The holiest shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath is one of the four most important religious sites in Asia for devotees of Shiva. Built in the 5th Century and later renovated by Malla kings, the site itself is said to have existed from the beginning of the millennium when a Shiva lingam was discovered in the forest. The largest temple complex in Nepal, it stretches on both sides of the Bagmati River which is considered holy by Hindus. The main pagoda style temple has a gilded roof, four sides covered in silver, and wood carvings of the finest quality. Temples dedicated to several other Hindu and Buddhist deities surround the temple of Pashupatinath. Nearby is the temple of Guheshwori dedicated to Shiva's consort Sati Devi. Cremation of Hindus takes place on raised platforms and it is always in use. Only Hindus are allowed inside the gates of the main temple. The inner sanctum has a Shiva lingam and outside sits the largest statue of Nandi the bull, the vehicle of Shiva. There are hundreds of shiva lingams within the compound. The big Shivaratri festival in spring attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees from within Nepal and from India.

Source: Nepal Tourism Board

Video of Pashupati

Pashupati

Pashupati one day lord shiva got tired of his glittering palace on Mt. Kailas, his armies of ghosts and spirits, and even Parbati- his beautiful wife. Through his cosmic powers, he searched for a perfect place where he could holiday. Without telling anyone, he ran away from his palace and came to live in Slesmantak Forest in the Kathmandu valley. He gained great fame here as Pashupati - Lord of the Animals - before other gods discovered his hiding place and came to fetch him.

The Pashupati where he stayed has received the attention of worshippers for at least fifteen hundred years, it is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destination in Nepal. There are linga images and temples dedicated to other deities in the complex. A temple dedicated to Shiva existed at this site in AD 879. However, the present temple was built by king Bhupendra Malla  in 1697.  A gold-Plated roof, silver doors, and woodcarving of the finest quality decorate the pagoda construction. Guheshwari Temple, restored in AD 1653, represents  the female "force". It is dedicated to Satidevi, Shiva's first wife, who gave up her life in the flames of her father's fire ritual.

Lord shiva once more escaped from Kailas and came back to Pashupati as hunter, but parbati  followed  disguised as  a beautiful huntress .  Shiva tried to seduce her, and discovering her true identity retuned home shamefully. Kirateshwar Temple commemorates this rather unfortunate jaunt.

A circuit of the Pashupati area takes visitors past a sixth- century statue of the Buddha, an eighth-century statue of Bramha the creator and numerous other temples. Some other places to visit are Rajrajeswari Temple, built in 1407, Kailas  with lingas more than 1400 years old, Gorakhnath temple, and the courtyard of Biswarup. There are rows of Shiva shrines and Hindu pilgrims from all over South Asia offering puja  worship to Shiva, the Lord of Destruction.

The Bagamati  River flows close by and the Arya Ghat cremation grounds are here. we strongly advise photographers not to take photos of cremations and of bereaved families. Sadhus, Sages who follow the lifestyle of Shiva, may be seen covered in ashes and loin-cloths. They ask for money in case you want to take their photos. The main Pashupatinath courtyard may be entered by those of Hindu faith only.