Pashupatinath Temple is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams on the continent. One of the most important & secret holy pilgrimages sites for Hindu devotees. This temple was classified as a World Heritage Site in 1979. This "extensive Hindu temple precinct" is a "sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions raised over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river", and is one of seven monument groups in UNESCO's designation of Kathmandu Valley. It is built on an area of 246 hectares (2,460,000 m²) and includes 518 mini-temples and a main pagoda house.
This main temple is built in the Nepali pagoda style of architecture. The two-level roofs are of copper with gold covering. The temple rests on a square base platform with a height of 23m 7 cm from base to pinnacle. It has four main doors, all covered with silver sheets. This temple has a gold pinnacle (peak). Inside are two garbhagrihas: the inner garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum is where the idol is placed, and the outer sanctum is an open corridor-like space.
Temple Uniquiness
Only four priests can touch the idol. Daily rituals of Pashupatinath are carried out by two groups of priests: the Bhatta and the Rajbhandari. Bhatta perform the daily ritual and can touch the lingam, whereas Bhandaris are helpers and temple caretakers who are not qualified to perform puja rituals or to touch the deity.
Festivals & Abhisheka
There are many festivals throughout the year, such as the Maha Shivaratri and the Teej festival. Teej is one of the most celebrated festival at Pashupatinath Temple.
The inner sanctum where the lingam is placed has four entrances: east, west, north, south. From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. devotees can worship from all four doors. All four doors are also opened during abhisheka from 9 to 11 a.m. Abhisheka is done based on the direction the mukh is viewed.
Contact Address:
Pashupati Nath Road
Kathmandu 44600
Nepal
Nearest Railway Station: The Abbey Wood station is the nearest one to Pashupatinath Temple in Plumstead.
Nearest Airport: Tribhuvan International Airport is just 5 km away from the main city. The distance between Pashupatinath Temple and Kathmandu Airport (KTM) is 1105 km.
