PAWANA SHRESTHA
Muktinath is an acknowledged pilgrimage for both Hindu and Buddhist. "Mukti" translating to "salvation", devotees believe that this is a sacred place to be washed away with all their sins. Standing at an altitude of 3800 m, it is one of the world's highest temples. This site lies at the base of the Thorong La mountain pass in the Mustang district.
Muktinath temple has a prime significance in both religious and tourism context.
Although the expanse of the temple is small with a human-sized golden statue, it is renowned for the 108 stone faucets, built-in semi-circular structure. All of them have the same shape and size. Devotees believe that one is washed away with all their sins if they take a bath in all the 108 faucets with ice-cold water of Kali Gandaki River. The number 108 has philosophical essence related to astrology (zodiac), the nine planets, and also the 27 Lunar ecliptic segments.
Hindu Religion
The Hindus worship the main idol as Lord Vishnu and the ones beside them as Goddess Laxmi and Saraswati. The temple also has images of Bhoodevi, Goddesses Saraswati and Janaki, Garuda, Lava Kusa, and the Sapta Rishis. The shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, considered to be one of the eight sacred places also known as Svayam Vyakta Kshetras. It is also one of the 51 Shakti Pitha Goddess sites.
Buddhist Tradition
The legend of Tibetan Buddhist tradition says that Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, meditated at Muktinath on his way to Tibet. The place is called Muktinath Chumming Gyatsa that in Tibetan translates to ‘Hundred Waters’. Buddhist worship their main idols as ‘Luwang Garbo’. Also, they believe that the site gives one the sense of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and Virtue.
The temple also has a small monastery, Mebhar Lha Gomba, Dedicated to Guru Rimpoche and has a sculpture of Buddhist Deity Chenrezig. The monastery is also known for continuously burning natural gas. It is also worshipped by Hindus, as it resembles the Jwala Mai, the Goddess of Fire.
Apart from religious significance for Hindu and Buddhist devotees, it is a famous tourist destination, as it lies in Mustang, another most traveled tourist destination. Therefore, many visitors to Mustang do not miss worshiping Muktinath too. The serene beauty of the Himalayan ranges, its culture, natural snowfall, and adventurous sports are the major attraction of Mustang.
Since the journey to Mustang is not so easy, therefore even to worship Muktinath Temple we can see many people reaching there via Helicopter. Besides this, one can also travel via flights from Pokhara to Jomsom, by jeep and for adventurous seekers trekking can be another option. It all depends upon one’s interest in how they want to reach the destination, as there are lists of travel agencies that can arrange your visit to Muktinath temple and Mustang as per your convenience.
HAPPY TRAVELLING!
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