Pashupatinath: A Heritage with deep importance for Hindu devotees.
Pasupatinath Temple could be something to brag about inside Kathmandu. It is the holiest temple for Hindus all over the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River, Gaushala Kathmandu. Its masterpiece work in architecture dazzles us all.
But there is more to it than its beauty and religious significance. Everyone selling flowers and incense has a different story about their relationship with the Pashupatinath temple. Thousands of monkeys and their caregivers have different ways of worshipping Lord Shiva, and their relationship and coexistence with one another is a different way of expressing gratitude to Lord Shiva. There are many sages (yogis) with various styles of worshipping Lord Shiva in the temple premises. Superior devotees of Lord Shiva, known as Agoris, have different styles. But one thing is certain: your entrance into Pashupatinath, as well as any acts of worship or gratitude to Lord Shiva, will be heard in Pashupatinath temple
Bagmati River
It is believed that the pure water of the Bagmati River and prayers to Lord Shiva are heard in Pashupatinath. The preserved area of various animals with a magnificent view of the Pasupati area gives us a religious vibe, and spending a few hours there can relax your mind and soul.The two sides of Bagmati river defines life and death. Bagmati river originates in Kathmandu and flowing through the side of many temples it will flow toward India.
Chandan
The Chandan we receive on our foreheads from the priests of Pashupatinath temple not only represents religious value but also has a secret medicinal purpose. In our heads, we can feel a sense of relaxation. We feel calm and cool in our bodies, which helps us for a variety of medicinal purposes. So give it a shot and see what happens. Yes, it is like two shots with one arrow in terms of blessings and religious value as well as its great health attributes. Long time ago bathing in Bagmati river to clean your body and chandan for a good smell was common. But pollution in Bagmati river has made it difficult now a days
Deity
We can earn a lifetime deity in Pashupatinath temple by helping animals, a few people in need, and having the opportunity to receive blessings from elderly people in old age homes there. Lord Shiva, along with the sacred Shiva lingam, resides and lives in a variety of locations, people, and places. Holy water from Bagmati river and worshipping of Pashupatinath is a great deity.
Festivals in Pashupatinath
The days of Maha Shivaratri, when millions of devotees of Shiva visit and worship, are ideal for experiencing true Pasupatinath temple. Or Teej, when all Hindu women worship Shiva for their husband's or future husband's prosperity and longevity, and when all women fast, wear green or yellow, and pray for a life partner as ideal as Shiva himself.Hartalika Teej is celebrated to honour Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, the symbols of love, and to wish for a happy married life as well as the health and prosperity of their partners. Married women perform the puja with all the rituals, and fast without having a drop of water on this day. Unmarried girls also fast on Hartalika Teej in order to find a suitable and loving partner. Maha Shivaratri is an annual Hindu festival honouring the god Shiva. The name also relates to the night when Shiva performs the divine dance known as Tandava.
History of Pashupatinath
We exactly don't know when or who built this temple. The temple's history dates back to the 11th and 14th centuries, but it is also said that it was built by Prachanda Deva, a Licchavi king. It is also said that Lord Shiva himself visited the banks of the Bagmati River in Antelope form, and one of his horns was broken and formed into a Lingam, which was later discovered and a temple was built there.The Gopal dynasties were among the first people to live in Kathmandu Valley, and they were cow herders from India and when cows began crowding in one location, and some cows were even seen giving milk to land later dug for Shiva lingam. It is believed to be the exact location of the temple today. According to legend, the linga is divided into three parts: the lower part of the lingam represents Brahma, the god of creation; the middle part of the lingam represents Vishnu, the god of protection; and the upper part of the lingam represents Rudra, the god of medicine or an incarnation of Lord Shiva, the god of destruction.
Architectural structure
This temple is a pagoda-style structure with a pure gold pinnacle and silver doors. However, the woods carved in this temple are nothing short of gold and silver. The wood carving is truly master craftsmanship and appears to be impossible to create by hand. There are over 100 small temples and over 1000 statues of various gods and goddesses. The massive "Nandi" statue of a bull believed to be Shiva's ride is made of copper and gold covering. Its two roofs are also made of copper and covered in gold.
Priests in Pashupatinath Temple
Only four priests are permitted to touch the idol. Pashupatinath's daily rituals are performed by two groups of priests: the Bhatta and the Rajbhandari. Bhandaris are helpers and temple caretakers who are not qualified to perform puja rituals or touch the lingam, whereas Bhatta perform the daily ritual and can touch the lingam. The current Bhatt priests of the temple are:
- Ganesh Bhat (15th head priest of the Pashupatinath Temple aka Mool Bhat) from Udupi.
- Ram Karanth Bhat from Mangalore.
- Girish Bhat from Sirsi
- Narayan Bhat (Recently appointed) from Bhatkal.
Entry inside the temple
The temple has four entrances, but only the western one is open on regular days, and the other three are only open on special occasions or festivals. Only security officers and members of the Pashupatinath area development trust are permitted to enter the inner courtyard. Outside, we must remove all leather objects such as belts, wallets, and bags, and we are not permitted to wear shoes or slippers inside the temple's main gate. Only Hindus from the west, Buddhists from Nepal and Tibet, and sheiks with Indian ancestors are permitted to enter the temple courtyard. Other visitors are not permitted to enter the temple courtyard but may visit other areas. The temple is open from 5 or 6 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m., and no one is permitted to enter the temple.However, the Shiva lingam can only be seen from the outside.
Monkeys and pigeon in Pashupatinath
In the Pashupatinath area, we can see many different types of birds and animals. Every step of Pashupati is home to one of the animal monkeys. That is why Nepalese people are not alarmed when they see monkeys in these areas. It's just a simple thing in the neighbourhood. Every day, monkeys come to eat the fruits that people leave in a temple. Monkeys are thought to be incarnations of the god Hanuman, and we can see people worshipping and feeding them. Pashupatinath has become an ecosystem for pigeons and monkeys, and many visitors offer rice seeds and fruits to god Shiva, and they get to eat the majority of the offerings, as well as the forest nearby provides them with an ideal environment.
Pashupatinath sandhya aarti: Experience pure bliss
Aarti means to pray to God with music and songs, as well as to offer fire and incense. The Pashupatinath sandhya aarti is one of the most memorable experiences you will have. It begins at 6:30 a.m. and lasts nearly two hours on the eastern side of Pashupatinath temple. On the banks of the Bagmati River, we can see priests with all instruments Ghanti, Damaru, and someone singing spiritual songs (bhajans), as well as some priests with fire rotating in a specific motion to honour God properly. We can see aarti on one side of the Bagmati River representing life and Aryaghat on the other side representing death, so as we are on the verge of life and death, we enjoy this aarti and pray to God for world peace. This will be a great chance to be a part of these sacred rituals, especially for Hindus who often miss them due to time constraints and a lack of knowledge. The cold breeze on the banks of the Bagmati, accompanied by bhajans and hymns, gives us a religious vibe, and the lights from oil lamps will literally give you chills.
