Pashupatinath Temple History
Pashupatinath Temple was originally built to house the sacred lingam, and the place was built to worship the lord Shiva. Multiple kings of ancient Nepal contributed to the temple’s construction and renovation over centuries.
The earliest recorded evidence of the temple shrine at the location dates back to around 400 CE. The Lichhavi king Prachanda Deva is credited with building the original stone temple in that time.
Later, the king Supuspa Deva expanded the temple shrine into a five-story temple in the 5th century (400–499 CE).
In 753 CE, King Jayadeva II played an important role in documenting the Pashupatinath Temple history and confirming its importance within the Lichhavi dynasty.
Thereafter, King Shivadeva I and King Ananta Malla carried out the construction and added features like the iconic pagoda roof in the 10th to 14th centuries.
The current main temple structure, with its gilded copper roof and silver-plated doors, was rebuilt by the Malla king Bhupatindra Malla in 1692 CE.
Now the temple has a vast area along the Bagmati River, including over 500 subsidiary shrines, ashrams, and temples, such as the Ram temple from the 14th century and the Guhyeshwari Temple.
Mythological origins of the Pashupatinath Temple
The Pashupatinath Temple’s origins are rooted in the Hindu myths and legends. According to the legend, the lord Shiva and goddess Parvati become allured by the beauty of the forests along the Bagmati River in the Kathmandu Valley.
Then, they decided to transform themselves into a pair of beautiful deer and live there for some time. During their time, they were away from the divine duties.
When there was an absence of the lord Shiva, the other gods panicked and came searching for him. After the long search, they finally located him in the forest. But the deer form (Lord Shiva) was unwilling to return.
The lord Vishnu himself comes to convince the lord Shiva. While trying to catch the deer (Lord Shiva), one of the horns was caught by Vishnu. The horn was accidentally broken into four pieces.
The broken horns were declared as the original Shiva lingam. Lord Shiva then declared that he would reside there permanently as Pashupatinath (Lord of Animals) in the site. He also blessed that anyone who died and was cremated in the Pashupatinath would attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth).
There is another story by the legend. The legend says that even after the event, the area was not popular. The sacred lingam was not known by many people at that time.
But, people notice a cow of the local herdsman (a divine wish-fulfilling cow named Kamadhenu) regularly visit a specific spot on the riverbank and spontaneously shower the earth with her milk.
The locals got fascinated by the mysterious behavior of that cow. Then, the local, along with the cowherd, dug into the spot and uncovered the shiva lingam. Legend says that the Shiva lingam was glowing with divine energy at that time.
After recognizing the divine energy, the locals began to worship the lingam. The continuous tradition of worshiping led to the establishment of the current Pashupatinath Temple.
Architectural Overview
The Pashupatinath Temple has traditional pagoda-style structures made during different courses of time. The architecture of the temple combines the religious symbolism with the intricate craftsmanship.
It features a two-tiered roof made of copper and coated with gold, a square base platform, and four silver-plated main doors. A golden spire (Gajur) crowns the top of the roof.
The Hindu deities and mythological figures are finely carved and adorned with the wooden rafters (tundals) and other structural elements.
Inside the temple, there are two garbhagrihas (sanctums). The inner sanctum houses the sacred four-faced Shiva lingam (mukhalinga), and an outer sanctum houses a corridor-like space.
The surrounding complex elements include the Nandi statue, the Bagmati River and ghats, smaller temples and shrines dedicated to the various deities, and ashrams.
Travel Tips for Visitors
- Best time to visit (avoid heavy crowds)
The best time to visit the Pashupatinath Temple is during the monsoon season from June to September. This season attracts fewer crowds from the globe. So, you can have some private exploration without being intimidated by the large crowds.
On a regular time, go to the temple early in the morning on a weekday. The weekends and holidays are the busiest days for the locals as well as tourists to visit the temple. So, the morning on the weekdays is the best option.
- Dress code and behavior guidelines
While visiting the Pashupatinath Temple, you should follow the strict dress code and behavior guidelines. For example, always wear the clothes that cover your shoulders, chest, and knees. Avoid leather items. And always remove the shoes while entering the temple.
The behavior is very important in the temple premises. Maintain quiet and respectful outward behavior throughout the complex. Don’t interfere in any ongoing religious activities, prayers, or funeral pyres near the Bagmati Temple.
The other thing is there are too many monkeys there. So, avoid keeping eye contact with them and refrain from carrying food or shiny objects.
Inside the Pashupatinath Temple and its inner sanctum, photography is strictly prohibited. You still must be respectful of ongoing rituals and individual privacy in the outer complex.
The cremation ghats are in an extreme sensitivity area. Don't photograph the mourning families or the cremation itself without explicit permission. You can photograph the general area.
Some sadhus may demand a small donation for the photographs. However, permissions are still required in those cases. Don’t use drones on the temple premises.
- Safety tips and respecting rituals and cremation areas.
While exploring the temple complex, keep a close eye on your belongings. The temple area is crowded, and pickpocketing can be common.
Also, there are several aggressive Rhesus macaques on the premises. Do not carry food, water bottles, or shiny objects, or try to feed or pet the monkeys.
Use the provided locker facilities to store your footwear or valuables. Politely decline the goods or services that the beggars or individuals are trying to sell, as they may be attempting to sell the counterfeit goods or services.
Follow all the general temple safety tips and guidelines and maintain respectful behaviors.
Do’s
1. Do dress modestly, covering the shoulders, chest, and knees.
2. Do remove your shoes before entering any temple premises or ghats.
3. Do maintain a quiet and respectful outward behavior.
4. D0 asks permission before photographing people, especially sadhus.
5. Do use the lockers for storing shoes and valuables.
Don’ts
1. Don’t wear revealing or tight-fitting clothes.
2. Don’t enter the main temple if you are non-Hindu.
3. Don’t interrupt any religious ceremonies or funeral rites.
4. Don’t photograph the cremations or grieving families without explicit consent.
5. Don’t carry food or shiny objects openly near monkeys.
6. Don’t carry religious icons or shrines.
To sum up...
Due to the deep connection to Hinduism, its status as a sacred pilgrimage site, and its role as the guardian deity of the nation, the Pashupatinath Temple remains the spiritual heart of Nepal. People from all over the world come here to pray, meditate, and find spiritual solace.
