Pashupatinath temple is a Hindu temple located on the shore of the Bagmati river on the eastern part of Kathmandu,
the capital of Nepal. It is regarded as the most sacred temple of Shiva (Pashupati) in Nepal. Shivaratri or night of lord Shiva is the most important festival celebrated in this temple.
Along the shores of the Bagmati river near the temple lies "Arya Ghat", the most widely used place of cremation for the deceased in Nepal, especially in and around the Kathmandu valley. There is also a large market in the streets surrounding the temple. Vendors sell souvenirs to tourists,
but also cloth, dyes, and religious supplies. Believers of the faith Hinduism are allowed to enter the temple. Non-Hindu visitors are allowed to have a look at the temple from the other bank of Bagmati river.
The priests who perform the services at this temple are always from south India. This tradition is supposed to have
started by Sage Shankaracharya in 6th century, ostensibly to stop human sacrifice which was prevalent in that temple.
Another interpretation is that Indian priests are stationed at Pashupatinath because when the King passes away, the
entire Nepali people are supposed to stop religious services and enter a year long period of mourning. As the Pashupatinath needs to be eternally worshipped, Indians were brought to make sure that the Pashupatinath is worshipped even at the time of official mourning. One of the best known of these priests was Raval Padmanabha Shastri Adiga (1927-2005). He started as a priest in 1955 and was promoted to Chief priest in 1967. In his time, he started a movement to use the temple funds for local development. He retired in 1993 and moved back to his home town Udupi.
The temple is of pagoda architecture. The two level roofs are of copper with gold covering. It has four main doors, all covered with silver sheets. The western door has a statue of large bull or Nandi, again covered in gold.
The deity is of black stone, about 6 ft in height and about 6ft circumference. The priests are called Bhattas and the
chief priest is known as Mool Bhatt.
Daily Puja at Pashupatinath temple:
Every morning the west door of the sanctum is opened by the Bhandaris (store-keepers) at 4 AM, from when worship begins.
At half past nine in the morning the other three doors are also opened. After bathing the lingum with holy waters,
sacred worship by Panchamrit Abhishek (consecration by ghee, milk, honey, sugar and curd) is done by the priests.
During the time the lingam is elegantly dressed up in gorgeous costume, made of brocade and set with tripunda
(sandal paste mark) Chattras (umbrellas) are also placed on the four heads. On the top head, the graphic Shri
Yantra is drawn with sandal paste.Arti is performed then. Later Bhog is offered. After this Individual puja is
done for the public who would like to do special Puja at temple.
Drashan can be done any time from 4 A.M to 12 noon. From 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM, temple closes. At 6 pm Rudravishekam is
done as mention above and from 6:30 to 7:00 P.M, client special puja is performed. In the evening Arti is performed
exactly as morning methods.
