Chitai Golu Devta Temple in Almora, Uttarakhand
Chitai Golu Devta Temple is about 8 kilometers from the Almora in the scenic Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand. The temple is dedicated to Golu Devta, the God of Justice.
Pashupatinath Temple of Kathmandu, Nepal
Pashupatinath Temple is situated on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is said to be older than the Vedas
The Story of Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu
Pashupatinath Temple is situated on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is said to predate even the Vedas.
The legend begins with Lord Shiva taking the form of a deer, meditating peacefully in the serene surroundings of what is now Kathmandu. At that time, the three worlds were terrorized by demons. In search of a solution, the gods approached Lord Shiva and implored him to accompany them to Kashi. To escape from the gods, Shiva leaped across the river, and as he did, his antlers broke into four pieces, transforming into a four-faced Shiva Lingam at that very spot.
Many years later, a local herdsman noticed that his cow, while grazing near the Bagmati River, began spontaneously producing milk on a specific patch of land. Curious about this unusual occurrence, the herdsman dug at the site and unearthed the four-faced Shiva Lingam. This miraculous discovery marked the place where Lord Shiva took residence as Pashupatinath, the Lord of Animals.
It is believed that those who visit Pashupatinath Temple with a pure heart and true devotion will be freed from the cycle of rebirth as an animal.
How to Reach Pashupatinath Temple
By Air
Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu is the nearest airport to Pashupatinath Temple. The temple is approximately 5 kilometers away from the airport, making it easily accessible.
- Flights to Kathmandu: Numerous international airlines operate regular flights to Kathmandu from major cities around the world. Once you land at TIA:
- From the Airport to Pashupatinath:
- Taxi: You can hire a prepaid taxi from the airport to the temple. The ride takes about 15-20 minutes and costs around NPR 400-600.
- Public Transport: Local buses and microbuses are available, though less convenient if you have luggage.
By Road
Kathmandu is well-connected by road to various parts of Nepal and neighboring countries.
- From India: There are several entry points along the India-Nepal border. Popular routes include:
- Sunauli-Bhairahawa: This route connects northern India (Uttar Pradesh) to Nepal. From Bhairahawa, you can take a bus or taxi to Kathmandu.
- Raxaul-Birgunj: This is another major entry point from Bihar, India. From Birgunj, buses and shared taxis are available to Kathmandu.
- From Other Parts of Nepal: Kathmandu is connected to major cities like Pokhara, Chitwan, and Lumbini by a network of buses and private taxis.
By Train
Currently, there is no direct train service to Kathmandu. However, you can take a train to one of the border towns in India and then continue your journey by road.
- Raxaul Junction: From here, you can take a taxi or bus to Kathmandu via Birgunj.
- Gorakhpur: From Gorakhpur, take a bus or taxi to Sunauli, cross the border to Bhairahawa, and continue to Kathmandu.
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