Pashupatinath is the most important temple dedicated to god Shiva, guardian deity and protector of higher himalayan.
The pagoda style pashupatinath temple was given its present form under King Bhupalendra Malla in 1697. It is full of ancient archetectural and cultural aspect which can easily entrap anyone's attention.
Identical series of temple in the eastern bank of bagmati with clear visibility upto the end through inside temple is simply amazing.
The struts under the roofs, dating from the late 17th century, are decorated with wood carvings of members of Shiva's family such as Parvati, Ganesh, Kumar or the Yoginis.
The struts under the roofs, dating from the late 17th century, are decorated with wood carvings of members of Shiva's family such as Parvati, Ganesh, Kumar or the Yoginis.
Along the right bank of Bagmati numerous platforms for funeral pyres are built. The cremations on these platforms are a common activity.We can see lots of devotee of god shiva who offer there whole life for god and commonly known as shadus.They have very unique appearance with specific yellow and ash paintings on their bodies.
The main temple is barred for non hindus, but all the other buildings are available for foreigners to visit. From the Eastern bank of the river the main temple can be seen in its whole beauty.
pashupati area occupies around 264 hactor area with 492 big and small temples and about 1000 of shiva linga with mirghasthali(deer forest).
pashupati area occupies around 264 hactor area with 492 big and small temples and about 1000 of shiva linga with mirghasthali(deer forest).
Legend says that Lord Shiva once took the form of an antelope and sported unknown in the forest on Bagmati river's east bank. The gods later caught up with him, and grabbing him by the horn, forced him to resume his divine form. The broken horn was worshipped as a linga but overtime it was buried and lost. Centuries later an astonished herdsmen found one of his cows showering the earth with milk. Digging deep at the site, he discovered the divine linga of Pashupatinath.
Shivaratri is considered as special ocassion to worship god pashupati (lord of all animals) in which more than 100000 follower from all around the world gather in Pashupati area and worship all day n night bound by the belief to impress god shiva. A great fair is held in pashupatinath temple on this occasion. people took ritual bath on the holy bagmati river which runs infront of the pashupatinath temple. one of the interesting aspect of shivaratri festival of nepal is that on this day all intoxicating things like ganja(weed) ,vang ,ghotta, dhaturo are freely taken as shivaji ko prasad (fortune of god).
Pashupatinath temple is second to none in terms of religious tourism as thousands of people from all around the world visit the holy temple every day. Mostly hindus from neighboring countries like India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka flock to the pashupatinath to seek forgiveness and prosperity.
Pashupatinath has not only been continuously listed in world heritage site since 1979, it is also the oldest most important religious site for Hindus all around the world.
Pashupatinath has not only been continuously listed in world heritage site since 1979, it is also the oldest most important religious site for Hindus all around the world.
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