Pashupatinath Temple
Many have heard of Varanasi, one of India’s holiest cities, where devotees bathe in the Ganges River and cremate their dead. Less renowned but equally sacred, Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu stands on the banks of the Bagmati River, a tributary of the Ganges. It’s often compared with Varanasi because both are holy Hindu sites centered around rivers and cremation rituals.
This morning I visited Pashupatinath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu. What an unforgettable experience.
Bodies were being burned on stone ghats along the river. Ritual fires, chanting, and the wails of grieving relatives filled the air, creating a solemn, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Processions wound through the temple grounds to the beat of loud music. Sadhus, Hindu holy men in bright robes and painted faces, wandered about, offering blessings. Monkeys darted between visitors, snatching at food. It was vivid, raw, and overwhelming.
A place like Pashupatinath, or Varanasi, confronts you with death at close range. And in doing so, it forces you to reflect on how you want to live.