Did You Know?

Did you know that Stonehenge in England is a mysterious ancient monument that has spiritual and astronomical significance? This prehistoric stone circle, dating back thousands of years, is aligned with celestial events such as the summer solstice. It is believed to have been a sacred site associated with rituals and ceremonies.

Did you know that Angkor Wat in Cambodia is the largest religious monument in the world? Built in the 12th century, this vast temple complex was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu but later transformed into a Buddhist site. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and an important pilgrimage destination for Buddhists.

Did you know that Mecca in Saudi Arabia is the holiest city in Islam? Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The focal point of the pilgrimage is the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure located within the Masjid al-Haram.

Did you know that Varanasi in India is considered one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and a significant religious center for Hindus? Located on the banks of the Ganges River, Varanasi is believed to be a place of spiritual liberation. It is a major pilgrimage site, and Hindus visit to perform religious rituals and cremate their loved ones.

Did you know that Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia is a sacred site for the Indigenous Anangu people? This massive sandstone monolith holds great spiritual significance and is a symbol of ancestral beings and creation stories. Climbing Uluru is now discouraged out of respect for the Anangu people's cultural beliefs.

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Experience Sacred Spirituality: Behold The Mesmerizing Pashupatinath Temple In Nepal

For the people who live in Nepal, daily life is likely fairly normal, but for those of us who view it as the home of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, it’s a place shrouded in mystery, ambition, and too often accidental deaths. When you see a massive mountain or a collection of temples every day, the impact is negligible; for explorers, mountain climbers and travellers, it’s magical.

Such is the Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal, situated near Kathmandu on the banks of the Bagmati River in the Kathmandu Valley, part of the exotic Himalayan range. This is not just one temple, but a vast assemblage of temples, shrines and ashrams — a total of over 500 temples and monuments in the area — one of the world’s greatest amazing sacred places.

Built over countless years, beginning in the 5th century, most structures at Pashupatinath Temple are designed in the classic Nepalese pagoda style, rather reminiscent of those found in China and Japan. The site has been renovated and refurbished over its many centuries, including an almost complete rebuild at some point during the 1400s. It was damaged, although not extensively, during an earthquake in 2015, so the restoration continues. This is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, of the Hindu belief system, Pashupatinath Temple is one of the four most significant temple sites in all of Asia for Shiva followers. In addition to being a place of high worship, it also acts as a cremation site (we were unable to verify if it is still active in this regard). Visitors will be amused by the resident monkeys, and the sadhu (holy persons) who commune with their god in this sacred place, often smoking marijuana.

The stunning riverbank setting makes sense; the ancient peoples of Nepal found a naturally holy place in which to erect a sacred place to their Lord Shiva. It is a feat for the eyes as well as the spirit.