Muktinath Temple is one of the most ancient Hindu temples of God Vishnu and is located at the foot of the Thorong La mountain pass of the Himalayas in the Mustang district of Nepal.
Muktinath is a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists. The Hindus call this place as Mukti Kshetra which means “the place of salvation” whereas the Buddhists call it Chumig Gyatsa which means in Tibetan “Hundred Waters”. The shrine is predominant among all 108 Hindu Sri Vaishnava Divyadesam stalas and is considered one of the eight most sacred shrines called the Svayam Vyakta Kshetras of Vaishnavas whereas the other seven being Srirangam, Srimushnam and Totadri Mutt in Tamil Nadu, Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, Naimisharanyam in Uttar Pradesh, Pushkar in Rajasthan and Badrinath in Uttarakhand.
The temple’s outer courtyard has 108 bull faced dhara’s (water holes) as it is said to be very auspicious to take bath on all the dhara’s as you never know which dhara is related to your zodiac sign or birth star.
According to Hindu astrology, there are 12 zodiac signs or rashi’s and 9 planets or grahas giving a combination of 108. Also there are 27 lunar houses or birth stars which are divided into 4 quarters or padas each giving a combination of 108.
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| Muktinath Temple |
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| Muktinath Temple |
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| Kali Gandaki River |
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| View of Snow peaked mountains from Jomsom |
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| Way to Muktinath Temple from Jomsom |
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| Stairs leading to Muktinath Temple |
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| Muktinath Temple another view |
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| Shiva Temple in Muktinath |
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| Snow peaked mountains from flight |
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| Snow peaked mountains in Jomsom |
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| Mountains in closeup |
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| Agni Air flight from Pokhara to Jomsom |
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| Flights to Jomsom |
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| Jomsom Airport |
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| Mountains from Jomsom |
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| Sunrise view from Jomsom |
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| Sunrise View |
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| Other mountains from Jomsom |
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| Views from Jomsom |
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| Views from Jomsom |
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| Pokhara Airport |
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| Tara Air flight |
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| Views from Muktinath |
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| Kali Gandaki River from flight |
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| Kali Gandaki River |
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| Jomsom City |
The waterway downstream from Muktinath is the Kali Gandaki River which is the source of all Silas or Saligramams (a representation of Lord Vishnu). The entire river bed has Saligramams stones which are used to worship Lord Vishnu. If you are fortunate you might get a Saligramam embossed with the Sudharshan chakra or Conch shell.
The best time to visit Muktinath is between April and June due to unpredictable weather conditions. It is always suggested to stay for a night or two in Jomsom for acclimatization as the weather might not be favorable for many because of the risk of acute mountain sickness.
Access is very difficult because of tough and varying weather conditions. However one can fly or travel by road from Kathmandu to Pokhara and then fly from Pokhara to Jomsom Airport. From Jomsom airport one has to walk till the jeep point which might be approx. 1 km. The tourists can then take a jeep to Muktinath which is approx. 22 kms, 1-1½ hrs drive. On arrival at the jeep point, the guests have to walk for a km and then they have an option to climb the hill to reach the Muktinath temple by foot or take a bike.
The dornier flights from Pokhara to Jomsom and vice versa operate only in the morning hours each day, particularly from 7am to 10:30am. Post 11am, the flight does not operate due to strong winds.