Muktinath

Hindusim or Sri Vaishanava Samprdaya consider the sacred place of worship and mentioned that Mukthinath temple is the 106th between the available 108 Divya Desam. Another name for Muktihan is Kukti Kshetra, which literally mean the “place of liberation or moksha”. Mukti Kshetra is also home for the Saligrama Shila and naturally available to take home for worship directly from of Sriman Narayan (the hindu godhead Visu).

The Buddhists call it Chumig Gyatsa, which in Tibetan means "Hundred Waters". Although the temple has a Vaishnava origin, it is also revered in Buddhism. For Tibetan Buddhists, Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa is a very important place of Dakinis, goddesses known as Sky Dancers, and one of the 24 Tantric places. They understand the murti to be a manifestation of Avalokitesvara.

Currently, Buddhist monk priest performs regular services at the temple. In the main temple contains human-sized golden deity of Lord Vishnu as Shri Mukti Narayana and other deities of the goddesses of Lakshmi, Bhoodevi(the earth goddess form of Lakshmi), Saraswati, Janaki(sita), Garuda(the mount of vishun), lava-kusa (the sons of Rama and Sita) and the sapta Rishis (seven Sages created by the Lord Brahma).

Many pilgrims who visit the temple often take bath after the worship of Lord Muktinath, beneath 108 same size stone-carved bullhead faucets, ice-cold water from Kaligandaki flow through the bullhead faucets. The semi-circular 108 stone-carved bullhead faucets are located behind the main temple.

The Kali Gandaki River is another main source for finding Shaligram Shila (Stones) flow through Muktinath. Shaligram shila’s are important for worshipping of Lord Vishnu at home. Shaligram Shila consider as incarnation of Lord Vishnu by Hindus around the world.

Getting There

There are a few ways to travel from Pokhora to Muktinath. For people who love exploring natural environment and enjoy the beauty of mountain, trekking is the best option. Starting from Pokhara to Beni (altitude below 1,000 m) by taxi, Beni to Ghasa by shared jeep, Ghasa to Jomsom by bus, night stay at Jomsom(altitude 2,743 m). Trekking from Jomsom to Muktinath(altitude 3,710 m). Many people prefer by airplane from phokar to jamsoma flight is very popular as it serves better time to enjoy the life, trekking takes long journey as well as uncomfortable. There are daily morning flights between 6:15 AM to 10:00 AM fly from Pokhara city. The fastest and easiest trip to Muktinath is by Helicopter from Kathmandu. The small helicopter has 5-6 comfortable seats and gives better view of wonderful Himalaya, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri while flying top of Himalayas. The helicopter lands nearby Muktianth temple evaluation 3, 710 meters. This short period helicopter tours could be the great way to make good time to explore and enjoy holy bath at 108 faucets bath and return back to Kathmandu without any physical difficulties.