Sunday, October 12, 2014

Visit to Muktinath

Muktinath is Sanskrit name, itself has religious overtone and a sort of emotional ring to it for the devout Hindus. This words separation two word Mukti & Nath. Mukti mean Salvation and  Nath  mean god and Nirvana so It holds great significance for all spiritual people in the south Asian sub continent. Muktinath (the provider of salvation) has been one such holy site, where thousands of devotees flock for attaining the much sought after moksha( freedom) from the cycle of birth and rebirth. It is an ardent wish or a dream if you may say, of every Hindu to get Mukti-Nirvana from this cycle taking births over and over again. It is belief of the Hindus that this world is “MAYA” (an illusion) and the earliest one gets out of it the better and a visit to Muktinath will help them achieve that goal. Since then it called Muktinath.
It is believed that one should visit this temple after completing pilgrimage of four special religious sites, Chardham Yatra of India; Muktinath must be visited once.
The famous Muktinath is a sacred & important pilgrimage place both for Hindus and Buddhists. It located in Muktinath Valley lies in the district of Mustang and is situated about 18 kms. Northeast of Jomsom in the north central part of Nepal, at an altitude of about 3800 meters at the foot of the Thorong La mountain pass (part of the Himalayas). The holy shrine at Muktinath is in a grove of trees and includes a Buddhist Gompa and the pagoda style temple of Vishnu Mandir, Containing an Image of Vishnu The site is close to the village Ranipauwa, which sometimes mistakenly is called Muktinath as well.

The Muktinath temple
The temple is very small. Muktinath is one of the most ancient Hindu temples of God Vishnu. The Pagoda style Muktinath Temple is symbol of the religious symbiosis between both Hindus and Buddhists. Hindu regards Muktinath as Vishnu where as Buddhists regard as Buddha. The main shrine of Muktinath is a pagoda – shaped temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. The statue is of gold and is tall enough to compare with a man. The Statue is of gold and is tall enough to compare with a man. The depicts metal statues of lord Vishnu, goddess Laxmi, Saraswoti, Janaki, Garuda, Lava-Kush and Sapta Rishis.
The building in 1815 of the Buddhist-Hindu temple of Vishnu and Chenrezig at Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa was initiated by the Nepali Queen Subarna Prabha who considered Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa Salagrama.
The central shrine of Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa is considered one of the eight most sacred shrines for Hindu Vaishnavas known as Svayam Vyakta Ksetras which is said to have risen on its own, the other seven being Srirangam, Srimushnam, Tirupati, Naimisharanya, Totadri, Pushkar and Badrinath. It is also one of 108 Vaishnava shrines. There is an old Buddhist monk present in the temple. The worship is conducted by Buddhist nuns.
Here in the early 19th century the Hindus consecrated a Vishnu temple and named is Muktinath – Lord of Liberation. Against a backdrop of incredible starkness you can sit and stare to the south the snow covered Annapurna range, or to the north the Tibetan plateau.
The temple and the religious shrine of Muktinath are about 90m in elevation above Ranipauwa. There are no hotels and the temple committee does not allow camping.

Itinerary

Muktinath tour by flight
Day 01: Welcome to Nepal, upon your arrival in Nepal our representative welcome and assists to transfer in Hotel.
Day 02: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara lake side excursion.
Day 03: Fly From Pokhara to Jomsom and drive to Muktinath – Jomsom.
Day 04: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara and Pokhara city tour.
Day 05: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
Day 06: Final Departure to your onward destination.

Muktinath tour by jeep
Day 01: Welcome to Nepal, upon your arrival in Nepal our representative welcome and assists to transfer in Hotel.
Day 02: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara lake side excursion.
Day 03: Drive from Pokhara to Jomsom.
Day 04: Drive from Jomsom to Muktinath then back to Beni
Day 05: Drive from Beni to Kathmandu via Pokhara.
Day 06: Final Departure to your onward destination.

Muktinath tour by Helicopter
Day 01: Welcome to Nepal, upon your arrival in Nepal our representative welcome and assists to transfer in Hotel.
Day 02: Charter Helicopter to Muktinath excursion.
Day 03: Kathmandu valley sightseeing tour.
Day 04: Final Departure to your onward destination.

1 comment:

  1. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter not only simplifies travel logistics but also provides an opportunity to behold the stunning Himalayan vistas from a unique perspective.

    Visit- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter

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