About Pashupatinath


Pashupatinath (Pasupatinath पशुपतिनाथ मन्दिर) is located along the banks of the Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu city, close to Kathmandu airport.

Pashupatinath temple complex
Click photo to see a larger photograph of the Pashupatinath temple complex!

Within the complex is the famous Pashupatinath Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal dating back to the 5th century.

While the main Pashupatinath temple interior is off limits to non-Hindus (foreigners/tourists), there's quite a bit to see and experience around the rest of the area. Ritual cremations occur daily along the riverside and can be a sight to behold for those who have not seen Hindu cremations before.

On the opposite side of the river are a host of smaller stupas (chaityas) and temples where mystic Sadhus often gather.

It's important to note that many “tour guides” don't bother showing tourists most of this complex. Do read on to discover more and read my Nepal guidebook to get more details on Pashupatinath than anywhere else.

Did you know?

The original Pashupatinath temple was destroyed by termites and the new/current one was reconstructed over it in the 17th century.

Every year between February/March there's a festival to celebrate Lord Shiva known as Shivaratri (check out the post to find out what to expect). The dates change annually but the crowds keep getting larger. Well worth attending if you can stick the crush.

History of the Pashupatinath temple

The most popular legend has it that Pashupatinath came about when Lord Shiva stopped for a rest in the area and took the form of a deer.Top of the Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal He lived the area so much he did not want to leave. Shiva then became known as Pashupatinath, Lord of all Animals. Legend then grew further that whoever came there to worship him would not be reborn as an animal - an important consideration within believers of reincarnation.

Today within the "forbidden" section of the temple is a large Shiva lingam which represents the "exact" place where Shiva once lived. This is also the "head" of Shiva from the twelve Jyotirlinga. The rest of these 12 body representative parts are in India.

Pilgrims will try to visit all these parts of Jyotirlinga including this one in Kathmandu which often happens during Shivaratri (festival to mark Shiva's birthday).

This Shiva Lingam is also part of the 275 Tamil based Paadal Petra Sthalams or Holy Abodes of Shiva which are spread out across the continent of Asia.

Factual history of the Pashupatinath Temple

While the exact date of the main Pashupatinath temple is not known, historians say it was built most certainly in the 5th century but probably closer to 400BCE. Pashupatinath Temple Gates in Kathmandu, Nepal

One fact is that there is an inscription by Supuspa Deva, a Lichchhavi King dated 753 CE, which lays claim to the king building the original wooden temple. However, a legend states that the lingam was there before this and King Supuspa Deva built a five-storey temple over it.

A King named Shivadeva in the 12th century is said to have reconstructed the temple again in wood. Then in the 13th century, King Ananta Malla built the elaborate roof during the great artistic period of Nepal. Later, this wooden temple was damaged by termites and fully rebuilt in the 17th century.

 


Highlights surrounding the Pashupatinath temple


For any tourist visiting the Pashupatinath complex, it's important to realize that it is a "complex" and not just a single temple. Gorakhnath Temple Complex at the Pashupatinath Temple, NepalThat's one of the reasons tour guides fail so miserably to make the effort in exploring the entire areas - it's huge! So most just show the outside of the Pashupatinath temple (because you can't go in!). And, the ghats or cremation area. So it's far better to bring a written guidebook with you than to hire a guide for this area.

Highlights include:

  • The Pashupatinath Ghats for a look at ritual cremations
  • The Arya Ghat is where the members of the royal family are cremated
  • A glimpse at the Pashupatinath temple from the outside looking in
  • Visiting the votive shrines, the Pandra Shivalaya and the Ram Temple across the river along the terraces
  • Converse with one of the mysterious Sadhus that often congregated here
  • Going past Pandra Shivalaya is a quiet forested area you can walk through

Beware of the monkeys - they steal food, shiny objects, and will take things from your hand or bag!

There are some renovation works expected in 2023 taking place around the Pashupatinath complex.


Inside the Pashupatinath temple


For any non-Hindu tourist it is not possible to enter into the actual Pashupatinath temple itself.

Pashupatinath temple painting by Henry Ambrose Oldfield 1853
Pashupatinath temple painting by Henry Ambrose Oldfield 1853
Hindus can enter but no photographs are allowed. It's one of the reasons it's review scores are lower than they should be. However do remember there's a lot to see around the temple which has a vast area open to visitors. Meanwhile at the actual temple there's strict security with metal detectors so don't even try. There are lockers to put your valuables. For all others here is a description of what's inside.

You enter through a huge arched gate where a large bronze/golden Nandi (Shiva's mount) kneels before the temple.

The pashupatinath temple itself in the middle of an open courtyard in the form of a typical Nepali (Malla inspired) square two-tiered pagoda style temple built on a single-tier plinth. It stands at 23.6m (77.4 feet). There are four doors and each is ornately decorated in gilt and silver-plates. The wood roof struts under the first brass roof tier show wood carvings of members of Shiva's extended family. These include Parvati, Ganesh, Kumar, Hanuman, Ram, Sita and Lakshmi.

Inside the first door is the outer sanctum which is a narrow corridor around the inner sacred sanctum.

The inner Pashupatinath sanctum and Shiva Lingam

The inner sanctum has a large one meter stone lingam based on a silver Yoni which is surrounded by a Nag (serpent). Ghats at the Pashupatinath Temple complex, NepalThe Lingam has four faces of Shiva representing Sadyojata or Barun, Vamdeva or Ardha nareshwor, Tatpurusha, Aghor & Ishana who is made from the imagination. These also represent the earth, water, air, light and ether. Each of the faces has small hands showing Rudraksha (Shivas tears - read more about these on where to buy beads in Kathmandu including Rudraksha) on one side and a Kamandalu (water pot) in the other.

This Shiva Lingam is also dressed in a golden dress. So the ritual of pouring milk over the Lingam is not performed continuously but only during a puja (Abhisheka) by the four devoted priests of Pashupatinath. The lingam is only viewable from 5am to 12 noon.

The four priests of Pashupatinath

The only priests allowed to touch the Shiva Lingam at Pashupatinath are four Bhatt or Bhatta priests who were ordained in India. The others are Bhandari priests who are helpers and caretakers that are not allowed to touch the lingam.


Around the Pashupatinath Complex


pashupatinath sample page from nepal guidebook This part of the main Pashupatinath complex is open to all who have bought an entrance ticket.

  • The Ghats - various areas surrounding the Bagmati river where cremations occur. Each Ghat has a separate meaning all of which is shown in my guidebooks along with the following and more.
  • Vatasala Temple - with a shrine to Bhairab.
  • Ananta Narayan - rare terra-cotta statue
  • Gorakhnath Temple Complex - massive area filled with shrines
  • Guhyeshwari Temple - another off-limits temple to non-Hindus it is where Sati's Yoni is.
  • Ram temple - large temple where many Sadhus gather
  • Sati's Gate - a gate for Shivas wife

All the above are are rarely fully visited by local tours guides but are described in-depth with photographs and maps in my guidebooks to Nepal.

 


Evening at the Pashupatinath Complex


 Most evenings at the Pashupatinath Ghats include ritual chanting, torches, candle ceremony's, and events. This usually takes place at about 6pm. The ticket office is not open then and the events are free to attend. It's important to note that these are religious ceremony's. The vast majority of the complex will be dark and closed off. However along the Ghats there will be lighting.


Entrance fee for Pashupatinath


The current fee for foreigners is 1000rps. The ticket office is close to the river by the main road. There are other "security" ticket offices opening up on the other side of the river.

During Shivaratri the ticket price remains 1000rps but with huge queues and devotees offering additional fees to get priority queuing preferences. Hindus wishing to partake in Abhisheka or Puja need to pay 1100 rupees (yes, it's controversial), at the ticket counter near the main temple entrance.

Opening times for the main Pashupatinath complex are from 4am to 9pm. The Pashupatinath temple is open from 9:30am to 1:30pm (same and the puja/abhisheka ticket counter). The inner sanctum and Shiva Lingam are open from 5am to 12 noon. Do note that In the evening there is ritual singing along the ghats.


Map & Directions to the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu


Walking: It's quite a long walk to Pashupatinath from Kathmandu city center. I'd really only advise it is there is a strike on and there's no traffic around. Otherwise it can be a dirty dusty trip. A better option would be to walk from Pashupatinath to Boudhanath which is very close (20 mins) and then take a taxi or bus back.

By bus/taxi: It's about 15 minutes from Thamel in non-rush hour. Taxi's will try to overcharge, set the price before getting in with a friendly bargain. Average price is about 200 to 250 rupees.


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