Pashupatinath - The Lord of Animals Who Resides in Nepal!

 

 

Pashupatinath -

The Lord of Animals Who Resides in Nepal!

 

To take darshan of Lord Pashupatinath we have to go to Nepal. After traveling 5 kilometres north-east of Kathmandu Valley in the eastern city of Kathmandu, on the banks of River Bagmati, one is blessed with the darshan of the Lord. Let us discover the story of why the Lord went to Nepal and why he is called Pashupatinath. The origin of the temple narrates different stories of its birth. Let us first understand the cow legend. It is a popular belief among the people that Kamadhenu [the wish fulfilling cow] rested under the Chandravan mountain and strolled to that spot where the Shiva lingam had drowned. She devotedly poured milk on the Lord each day. People who saw that with curiosity, pushed aside all the mud to find a Shiva lingam there. As they continued the practice of offering milk to the Lord they disappeared into the Lingam.

The news of this incident spread around the globe and people flocked there in large numbers, to attain salvation. This is just one story about the origin of the Pashupatinath temple. Another story describes how Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati had come here and fell in love with the beauty that surrounded them. They loved it so much that they took the form of deers, to enjoy the beauty. When gods in the heaven found him there after a vigorous search around the world, Lord Shiva declared that from now on he will also be known as the Lord of animals. Therefore, the name Pashupatinath. These are not the only stories associated with the Pashupatinath temple.

There’s one more! Goddess Parvati in her incarnation as Sati gave up her life as a protest against her father’s disrespect of Lord Shiva. Taken over by grief Lord Shiva wandered the world carrying her body. Wherever pieces of her body fell, temples were established, including one at Guhyeshvari adjoining the Pashupatinath complex. Today, the Pashupathinath temple is on UNESCO World Heritage Sites's list. Its architecture is reflective of Pagoda style which is characteristic of Nepal. The temple is a mixed construction of carved wooden rafters, silver sheets and bronze plating. Pashupatinath stands 6 feet tall in this beautiful temple. Don’t you think its worth visiting this temple? 

- Kruti Beesam