Pashupatinath

Situated 5 km east of Kathmandu city center, Pashupati literally means “Lord of Animals” and is considered to be the patron deity of Nepal. Pashupatinath is regarded as one of the holiest sites for Hindus all over the world.


Pashupatinath temple is a pagoda style two-tiered golden roof with exquisitely carved four silver doors containing in its sanctum a phallic idol with four faces facing each direction and the other fifth one is looking up towards the zenith. A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was constructed at the present site by Licchavi King Supushpa Verma according to an ancient chronicle.  However, the present temple is claimed to have been built by King Bhupalendra Malla in 1697 A. D. Legends has it that a cow would frequently escape from its herds and offer milk on Jotirlinga (phallic symbol of Lord Shiva) which denotes the point where the temple stands today. It is said that a certain cowherd much to his surprise found the self-generated Jyotirlinga when he dug the spot where the cow would give milk. The spot immediately became the center of worship that has been continued till today.


Legend also mentions that the Pandavas after great Mahabharata battle were told that only by sighting Lord Shiva would they be able to absolve sins and t was at this very sot that they saw the Lord. Hence this most sacred abode of Shiva, who is the God of Gods- Mahadeva-merits a visit by all Hindus, at least once in a lifetime, to be truly blessed and cleansed. It is believed that pilgrimage to the four dhams like Dwarika, Kedar, Rameshwor and Jagnath of India becomes meaningful only after a final darshan of Pashupatinath and by taking a holy dip in the Bagmati River and conducting a proper puja. There are temples of other Hindu deities in Pashupati premises like Bhairavnath, Vasuki nag, Parbati temple, Ram mandir, Vishwo rupa, Gorakhnath, Kireteshwor temple and dozens of temples dedicated to different gods and goddesses.


A considerable part of the temple vicinity is converted to rest and prayer areas. Behind the temple on the banks of Bagmati is a crematorium for Hindus. It is the wish of every Hindu to be cremated on the bank of the Bagmati River near the temple. AT the other end of the Pashupatinath Temple area is the temple of Guheshwori dedicated to Shiva’s consort Parvati also known as Satidevi. Here is also a deer park at the back of the temple across the Bagmati River. It is also interesting to watch the monkeys roam in and around the temple freely. One may also observe Sadhus smeared with ashes and dressed in lion-cloths and the Hindus Brahmins offering Tika and blessing to the visitors. Pashupatinath attracts thousands of pilgrims on spring festival Maha Shivaratri (Feb-March), the day dedicated to Shiva, Hari Talika / Teej (Aug-Sept), Janai Purnima (July-Aug) and all Mondays of the month of Shraan (July – Aug).


In October 1979 Pashupati area was declared as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO and the temple is being managed by Pashupati Area Development Trust.

Glance of Nepal