So much to explore in the Pashupatinath Kshetra! As a typical ancient Hindu temple complex, it is interesting enough but Pashupatinath is a different level. It is almost like a mini city I feel. I expected one large sprawling Shiva temple complex, a few Bhairava shrines and a few more interesting shrines in it. Burning ghat behind it. And that’s about it. But this Kshetra is a treasure chest with so many interesting places and exploration points! Here are a few of them, but not an exhaustive list, because there will be more… and more..

6 Places to Explore Within Pashupatinath Kshetra

Pashupatinath Temple Darshan

Main panchamukhi shivalinga & Unmatta Bhairava shrine next to it are widely known. There are also many other interesting places around this main temple like a Krishna temple, a place with 108 shivlingas, a mandapam where visitors conduct poojas and all such varied spaces.

While the Unmatta bhairava shrine is fairly accessible and we can sit near the main murti for a bit, the main temple darshan is a bit tricky. There are a few Pooja options, the pujari folks outside the temple can guide you, they did not seem too money-making or hustly. When I spoke to him, he kept suggesting to do the Rudrabhishek Pooja. You should check with him, whether it involves standing in line etc..

At Pashupatinath main garbha griha, we can NOT offer milk or water or anything else to the linga with our own hands… all offerings are done by the pujari only. So I feel getting a peep from outside line is good enough. Anyway we have the full Kshetra to explore and absorb!

Burning Ghat!

Honestly, I love the burning ghat ambiance. Maybe “love” is strange word to use here, but that ambiance really resonates deeply within me and I am very comfortable there. As I spent time at these burning ghats, I saw a few traditional funeral with many crying / wailing women. I wasn’t sure whether it was genuine crying or is there some custom in Nepal that women must loudly wail when someone dies? Like in India there is a Rudali culture. I need to check with some locals.

Parvati Yantra temple

In the burning ghat area.. there is a temple where the main deity is a yantra. this is kind of common in Nepal from what I understand. it’s fascinating. they are saying Parvati is there in non-phhsical form. A lot of deities in Nepal are referred to as Yantra or Yantrod.. Sadhguru mentioned that was an ancient culture, to call deities as Yantras or energy forms.

Gorakshnath Math, Mrigasthali

This was a true surprise for me… the energies seemed very familiar to me.

There are some small hiking routes around this math, it’s called mrigasthali and there is a legend of Shiva associated with it.

Guhyeshwari shaktipeeth

A lot of different sources suggest this to be a powerful Shaktipeeth and very ancient. Guhye means the hidden part, so some sources say it’s Sati’s buttcheeks. but other (maybe more reliable) sources say Guhye means hidden which means it’s deeper more powerful source of Shakti like Hidden strength of Sati or something like that…

Padmasanbhava, Naropa Caves!

On the Burning Ghats, behind the pashupatinath temple, if we walk onwards, we come to couple of caves. Some greats like Padmasambhava, Naropa (Milerepa’s Guru) have meditated here.

There is lots more in this area – from a Shiva temple that is a musical hub to quaint ghats, a gurudwara and lots more. When you plan your pashupatinath temple visit, keep some time in hand for deeper exploration! Want help to plan a meaningful pilgrimage? I offer consultation, know more here.