Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in East Kathmandu, Nepal, on the banks of the river Bhagmati. There are 12 ‘Jyotirlingas’ in India. Names and locations of these Jyotirlingas are given in Shiv Puranas. Jyotirlingas are the pilgrimage sites of Hinduism. This temple is said to be the 13 ‘Jyotirlinga’. The presence of this temple and many other temples in Nepal speak volumes about the presence of Hindu beliefs in this region for years. Though in 2006, the country was declared as a secular country after the abolition of its monarchy, the Hindu population is still more than 80 per cent in the country.
It is believed to have been built in the fifth century by Licchavi King and initially it was in wood. Later, many temples were built around this temple. The main temple is in the form of something called ‘Nepalese Pagoda style’. Pagoda architecture is distinctively used in the temple architecture in Nepal. There is a new Pagoda style as well as the old Pagoda style. The temples of Pashupatinath, Changunarayan, Chandeshwori and Banepa are examples of ancient architecture in the Pagoda style. The main temple of Pashupatinath is on the platform which is 23.6 meters above the ground. Artistically carved wooden rafters are used for the roof and the roof is also guided by copper and gold. It is built on an area of 246 hectares and includes 518 mini-temples and a main Pagoda house. The temple was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1979 by UNESCO.
India and Nepal share traditional cultural bonds and people-to-people relations. Indian culture is popular among all strata of Nepalese society. For further strengthening of our cordial bilateral relations, a proposal is under consideration for conservation of monuments in Pashupatinath Temple Complex, Kathmandu. A Master Plan to conserve the temple has been prepared, the aim is to promote and conserve historical, cultural, religious, spiritual and artistic aspects and heritage of Pashupatinath.
Many Hindu temples are all over Nepal, these temples culturally and emotionally connect the people of India and Nepal.
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