Muktinath Temple

Introduction

Muktinath Temple

Muktinath Temple is located in the laps of Thorong-La mountain pass in Annapurna Conservation Area Project, Mustang District of Nepal at an altitude of 3710 meters above sea level. The word Muktinath (sanskrit name) is derived from "Mukti" and "Nath" which means "Salvation or Nirvana" and "God or Master" respectively. According to Hinduism, it is believe that the lord god Vishnu got salvation from
the curse of Brinda - wife of Jalandhar in this place. Therefore this temple holds the great significance for all the spiritual people in the south Asian sub continent. This holy shrine is counted as one of the 51 Sakti Peetams and 105th Divya Desam among available 108.

As per the Hindu myth, this world is considered as a "Maya" or "Illusion" of birth and rebirth of life cycle. A visit to Muktinath Temple will help people to get nirvana from this life cycle chain. There are 108 waterspouts in the back yard of this temple called "Muktidhara" where froozen water are continuously flowing from the bull head waterspouts and two holy Kunda - ponds in front of the temple. Taking bath in these all flowing water and ponds is believe to get salvation.

How to get there?

By road way:

• First get yourself at "Beni" which is 306 km far from Kathmandu (8-9 hrs drive), spend one overnight here.
• Next day take a jeep to Jomsom (70 km, 6-7 hrs drive), spend another night here.
• Finally, another one and half hour jeep drive will take you to Ranipauwa (jeep station at Muktinath).
• Temple is half hour hiking distance from this place.

Package details: Muktinath tour by road

By flight way:

• Take a 25 minutes flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, spend one overnight here.
• Take a 15 minutes flight to Jomsom then 1:30 hours jeep drive to Ranipauwa (jeep station at Muktinath).

Package details: Muktinath Tour

By helicopter way:

• Take one hour fifteen minutes flight from Kathmandu or forty five minutes flight from Pokhara to Ranipauwa (Helipad at Muktinath).
• Hike for half hour to get into Temple.

Package details: Muktinath tour by helicopter

By trekking way:

1. Day 01: Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara.
2. Day 02: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Tikhedunga.
3. Day 03: Trek to Ghorepani.
4. Day 04: Trek to Tatopani.
5. Day 05: Trek to Ghasa.
6. Day 06: Trek to Marpha.
7. Day 07: Trek to Kagbeni.
8. Day 08: Trek to Muktinath.

Note: Average walking per day is around 5-7 hours.

Which permits are required to collect?

- Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit and
- Trekkers' Information Management System Permit.

When to travel?

March, April, May, June, September, October and November are the best time to visit Muktinath. During these months weather will be clear and snow capped mountains can be observed closely.

Source: Muktinath Darshan