Lesser known facts about Muktinath Yatra

1. Lesser known facts about Muktinath Yatra No tour of Nepal is complete without visiting the auspicious Muktinath Temple. After the Mansarovar Yatra and the Pashupatinath Yatra, the Muktinath Yatra is one of the most opted for pilgrimage tour. Devotees from all over the world other than India, and Nepal visit this holy shrine seeking blessings of Lord Vishnu. This temple also holds great importance to Buddist religion also, thus making it a holy destination for them as well. The primary itinerary of Muktinath Yatra After landing at Kathmandu, one needs to travel 200 km approximately to Pokhara to begin the journey to Muktinath Temple. The Manakamana Devi Temple which is 20 mins of Cable car ride away is usually how the Muktinath Yatra begins. After an overnight halt at Pokhra, the next day the tour continues towards Jomson which is 175 km away. From Jomson, one needs to change vehicle to move through the uphill terrains towards Ranipauwa which is about 20 km away. From Ranipauwa, it is a half an hr trek through the Thorong La Pass valley to the temple. The temple is located in the Mustang District of Nepal. The same route is once again taken to get back to Pokhara. The Muktinath Tour packages are between 5 to 10 days. It depends on the inclusions in the tour, mode of transportation and weather conditions. Temple Timing - Morning - 5 AM to 12 PM Evening - 2 PM to 9 PM Best time to Visit - March to August The Muktinath Tour can cost anywhere between 200$ to 400$. The History of the Muktinath Temple The word ‘Muktinath’ originated from two separate entity of Sanskrit language Mukti and Nath. ‘Mukti’ means ‘Salvation or Nirvana’ and ‘Nath’ means ‘God or Master’. Legend says that this

2. holy shrine is one of the rare pious locations where one can attain moksha or freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Known by the synonym Muktichetra, this divine temple is believed to be the only remaining Hindu sthaan where one can get rid of their ‘Mohmaya’ or greed and illusion. The Shaligrams or Ammonites found on the route the trek to Muktinath Temple are believed to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and often worshipped as a sign of blessing. Though the temple was built at the beginning of the 19th century, there are many relevant documentation of its existence as early as 400 AD. The temple is famous for its Pagoda style architecture giving it the acknowledgment as a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhist alike. The temple remains open all year round, and on special occasions like Ram Navami, Dusshera, and Rishitarpani sees a massive surge in Hindu Pilgrims. The spectacular Annapurna range as the backdrop of the MuktinathTemple makes it an interesting and photogenic tourist spot too. What to see during Muktinath Yatra? Located within the temple complex is a pair of identical ponds. Dipping in the twin holy ponds called Lakshmi Saraswati Kunda is believed to wash away all your sins. True or false does not matter because pilgrims flock around the pond to bath in it always. Mukti Dhara is a bull head shaped watersprout with 108 streams located in the backyard of this temple. The holy water from Gandaki River flows through the waterspouts. Taking bath under all these 108 Muktidhara is believed to bring Moksha or salvation. Mharme Lha Khang Gompa is a Buddhist Monastery located in the north face of the Muktinath temple. It is solely is dedicated to Buddhist Monk Guru Rimpoche also known as Padmasambhava. Jwala Mai Temple is a must visit worthy spot in Muktinath because of its unusual geological marvel. The temple holds a continuously burning holy flame that is caused due to a heated rock underneath. The temple is located inside Dhola Mebar Gompa and is only five minutes walking distance southwards from the Muktinath Temple Shaligram are the iconic Fossils of the Jurassic era that is found strewn all across the Kali Gandaki River. This black stone is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and often taken home for worshipping by Pilgrims. Lesser Known facts about the Muktinath Temple Yatra- It is one of the Sakti Bhairava Peethas where Sati's hand fell. It is known as‘Gandaki Chandi’ according to Sanskrit scriptures, while the ‘Bhairava’ is addressed as ‘Chakrapani’.

3. The temple due to its historical presence in the 400 AD is regarded as one of the oldest Vishnu temples of the world. The Lord Vishnu statue of the temple is as tall as a normal human being. The temple complex has 108 water sprouts in the shape of Bull's head all watered by the Gadaki River channel passing through the temple naturally. The temple is at a height of 3710 meter above sea level Only Hindus are allowed to enter the inner sanctum of this temple. Rest can visit the remaining complex. The temple is one of the eighty only remaining holy worshipping place for the Vaishnavas The revered Satguru of Sabij Yoga Sir Swaminarayan at the end of 18th century also did severe penance here and attained Nishkamvrat in this temple. The unusual growth spurts of flora and fauna in the temple adjoining area in spite of the frigid climate and scarcity of oxygen is a scientific marvel that cannot be explained. The only Hindu pilgrim site where Tibetan Buddhist Nuns take care of the Mukthinath Temple. Muktinath yatra is an adventure that is worth taking not because of the immense value as a sacred and divine destination but also because of the sheer beauty of its location and numerous unexplainable things that are worth seeing with one's own eyes.