One of the holiest Hindu temples in the world, Pashupatinath, is dedicated to Lord Shiva in his form as Pashupati (Lord of Animals). Located beside the Bagmati River, it was enlisted in 1979 in the World Heritage Site. The main pagoda-style temple is only open to Hindus, but the surrounding ghats and shrines can be visited by all. The Arya Ghat is used for open-air cremations, deeply rooted in Hindu beliefs about rebirth and moksha (Salvation).
Hindus from all around the world come to Pashupatinath for various reasons, and thousands of Hindus from all over Nepal and India come to visit this holy place for them. They come here to be cremated on the banks of the Bagmati River, where their ashes will be carried to the Ganga River. The Hindus believe that if they are cremated in the Pashupatinath, they will be reborn as a human regardless of the sin that they have committed in their current life, escaping the karma of samsara.
According to legends, Lord Shiva and Parvati came to earth as deer to explore the beauty of the banks of the Bagmati River. The other gods, wanting them to come back and resume their duties, forced them to return. In the altercation, Lord Shiva lost one of his antlers. That antler became a Linga, where Hindus worshiped, but it was later lost. It is said that the antler was found by a herdsman when he saw his cow showering the soil with its milk. When he dug the site, he came to find the Shiva Linga.
The myth suggests that the Shiva Linga was found thousands of years ago. But the archeological department, using carbon dating, found it to be a 4th-century artifact.
Pashupatinath has a quiet, almost somber atmosphere. Bodies can be seen being burned on the banks of the Bagmati River. There is the smell of bodies being burned and people crying over their departed family member.
There are sites of animals roaming around the Pashupatinath area, which includes monkeys, bulls, and deer. There are many temples inside the Pashupatinath area, and the main temples are gold topped, with Nepali pagoda architecture.
One of the festivals celebrated in Pashupatinath is Maha Lord Shivaratri, celebrating the marriage between Lord Shiva and Parvati. This festival attracts thousands of tourists, pilgrims, and sadhus to this place where priests pray from day to night. Fires are lit and various rituals are done in front of the temples and the Shiva Linga. It is a night when all Hindus unite for a holy occasion. There are other festivals celebrated in Pashupatinath as well, such as Teej. Teej is celebrated by Hindu women who fast for the health of their husbands. They wear red dresses and adorn themselves with flashy ornaments while dancing and singing in celebration of this day.
Pashipatinath is a place where life, death, spirit, culture, religion, and worship are shown. It is a place where Hindus gather to celebrate their religion, where scholars come to see and study the history and architecture.