Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest and most sacred Hindu temple in Kathmandu, with origins believed to be pre-Vedic. According to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda of Skanda Purana, the deity here gained great fame as Pashupati, meaning "Lord of all living beings."

The temple's existence is recorded as early as 400 CE. Historical records indicate it was constructed by Supuspadev, a Licchavi king who ruled the Kathmandu Valley between 464 and 505 AD. The sanctuary was later reconstructed by medieval king Shivadeva (1099-1126 CE), and the present main temple was built at the end of the 17th century to replace an earlier structure damaged by termites.

Located on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple complex spans an impressive 246 hectares and includes 518 mini-temples. The main temple features stunning Newari architecture with two-level copper roofs covered in gold. The structure stands 23.7 meters tall from base to pinnacle, with four main doors covered in silver sheets.

The temple is intimately connected to Hindu mythology. According to the Shiva Purana, this is where Lord Shiva, hidden underground in the form of a bull, reappeared with his head—making Pashupatinath the "head" of all Jyotirlingas. Devotees believe that without the darshan of Pashupatinath, pilgrimage to the 12 Jyotirlingas remains incomplete.

Arya Ghat beside the Bagmati River serves as the main Hindu cremation site in Kathmandu. Many believe cremation at Pashupatinath ensures moksha—liberation from the cycle of rebirth. The temple attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees during Maha Shivaratri festival.

Despite some damage to outer buildings during the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, the main temple complex and sanctum sanctorum remained untouched. The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 as part of the Kathmandu Valley heritage zone.