| Muktinath
(GOD OF MOKCHHYA)
It is believed that all miseries and sorrows
are relieved once you visit this temple
(Mukti = Nirvana, Nath = God). The famous
temple of Lord Muktinath is a sacred place
for both Hindus and Buddhists lies in the
district of Mustang and is situated about
18 km northeast of Jomsom at an altitude
of about 3,749 mt. (12184 ft.) The main
shrine is a pagoda shaped temple dedicated
to Lord Vishnu. Set into the wall around
it, are 108 water spouts from which pour
holy water. The jwala Mai (goddess of flame)
temple nearby contains a spring and an eternal
flame fed by natural gas underground. About
16 miles from Muktinath is the Damodara
Kundam, the source of Kali Gandaki river.
One can find Saligrama stones on the bank
of this river. There are accommodation facilities
available in Jomsom and Muktinath from where
one can enjoy remarkable natural beauty.
There are two ways to get to Muktinath from
Kathmandu. Either take a direct flight from
Kathmandu via Pokhara to Jomsom and hike
for a 7-8 hours or trek all the way from
Pokhara, which takes 7-8 days. Jomsom is
a major center in the Annapurna region.
Itinerary
Day
01 : Arrive Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel.
02 : Visit Pashupatinath and Boudhanath
stupa.
03 : Drive or fly to Pokhara.
04 : Fly Pokhara / Jomsom. Arrive Jomsom
and drive to Muktinath
by motor cycle
(as passenger). Visit temple and drive back
to
Jomsom.
05 : Fly Jomsom / Pokhara. Stay in Pokhara
or connect flight to
Kathmandu on same day.
06 : Free
07 : Transfer to airport for departure flight.
Manakamana
(THE WISH FULFILLING GODDESS)
Legend has it that Queen of Gorkha King
Ram Shah (A. D. 1614 - 1636) possessed divine
powers known only to her devotee Lakhan
Thapa. One day, the King found his Queen
as Goddess. Following the revelation, he
mentioned it to his Queen and suddenly died.
He was cremated and his Queen committed
sati on his funeral pyre, as per the custom.
She consoled her lamenting devotee Lakhan
saying she would reappear near his home.
Six months later, a farmer ploughing his
field hit a stone, cleaved it and blood
and milk flowed which ceased when Lakhan
worshipped it with his tantric knowledge.
The site became foundation of the present
shrine. The present pujari is the 17th generation
descendent of Lakhan Thapa.
The Shrine of Manakamana renovated many
times over the centuries has four story
pagoda style roofs with entrance from the
South-west. The pujari performs daily prayers
and ritual in the temple behind closed doors
by offering eggs, oranges, rice, red powder
and strips of cloth to the deities. On completion
of the pooja of the shrine by the priest,
the turn of the public begins.
Manakamana temple lies 12 Km south of historic
town Gorkha and located on a prominent ridge
(1302 mt. above sea level) overlooking the
river valleys of Trisuli (south) and Marshyangdi
(west). The unique location of the place
is dramatized during winter when the ridge
appears as an island above the sea of morning
mist.
People believe Manakamana Devi fulfills
the wishes of her devotees, thus called
the wish fulfilling
deity. The reward on reaching the shrine
is both spiritual and physical exhilaration.
Spectacular views include deep valleys,
terraced fields and the Manaslu-Himalchuli
and Annapurna ranges. In the past, the only
access to the region was by arduous climb
of over five hours but one can now visit
the shrine in comfort by Manakamana cable
car.
Itinerary
Day
01 : Arrive Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel.
02 : Visit Pashupatinath temple and Boudhanath
stupa
03 : Drive to Kurintar. Kurintar / Manakamana
Temple/ Kurintar by
cable car. Drive back to Kathmandu
04 : Free
05 : Transfer to airport for departure flight.
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