Muktinath Temple (Chumig Gyatsa), Mustang, Nepal
Location
Muktinath temple is located in the district Mustang in our neighborhood
country, Nepal. It is situated at a distance of 18 km from the district
HQ.
MUKTINATH literally means, the God of Salvation. In Hindu religion Lord Vishnu is supposed to be the God of salvation.
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| Muktinath Temple |
The temple’s altitude being 3800 mts and at the foot of Thorong La Pass
mountain (part of Himalaya) in Nepal. The Holy shrine includes, Buddhist
Gompa and the Pagoda style temple of Lord Vishnu.
A human sized gold statue of Lord Vishnu is installed inside the temple.
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| Idol of Lord Vishnu |
The devotees believe that visiting this temple and praying Lord Vishnu
will brings salvation after death. Muktinath temple is supposed to be
among eight sacred telmples of Lord Vishnu on the earth. They are
namely, Sri rangam, Sri musnam, Tirupati, Nemisharanya, Todari, Puskar,
Badrinath, and one Muktinath (Chumig Gyatsa) in Nepal
Tibetan Buddhist call this valley, Chumig Gyatsa which in Hindi means
hundred waters. According to Tibetan Buddhist this valley is the place
of Dakinis (sky dancer) and an important place among 24 places of
Tantra.
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| A tantrik sadhu waving his hair in wind |
This is probably the only place on the earth where, you can find all five elements from which all the material things in the Universe are made. According to Hindu and Buddhist philosophies fire, water, sky, earth and air are these five elements. They are all found at the same place together in there own and distinct form.
This place is a small Monestry named Mebar Lha Gompa in the southern corner of temple complex is also called Jwala Mayee temple. A flame of natural gas is burning continuously which is worsiped as Jwala Mayee by the Hindus.
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| The Buddhist cahanting Mantra |
The temple is praised by many Saints of Hindu religion. The script
narrating the importance of the temple is available in Vishnu Purana
with Gandaki Mahatmya.
It is important to mention here that the temple is equally sacred for
both Hindu and Boddhist. It is a great example of a sacred place shared
in harmony by devotees of two world religion.
Muktidham
There is a river named Gandaki flows near the temple. Gandaki river is
diverted through the 108 bull faces water spouts at 7 ft height and at a
gap of 1 ft in semicircle with continuous flowing water. The water
there is chilled like ice.
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| 108 Bull Faced Water Spouts |
The devotees willing to get Salvation take bath here. Their belief and
will power towards God and religion give them energy to take bath in
such a chilled water.
The number 108 is a very sacred in Hindu belief. According to a Tamil
saint, there are 108 temples of Lord Vishnu, in which 105 temples are in
India, one in Nepal and rest two are outside the earthly realms.
There are also two small reservoir (kunda) named Saraswati and Luxmi. To
take bath in these kunda wash away the negative karma of the devotees.
Legend
Once in a battle between Lord Shiva and Jallandhar, it became very difficult to defeat the demon Jallandhar.
Then Lord Vishnu, the guardian of the Universe decided to help Lord
Shiva. The wife of Jallandhar was a pious and virtuous lady named
Brinda. The power of being virtuous was helping Jallandhar.
Then Lord Vishnu in guise of Jallandher breached the chastity of the
pious lady Brinda. In this way, Jallandher became weak an Lord Shiva
succeeded to kill Jallandhar.
Being angry by the deed of Lord Vishnu, Brinda gave him a curse (shraap)
for being insects and flies. As a result Lord Vishnu transformed into
insect and fly. Over the time the insect and flies converted into
fossils.
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| Shaligrama Stone |
The fossils in the form of stone are found in Kali Gandaki river. These
stones are black in color and used to worship as Lord Vishnu and named Shaligram Stone.
Rishitarpani, Ramnawmia and Vijayadashmi are the main festivals
celebrated here. During these occasions, the devotees gathers in large
numbers and celebrate the festivals with hustle and joy.
The local Buddhist nuns take care of this cultural heritage. They are
the traditional caretakers of the linage Lama Wangyal who manages Puja,
Prasadam and other day today activities of the temple.
Best Time to Visit
March to June and September,to November are the most suitable time to
visit the temple. During this period the weather condition is
comfortable.
How to Reach
The journey to Muktinath should be devided in two parts. From Kathmandu to Jomsom and Jomsom to Muktinath.
From Kathmandu to Pokhra
1. Go by bus to Pokhra, then the next day by plane to Jomsom airport.
2. Go by plane to Jomsom airport.
3. Or do the 6 day trek to Jomsom, starting from Pokhra.
Starting from Jomsom to Muktinath Temple
1. Walk to Kagbeni to Jharkot to Muktinath in about 7 hrs.
2. Go by local rented horse in about same time.
3. Go by a rented bike sitting on back seat.
Where To Stay
Other Facilities
1. Telephone facilities are available in Jharkot and Ranipauwa.
2. Primary health center facilities.
3. Safe drinking water and food in local restaurants.
4. ACAP tourist information center.
Travel Tips
1. Drink plenty of water while trekking.
2. Go by plane to Jomsom airport.
3. Or do the 6 day trek to Jomsom, starting from Pokhra.
Starting from Jomsom to Muktinath Temple
1. Walk to Kagbeni to Jharkot to Muktinath in about 7 hrs.
2. Go by local rented horse in about same time.
3. Go by a rented bike sitting on back seat.
Where To Stay
There are enough hotels and guest houses in Jharkot and Ranipauwa nearby
Muktinath temple. Tourist or Devotees can stay there comfortably. Many
hotels have solar water heaters for taking bath.
1. Telephone facilities are available in Jharkot and Ranipauwa.
2. Primary health center facilities.
3. Safe drinking water and food in local restaurants.
4. ACAP tourist information center.
Travel Tips
1. Drink plenty of water while trekking.
2. Carry sports shoes and trekking shoes.
3. Jacket or wind cheater.
4. Vaseline cream or moisturizer due to dry weather.
3. Jacket or wind cheater.
4. Vaseline cream or moisturizer due to dry weather.
5. Stick for trekking.
6. Thick shocks and gloves.
There is an International Organisation named Muktinath Foundation International, is a non govt, non profit, interfaith organisation, founded in the year 2000 with the help of Muktinath Lama Wangyal.
This organisation supports the local people of Muktinath Valley at the Annapurna trekking circuit in Nepal to preserve, the Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site.
The organisation is run by donation. If some one want to cooperate may contact on line at
6. Thick shocks and gloves.
There is an International Organisation named Muktinath Foundation International, is a non govt, non profit, interfaith organisation, founded in the year 2000 with the help of Muktinath Lama Wangyal.
This organisation supports the local people of Muktinath Valley at the Annapurna trekking circuit in Nepal to preserve, the Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site.
The organisation is run by donation. If some one want to cooperate may contact on line at
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