Significance of Muktinath Yatra in Hindu Dharma and How to complete it?

Significance of Muktinath Yatra in Hindu Dharma and How to complete it?

As per the Hindu mythology, there is immense significance of salvation or mukti for its religious followers. According to Hindu Dharma, the world is nothing but an illusion of birth and rebirth and it is important to rescue oneself from it. And that is where the search for Nirvana comes from.

Muktinath Yatra and Hindu Dharma

Among the many ways to achieve salvation or Nirvana, is also the Muktinath Yatra that takes the pilgrims to the very famous and old Muktinath Temple in Nepal. While the temple is religiously imperative for Buddhists and Hindus alike, the Hindus hold the temple in great reverence.

The Hindu mythology states that it was here at the Muktinath Temple that Lord Vishnu got salvation from the curse of Brinda, the wife of Jalandhar. For the same reason, he is worshipped as ‘Muktinath’ here at the temple. The term ‘Muktinath’ literally translates to ‘Lord of Salvation’. The temple, a pagoda style structure is also one among the 108 Vaishnava shrines.

Even though the temple itself is a small structure, the central shrine of Sri Muktinath is a life size statue made in gold. There are 108 bull faced structures in the outer courtyard of the temple and sacred water flows out of them. As per both the Hindus and the Buddhists, the site is the only place on entire earth to have all the five elements, i.e. fire, water, sky, earth and air. All the material things in the universe are made out of these five elements.

While the temple has several important shrines and structures, the Hindu pilgrims find it obligatory to take a holy dip in the two holy kundas or ponds, near the entrance of the temple. They also ensure that they take a holy bath under the 108 water spouts in the complex of the temple. Both of these are believed to bring salvation or nirvana to one.

The Gandaki River that flows by near the temple is also religiously very significant for Hindus. The water that flows out of the 108 water spouts is actually directed from this river. Also the riverbed of the river has Shaligram stones that are worshipped as Lord Vishnu by the Hindus.

Muktinath Yatra—how to complete it?

Most of the different travel packages to Muktinath Tour Packages (popularly termed as Muktinath Yatra) start from Kathmandu. One can either choose to drive or fly to reach Pokhara. The distance of 206 kilometers between the two cities can be completed in about 25 minutes if you choose to fly while it can take about 6 to 7 hours if you drive down. The pilgrims have a choice to visit the very popular Manakamana Devi Temple that is on the way. A cable car ride of 15 minutes will take one to their destination.

On the second day also, the pilgrims have a choice to either fly or drive to Jomsom. The distance of 175 kilometers takes about 7 to 8 hours of driving or 15 minutes of flying. The pilgrims then need to drive to Ranipauwa which is about 20 kilometers away and takes about an hour. From there, one needs to hike for about half an hour to finally reach the ancient Muktinath Temple.

The same route can be used to finally reach back Kathmandu.

Required permits

Since the Muktinath Temple lies in the trekking and the conservation zone, there are two permits that are required to visit the temple. These are:

1. Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP)
2. Trekkers’ Information Management System Permit (TIMS)

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