- Pashupatinath Temple - What to See at Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupati Temple stands in the center of the town of Deopatan, in the middle of an open courtyard. It is a square, two-tiered pagoda temple built on a single-tier plinth, and it stands 23.6 meters above the ground. Richly ornamented gilt and silver-plated doors are on all sides.
On both sides of each door are niches of various sizes containing gold-painted images of guardian deities. Inside the temple itself is a narrow ambulatory around the sanctum. The sanctum contains a one-meter high linga with four faces (chaturmukha) representing Pashupati, as well as images of Vishnu, Surya, Devi and Ganesh.
The priests of Pashaputinath are called Bhattas and the chief priest is called Mool Bhatt or Raval. The chief priest is answerable only to the King of Nepal and reports to him on temple matters on a periodic basis.
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, as well as Hanuman, Rama, Sita, Lakshman and other gods and goddesses from the Ramayana.
Pashaputi Temple’s extensive grounds include many other old and important temples, shrines and statues. South of the temple, for instance, is Chadeshvar, an inscribed Licchavi linga from the 7th century, and north of the temple is a 9th-century temple of Brahma. On the south side of Pashupati temple is the Dharmashila, a stone where sacred oaths are taken, and pillars with statues of various Shah kings.
In the northeast corner of the temple courtyard is the small pagoda temple of Vasuki, the King of the Nagas. Vasuki has the form of a Naga (mythical snake) from the waist upwards, while the lower parts are an intricate tangle of snakes’ bodies. According to local belief, Vasuki took up residence here in order to protect Pashupati. One can often see devotees circumambulating and worshipping Vasuki before entering the main sanctum.
The Bagmati River, which runs next to Pashaputinath Temple, has highly sacred properties. Thus the banks are lined with many ghats (bathing spots) for use by pilgrims. Renovating or furnishing these sites has always been regarded as meritorious.
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 Bhasmeshvar Ghat, which is the most-used cremation site in the Kathmandu Valley. The preferred bathing spot for women is the Gauri Ghat, to the north.
Across the Bagmati River are 15 votive shrines, the Pandra Shivalaya, which were built to enshrine lingas in memory of deceased persons between 1859 and 1869.
- All government taxes included.
- In-vehicle air conditioning for your comfort.
- Comfortable private vehicle for ground transport.
- Experienced English-speaking tour guide.
- On-board restrooms
- Your Lunch and dinner (cost about $ 3-$ 6 per meal depending upon what and where you prefer to eat)
- Personal expenses
- All city tour with permits and entrance fees for museums and monuments( Fees about $10+$10+$4+$2)
Upon your arrival in Nepal, your first encounter will be Kathmandu. This energetic capital of Nepal is a treasure trove of age-old traditions from bygone eras. Despite modern high-rises dominating the landscape, the city is filled with intricately carved monuments at every turn. Some of these structures are commonplace for residents, while others that occupy larger areas have earned their place on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. The Kathmandu Day Tour includes leisurely trips to four of the seven world heritage sites that Kathmandu hosts: Patan Durbar Square, Swyambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
