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All Nepal Hiking offers the best Pilgrims tour in Nepal, Pashupatinath, Doleshore Mahadeva, Muktinath
Pashupatinath
Pashupatinath, one of the most significant shrines of Shiva temples on the subcontinent is a place for thousands of devotees, Saddhus (Holy men/Baba), and can see the cremating body most of the time on the holy riverbank of Bagmati. Hundreds of monkeys are giggling with you and take time to explore the surrounding area
The superb temple of Lord Pashupatinath, is a lifetime wish to visit and offer to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is known by many different names, and Pashupati is one. Pashu means leaving beings, and Pati means master. In other words, Pashupati is the master of all living beings in the universe. This is how lord Pashupati is eulogized in the Vedas, Upanishads, and other religious books. Legends are numerous as to how the temple of Lord Pashupatinath came into existence here. As stated in the chronicles, the image of Lord Shiva in the form of Jyotirlinga was covered with earth over the years, and soft green grass sprouted over it. Further, as the legend goes, a cow used to come here mysteriously every day and offer her milk to this holy but hidden Linga of Lord Shiva. When the Gwala (owner) saw that the cow had stopped giving milk in the last few days he started keeping an eye on her; and finally came across the place where the cow used to offer her milk. With a natural curiosity to know the importance of the place, where his cow used to make offerings of her milk, the gwala dug the place and found the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. After this number of goals gathered to worship this Linga according to religious conformity, starting the tradition of worshiping this Linga. As time passed Lord Pashupatinath started gaining more and more popularity and reverence from the devotees as a guardian spirit and gradually the temple of Lord Pashupatinath became a great place of pilgrimage.
The rulers of Nepal, over centuries, made contributions to enriching and beautifying this holy temple. According to Gopalraj Vamsavali, the oldest ever chronicle in Nepal, this temple was built by Supus Padeva, a Linchchhavi King who according to the stone inscription erected by Jayadeva 11 in the courtyard of Pashupatinath in 753 AD happened to be the ruler 39 generations before Manadeva (464-505 AD). Yet, there is another chronicle that states that this temple was in the form of a Linga-shaped Devalaya before Supus Padeva constructed a five-story temple of Pashupatinath in this place. As time passed, the need for repairing and renovating this temple arose. It is learned that this temple was reconstructed by a medieval King named Shivadeva (1099-1126 AD). It was renovated by Ananta Malla adding a roof to it.
As described in history, this temple was attacked and badly destroyed by Sultan Samsuddin of Bengal in the mid-14th Century. This plunder caused so much damage to the temple that it needed reconstruction. It was only after ten years, in 1360 AD, that it could be reconstructed and renovated by Javasimha Ramvardhana. Another renovation work here after was taken up by Jyoti Malla in 1416 AD.
The present architectural nature of Pashupatinath temple came into existence as a result of renovation by Queen Gangadevi during the reign of Shivasimha Malla (1578-1620 AD).
The temple of Lord Pashupatinath stands in the middle of an open courtyard. It is a square-shaped pagoda temple built on a single platform measuring 23.6 meters from the ground. There are gold gilt doors on all four sides of the temple. Inside the temple, there is a narrow walk engulfing the sanctum from where one can have a closer view of Shivalinga. On both sides of each door of the temple, there is an artistic niche of different sizes containing attractive images of Apsara, Ashtha Bhairava, and other gods and goddesses. These images and niches, painted with gold enhance the grandeur of the temple. The latticed windows below the roof are another element of attraction. The struts supporting the roofs and depicting the image of different postures are equally alluring. The gold gilt images of birds in a flying posture in all four corners of the roof and the winged images of a lion, griffin, Ajarapurusa, and Mahanaga on the struts in all the corners of the temple gies soaring beauty to the temple. On the upper part of the struts supporting the lower roof, the images of the moon, sun, and a Purna-Kalasha are carved out. This Purna Kalasha is worshiped as a symbol of Guheshwori.
In the sanctum of the temple, there is a very attractive, about three-foot-high Shivalinga with four faces. All these faces have different names and significance. The face facing east is known as Tatpurusha and the one facing south is Aghora. Similarly, the faces looking west and north are known by the name Sadhyojata and Vamadeva respectively. The upper portion of this linga is known as Ishan. These faces are also defined as the symbol of four dharmas (the most famous places of pilgrimage for Hindus) and four Vedas (sacred books of Hindus). The images of Vishnu, Surya, Devi, and Ganesh are also placed in the sanctum of the temple.
The Pashupati area is regarded as one of the most important places of pilgrimages for the followers of Hinduism. Thousands of devotees from within and outside the country come to pay homage to Pashupatinath every day. And on special occasions like Ekadasi, Sankranti, Mahashivratri, Teej Akshaya, Rakshabandhan, Grahana (eclipse), and Poornima (Full moon day) people congregate here in far greater numbers. The Pashupati area is also included in the list of world cultural heritage.
Muktinath
Muktinath is one of the most aged Hindu temples of God Vishnu. The Pagoda-style Muktinath Temple is a symbol of the religious symbiosis between both Hindus and Buddhists. Hindus regard Muktinath as Vishnu where as Buddhists regard it as Buddha. The main shrine of Muktinath is a pagoda–shaped temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The statue is of gold and is tall enough to compare with a man. The Statue is of gold and is tall enough to compare with a man. They depict metal statues of lord Vishnu, goddess Laxmi, Saraswoti, Janaki, Garuda, Lava-Kush, and Sapta Rishis.
The building 1815 of the Buddhist-Hindu temple of Vishnu and Chenrezig at Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa was initiated by the Nepali Queen Subarna Prabha who considered Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa Salagrama.
The central shrine of Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa is considered one of the eight most sacred shrines for Hindu Vaishnavas known as Svayam Vyakta Ksetras which is said to have risen on its own, the other seven being Srirangam, Srimushnam, Tirupati, Naimisharanya, Totadri, Pushkar and Badrinath. It is also one of 108 Vaishnava shrines. There is an old Buddhist monk present in the temple. The worship is conducted by Buddhist nuns.
Here in the early 19th century the Hindus consecrated a Vishnu temple and named it Muktinath – Lord of Liberation. Against a backdrop of incredible starkness, you can sit and stare to the south at the snow-covered Annapurna range, or to the north at the Tibetan plateau.
The temple and the religious shrine of Muktinath are about 90m in elevation above Ranipauwa. There are no hotels and the temple committee does not allow camping.
Doleshore Mahadeva Temple
The puja was interrupted at the Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand due to the 2013s devastating floods there will resume at the Sipadol-based Doleshwor Mahadev Temple when the puja interrupted due to the flood havoc at Kedarnath of Uttarakhand India will resume at the Doleshwor temple on Saturday (July 6).
Located at Sipadole in Bhaktapur, Doleshwor Mahadev is taken as the head of the Shri Kedarnath Temple. It should be noted that the Shree 1008 Jagat Guru Bheemashankarling Shivacharya, the head priest of Kedarpeeth, had declared that Doleswor Mahadev the head of Shri Kedarnath on August 22, 2009. This has also been inscribed at the Shipadole-based shrine.
Manakamana
Situated atop a 1300-meter hill, 105 kilometers to the west of Kathmandu, the Manakamana Devi temple is a highly venerated sacred place of the Hindu Goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Parvati. The name Manakamana is derived from two words, Mana, meaning heart, and Kamana, meaning wish. It is believed that the Goddess Bhagwati rewards those who make the pilgrimage to her shrine by granting their wishes, and she is especially popular with Newari newlyweds who pray for sons. The history and location of the Manakamana temple are explained by a curious legend. The Queen of the 17th century Gorkha King, Rama Shah, was said to have magical powers that only her devotee, Lakhan Thapa, knew about. One day the Queen’s husband became aware of her secret when he saw her in the form of a goddess and Lakhan Thapa in the form of a Lion. Soon thereafter the King mysteriously died and the Queen, as was the custom of the day, committed sati (ritual immolation) upon her husband’s funeral pyre. Before her death, the Queen had promised her devotee Lakhan Thapa that he would soon again see her. Sometime later while plowing a field, a farmer discovered a stone from which blood and milk were pouring. When Lakhan Thapa learned of this he was convinced it was a sign from the dead queen, and at the site where the stone had been discovered he constructed a temple in her honor. The present 19th-century temple is a replacement of the one built by Lakhan Thapa. Tradition has it that the temple priest must be a descendant of Lakhan Thapa.
The Manakamana temple overlooks the Trisuli and Marshyang-di river valleys and offers breathtaking views of the Manaslu, Himalchuli, and Annapurna mountains to the north. The temple is set in a square, which is overlooked by an enormous sacred magnolia tree. Two popular festivals, Dasain (in September-October) and Nag Panchami (July – August), draw large numbers of pilgrims from throughout the country. In the past, pilgrims used to make a long and arduous trek up to the hilltop temple from the town of Kurintar on the Trisuli River. Nowadays, a cable car ride of 10-15 minutes brings visitors from the base station in Cheres to the temple site.
An hour's walk from the Manakamana temple leads past the Bakeshwar Mahadev Mandir Shiva temple to the Lakhan Thapa Gurpha sacred cave, which is named after the founder of the Manakamana temple.
Package Includes
Accommodation with all meals in Nepal, airport transfers and Pashupatinath and Doleshore temple darshan tour by private tourist transport, Private transport to Pokhara, Manakamana Cable car tickets, best available sharing accommodation in Jomsom, Jomsom-Muktinath-Jomsom by jeep, all veg meals, Pokhara – Jomsom – Pokhara – Kathmandu Airfare.
The package does not include the:
Insurances, Pony, Porter, personal expenses like laundry, telephone calls, beverages, etc.
Climate
Muktinath and its high valley are located in the Mustang Bhote region. The climate and landscape here are similar to those of the Tibetan Plateau since it is situated in the rain shadow of the Greater Himalayas. The changes in climate from warm to cold take you to the sacred shrine of Muktinath in Mustang district. Flowing through the region from north to south and forming deep gorges is the Kali Gandaki River. The temperature in summer (March to August) hover between a Maximum of 16 to 18 degree Celsius and a Minimum of 6 to 8 Degree Celsius. At the beginning of winter (September to November) the temperature fluctuates between 14 to 16 degree Celsius and 0 to 4 degrees Celsius. In the winter (December to February) the maximum temperature will be 4 to 6 degree Celsius and minimum 0 to -8 degrees Celsius.
Season:
The most suitable time to visit Muktinath is from March to May & October. In November & February, it can be cold, but you can travel. December and January are for the diehard & snowfall in the all of area 4 to 10 ft. June to September is raining season. As the weather conditions would not be safe enough to travel in other months.
Clothing:
We suggest you take normal warm clothes. A light warm jacket, woolen sweater, warm T-Shirts, comfortable shoes, trousers, and cotton pants are enough for this trip. We recommended you bring down a jacket for the winter.
Accommodation:
There are enough Hotels and lodges nearby Muktinath in Jharkot and Ranipauwa. The Hotels and lodges are fine there. Some Hotels have solar-heated hot showers and provide rooms with attached baths. Also, the local restaurant is available there. They provide good food. For Hindu pilgrims, there is also free Dharamsala.
Others Facilities:
STD /ISD/Mobile networks/Internet services are available in Jomsom/Ranipauwa and Jharkot/. Health post and Post office in Jharkot. Police station, ACAP tourist information center, and Safe drinking water station at Ranipauwa. There are available Electricity facilities also.
Rule & Regulation
Muktinath lies in the Annapurna conservation area where an entry fee is required. Entry fees can be obtained from Kathmandu and Pokhara. The ACAP entry fee is Rs. 200.00 Per person for Indians and other SAARC nationals and Rs. 2000.00 per person for other foreign nationals at the above-mentioned designated place. An equal extra fee will be levied if permits are issued from the field check post. The Permit is nonrefundable, non-transferable, and valid for a single entry. Children below 10 yrs. need not an entry fee.
