Muktinath

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sri Murthy

Muktinath
Temple Name: Muktinath
Alias Name: Saligram
God Name: Sri Murthy
Goddess Name: Sri Devi Thayaar
Pushkarni: Gandaki River or Chakra Theertham
Vimanam: Kanaka Vimanam
Location: Beni
State and Country: Katmandu, Nepal

Muktinath, a sacred place both for Hindus as well as Buddhists, is located at an altitude of 3,710 meters at the foot of the Thorong La mountain pass (part of the Himalayas), Mustang district, Nepal. The Hindus call the place Mukti Kshetra, which literally means the "place of salvation". It is also one of the 51 Sakthi peetams. Buddhists call it Chumig Gyatsa, which in Tibetan means 'Hundred Waters'. 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.

Contents

[edit] The temple

The shrine of Muktinath is considered one of the eight most sacred shrines for Hindu Vaishnavas known as Svayam Vyakta Ksetras, the other seven being Srirangam, Sri Mushnam, Tirupati, Naimisharanya, Totadri, Pushkar and Badrinath. The temple is very small. Muktinath is one of the most ancient Hindu temples of God Vishnu. The murti is of gold and is tall enough to compare with a man. The prakaram has 108 bull faces through which water is poured. It is of freezing temperature. There is an old Buddhist monk present in the temple. The worship is conducted by Buddhist nuns.

[edit] Legend

The Tibetan Buddhist tradition states that for this reason Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, had meditated at Muktinath on his way to Tibet.

[edit] Sri Murthy Mahatmyam

This is the only place on earth where you can find all five elements from which everything is made, according to the Hindu tradition: fire, water, sky, earth and air at the same place together in their own and distinct form. This place is near Jwala Devi temple.

The entire river bed has Shalagram stones which are prominent in worshiping Lord Vishnu.

According to Sri Vaishnava philosophy it is considered to be one of the Divya desam (108 in total) or holy places of worship of Lord Vishnu praised by Alwars in a compilation called the Nalayira Divya Prabandha.

It is said that one has to be gifted to get the darshan of Lord Sri Murthi and Goddess Sri Devi Thayaar.

[edit] Prasad

There is no specific priest to maintain the temple. Pilgrims who go there should offer food to Lord.

[edit] Darshan, sevas and festivals

The most suitable time to visit Muktinath is from March to June, as the weather conditions would not be safe enough to travel in other months. The journey passes through many archeological sites and temples.

[edit] Composers

Thirumangai Alvar could not reach Muktinath, but had sung from nearest place in praise of Lord Sri Murthy. Periyalvar had sung in praise of Sri Murthi as "Salagramamudaiya Nambi".

[edit] Travel access

It is quite difficult to travel because of tough weather conditions. One can fly from Delhi to Kathmandu and then from Kathmandu to Jomsom Airport. From there, trekking can be done or one can use a private helicopter. The helicopter would take around 45 minutes to reach and then it would leave there for 1 hr and then the return trip is taken. The helicopter can be hired only when the weather permits.

[edit] See also

[edit] Other temples

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 28°49′N, 83°53′E