Pashupatinath is an excellent place to visit in Nepal. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and possesses many interesting sites within and outside the main temple complex. The post shows some of such sites in Pasupatinath. The first three are open for both hindus and non-hindus and the remaning four are for hindus only.
1. Daily aarati : Daily aarati is starts after 6:30 pm on the bank opposite to where dead bodies are cremated. Three priests clad in pure yellowish attire perform a series of sacred postures along with "dhup" (incense smoke) and "aarati" (lights from wicks) directing towards lord Shiva. This is a good sight to see for visitors who are new to hindu rituals and also an opportunity for Hindus to witness the special daily puja of god Shiva.
2. Birupaksya: Also known as "Kali" (कली), it is among the oldest statues in Nepal. Birupakshya is the representation of lord Shiva in human form.. The statue is considered to be slowly and continuously rising from ground level. It is believed the world will come to an end when the statue will fully rise above the ground. An old photo which shows the statue in ground up to the waist level is kept in the national museum. We are not sure whether taking photographs are allowed however we were able to obtain this rare photo.
3. Ram mandir and Dudhari baba : There is a temple dedicated to lord Ram and the abode of Dudhari baba (Milk baba) who lives only on milk. While you are not advised to disturb the peace of the old saint you can pay a visit to the nearby Ram temple and another complex which opens via a door at the back of the house of Dudhari baba. The complex has a couple of temples and also houses many other saints on the surrounding semi modern huts. The place is on the right just after taking some steps in the stairs right across the river.
5. Chaurasi :
No idea why this place is called "chaurasi" may be it has 184 shiv lings. But I am sure it does not have more than 200. There are rows of shiv lingas arranged in a maze like manner where people go around touching each one and chanting "Om Namaha Shivaya". The photo below is not the actual place but pretty much shows the real picture.
6. Hair Rubbing Pole : This is often overlooked by visitors and not "that" famous but some people say that if you rub your hair in this pole it will grow well. Again, they just sat that and its only a matter of belief. The stone pole comes upto the level of waist and is near the entrance of Chaurasi behind Unamatta Bhairab.
7. Biswaroopa :
This place is quite interesting and many might not know of the existence of the site. It is located on the east jungle of Pasupatinath. Biswaroopa is believed to be the manifestation of all forms of the universe as "Biswa" means world and "Roopa" means form. There is a collection of many small images of gods as well as some sacred shapes and symbols in a single large structure which may prove hard to make sense out of for first time visitors. A priest performs daily worship every morning and evening. The main temple opens every morning from 6 to 8 am and every evening from 7 to 8 pm and remains shut during daytime. The courtyard is open for visit anytime. You can reach here via stairs right across the river. Once at the end of stairs take a right and walk your way for two minutes to reach the temple complex.
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1. Daily aarati : Daily aarati is starts after 6:30 pm on the bank opposite to where dead bodies are cremated. Three priests clad in pure yellowish attire perform a series of sacred postures along with "dhup" (incense smoke) and "aarati" (lights from wicks) directing towards lord Shiva. This is a good sight to see for visitors who are new to hindu rituals and also an opportunity for Hindus to witness the special daily puja of god Shiva.
2. Birupaksya: Also known as "Kali" (कली), it is among the oldest statues in Nepal. Birupakshya is the representation of lord Shiva in human form.. The statue is considered to be slowly and continuously rising from ground level. It is believed the world will come to an end when the statue will fully rise above the ground. An old photo which shows the statue in ground up to the waist level is kept in the national museum. We are not sure whether taking photographs are allowed however we were able to obtain this rare photo.
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| Photo courtesy: Nirajan Pudasaini |
3. Ram mandir and Dudhari baba : There is a temple dedicated to lord Ram and the abode of Dudhari baba (Milk baba) who lives only on milk. While you are not advised to disturb the peace of the old saint you can pay a visit to the nearby Ram temple and another complex which opens via a door at the back of the house of Dudhari baba. The complex has a couple of temples and also houses many other saints on the surrounding semi modern huts. The place is on the right just after taking some steps in the stairs right across the river.
4. Unamatta Bhairab :
The temple of Unamatta Bhairab dates back to late 1500s. It lies in the main temple complex and is in the southern side of Pashupatinath. One can also say its to the right side of the main silver door of the temple at the front. The darshan (sight) of Pasupatinath is considered complete only after visiting the Bhairab statue. You will see a full size metal statue of bhairab in standing posture inside the temple. Devotees circle the statue to pay respect to the lord.
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| Photo courtesy: Gyandutt Pandey |
7. Biswaroopa :
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