Description of the attraction
The Pashupatinath Hindu temple complex is dedicated to Shiva, or Pashupati as he is often called. It is located in the eastern part of Kathmandu on the two banks of the Bagmati River.
The complex was built in 400 AD. e., therefore, it is considered the most ancient sanctuary that appeared in Nepal. Non-Hindu tourists can see only some of the buildings of this temple. The main sanctuaries and the courtyard of the complex are closed to the Gentiles. And there are many travelers from different countries of the world. They are attracted by the strange customs of the local people who worship Shiva.
Part of the Pashupatinath complex, located on the western bank of Bagmati, is reserved for funeral pyres intended for people of different castes who dream of a better rebirth. Many old people arrive in Pashupatinath several weeks before the date of their supposed death and live out their last days in a special shelter. The ashes are then scattered over the water of the river. Many believers who have arrived at the temple take ablutions in this not very clean river.
To see the entire funeral ceremony, tourists gather on the opposite, eastern, bank of the river. This coast is occupied by some temple buildings and a vast park, which was chosen by the monkeys. According to local beliefs, any animal that dies in Pashupatinath territory will be human in its next life. Monkeys are not offended here, but on the contrary, they are fed.
In addition to large temples, in Pashupatinath you can see more than a hundred miniature lingams - sacred stones symbolizing the horn of Shiva, which are worshiped mainly by women.
