Location
Province: Gandaki Province
Muktinath Temple is located at Baarhagau Muktichhetra Village Council in Mustang district. The Mount Mukti, which is regarded as an origin of Kali Gandaki River, is located in the same place. The temple stands at an altitude of around 3800meters from the sea level and spreads at 76 ropanies of land. The three-storey Muktinath temple is constructed in the pagoda style. The roof of the temple is made up of copper, while the pinnacle of the temple is coated with gold. The west-faced temple has only one entrance gate.
How to Reach
Muktinath can be reached through Jomsom either through airplane or helicopter from Pokhara in Kaski district. It can also be reached in bus from Beni, district headquarter of Myagdi. The Beni-Jomsom stretch is 80 kilometers while Muktinath is 22 kilometers away from Jomsom. The overall journey can take 7-10 hours. On the way to Jomsom from Beni, there are popular spots like Galeshwar Dham, Tatopani (hot spring), Rupse Waterfall and the world's deepest Kali Gandaki gorge. It can also be reached through vehicle via Pokhara-Baglung-Myagdi to Beni, and can trek further via Galeshwor-Dana-Tatopani-Tukuche-Marpha and Jomsom. Jomsom is famous for the strong wind, particularly after 12 pm. While travelling to this area, one should not forget winter gears.
Significance of Shrine and Public Belief
The key section of the temple comprises a stone idol of four-faced Vishnu. There is a silver crown on the head of idol. Vishnu is seated on the Padmasana position in a fearless mood. There are also idols of Laxmi and Saraswati together, along with the idol of Garud.
There is a temple of Jwalaji in the south-western side of the temple, which is believed to be from 700 BS ( 643 AD) and thousands of years old. There is also a religious residence place near the temple, known as Dharmashala. Since it was constructed by Queen Suprabha of Rana Bahadur Shah duing the period of 1777 to 1799 BS ( 1720 to 1742 AD), therefore it is also called as Ranipauwa.
In the eastern side, there is a Hansatirtha pond, through which water is supplied to 108 taps to let the devotees take a holy bath. These taps are behind the main temple. There are also two man made? ponds, which are regarded as symbol of Vishnu-Kunda.
There is a tradition of taking holy bath in these 108 taps and then in two ponds to offer prayers to Muktinath. There is a belief that bathing in these taps will free one from all the sins committed from the past life. Among them 8 taps are in the name of gods, while 100 are in the name of people. It is said that there is also a role of god in people committing any sin or mistake, thus the 8 taps have been offered to the gods Astha Bashu. All those 108 taps are constructed from 108 sources.
At the temple location, there is a spot where it is believed that Brahma had performed Yagya in front of the temple. It continuously erupts fire from three small holes, thus people worship it as Jwaladevi. From the inside of Jwaladevi temple, fire erupts continuously from soil, stone and water.
Muktinath Dham is a scared place of meditation of Brahma and the place where Vishnu took the form of Saligram stone due to curse of Brinda. Saligram, which is the symbol of god Vishnu, is the major significance of Muktinath. Shaligram is worshipped as a symbol of Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesh and Surya. Muktinath is a religious destination not just for Hindus, but also for Buddhists. Buddhists worship it as a symbol of Buddha. It has an idol of Awalokiteswor, Muktikunda and a monastery.
Major Festivals and Processions
There are special fairs in Muktinath area during the occasions like Rishi Tarpani (July/Aug) on the day of Rakshya Bandhan, Ram Nawami (April) and Vijaya Dashami (Sept, October). The devotees also throng during Chaite Dashain (April), Janai Purnima (Aug) and Jamare Aushi (Sept/Oct), Bala Chaturdashi (Nov/Dec) Krishna Asthami (August).
During Janai Purnima (Aug) festival, a Buddhist fair named as Yaartob is organized. A sacred puja is conducted by Brahmins every morning and evening in the temple. In Kagbeni, where Kagnadi and Kali Gandaki rivers meet, people pray for their peace in afterlife of deceased family members and make special offerings. There is a tradition of first performing the ritual named Shraddha in Kagbeni and then visiting Muktinath temple.