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Hair today: Ian Wright with a Sadhu at the temple
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Nepal is more popularly known as the land of the Himalayas,
but to every visitor's surprise Nepal entails more than just
the mystery of the mountains. About three miles northeast
of Kathmandu, on the West Bank of the holy Bagmati
River, stands the most popular Shiva-temple of Nepal.
The Pashupatinath is not only the most important Hindu
temple in Kathmandu, it's also an important cremation ground
for the native Hindu people. Most of the rituals related to
the cremation take place on the banks of river Bagmati.
What's the history here?
According to Hindu belief, the history of the development
of Nepalese civilization and culture can be traced back to
the Age of Truth when King Manu, who is said to be
the first king of the world, ruled Nepal. A temple dedicated
to Shiva existed at this site in AD 879. In 1697, King Bhupatindra
Malla built the temple which exists today.
A gold-plated roof, silver doors, and woodcarvings of the
finest quality decorate the pagoda construction. A circuit
of the Pashupati area takes visitors past a sixth-century
statue of the Buddha, an eighth-century statue of Brahma the
creator and numerous other temples.
What's there to see and do?
The temple of Pashupatinath is a pagoda with two floors covered
by a gold coloured roof. The four great entrances are decorated
with silver. The site, housing many sanctuaries, is dominated
by a statue of the bull Nandi, the riding-animal of Shiva.
There are linga images of Shiva along with statues, shrines,
and temples dedicated to other deities in the Pashupatinath
complex.
Most of the temple is closed to foreigners and those of non-Hindu
faith, who may enter the main Pashupatinath courtyard only.
As a visitor, you can observe the complex from the hill which
is situated on the other bank of the river. You can also look
at the rituals and you see the "ghats" (cremation
place) along the riverbank near the Bagmati River.
Taking photographs of the cremation rituals or of the bereaved
families is not advised under any circumstances. Sadhus, sages
who follow the lifestyle of Shiva, may be seen covered in
ashes and loincloths and you wish take their photograph in
exchange for a little money.
Along the bank you can see little houses in which old people
that are waiting for their death can stay. After cremation
on the "ghats", the ashes are scattered into the
river. Many Hindus believe that they reach "nirvana"
when their ashes are strewed in the Bagmati River. |
