Pashupatinath Temple: A Sacred Dedication to Lord Shiva, Part 2 of 3

Located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Deopatan, just 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from Kathmandu, is Pashupatinath Temple. Also known as “The Temple of Living Beings,” it is one of the most sacred Hindu temples of Nepal. The majestic temple is dedicated to a manifestation of Lord Shiva called Lord Pashupatinath, also known as “Lord of Animals.” Dating back to 400 BC, this Hindu temple is the oldest in Nepal. Hindus travel from afar to spend the final weeks of their lives here and have their bodies cremated on the banks of Bagmati River. Festivals have a meaningful role in Nepal’s rich cultural heritage. Throughout the year, thousands of people from all over the world unite for festivals at the Pashupatinath Temple. The most important one is the Maha Shivaratri, which literally means “Night of Lord Shiva.” It celebrates the night when Lord Shiva performed the Tandav, or the cosmic dance. All night, devotees chant “Om Namah Shivaya” and “Mahamritunjaya.” Due to the region’s significance, in 1986, His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev designated about 264 hectares of the land as the Pashupati Area. “After the announcement, Pashupati Area Development Trust was established for the development of the region. Pashupati Area Development Trust is taking the responsibility to guard, maintain, and extend the temples, monuments, and monasteries of that area. The Pashupati Area is a living holy place. It is very difficult to find a living holy place in the world.” “Pashupati Development Trust is working to develop the Pashupati Area as one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus living all around the world.”