PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE

Committed to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath is one of the four most essential religious locales in Asia for aficionados of Shiva. Worked in the fifth century and later revamped by Malla lords, the site itself is said to have existed from the earliest starting point of the thousand years when a Shiva lingam was found here.

The biggest sanctuary complex in Nepal, it extends on both sides of the Bagmati River which is viewed as sacred by Hindus. The principle pagoda style sanctuary has an overlaid rooftop, four sides shrouded in silver, and wood carvings of the finest quality. Sanctuaries devoted to a few other Hindu and Buddhist gods encompass the sanctuary of PashupatinathNearby is the sanctuary of Guheshwori committed to Shiva's associate Sati Devi. Incineration of Hindus occur on raised stages along the waterway. Just Hindus are permitted inside the doors of the primary sanctuary. The inward sanctum has a Shiva lingam and outside sits the biggest statue of Nandi the bull, the vehicle of Shiva. There are several Shiva lingam inside the compound. The huge Maha Shivaratri celebration in spring pulls in a huge number of aficionados from inside Nepal and from India.

Experience this profoundly suggested religious center point for a blend of religious, social and otherworldly encounters. Found 3 km northwest of Kathmandu on the banks of the Bagmati River, the sanctuary range likewise incorporates Deupatan, Jaya Bageshori, Gaurighat (Holy Bath), Kutumbahal, Gaushala, Pingalasthan and Sleshmantak woodland. There are around 492 sanctuaries, 15 Shivalayas (places of worship of Lord Shiva) and 12 Jyotirlinga (phallic altars) to investigatePashupatinath Temple is one of the 8 UNESCO Cultural Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley.  It is also a cremation site where the last rites of Hindus are performed. The site and events at cremation is not for the faint hearted; still visitors are seen watching curiously from across the river from the hill. Visit Pashupatinath Temple for an out-of-this-world experience.

Daily Rituals at Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath is also one of the very few living cultural heritage sites in the world. Unlike other cultural sites or museums, Pashupatinath is centre of energy with active participation of people all times of the day, every day. The daily rituals of Pashupatinath Temple are as follows:

4:00 am: West gate opens for visitors.
8:30 am: After arrival of Pujaris, the idols of the Lord are bathed and cleaned, clothes and jewelry are changed for the day.
9:30 am: Baal Bhog or breakfast is offered to the Lord.
10:00 am: Then people who want to do Puja are welcomed to do so. It is also called Farmayishi Puja, whereby people tell the Pujari to carry out a special Puja for their specified reasons. The Puja continues till 1:45 pm in the afternoon.
1:50 pm: Lunch is offered to the Lord in the main Pashupati Temple.
2:00 pm: Morning prayers end.
5:15 pm: The evening Aarati at the main Pashupati Temple begins.
6:00 pm onward: Recently the Bagmati Ganga Aarati; done by the shores of Bagmati, has been gaining lots of popularity. We can see the shores of Bagmati crowded mostly on Saturdays, Mondays and on special occasions. Ganga Aarati along with Shiva’s Tandava Bhajan, written by Ravana, is carried out on evening Ganga Aarati.
7:00 pm: Door is closed.
Apart from the daily rituals, special observed are plotted  during  special dates of the lunar calendar.