Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple, located on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, is revered as the most sacred Hindu temple in the country and one of the most important pilgrimage sites globally for devotees of Lord Shiva. Dedicated to Shiva in his form as Pashupatinath, the 'Lord of Animals' or 'Lord of All Beings,' its origins extend deep into antiquity, mentioned in ancient scriptures like the Puranas. While legends trace its founding back thousands of years, historical evidence suggests significant royal patronage from the Licchavi period (c. 400-750 CE). The current main temple structure, however, largely dates from the 17th century, believed to have been rebuilt or extensively renovated by King Bhupatindra Malla or his predecessors after the earlier temple was destroyed, possibly during an invasion by Sultan Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah of Bengal in the mid-14th century. Architecturally, the main temple is a masterpiece of the distinctive Nepali pagoda style. It features a square base, two tiers of sloping roofs covered in gilded copper, intricately carved wooden rafters (tundals) depicting deities and mythical creatures, and finely crafted silver-plated doors on all four sides. Inside the sanctum sanctorum rests the sacred Shivalinga, a four-faced (Chaturmukha) linga with a fifth, invisible face believed to be on top. The sprawling temple complex encompasses numerous smaller shrines dedicated to various Hindu and Buddhist deities, ashrams for sadhus, rest houses for pilgrims, and, significantly, the Arya Ghat and other ghats along the Bagmati River used extensively for open-air cremations according to Hindu rites. This juxtaposition of vibrant worship and public death rituals makes Pashupatinath a unique and powerful site reflecting core tenets of Hindu philosophy about life, death, and liberation. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site (as part of the Kathmandu Valley complex), Pashupatinath remains the spiritual heart of Nepal, attracting pilgrims and tourists worldwide, although entry into the main temple courtyard is traditionally restricted to Hindus.