Dedicated to Shiva, Pashupatinath (Temple of Living Beings) is the oldest and most holy Hindu temple in Nepal. It is set on the banks of the sacred, but polluted, Bagmati River, a tributary to the Ganges. Historians believe people worshiped here as early as the 3rd century, and there are signs that there was a temple structure here as early as the 5th century. However, much of the present complex was built in 1696.
Legend says that Shiva wanted to escape his heavenly work, so he turned himself into a stag and escaped to the forest here. When the other gods chased him down here, they broke off his horn, which became the Pashupatinath lingam (phallus). It is said the lingam was discovered by a cow. Pashupatinath Temple visit is a must during Nepal tour packages. Pashupatinath is an important ritual bathing and cremation site, since the water flows to the Ganges. The ghats (platforms) in front of the temple are reserved for royalty. If you are cremated here, Hindus believe you will he released from the cycle of rebirths. Husbands and wives who bathe together at Pashupatinath will find one another again, and be remarried, in their next lives. For centuries, women committed sati here, throwing themselves on their husband's funeral pyres. This practice was outlawed in 1920 by the Ranas. During Shiva Rati (February or March), pilgrims from all over India and Nepal flock here. If you (sit during this festival, which celebrates Lord Shiva's birthday, you will see half-dressed holy men with dread-locked hair, women in festive, auspicious red saris, and thousands of people stoned on ganja, which Shiva favored. Throughout the year, devotees come to Pashupatinath on pilgrimage. They take ritual baths, or bring cows, goats, and dogs to the shrine. The animals are not sacrificed, but honored with a tika (red dot on the forehead), which gives them the right to live undisturbed in the complex, as befits the temple's name. Although the main temple is open only to Hindus, you can get a good look from the far side of the narrow river. Cross the bridge; as you climb the path, take the first set of stairs on the left. At the end of the terrace, notice the head of Shiva (its nose is missing) carved on a 5th- or 6th-century lingam. From this terrace you can see the walls and the intricate metalwork of the silver doors surrounding the lower level of the two-tier Pashupatinath, which is crowned with gilded roofs. Within the building is a huge Shiva lingam, and outside stands an equally large gilded bull, Nandi, Shiva's mount. Continue up the path, accompanied by as many monkeys as wandering sadhus (Hindu holy men), and look at the numerous old shrines and small stone lingams. (This is the route to follow if you want to walk to Boudhanath.) Returning to the far side of the river, head left along the bank, so you are directly across the water from the pyres. The actual cremations are remarkably matter-of-fact. Still, try not to be a voyeur of other peoples' grief. At the end of the walkway, look at the 7th-century head of the Buddha. Its presence supports the theory that this temple was also a Buddhist shrine. Timing You can spend an hour here or a half day sitting on the banks, watching life and death unfold. Many people talk about an overwhelmingly calm energy here. If you like, you can walk to or from Boudhanath from Pashupatinath. Simply follow the path back up the hill to where all the small shrines are situated. From the top of the hill you can see the Boudhanath stupa. Go beyond the Hindu shrine, and you will come across a few vendors selling garlands. Pass them to cross the suspension footbridge. Follow the path through pastoral settings with scattered hamlets. If you stroll, it will take about 20 minutes to reach the busy street. The path will dump you onto the main road, just left of Gemini Supermarket. Cross the street, and you will be standing in front of the stupa gates of Boudhanath. For more information on Pashupatinath Kathmandu Nepal contact Swan Tours, one of the leading tour operators in Delhi.
2 Comments
11/11/2018 05:56:11 am
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6/11/2020 05:48:10 am
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