Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath is one of the most sacred Shiva temples in the Hindu world and the spiritual heart of Nepal. Its gilded pagoda roof rises above the Bagmati River on the eastern side of Kathmandu, within a sprawling complex of shrines, ashrams and stone ghats that forms part of the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site.

Only Hindus may enter the main temple courtyard, where devotees offer prayers to Pashupati, Lord of the Animals. Along the river, cremations take place on the ghats and sadhus gather in the courtyards, and each evening an aarti with lamps, bells and chanting is performed on the riverbank.

Dress modestly and be respectful around the cremation ghats, where photographing mourners is not appropriate. Visit in the late afternoon and stay for the evening aarti. During Maha Shivaratri the temple draws enormous crowds of pilgrims.