Muktinath tour is one of the Holiest for both the Hindu and Buddhist people . It is a Vishnu temple situated in high mountain in Mustang , Nepal . Muktinath altitude is 3800 meter from the sea level . Muktinath dham is one of the char dhams of Nepal and also one of the Divya Desham for Vishnavites . Here in the cold desert landscape , you only found the arid mountains and some bushy vegetation . Beside this place , blowing the Kali Gandaki river. This gandaki river shaligram are very auspicious and the living form of God Vishnu . Here people of Hindu community will come to get freedom from the birth and death cycle and got Mokhsa . In this place there is 108 holy water taps where flows the ice cold water of Kali gandeki river . It is believed among the Hinduism that bathing in this icy water you can wash away all your sins and get salvation .
How to reach to muktinath ?
Muktinath is situated in very High Mountain . Going there is difficult in any means of transport except air .
There is a Helipad just near to the gate of the Muktinath . Helicopter service is available from both Kathmandu and Pokhra . It will land , just near to the helipad in Muktinath temple . Then you worship in the temple and come back . Nearby airport to this place is in Jomsom . From jomsom you have to take a bus or hire a car to reach to Muktinath . It is 25 km distance from Jomsom by road .
Another way to reach to muktinath is by bus or hired car . From Kathmandu there is Night bus to reach to Muktinath . There is “Ghora ghori bus” from Kathmandu for Muktinath . In the evening 7 pm it will leave Kathmandu and reach Muktinath around 8 am in the next day morning . Also you can come to jomsom from Pokhra . There is lots of buses in the morning from Pokhra toward Jomsom/Muktinath . As this road is very bumpey and broken . Better will be to stay a night in Jomsom or Marpha and then start your journey toward Muktinath . But ready to leave muktinath before 1 pm . as there is no public transport available after that . I have to manage a tour bus for my return journey .
Next option in muktinath yatra is trekking . This route from Jomsom to Muktinath is famous in annapurna trekking circle . It almost required 6-7 hours of trek to reach to Muktinath .
Why the name Muktinath ?
There is a beautiful mythological story behind this nomenclature. Once upon a time in nepal there was a demon Jalandhar . People all around the Swarga(Heaven) , Martya(Earth ) and Patal(Hell) were disturbed by his power . So , to protect humanity from this Demon , bishnu want to take a initiative But the major problem was her wife Brinda . She was very devoted to her husband that is called the term “Satitya”. That pure devotion protect her husband’s life . So , to kill the Demon, Bishnu take a shape like her husband and romance with jalandhar’s wife . When she know that Bishnu frauds her . she gave abhishap(divine words to suffer ) to Bishnu . To get out from this Abhishap bishnu meditate here and actually got mukti . That is the reason This place is called Muktinath .
Story :
I went in Muktinath tour in the month of April but still there was ice . The mountains beside muktinath are totally arid and you can see lots of Yaks beside it . Yak’s cheese and butter are available here . In this area wind is very strong sometimes it feels to turn you back .
This place is very calm and quiet and the Muktinath valley has been covered with very high snow-capped mountains. In the wintertime it has been fully covered with snow . Inside the temple there is 108 water spring of Kali Gandaki river . This water are ice cold . Also there is two water tank inside the temple complex. People believed this water is very sacred and they take a bath in this ice water . Inside the temple there is a life-size deity of Vishnu. This temple has been build in traditional Newari Style . It was a wooden temple . It is also said that this temple has been destroyed many times and also rebuild many times . I also take a bath in this ice water. It is totally a different experience .
The nearby landscape is amazing. It is all grey and has very little vegetation.It is situated in 3800 m above the sea level . It is one of the high altitude temple in the world . Here you can see small bushy type vegetation . Wind is blowing very fast . Here also you can find a bird same like crow but only the beak is yellow colored . This bird is called the koyela bird . In the mountains near by , you will find some small dots . I don’t know if those are man made caves like upper Mustang or just natural caves .
Some hotels are situated just beside the walking road toward muktinath So you can also stay in Muktinath. Beside the temple there is a Narsingh Gompa . Hindu people also give homage in this temple as they thought the deity in this temple is Narasingha Avatar .
In the way to the Muktinath temple you can see lots of vendors selling Shaligram sila . It is the living form of god Vishnu . This kali gandeki river is the source of Saligram sila .
Summery :
This temple is one of the Holiest temple for both Hindus and Buddhist . Lots of people come from India to worship god Muktinath which is a form of Lord Vishnu . People come here and take a bath in the ice cold water to get salvation. Rather than the Holy part , this place is also very beautiful . This cold desert looks like unearthly place . In this place , you will find lots of apple Gardens .
