Pashupatinath temple. Nepal

  

                                                      Pashupatinath temple

The temple of Pashupatinath is one of the most sacred Hindu temples of Nepal and also considered the holiest place. It is located on the bank of the sacred Bagmati river which originates from Bagdwar in the Shivapuri National park (18 km north of Kathmandu valley). Pashupatinath is one among the eight world cultural heritage sites in Kathmandu valley as listed by the UNESCO. It is a temple dedicated to lord Shiva (the most powerful god among the trinity i.e. lord Brahma, Lord Bishnu and Lord Shiva) 

More then thousands of Hindu devotees from within and outside of the country come to pay homage at Pashupati yearly. Especially during Mondays  (which is the day dedicated in worship to lord shiva particularly) one can see a long queue of devotees in and around the premises of Pashupatinath.

The Bagmati river, which runs next to the Pashupatinath temple also has highly sacred properties. The water from the river is considered to be holy and thus the banks of Bagmati are lined with many Ghats where people bath and cremation of dead bodies are also performed by the Hindus here. 

                     Arya Ghat

Arya Ghat dating from the early 1900s, is of special importance because it is the only place where lustral water for Pashupatinath temple can be obtained and it is where members of the Royal family are cremated. The main cremation site is Bhasmeshar Ghat, which is the most used cremation site in the Kathmandu valley. The preferred bathing spot for women is the Gauri Ghats which lies in northern part.

      Monkey at Pashupatinath Temple

Since lord Shiva is considered the patron of animals and living organisms, monkeys wander all around the temple complex. There is a small forest named 'Mirgasthali' meaning place for deers, where many deers are also seen.

                         Sadhu 

It is also common to meet sadhus in Pashupatinath. Sadhus are wandering ascetic yogis, who are trying to acquire liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth by meditation. Sadhus are also worshipped and considered sacred people. They have very unique appearance with specific yellow painting on their bodies.