Mount Machhapuchhre: Untouched Holy Mountain of Nepal

Sacred Mountain of Nepal, Mt. Machhapuchhre

Mt. Machhapuchhre is a holy mountain and has never been climbed officially. The Gurung communities regard Mt. Machhapuchhre as the home of Lord Shiva, guardian of the periphery. Many religious legends state that Lord Shiva dwells at the summit of the mountains. 

Similarly, natives of the Parbat and Kaski districts believe that the two peaks of Mount Machhapuchhre are represented by two divine brothers, Nara and Narayan (Lord Vishnu). Hindu people believe that the lake below this mountain makes its view spectacular, and they even offer animals and pray to the mountain for their protection and safety. 

Significance of Machhapuchhre

Machhapuchhre holds religious significance among the locals of the Annapurna region. The castes like Gurung and Magar reside in the periphery of this mountain. The locals believe that Mount Machhapuchhre is the house of the Hindu god, Shiva. 

The strong belief in Lord Shiva makes this mountain sacred, and it is a sin to climb this mountain. So, officially there have been no attempts of summit climbing, as it would disturb the residence of the god living within. There is another saying that the shape of a fishtail mountain was formed when Lord Shiva detached a powerful demon into three pieces: head, body, and tail. This tail of the demon has formed the shape of Mount Machhapuchhre.

Climbing History

In 1950, a British expedition led by Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Roberts attempted to climb the summit. When Wilfrid Noyce and A. D. M. Cox were closer than 150 m to reaching the summit, they turned back as a sign of respect to the locals and then King Mahendra. They climbed via North Ridge, but others believed that heavy snowfall was the reason behind their return.

Illegal Climber of Mt. Machhapuchhre

Bell Denz, from New Zealand, attempted to climb the peak of Machhapuchhre illegally in the 1980s. He couldn't gain the victory but lost his life due to an avalanche. Since the 1950s, there haven’t been issued any climbing permits to Mount Machhapuchhre.

Why is climbing on Mt. Machhapuchhre banned? Will the ban ever get lifted?

Mount Machhapuchhre is banned from climbing because of its religious importance. Locals believe in and worship this mountain as the home of Lord Shiva and consider him the guardian of the landmark. So, the Nepal government stopped providing permits for mountaineers.

Likewise, mt.everest ( 8848.86 m), Mt. Annapurna (8091 m), Mt. Ganesh (7422 m), and so on also have religious, cultural, and spiritual significance, but climbing on these peaks is allowed. Tourism municipalities raised a concern regarding the ban uplift of Mt. Machhapuchhre in 2017. As of 2024, the ban is still firm, and it seems like they won't lift the ban anytime soon. 

You can enjoy the mesmerizing view of Machhapuchhre by trekking to the Machhapuchhre Base Camp. When you are trekking to the Annapurna Base Camp, you get a chance to stay at Machhapuchhre Base Camp as well. 

Conclusion

With its mystical aura and breathtaking beauty, Mount Machhapuchhre is in the heart of adventure lovers and mountain expeditors. The remarkable blend of natural wonders and cultural richness, Mount Machhapuchhre, aka Fishtail, is one of the most popular mountains in the Himalayas of Nepal. It is also considered the backbone of Annapurna Himal due to its long spur ridge.