The Pashupatinath Mandir is not just a part of Nepal’s cultural legacy; it is also a part of the UNESCO World Culture and heritage List.
The History of the Magnificent Pashupatinath temple
Bhagwan Vishnu and other Gods bestowed Bhagwan Shiv with the name Pashupati.When Tripura Samhar took place, Bhagwan Shiv transformed Himself into the Lord of Demons and destroyed the three cities of illusion known as Tripura. At the time, Tripura was controlled by the asurs Kamlaaksh, Taarakaaksh, and Vidyunmaali, who were causing mayhem by attacking Gods and Rishis. It is thought that through worshipping Bhagwan Pashupatinath, people who are oblivious to their ego and unaffected by the suffering and feelings of others can attain Moksh.
The five faces of Pashupatinath; Tatpurush to the east, Sadyojat to the west, Vamdev, also referred as Uma Maheshwar, to the north, Aghor to the south, and Ishan to the sky symbolise the various forms of Bhagwan Shiv. The five faces stand for the five Hindu elements of earth, water, air, light, and ether. Basically, the Pashupatinath statue is a panchmukhi (five faced) Shivling sitting on Nandi.
The Architecture of the Pashupatinath Mandir
The Pashupatinath Mandir is well known for having the biggest temple complex that is believed to stretch across both banks of the Bagmati River, which is considered to be the most sacred river to Hindus.Its structure is in the shape of a pagoda, with a golden ceiling, four sides that are seen wrapped in silver, and the richest wood carvings. One will undoubtedly fall in love with this place when visiting because of its surroundings, which are littered with a variety of temples dedicated to Hindu and Buddhist gods. This fifth century made Pashupatinath mandir is a magnificent manifestation of the God of Animals, the omnipotent Bhagwan Shiv known as the Pashupati, is situated in the heart of Devpatan. Visitors of non-Hindu faith are not allowed to enter the temple, which rises around 25 m above ground, although one may enjoy a breathtaking view of it from the opposite side of the Bagmati River.
Significance of the Pashupatinath Temple
This temple represents the old Hindu concept that says copulation is not disgusting and dying is not something that should be dreaded. As a result, the temple is quite close to a ritual cremation site and has sexually explicit artwork on its roof. The centre of this compound is the Pashupatinath Temple. However, the complex also has a huge number of smaller temples. Guhyeshwari Mandir, Vatsala Mandir, Shree Ram Mandir, Sati Darwaja, and more monuments could be spotted nearby.
Pashupatinath mandir is also one of the 12 Jyotirlings. According to belief, this temple can save a soul from the sins it committed while living on earth. To ensure that they leave this world in this place of spiritual redemption, many old people and saints reside in this temple complex. As mentioned above, death is a natural aspect of life. Cremation takes place at the banks of the Holy River Bagmati. Visitors are allowed to take pictures and observe the entire cremation procedure. It is essential to be subtle and maintain a safe distance from the process. While it may be an experience for visitors, for others participating in the ceremony, it is the final ritual for a beloved family member.
