Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath is a sacred God Shiva temple and UNESCO World Heritage site (1979 AD) at Bagmati Riverbank in Kathmandu, Nepal. The single plinth (23.6 m tall) pagoda-style temple (5th century) owns two gold-plated roofs, a bell-shaped pinnacle golden bull (1890 AD), a trident, and four silver-plated doors. Four-faced One-meter long Shiva Ling in the sanctum explains "Lord of the beast".

Puran mentions there was self-generated Jyotirlinga in the Vedic period. The Bhairabnath (17th century), Brahma (12th century), Vasuki (17th century), statue of Vishnu, King Mahendra, King Birendra, Hanuman, a pavilion for devotional singing, 525 Shiva Lingam set inside the complex. Deopatan explores culture, nature, tradition, belief, art, craft, history, archaeology, flora, fauna and devotion with a spiritual tour. The forest recorded 250 Rhesus macaques, 74 vascular plants, 63 species of birds and nine species of mammals.

Pashupatinath Temple has a 264-hectare land complex with 492 temples, 1000 Shiva Linga, an elderly home (capacity of 230 people), Sleshmantak forest (28-hectare), a rest house, Pati, Sattal. Sultan Shamsuddin Ilyas destroyed the original Shiva Linga in 1349 AD. The temple Priest (Mul Bhatta) came from South India in the 16th century. The temple stays crowded every Monday (the day of Shiva), annual festivals, full moon days, Ashtami, and Saturday, and each Monday of Shrawan (July-Aug). Shiva Linga worships with cow milk, honey, flowers, incense, red power, and Belpatra (Aegle Marmelos). A 108 kg golden Jalahari was installed (24 February 2021) at the Shiva Linga of Pashupatinath. 

Bagmati Riverbank (Ghat) established electric (24 January 2016) with traditional crematoriums for the public and the King. Every day, approximately 45 corpses cremate on the Ghats. Electric cremation charges 4000 Rupees, and Firewood cremation charges 15000 Rupees per corpse. Numerous internal and external tourists visit to observe religious performances, fortune tellers, monkeys, deer, Sadhu, bull, cow, pilgrims, and hawkers. The market stalls sell flowers, prasad, incense, rudraksha beads, conch shells, tika powder, yak wools, souvenirs and Hindu deities posters.

Only Hindus can enter Pashupatinath (5th century) and Guhyeswari (17th century) temples. Mythology says the world tour of Lord Shiva with the corpse of Goddess Parvati, a Yoni fell which originated into Guhyeswari as the well-known Shakti Pith. Guhyeswari Temple lies near the deer park (Mrigsthali). A camera, footwear, and leather goods are prohibited inside the temple. The footwear stands, locker, toilet, and water taps are outside. Sleshmantak Hill offers a panoramic view of Pashupatinath, crematoriums, the Bagmati River, and green hills. 

Historical and cultural monuments found Jaya Bageshwori Temple (16th century), Trivikram Vaman (467 AD), Biratesvar Shiva Linga (7th century), the statue of Buddha (7th century), Panch Deval (19th century). The Vatsaleshwori Temple (6th century), Ananta Narayan (16th century), Fifteen Shivalaya (1848 AD), Ram Temple (Lichchavi time), Gorakhnath Temple (18th century), Vishwarupa Temple (1867), Virupaksha calls Kali (4th century), and Brahmanal (A holy rock lays on the riverbank) observe in the complex. 

Local buses, taxis, and private cars reach Tilganga (southeast), Gaushala (southwest), Jaya Bageshwori (west), Mitrapark (northwest) on the ring road and Guhyeshwari (northeast). Pilgrim shelters are available in Gaushala and Tilganga. Every year celebrates, Maha Shivaratri (Feb-March), Teej (Aug-Sept), Janai Purnima (July-Aug), and Bala Chaturdashi (Oct-Nov) festivals. Every year in February, 600000 devotees with Aghori Baba celebrate the Maha Shivaratri festival. Pashupatinath Development Trust spends 130 million Rupees on salaries for 650 officials. Seventy-six people work at the Ghat service. Annual 170 million to 250 million Rupees are collected from the tourist ticket. 

Pashupatinath Aarati is an evening ritual (started in 2000 AD) to God Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and the Bagmati River that is offered (6 p.m. in Winter/7 p.m. in Summer) daily at the Bagmati riverbank by three temples priests. They chant Vedic mantras and hymns with classical music, bell, incense, lighting 54 small oil lamps (54 Diyos in 3 large structures). The priests dip the lights four times to the bottom and circle them seven times to the top. Sadhus and pilgrims performed the Bhajan and Tandav dance (a celestial dance of Lord Shiva). Pashupatinath Aarati joins numerous devotees on Saturday, Monday, and festivals, including Maha Shivaratri and Haritalika Teej. 

Things to Remember 

1. Pashupatinath area entrance is 1000 rupees for foreigners (above ten years) except for Indian Nationals.

2. Everyday, the temple (West Gate) opens from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

3. Bath and change clothes to Lord Shiva at 8:30 a.m., food offered at 9:30 a.m., and devotees are welcome to worship from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Lunch offered to God Shiva at 1:50 p.m., and 2 p.m. temple is closed.  

4. The evening temple opens at 5 p.m. and closes at 7 p.m. (8 p.m. in Summer).

5. Pashupatinath Aarati starts at 6 p.m. in Winter (7 p.m. in Summer) at Bagmati Riverbank. 

6. The Special Puja costs from 1,100 to 25,00000 Rupees.

7. Do not tease monkeys, bulls, and cremation photos prohibited at a close distance.

8. Free entrance for Indian nationals with an ID Card.

9. Avoid the scams and begging.