Welcome to Pashupatinath, a famous and sacred Hindu temple complex located on the banks of the Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.
The temple complex was built in the 5th century by Licchavi King Prachanda Dev, and over time, many more temples have been erected around this two-storied temple. The complex is a sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images, and inscriptions raised over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river, and it was included in UNESCO’s designation of Kathmandu Valley as a World Heritage site in 1979.
As you walk through the temple complex, you will see the richly ornamented pagoda that houses the sacred linga, or holy symbol of Lord Shiva. There are also other temples within the complex, including the Vaishnava temple complex with a Rama temple from the 14th century and the Guhyeshwari Temple mentioned in an 11th-century manuscript.
Pashupatinath is a popular temple, and people from all over the world come to visit it, especially during the Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratri. This festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm. On this day, the temple complex is beautifully decorated with lights, and the devotees come to offer their prayers and perform rituals.
The legend surrounding the origin of the temple is fascinating. It is said that Lord Shiva and Parvati once took the form of an antelope and sported unknown in the forest on the Bagmati river’s east bank. The gods later caught up with them and forced them to resume their divine form. The broken horn was worshipped as a Sivalinga, but over time it was buried and lost. Centuries later, astonished herdsmen found one of his cows showering the earth with milk, and digging deep at the site, they discovered the divine linga of Pashupatinath.
At Nepal Tourism Hub, we highly recommend visiting Pashupatinath if you are in Kathmandu. The temple is not just a place of worship but also a remarkable architectural and historical site that reflects the rich cultural heritage of Nepal. Come and experience the peace and serenity of this holy place, and immerse yourself in the divine energy of Lord Shiva.
