If you are visiting Kathmandu for the first time, you must visit Pashupatinath Temple. Wonderful group of temples with a lot of mythology around it. From temple architecture point of view as well, there is a lot to explore. You can hire a guide as well to understand more.

This is a Holy temple of Lord Shiva. The temple structure is quite unique compared to other Hindu temples around the world. Only Hindus are allowed into the Temple. Others can be around the premises and go around it. No photos are allowed inside the temple premises. It's believed that one should visit this temple and get a blessing before going Hiking in Nepal. We were told to do so and we did. Our quest to reach ABC was very smooth. At the back of the Temple is the Holy River of Baghmati where prayers and rituals for the demise are carried out. You will need to pay NR1000 for each foreigner to enter. It's a very rare scene and if you can't take it, better not see it.

A very sobering place to visit. From our vantage point on the opposite side of the river we were able to watch families bring their dead relatives to be cremated on the side of the river and then their ashes were swept into the river.. Their deep respect for the dead was evident in the way the whole process was undertaken. Swimming in the river were a number of small boys who had no concern for what was floating in the river.

We stayed at hotel kailash kuti inn which is just opp the mandir. For hindus, who go here for religious yatra, it is best option. Fully veg hotel. We have darshans at mandir 3 times. 1. First day when we reach there in the afternoon, we went to mandir around 5pm. Evening aarti is at 6pm. All the four inner gates of mandir are open for darshans. 2. On the first day at our request hotel reception called pandit ji at hotel and we fixed for next morning. Also we purchased rudraksh malas from outside the hotel bazaar, which is the main rudraksh mkt. Abhishekam at mandir is from 9-11am. We went with panjit ji at 8.30. There he do pooja for around 1 hour in the mandir premises at some fixed place away from garbgreh. After that he took us to garbgreh and we had darshans from just 3-4 feet away from the lingam. Only mandir main pujaris are there near the lungam. They put our rudraksh malas on the lingham and give us back. They also give us two rudraaksh malas from there own. We paid our panjit ji as fixed by us. They charge inr3100 for pandit Or inr 5100 for two pandits etc. Pooja done by them was really very good. They themself got parchi from mandir for abhisekam. 3. On the last day of our trip to nepal, as we had purchased more rudraksh malas, we went again to mandir for darshans. Pujaris there touch the malas there and return us.

Pashupatinath Temple is considered as principle pilgrimage site of Hinduism. The temple is on UNESCO World Heritage Sites list for decades. The extensive Hindu temple has a sprawling collection of images, inscriptions, ashrams, temples and images. The temple has 275 holy abodes of Shiva as well. Temple architecture is quite intriguing as it is built in Nepalese pagoda style of architecture. The temple is located on the bank of holy river, Bagmati where cremation of dead body takes place.

It was a divine experience. You will love it as a spritual place and not as tourist. Don't go if are going only as tourist because you tend to compare it as a tourist place only. This is a spritual place with divine energy which only a true heart can feel

I was sadly surprised to see that after paying 1000 rupees I was not allowed to visit the temple where are performed the Puja (rituals). It's a pity. In the churches and Buddhist temples you're not asked to what religion you belong

Cremation by burning. It's not so surprising for me because when I was in India, on the banks of Ganges, I saw cremation. But to know the process it's great here. My guide Jayram explained to me that when the body is burnt all its positive and negative energies are burnt with fire. Nothing can escape fire, so to completely destroy the body firing cremation is important. It's great to know the Hindu Culture.

Its a UNESCO Religious heritage site. darshan some time take a bit wile while other times its quite quick. temple management has made good arrangements for Shoes deposits and parking. cleanliness is maintained inside the shrine. just a caution as there are loads of Naga sadhus inside the temple premises

Visited twice during my stay, once in the evening when it was not at all crowded and the second during daytime, with lot of rush. But the queue is maintained well, the guards are strict, which is needed. Has a large premise, so take time to soak in the energy. People with some sort of Nepali SBI receipt had a separate queue and darshan. Would have got it, had I known in advance.