DEVOJIT SANYAL: Trip to "Pashupatinath Temple", at Kathmandu, Nepal

Trip to "Pashupatinath Temple", at Kathmandu, Nepal

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia,

"Pashupatinath temple (पशुपतिनाथ मन्दिर) is Hindu temple located on the banks of the Bagmati river in the eastern part of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The temple served as the seat of national deity, Lord Pashupatinath, till Nepal was secularized. The temple is listed in UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site list . Believers in Pashupatinath (mainly Hindus) are allowed to enter the temple premises. Non-Hindu visitors are allowed to have a look at the temple from the other bank of Bagmati river.

It is regarded as the most sacred temple of Shiva (Pashupati) in Nepal."

Located here is an excellent selection of ancient Hindu temples, bathing ghats, and sadhus. The Pashupatinath Temple here is considered to be one of the most important Hindu temples in Nepal. It is believed that to die and to be cremated here will release one from the cycle of repeated birth and death.

(The outside view of the Temple)

It is said that Lord Siva came here because it was a perfect place for a holiday. Worship has been going on here for at least 1500 years and there was a Siva temple here at least as far back as 879 AD. It is one of the most important Siva temples on the sub-continent and many Indians come to visit this popular pilgrimage site. Inside the temple is a black, four-headed deity of Lord Siva.Pashupatinath means the “Lord of the Animals.” In this form, Lord Siva shows his peaceful mood of protectors of the animals. Often Siva is shown is a more destructive mood, is in known as the destroyer in the Hindu pantheon. There are no animal sacrifices done here, as they are done in many other Siva temples.

(Tourists at the venue)

The present temple was built by King Bhupalendra Malla is 1653. Inscription state that a previous temple dates back to fifth century, and it is believed that there was a temple here much later. The temple has a two tiered gold plated roof, silver doors and fine quality wood carvings on its pagoda construction.
King Yaksha Malla brought Brahman priests here from South India, and this is still being done.

The Pashupati linga has four faces and an a fifth invisible one is said to be on top of the others. The present linga dates back to the 14th century when the previous one was destroyed by Muslim invaders.

Photography is strictly prohibited inside the Temple Complex. The Photographs published here have been taken either in a very discreet way or borrowed from sources.

(Entrance only for Hindus !)

(Scene outside the main entrance of the Temple)

(The endless queue outside)

(Inside the Temple Complex)

The main door of the Temple behind which Lord Pashupatinath is resting, is seen below. Also seen, is a security guard, who is only interested to disallow you from taking away any snaps !

(A local tourist)

(The strange looking Hindu sadhus)

(Silver ornamentation on the walls)

(My DAD & Sumona at the temple, waiting for the darshan)

(A huge Cow, named "Nandi"in the temple complex)

(A curious devotee)

(The four-faced Lord Pashupatinath)

(Dad, MOM & Sumona)

(Outside the Temple Complex)

(A view of the Temple from the outside of the Complex)

(Shristi, giving a photogenic pose for me)

(Mom & Dad enjoying the bliss)

(Sumona & myself)

(The four-some)

(Dad, in a meditative Mood !)

(Sharing some lighter moments)

(A man imposing as Lord Hanuman)

The Bagmati River flows right through the Temple Complex. As I said earlier, it is believed that, to die and cremated here will enable oneself to get released from the endless cycle of re-births.