Nepal - Day 1 - Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu
Posted on 18/10/25
Day 1: Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu
My journey through Nepal and Bhutan began at one of the most sacred sites in the Hindu world. Pashupatinath Temple sits on the banks of the Bagmati River, where life and death converge in the most profound way. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Pashupati, the “Lord of Animals.” The main temple, with its gilded roof and silver doors, dates back to at least 1697, though the site itself is believed to have been sacred for over a thousand years.
Today I witnessed the ancient cremation rituals along the ghats. Hindu families bring their deceased here from across Nepal and India, believing that cremation at Pashupatinath liberates the soul and ensures passage to the afterlife. The smoke rises continuously from the burning ghats, while mourners perform final rites and priests chant Sanskrit verses.
It’s a confronting yet deeply moving experience - death is not hidden here but embraced as a natural part of the cycle. Monkeys play in the temple courtyards, sadhus meditate in saffron robes, and the river flows on, carrying offerings and ashes toward the Ganges.
A powerful beginning to this journey through the Himalayas.
Day 1 of 17: Kathmandu
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