PASHUPATINATH

This is the holiest of all the Shiva shrines in Nepal and is the abode of Lord Pashupatinath, the guardian spirit of Nepal. The temple of Pashupatinath is a large double-roofed pagoda of brass and gilt goad; the gateway is plated with silver. It stands on the western bank o the Bagmati, about five Kilometers north-east of Kathmandu and contains the sacred linga of Lord Pashupatinath. Before the Temple stands an enormous gilt filigree of the bull Nandi, the mount of Shiva, flanked by a golden trident. There is a crematorium outside the temple by the side of the wide but shallow river and the wooded surroundings are dotted with small shrines. On the occasion of the annual festival of Maha Shivaratri(February/March). the temples is visited by thousands of devotees including a large number of pilgrims from India. The temple is also the site of a number of other festivals and rituals taking place throughout the year.