred Shiva lingam. The other holy occasion whn devotees descend to the temple in large numbers is on Teej (a festival solely observed by Hindu women) in mid-September. The whole temple complex and the adjoining areas turn into a sea of red as women draped in their bridal red sarees and wearing yellow or green bead necklaces offer prayers for the well-being, prosperity, and longevity of their husbands. The temple is just as crowded with devotees every fortnight on the 11th day of the lunar month on Ekadashi. Among the Ekadashis, the most prominent and holiest two are the Harishayani Ekadashi in Ashadh (June/July) and four months later, Haribodhini Ekadashi in Kartik (October/November.
One of the most mesmerizing rituals at Pashupatinath Temple is the Pashupati Bagmati Aarati. Bagmati is the holy river that flows through the temple. The river divides the temple into two sides, with the main Pashupatinath Temple being on one side and the location of this Aarati on the other. Bagmati has great importance in Hindu religion. It is believed that taking a holy bath on this river washes away sins. Aarati is a ritual of worship in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) is offered to God. Pashupati Bagmati Aarati follows three priests conducting the custom with oil lamps, lanterns and other religious elements by chanting sacred mantra.
Four doors of Pashupatinath
West door of the Pashupatinath opens at 4:00am
All four doors open at 9:30am
All four doors close at 2:15pm
Door opens for Aarati at 5:00pm (winter), 6:00pm (summer)
After Aarati door closes around 7:00pm (winter) 8:00pm (summer)
What to See
» Gold-painted images of guardian deities
» Chaturmukha (four-faced statue)
» Chadeshvar, an inscribed Licchavi linga from the 7th century
» Brahma Temple
» Dharmashila, a stone where sacred oaths are taken
» Arya Ghat
» Gauri Ghat (holy bath)
» Pandra Shivalaya (15 shrines)
» Gorakhnath and Vishwarup Temples
» Guhyeshwari (Guhjeshwari) Temple
» Kirateshwar Mahadeva Mandir and Surya Ghat
Cremation Ghats: The Pashupatinath Temple complex is home to several cremation ghats, where Hindus perform traditional cremation rituals. Visitors can watch these rituals from a respectful distance, but are not allowed to take photos or disturb the proceedings.
Statues and shrines: The Pashupatinath Temple complex is home to a number of statues and shrines dedicated to various Hindu deities. Visitors can explore these shrines and learn about local religion and culture.
Monasteries: The Pashupatinath Temple complex is home to several monasteries where Buddhist monks live and study. Visitors are welcome to visit these monasteries and learn about Buddhism and local culture.
The cremation ground is near the temple and it is popular place to be cremated. The ashes of persons cremated are sprinkled into the waters of the Bagmati, eventually to be carried to the Ganges. The Arya Ghat burning ground right next to the temple north of the bridge is only used by royalty for cremations.
Next to the ghat is a 7th century statue of Virupaksha, the “Three-eyes Siva.” The Ram Ghat cremation grounds south of the bridge are used by the normal people.
Virupaksha
There is a statue of ‘Birupakshya’ at the back of this temple. In Nepal, it also known as ‘Kaliko Murti’. It is also considered as one of the oldest statues of Nepal. Virupaksha is also considered to be the human form of Lord Shiva. The statue is said to be moving slowly above the ground. When this idol rises completely from the ground, it is believed that this world will end.
Gorakhnath and Vishwarup Temples
Across the river and up the hill going up the main stairway is the interesting Gorakhnath complex. There are many monkeys along the steps leading to the temple. The main temple has a shikhara tower with a trident on top and is dedicated to Gorakhnath, the patron deity of the Shah Kings. It is surrounded by other temples, sculptures, statues of Siva and Nandi, and Siva lingas. It is said that Lord Siva came here in the form of a stag.
The Slesh Mantak forest encircles the holy site where monkeys abound, and deer is reared in captivity to revere the animal form that Lord Shiva took as per the Swasthani Brata Katha. The Pashupati Bagmati Aarati is one of the most engaging rituals at this pilgrimage site. Devotees from all over the country participates in this ritual whenever they visit Pashupatinath Temple.
Legends
There are many legends describing as to how the temple of Lord Pashupatinath came to existence here. Some of them are narrated below:-
The Cow Legend
Legend says that Lord Shiva once took the form of an antelope and sported unkown in the forest on Bagmati river’s east bank. The gods later caught up with him , and grabbing him by the horn, forced him to resume his divine form. The broken horn was worshipped as a linga and overtime was buried and lost. Centuries later an astonished herdsmen found one of his cows showering the earth with milk. Digging deep at the site, he discovered the divine linga of Pashupatinath.
The Linchchhavi Legend
According to Gopalraj Vamsavali, the oldest ever chronicle in Nepal, this temple was built by Supus Padeva, a Linchchhavi King who, according to the stone inscription erected by Jayadeva 11 in the courtyard of Pashupatinath in 753 AD, happened to be the ruler 39 generations before Manadeva (464-505 AD).
The Devalaya Legend
Another chronicle states that Pashupatinath Temple was in the form f Linga shaped Devalaya before Supus Padeva constructed a five storey temple of Pashupatinath in this place. As the time passed, the need for reparing and renovating this temple arose. It is learnt that this temple was reconsturcted by a mediaeval King named Shivadeva (1099-1126 AD). It was renovated by Ananta Malla adding a roof to it.
Guhyeshwari Temple
It is one of the famous Shakti Peeths in Nepal and is located on the banks of the Bagmati River near the Pashupatinath Temple. Here too, non-Hindus are denied entry. The goddess is replicated here in the form of a silver-plated waterhole which is kept covered by a silver kalash (auspicious water jar). The Swasthani Brata Katha chronicles the origin of the temple. Following the death by self-immolation in a fire by his beloved consort Sati Devi, a grief-stricken Shiva wandered aimlessly across the earth carrying her dead body on his shoulders. In the course of his directionless wandering, the corpse began to rot, and parts of the body fell at different places. Wherever those body parts fell, a Shakti Peeth originated, and the Mother Goddess in her manifestation as the consort of Lord Shiva came to stay there. Gods, sages and celestial beings came to the Shakti Peeths to do penance or offer worship to the goddess (Ishwari), and thus these spots became holy places. It was at this spot that the Guhya (anal portion) of the corpse fell, and hence this place came to be known as Guhyeshwari.
