Nepal has an extremely bewitching landscape that has often captivated the onlookers. Its subalpine forested hills, snow-capped mountains, lush green meadows, and rich biodiversity perfectly intensifies its beauty. As a popular destination for adventure tourism, Nepal is loved by adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

However, beyond being a popular destination for adventure activities, Nepal is home to several beautiful Hindu temples as well. And so, temple-hopping is another popular thing to do in Nepal. The capital city of Nepal—Kathmandu offers you a perfect opportunity to lose yourself a little with the dose of spirituality. One of the most oldest and popularly visited temples in Nepal is Pashupatinath Temple. The Pashupatinath Temple location is Kathmandu city. The temple is located near the holy Bagmati river. Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu is the nearest airport which is located at a distance of 2-3 km from the temple.

The Pashupatinath Temple of Nepal was listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1979. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Pashupatinath Temple’s inside sanctum sanctorum houses a Shiva-Lingam. The outer sanctum has a huge corridor. An enormous statue of Nandi Bull–Lord Shiva’s vehicle stands tall facing the temple complex. The temple has a gold-plated roof that gives it a striking appearance along with four silver-plated gates. It is constructed in the traditional Nepalese pagoda style. Lord Shiva is the principal deity who is worshipped here as ‘Pashupatinath’ or the ‘Lord of Animals’. The importance of Pashupatinath temple is that Lord Shiva is also worshipped here as the protector of the animals. The temple has a very tranquil atmosphere. One can spot numerous shrines, temples, and ashrams inside the temple complex. Sadhus and yogis come to the temple to meditate and offer prayers to Mahadev. If we talk about the importance of Pashupatinath Temple, then his temple finds its mention in Skanda Purana as one of the holy abodes of Lord Shiva. It is believed that by worshipping Lord Pashupatinath one can attain moksha or liberation.

The temple draws millions of tourists from different parts of India, especially during the festival of Mahashivratri. It is the perfect time to do the Pashupatinath Temple darshan as the temple comes alive with celebratory spirits and several sacred rituals. 

The Pashupatinath Temple’s story is that once a group of herdsmen noticed their cow pouring its milk on the soil. Later, they found a sacred Lingam while digging the soil. Since then, the Lingam has been worshipped as ‘Lord Pashupatinath’. The temple is one of the revered Hindu pilgrimage sites. 

Well, if you like temple-hopping, then Nepal’s Pashupatinath Temple should be on your travel bucket list. Here are the Top 5 untold facts about Pashupatinath Temple you need to know.

1. Four-faced Shiv Lingam

The temple houses a unique four-faced Shiva Lingam. This kind of Lingam can’t be found in any of the temples of Lord Shiva. The four faces of the Lingam are—Tatpurusha (East facing), Sadhyojata (West facing), Vamdeva (North-facing), and Aghora (South facing).

2. Four Priests At The Temple

Not many know that only four priests are allowed inside the inner sanctum of the temple. There are two groups of priests—Bhatta and Rajbhandari that perform the rituals at the holy Shiv Lingam.

3. Arya Ghat

Arya Ghat is the sacred Ghat located near Pashupatinath Temple. The holy waters of this Ghat are used to worship Lord Pashupatinath. It is also a cremation ground.  

4. Only Hindus Are Allowed 

Another interesting fact about the temple is that only Hindus are allowed entry inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. 

5. Collection of Paintings, Sculptures And Inscriptions

The temple has a rich collection of inscriptions, paintings, and sculptures. The doors of the temple are beautifully adorned with eye-catching artwork. You can see a few of them in Pashupatinath Temple photos.

If you are seeking a spiritual retreat and a calming experience, Pashupatinath Temple is a must-visit temple. Don’t wait any longer! Satisfy your spiritual quest by sauntering through the beautiful temple complex of Pashupatinath Temple. Lose yourself a little into the dose of spirituality like never before. Get in touch with our team of travel experts to learn more about Pashupatinath Temple tour packages or Nepal tour packages.