MUKTINATH YATRA, Nepal Tibet Trekking

 MUKTINATH  YATRA

Muktinath temple located at the lap of snow-capped mountains at Thorong-La mountain pass standing at an altitude of 3710m above sea level behind the Himalaya called Mustang district of Nepal. Muktinath temple is a sacred site for both the Hinduism and Buddhism. The site is close to Ranipauwa, which is sometimes mistakenly called Muktinath. Muktinath also calls as “Chumig Gyatsa” in the Tibetan language.

The pagoda styles of the Muktinath Yatra resemble the symbiosis between both Hindus and Buddhist. According to Hindu, they believe that Lord Vishnu got salvation from the curse of Brinda (wife of Jalandhar). Therefore the Lord Vishnu is worship as Muktinath. Another holy shrine, which is said to have risen on its own, is one of eight such shrines (the others include Srirangam, Sri Mushnam, Tirupati, Naimisaranyam, Thottadri, Pushkaram and Badrinath). It is also one of 108 Vaishnava shrines and early 19th century the Hindus consecrated a Vishnu Temple and named is Muktinath - Lord of Liberation.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF MUKTINATH?

Sometimes Muktinath is mistakenly called “Mukthinath”. The word “Muktinath” is derived from two words i.e. “Mukti”  and “Nath” where “Mukti”  means “Salvation or Nirvana” and  “Nath” means “God or master”. Mukti holds a great significance for all spiritual people in the south Asian subcontinent. According to Sanskrit Muktinath itself has religious overtone and a sort of emotional ring to it for the devout Hindus.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF MUKTINATH?

Actually Hindu believe that world "MAYA" (an illusion)is a lifecycle of birth and rebirth. So everybody gets rid of this cycle and get Mukti nirvana. A visit to Muktinath will help them achieve their goal. During this tour, many Shaligrams (Ammonite) are found and it is considered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and worships them. Muktinath Temple is opened throughout the year but especially in Rishitarpani, Ram Nawami, and Bijay Dashami thousands of pilgrims gather here to celebrate the festival.
There are 108 waterspouts in the backyard of this temple called as Muktidhara where frozen water is continuously flowing from the bullhead and two Kunda (ponds in front of the temple). Taking bath in these 108 water taps and ponds believes to bring salvation. According to Buddhist, it is believed that it will wipe away all our negativities and sins.

HOW CAN YOU REACH MUKTINATH?

• You can fly from Pokhara to Jomsom and hike for 7-8 hours ( Jomsom to Muktinath).

• Helicopter flight from Pokhara to Muktinath Temple 

• You can reach Muktinath through Pokhara and Kaligandaki valley trekking it takes about 7-8 days.

WHAT IS THE BEST MONTH TO VISIT MUKTINATH?

To visit Muktinath the favourable months are March, April, June, September, October and November. During these months the weather will be clear and snow-capped mountains can b seen clearly.