• Sri Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, is one of the holy sites for Shiva Bhakts across the Globe. Temple is built on banks of Bagmati river which is stretched on both sides of Bagmati River. Bagmati River is considered a holy river for Hindus. The main pagoda-style temple has a gilded roof, four sides covered in silver, and exquisite wood carvings. The temple complex has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1979. In the temple complexes, we can witness many temple complexes, various types of Paintings, Inscriptions that have been raised over a period of time.

Legend

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the Holiest Places in Kathmandu. The exact date of construction is unknown by but it is believed it was built in 400 BC. The present construction which we see today has been done in 1692 CE. Temple has been mentioned in many holy scriptures. It is believed that those who die in Pashupatinath Temple are reborn as a human, regardless of any misconduct that could worsen their karma. Only Hindus are allowed to have the holy Darshan of Shivalinga. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the Temple Premises.

It is believed that Prabhu Shiva and Mata Parvati came to the banks of the Bagmati River and decided to stay here for some time. They were fascinated with the beauty of their surroundings and changed themselves to Deer to roam around the jungle and the surroundings of the jungle. Many Traces have been found in Kathmandu where Prabhu have visited during this time. After a while, the people and other Bhagwan began to search for Prabhu Shiva. Finally, after various complications, they found him in the forest, but Prabhu refused to leave. More complications ensued, but ultimately Prabhu Shiva announced that, since he had lived by the Bagmati river in a deer’s form, he would now be known as Pashupatinath, Prabhu of all animals.

History

The construction of the Temple has been not been cleared by anyone but it is believed to be constructed in 400 BC. But over time many temples complexes were built by various rulers. These include the Vaishnava temple complex with a Rama temple from the 14th century and the Guhyeshwari Temple mentioned in an 11th-century manuscript. The current complex has been built in 1692 CE.

It is said that the wish-fulfilling cow Kamadhenu took shelter in a cave on the Chandravan mountain. Every day Kamadhenu went down to the place where the lingam was sunken into the soil and poured her milk on top of the soil. After a few years, some people saw Kamadhenu pouring milk on that same spot every day, and started to wonder what that would be. So they removed the soil and found the beautiful shining lingam and started worshiping it.

Religious Significance

It is said that whoever came here would not be reborn as an animal. The exact day of their death is predicted by astrologers of the temple. If you are attracted to the places where the spirit of death can be felt, then consider Pashupatinath as your first destination. It is a temple with a special atmosphere of death; death is present in almost every ritual and every corner of it.