PASHUPATI AREA DEVELOPMENT TRUST

Shree Pashupatinath Temple, located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, is a sacred Hindu site dedicated to Lord Shiva. Worshipped here in the form of the Shiva Linga, the temple is surrounded by various shrines and idols, making it a central place of devotion for Hindus worldwide.

In Hinduism, Shiva, along with Brahma and Vishnu, forms the Trideva , representing creation , preservation, and destruction-three fundamental forces of the universe. Hindu philosophy emphasizes that while God is one, he manifests in many forms and names.

Lord Pashupatinath , a significant form of Shiva , is depicted with five faces : Tatpurusa, Aghora, Sadhyojat, Vamdev , and Ishana, and Ishana , symbolizing his omnipresence. The Pashupatinath Jyotirlinga is unique, considered unlike any other in the world. According to the Shiva Purana, Lord Pashupatinath is regarded as the head of Kedareshwor, the deity of the famous Kedareshwor Temple in India.

Devotees from across the globe revere Pashupatinath, with thousands visiting daily to pay homage. Lord Shiva is also known by many other names, including Shankar, Mahadev, and Rudra.

One such name, Pashupati, has been famous since the Vedic period. It is a compound work formed from two words- pashu (animal) and pati (lord). In Hindu philosophy, a person without wisdom is compared to a “ pashu “, bound by ignorance and wordly attactments. By surrendering to Lord Pashupatinath, the ‘ Muktidada ’ ( Provider of Salvation), devotees seek wisdom , liberation,and ultimate freedom from illusion.

Pashupatinath Area Development Trust

The then King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah, acknowledging the dire necessity of the preservation, conservation and renovation of the Pashupatinath Temple and its surroundings, established the Pashupati Area Development Trust ( PADT ) in 1987 AD. Currently, the Rt. Honorable Prime Minister remains its patron, while the Honorable Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation serves as its president. Nepal Government has plans to develop the Pashupati Area in all aspects. The main objective of Pashupati Area Development Trust is to create this holy pilgrimage as an international pilgrimage site in a planned manner for the convenience of all national and international Hindu devotees.

Pasupatinath Area

The precincts of Lord Pashupatinath’s holy temple and the region in its vicinity are knowns as the Pashupati Area. It spreads over 264 hectares of land dotted with innumerable ancient monuments, various temples of gods and goddesses, Buddhist Vihara’s and stupas, ashram, and hermitages. The scattered cultural, religious, and historically significant structures and inscriptions make the Pashupati area a famous cultural heritage site under UNESCO. It is like an open museum. Such a site is rare in the world. This area prides on different heritage sites- monasteries, temples and sculptures representing Nepal , various pilgrimages, and festivals. Some religious activities are regular, occurring from morning to evening everyday whereas some are carried out especially during religious festivals, adding to the vibrancy of the areas.

Pashupati Area is the most sacred venue for pilgrimage, the center of the Hindu faith, the unique world cultural heritage, and the national pride of Nepal. This holy site invigorates everyone to have faith in their respective religions, promotes mutual goodwill among different religions and sects, enhances universal brotherhood, inspires fraternity amidst humanity, and promotes cordiality in the world community. This area has long been a place to ease worldly sufferings through prayer, gain spiritual strength, and achieve self-awareness through meditation. Every Hindu individual dreams of making the pilgrimage to Pashupatinath at least once in his lifetime.