Kathmandu Pashupatinath Temple – Nepal

Address

Kathmandu Pashupatinath Temple – Kathmandu 44600, Nepal Phone: +977 1-4471828

Deity

Pashupatinath

Introduction

• Location: Pashupatinath Temple is located in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• Deity: Dedicated to Lord Pashupati (Shiva).
• Significance:
  • An extensive temple precinct along the sacred Bagmati River.
  • Part of UNESCO’s designation of Kathmandu Valley as a World Heritage Site (1979).
  • Believed to house the Jyotirlinga, representing the head of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India.

Puranic Significance

• Historical Background:
  • Current form constructed in 1692 CE, making it the oldest temple in Kathmandu.
  • Gained fame as Pashupati according to texts like Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda.
• Legends:
  • Cow’s Tale Legend:
    • Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati transformed into antelopes and stayed in the Bagmati River area.
    • A broken horn of Shiva was worshipped as a Shivalinga, later rediscovered when a cow was found showering milk on the site.
• Renovations:
  • Initially built by Licchavi king Prachanda Deva; renovated by King Shivadeva and Ananta Malla after sustaining damage.

Special Features

• Architecture:
  • Built in the Nepalese pagoda style with copper roofs covered in gold.
  • Height: 23.07 meters from base to pinnacle.
• Structure:
  • Four main doors covered with silver sheets and a gold pinnacle (Gajur).
  • Contains two garbhagrihas (sanctum sanctorums):
    • Inner sanctum: Houses the stone Mukhalinga with a silver yoni base.
    • Outer sanctum: Open corridor-like space.
• Idol Description:
  • Mukhalinga is one meter high with four faces, each representing different aspects of Shiva.
  • Faces: Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Tatpurusha, Aghora, and Ishana.
  • Dressed in golden vastram except during abhisheka, limiting milk and Ganga Jal pouring to ritual times.

Festivals

• Major Festivals:
  • Maha Shiva Ratri: A significant festival dedicated to Lord Shiva.
  • Bala Chaturthi: Another notable celebration.
  • Teej Festival: One of the most celebrated festivals at the temple.

Century/Period/Age

1692 CE.

Managed By

UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

Nearest Bus Station

Kathmandu.

Nearest Railway Station

Raxaul junction

Nearest Airport

Tribhuvan International Airport

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