We were very impressed with Pasupatinath in Kathmandu. It is a complex of Hindu temples of god Shiva, called the most sacred place in Nepal. Visitors of different confession are not allowed inside so we only could admire the view from outside. So we were walking around the square enjoying the architecture, secretly watching local prayers and.. monkeys playing everywhere around us 🙂 This place, located on the Bagmati River bank, is known for traditional Hindu funeral ceremonies: open air cremation, which we wanted to see. Hindu believes that water from the Bagmati River (which is an arm of the Ganges River) purifies the soul and washes away the sins. That’s why before the cremation the dead body is bathed in the river. Along the river bank there are several stone podiums were the bodies are burnt. Acoording to Hindu belief the burning process sets the soul free and prepares it to next incarnation. At the end of the ceremony when the body is burnt the ashes are thrown into the Holly River. Then the soul goes to heaven.
But Pasupatinath has another exciting and traditional experience to offer. It’s worth it to stay here a bit longer, until 6pm. Then on the bank of the same river takes place another ceremony, called Aarti. It’s a meditation and the ceremony of light and its aim is to praise the river. It is an amazing experience! It’s a combinaton of music, singing, dancing. There are bells ringing, there is fire and a lot of flowers. It definitely is different from our domestic church rituals. We were watching this whole spectacle holding our breaths and slowly following the rythm of mantra. Visiting Pasupatinath really was an amazing experience for us.