About Pashupatinath Temple
Visiting Pashupatinath Temple offers a spiritual experience in Kathmandu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Pashupatinath. The main temple stands beside the Bagmati River and is surrounded by many smaller temples, shrines, monuments, and traditional structures. The complex is known for its religious traditions, historic architecture, daily rituals, and Bagmati Aarti.
Highlights
• Historic temple dedicated to Lord Shiva
• Located on the banks of the Bagmati River
• One of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in Nepal
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Main temple with traditional pagoda-style architecture
• Golden roofs and beautifully decorated doors
• Large temple complex with many shrines and monuments
• Sacred Shiva Lingam
• Pashupati Bagmati Aarti
• Important pilgrimage during Maha Shivaratri
• Nearby Guhyeshwari Temple
• Aryaghat and other important sites along the Bagmati River
• Important centre of Shaivite traditions
Things to Know
• Pashupatinath Temple is located in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Pashupatinath.
• It stands on the banks of the Bagmati River, about 5 km east of central Kathmandu.
• The present main temple was built in 1697 AD during the reign of King Bhupalendra Malla, according to the Pashupati Area Development Trust. The temple is believed to have been rebuilt several times before the present structure.
• The main temple is known for its two-tiered pagoda-style design, golden roofs, silver and gold-plated doors, and detailed wood and metal carvings.
• The Pashupatinath area contains hundreds of temples, shrines, monuments, and ashrams.
• The main temple sanctum is open only to Hindus. Non-Hindu visitors can view the temple from designated areas across the Bagmati River.
• Photography is not allowed inside the main sanctum. Visitors should follow the temple's photography and other visitor rules.
• The official PADT website currently lists general temple hours as 4:00 AM–9:00 PM.
• The main temple gates open before daybreak, with morning rituals beginning early in the day.
• Maha Shivaratri is one of the most important festivals celebrated at Pashupatinath.
• The Pashupati Bagmati Aarti is an important evening devotional ceremony held on the banks of the Bagmati River.
• Dress should be modest and suitable for a religious place.
• Temple timings and ritual schedules may change during festivals and special occasions, so visitors should check the official PADT website before travelling.
