About Pashupatinath temple in Nepal

One of the holiest Hindu shrines, Pashupati (पशुपति Paśupati) Temple is located in Kathmandu, Nepal on the banks of the Bagmati River. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and he is the God of destruction. He has 1008 names, among them Pashupati is a very famous one.

Lord Pashupatinath is the guardian deity of Nepal which attracts millions of pilgrims each year and has become well-known far beyond Nepal. The Pashupati area is the pilgrimage place where many people in Nepal desire to spend their last hours, for their souls to be released.

In 1979, Pashupatinath temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Major attractions

• 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

Viewpoints and Scenic Spots

Pashupatinath Viewpoint

After crossing the Bagmati river via a small bridge and climbing up to the hilltop, you will have a beautiful panoramic view of the main Pashupatinath temple. If you’re not a Hindu then this is the best way to see the temple closely.

Bankali

Behind Mrighastali and towards the Gujeshwari there is a place named Bankali which is the graveyard for several Nepali ethnic groups. This site has turned into a graveyard over the last few decades for ethnic groups like Kirant, Rai and Limbu. These ethnic groups prefer to be buried rather than cremated. Kirants were permitted to bury their dead close to their deity. They have always claimed to be the descendants of Shiva.

Mrigasthali

Mrigasthali can be reached by crossing a small bridge to the eastern bank of the Bagmati River and climbing the hill as one enters the woods. It is the important place where Lord Shiva lived in the form of a mriga (deer). It is a beautiful and peaceful small forest also known as a deer park as you can see deer here. It is also home to a variety of birds which is said to be loved by Shiva and Parvati.

They are numerous votive lingams including the Pandra Shivalaya or the fifteen abodes of Shiva, erected between 1859 and 1869. The road climbing the Mrigasthali hill leads all the way past the Gorkhanath Mandir to Ghujeshwari Temple.

Gorakhnath temple

The Gorakhnath temple is an important 11th-century red and white temple dedicated to the founder of the Shaivite monastic tradition. The shikhara style (temple with tall corn cob–like spire) Gorkhanath Mandir is surrounded by a proliferation of lingam, and other Shaivite Iconography. Crossing the Bagmati river and walking a few minutes above on left at the top of the hill will take you to the Gorakhnath Temple.

Guhyeshwari temple

Guhyeshwari temple is dedicated to Goddess Sati. It is an important pilgrimage destination, especially for Tantrik worshipers, located on the southern bank of the Bagmati River about 1 km east of Pashupatinath. Guhyeshwari temple is recognized as a Shakti Peetha (symbol of power) and is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of Goddess Sati. Guhyeshwari Temple is designed in the Bhutanese pagoda style of architecture and the inside of the temple is decorated with flower motifs etc. The Newar community performs rituals at Temple. Bajracharya community worship as Vajrayogini.

It is believed that if a marriage is performed in the Guhyeshwari temple, the married couple will be soul mates for another 6 generations and live a peaceful life.

The Holy Bagmati river

Bagmati river is a holy river and devotees take ritual baths in the holy Bagmati river. It is a holy river of Nepal that flows through the Kathmandu valley. It separates two cities Kathmandu from Lalitpur. It is a holy river for Hindus from all around the world, Hindus and local Buddhists of Kathmandu are cremated on the banks of this holy river. Bagmati river originates at Bagdwaar (“Bag/bagh” means tiger and “dwaar” means gate in the Nepali language) on the northern hills of Kathmandu valley and the river mixes with Bishnumati river at the place Teku Dovan.

It is said that a holy bath in the Bagmati river at this spot, praying with hymns of “Rudra Mantra”, followed by worshipping Pashupatinath Lingum with Panchamrita – curd, ghee, sugar, honey and milk will render the person free from the cycle of births. The origin of Bagmati was held itself by the sound of Lord Shiva, so it was known as Vakvati in ancient time and later on people prefer to call it as Bagmati.

Deopatan

Deopatan is the village where the priests of Pashupati lived since Pashupati’s earliest history. Still today it is the home of priests. The foundation of Deopatan village dates back to the 3rd century. Prince Devapalli founded Deopatan in the 3rd century BC and gave it his name. He married Princess Charumati, the daughter of the great Emperor Ashoka. It’s streets were laid out in the form of a bow and arrow with the arrow pointing at the main Shiva Shrine.

A large part of the old village of Deopatan has disappeared these days with urban development and there are many shrines scattered throughout Deopatan, the “city of gods”.

Arya Ghat

Located just north of the footbridge, Arya Ghat is the most sacred funerary ground in Nepal. This is the place where members of the royal family are cremated. There are shrines of Gangamai (built in 1848) and Virupaksha situated next to the eastern stairway. It is said that there was a time when Virupaksha was completely submerged and now it stands waist-deep. The Virupaksha shrine rises an inch or two every year.

Gauri ghat and Kailash hill

Gauri Ghat is where the Bagmati river enters the Pashupati, situated on the northern side of Pashupatinath. From the Ghujeshwari a lane follows the river downstream, turning back to the main Pashupati complex. This road passed the Kirateshwar temple, on the right and a little further downstream, at the opposite bank where Gauri Ghat is located. Gaurighat hosts temples of Goddess Parvati, Kiranteswar Mahadev, Hanuman statue and a Ganesh statue.

Kailash hill is named after the Tibetan sacred mountain and from this spot, you can see a good view of the Pashupati area. There are several caves where you may find Sadhus.

Historical Significance

Pashupatinath temple history

The place has been acclaimed by the Purans as more sacred than a combination of thousands of pilgrimages. History records the worship of Pashupatinath as far back as Fifth Century B.C. In Mahabharata, there is mention of a place called “Pashupatipuri”. Pashupati town or Deopatan as it was called then was a well-known township in the Mahabharat period.

The Pashupatinath Mandir was built in the 3rd Century BC during the time of the Somadeva dynasty. The gilt roof was added in 1297 AD and the lingam was replaced in 1360. In 1754, the temple was renovated by King Bhupalendra Malla. The Pashupatinath temple is built in a pagoda-style temple with a golden spire. It is a masterpiece of Hindu architecture. The present architecture of the temple came into existence after renovation during the reign of Shivasimha Malla (1578-1620 AD) by Queen Gangadevi.

There are many stories involving the origins of Pashupatinath and it is said that Lord Shiva came to the Kathmandu Valley and rested at the side of the Bagmati river while on a journey. Shiva was so impressed by the beauty of the surrounding forest that he changed themselves into deer and walked into the forest. When Lord Shiva left this place then he announced that, since he had lived by the Bagmati in a deer’s form, he would now be known as Pashupatinath, Lord of all Animals. Thus, the Pashupati temple area is regarded as one of the most important places of pilgrimages for followers of Hinduism.

The Legend of Pashupatinath

The prayer of Lord Pashupatinath has come regularly many times in Rigveda, Yejurveda, Samveda and Atharvaveda. Shiva Puran the ancient holy text of the Hindu religion, describes the fame of Nepal as – “in the Himalayas, there is a most auspicious blessed place, where Shankar in the form of Pashupatinath resides”.

There are many legends about the existence of Pashupati and some of them are as follows:

A. The Cow Legend:

Skanda A legend from the Vedic period recorded in the chapter on Nepal Mahatmya in Skanda Puran says that Lord Shiva hid himself in the Shleshmantaka forest (presently known as Mrigasthali). The gods searched for him and traced him living in disguise in the form of a Mriga (deer).

The gods later caught up with the deer grabbing him by the horn, and forced him to resume his divine form, which in the melee broke off and the deer escaped. Lord Vishnu made a lingam of the broken horn and placed it at the spot. The lingam in course of time got buried under the earth. Centuries later, the chief of herdsmen noticed one of his cows named “Bahuhri”, showering the earth with milk. Digging deep at the site, he discovered the cosmic lingam.

By some ancient chronicles, King Supusapa Varma built the pagoda-style temple of Pashupati. Amshuvarma, famous king of the Lichhavi period 605 – 621 AD was a proclaimed devotee of Lord Pashupatinath and described himself as “favored by the feet of Lord Pashupatinath, the protector”.

B. The Linchchhavi Legend:

According to the oldest chronicle in Nepal Gopalraj Vamsavali, Linchchhavi King Supus Padeva built this temple. The stone inscription erected by Jayadeva 11 in the courtyard of Pashupati in 753 AD, happened to be the ruler 39 generations before Manadeva (464-505 AD).

C. The Devalaya Legend:

It says the temple was in the form of Linga shaped Devalaya before Supus Padeva constructed a five-storey temple of Pashupati. This temple was reconstructed by a medieval King named Shivadeva (1099-1126 AD) and renovated by Ananta Malla adding a roof to it.

Spiritual Importance

Pashupatinath – The Lord of All Beings

The word Pashupatinath is derived from Sanskrit words: “pashu” means an animal, “pati” means protector, and “nath” means Lord. Therefore, Pashupatinath means “Protector and Lord of all animals”. Shiva is the lord of all beasts, gods, mortals and titans.

Rituals and Traditions at the Temple

Priests of Pashupati

The priests of the Pashupati Temple are also known as Bhattas and the chief priest is known as Mool Bhatt.

Pashupatinath Temple Architecture

A portrayal of his Divine Form

The Pashupati form of Shiva lingam at the holy shrine is about 3.5 feet (1 meter) high. His divine form has five faces attached to the lingam, one on each side of the lingam while the fifth, which is shapeless is on the top. By the sides of each of the four faces is a pair of hands. The right hands have a 16-beaded rosary of 12-furrowed “rudraksha” and the left-hand holds a “Kamandalu” (holy water vase) supposedly filled with holy nectar (amrit). Rudraksha mala shows the importance of time and water vessel shows water is life. The deity of Pashupatinath is Shiva-Shakti and personifies the Pashupata philosophy.

Sacred Structures and Temples within Pashupatinath Complex

The holy shrine of Pashupatinath is a two-story pagoda-styled temple with gilded roofs. The temple is famous for it’s astounding pagoda architecture. The four main doors of the sanctum sanctorum are gold and silver-plated. Each of them has a silver polished tympanum (toran). It is heavily decorated with images of deities. The western door has a statue of a large Bull, Nandi which is ornamented in gold. The supreme architectural marvel is crowned by the trishul (trident), the damru (Lord Shiva’s hand drum) and bancharo (axe). All three of the attributes of Shiva.

The Pashupatinath Temple stands in the middle of the courtyard. The courtyard is full of small Shiva lingams which are 64 in total and in the center of the courtyard there is Kotilingeshvar. The inner courtyard has temples of Vasuki Nath temple, Surya Narayan Temple, Unmatta Bhairav Temple, Kritimukha Bhairav shrine, Hanuman, Budhanilakantha shrine etc.

Four doors in the temple such as the southern gateway, the eastern stairway from the Arya Ghat and the western gate. The Nandi (bull of Shiva, the bull is the vehicle of Shiva) was originally constructed in stone and later covered in gilt copper by Princess Vikramadevi. Near the Nandi, there is Hanuman, in red cloth. At the northeast of the courtyard, there is the Temple of Vasuki. He is one of the naga (snake) kings.

The temple is surrounded by open spaces, monuments and forests. To the east there is Tribhuvan International Airport, to the west there is a large meadow; to the south there are houses and to the north, you’ll see Kailash.

Symbolism in Architecture – Mukhalingam or Chaturmukha

There is a chaturmukha Shiva linga inside the main temple of Pashupati. Pashupatinath 5 faces represent various incarnations of Lord Mahadev, Vamdeva (also known as Uma Maheswara), Sadyojata (also known as Barun), Tatpurusha, Ishana and Aghor which is faced East, West, North, South and Zenith respectively. It also represents 5 elements of Hinduism namely earth, water, air, light and ether.

The lingam inside the temple is a chaturmukha lingam which has humanoid faces looking towards the four directions and one on the apex. In different Shaivite temples, different faces are worshiped and at Pashupatinath temple, it is the north face. The faces depict the five “Brahma” forms looking toward the four directions.

• The face towards the east is identified as “Tatpurush“, the creator. It is also known as Bhava in the Vedas.
• The face facing south is identified as “Aghor“, which is the representation of Yama, the God of Death. It has three eyes, a nagakundala (snake earring) in his right ear and a simple earring in its left ear.
• The one facing north is identified as “Vamdev“, known for it’s kindness and boon-giving aspects. It’s hair is slanted towards the right side forming a crown like structure.
• The face towards the west is called “Sadyojat (just born)”, with a child-like face.
• The fifth face or the one on the top is “Ishan”, also known as linga sharira which is the center of all forms of the Lord.

Cultural Practices and Festivals

Festivals at Pashupatinath

Thousands of devotees from within and outside the country come to Pashupatinath every day as well as on special occasions like Ekadasi, Sankranti, Mahashivratri, Teej Akshaya, Rakshabandhan, Grahana (eclipse), Poornima (Full moon day) etc.

Akchhaya Tritiya (Baisakh/April-May)

Akchhaya Tritiya is a festival celebrated during Baisakh (April-May). It is celebrated to honor the wedding of Shiva and Parvati which occurs on the 3rd day of the waxing moon in Baisakh.

Shivaratri

Each February, tens of thousands of people come to Kathmandu during the Maha Shivaratri festival which is also known as “The night of Lord Shiva”.

Jatras celebrated at Pashupati area

Matatirtha aushi shnan, Bankali jatra, Bagmati jatra, Trishul jatra, Ganga mai jatra, Gathemangal, Guhla dharma, Gai jatra, Khadga jatra, Ropai jatra, Krishna astami, Upako wonegu, Indrajatra, Dipankha jatra, Chandra binayak and Bhairab jatra, Guhyeshwari jatra, Nawadurga naach, Harshiddhi naach, Madhav narayan yatra, Bhimsen jatra, Dudu chya chya, Deshwodwar puja, Bajreshwori and Batsleshwori jatra.

Visitor’s Guide:

Devotees should enter from the Western Gate, as one encounters the colossal form of the gilded Nandi seated on a pedestal. Nandi is the mythological bull on which Lord Shiva rides and people believe that it is inauspicious to look at Nandi before Lord Shiva. So they direct their sights to the pinnacle of the Pashupatinath Temple. Vedic precepts direct the devotee to take a clockwise tour of the temple before the darshan of Pashupatinath, taking the left-hand route to the temple of Vasukinath. It is believed that the pilgrimage of a person to Pashupatinath cannot be complete unless Vasukinath darshan is completed first.

Best time to visit Pashupatinath temple Nepal

There is an easy transportation facility available by land or by air so you can visit the temple in any season you wish to. But the best time to visit Pashupatinath temple may be different according to your preferences.

During winter: You cannot enter the temple with your shoes and if you’re visiting the temple during wither then you may feel cold without your shoes. Sometimes during the festival season, you may have to stay in a queue for a few minutes to a few hours. You’ll have a good experience walking around the temple premises in warm sunlight.

During the rainy season: the Bagmati river becomes big and the surrounding forest looks more beautiful than in other seasons.

During summer: Walking around the temple premises early in the morning or the evening is enjoyable but during the daytime, it may be a little hot. You can carry an umbrella with you during the daytime. The temperature reaches up-to 30-33 degree Celsius on average.

How to Reach Pashupatinath Temple?

Daily Schedule and Timings

Pashupatinath temple timings

Pashupatinath temple darshan is best during the morning time. People visit the temple in the morning without having even a drop of water. Pashupatinath opening and closing time is as follows:

4:00 a.m. door opens
8:00 a.m. temple door opens
8:30 a.m. nitya puja starts
9:30 a.m. all four doors of the temple opens
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. special puja
2:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. main temple will be closed
5:15 p.m. gates are opened again

7:00 p.m Temple doors are closed

Pashupatinath evening aarti time

5:15 p.m. Pashupatinath temple aarti begins daily at this time. This aarti is in the main temple.
6:00 p.m. Bagmati Ganga aarati

Dos and Don’ts for Visitors

• Taking any picture of the deity is forbidden.
• The main area of the temple is only accessible to Hindus. Non-Hindus are allowed up to the western gate of the complex only and can have a top view of the complex from an adjacent hillock at the back end of the temple across the river Bagmati.

Tips for a Meaningful Visit

Pashupatinath evening aarti – Connecting with the Spiritual Atmosphere

The Pashupatinath Evening Aarti is a mesmerizing and spiritually significant ritual that takes place at the sacred Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. This daily ceremony, also known as the “Bagmati Aarti,” is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the temple. As the sun begins to set, priests clad in traditional attire gather on the banks of the Bagmati River, which flows alongside the temple. The atmosphere becomes infused with a divine aura as the priests, in synchronized movements, offer various symbolic elements like incense, lamps, and flowers to Lord Shiva.

The rhythmic chants, the fragrance of the incense, and the flickering glow of the lamps create a serene and spiritually charged ambiance. The Pashupatinath Evening Aarti is not only a religious spectacle but also a cultural experience that showcases the deep-rooted traditions and devotion of the Nepalese people.

Preservation Efforts

The Bagmati river faces environmental challenges such as pollution, threatening both its ecological health and its role in religious practices. Efforts are being made to address these issues and preserve the sanctity of the Sacred River Bagmati for future generations.

Pashupatinath temple was reconstructed by a medieval king named Shivadeva.

The temple was renovated by Ananta Malla adding a roof to it.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Where is Pashupatinath temple?

It is located in Kathmandu, Nepal which lies between India and China.

How to say Pashupatinath?

Pashupatinath can be pronounced as Pa-shu-pa-ti-nath, Paśupatinātha

Pashupatinath temple height from sea level.

The temple stands at an elevation of approximately 4,600 ft (1400 m) above sea level.

Is Pashupatinath temple a world heritage site?

Yes, Pashupatinath temple is a world heritage site declared by UNESCO in 1979.

Is Pashupatinath temple open for tourists?

It is open for Hindu tourists only but the area is very large, non-Hindus will have other interesting things to observe except the main inner courtyard and Pashupatinath temple. There are around twelve 12 Jyotirlingas (phallic shrines), 492 temples etc. Hindu tourists from India and other countries are allowed to enter the temple. Other tourists can view it by crossing the Bagmati river.

How to reach Pashupatinath temple from Kathmandu airport?

Kathmandu airport to Pashupatinath temple distance is not so far. You can reach there by taxi, public vehicle or by walking. If you love walking and wish to do Kathmandu city walk then you can reach there on foot but will be easy without heavy bags.

How to reach Pashupatinath temple from Gorakhpur?

From Gorakhpur, you can enter Nepal via Nichlaul in India and then Chitwan in Nepal to Kathmandu. There is another route also which is Gorakhpur to Kushinagar then to Sugauli and then entering Nepal via Birgunj, Hetauda and then Kathmandu. By road, it may take upto 10 hours and the distance is 333 kilometers approximately.

How to reach Pashupatinath temple Nepal from Delhi?

From Delhi, you can take a direct flight which will take you around 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Tribhuwan international airport, Kathmandu. By road, you can travel via Agra, Gorakhpur and Kathmandu. By bus, it may take upto 24 hours to reach Pashupatinath and the distance is approximately 1128 kilometers.

Guwahati to Pashupatinath temple distance.

It is approximately 941 km, by land it may take 21 hours.

Kushinagar to Pashupatinath distance

It is approximately 296 km far from Kushinagar and it may take 9 hours to reach there.

How to reach Pashupatinath temple by train?

There is no train to reach Kathmandu till today so it is not possible to reach Pashupatinath temple by train.

Where is Pashupatinath temple located in map of Nepal ?