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Pashupatinath lies on the outskirts of Kathmandu, and is Nepal's holiest site for Hindus. It consists of a complex of temples (which are not open to non-Hindus) and extensive grounds, and its location on the Bagmati River has prompted comparisons to Varanasi in India. It is dedicated to Siva in his peaceful incarnation as Pashupati, shepherd of the lord of beasts and Narayana.
Vendors at the entrance to the temple complex sell articles for use as religious offerings. |
One of the first buildings in he complex is a building used as a home for the aged; this is part of a temple inside the main courtyard. |
Part of the temple face in the home for the aged. |
A woman sells flowers for sacrificial offerings. |
Along the banks of the Bagmati River approaching the main temple area. |
Devout Hindus consider it a holy obligation to bathe in the waters of the Bagmati here. |
View along the Bagmati of the ghats, or crematoria. |
On the opposite bank of the Bagmati is the small hill of Kailash, with the Baccereshwari Temple. |
Monkeys are ubiquitous in the temple grounds. |
Part of the Guheshwari Temple (17C), dedicated to Kali, the goddess of destruction. |
The town of Pashupatinath is also quite lively. |
Hindu icons for sale. |
Easy day trips from Kathmandu include Changu Narayan Temple on a small hill near Bhaktapur, and Nagarkot, which offers with a view of the Himalayas on a smog-free day.
Countryside near Changu Narayan. Lower branches have been stripped from the trees for fuel. |
The village of Changu Narayan is built around the famous temple. |
Villagers dry hay from their balconies. |
A mythical being stands guard at the temple, which dates from the 4C AD. |
Part of the Changu Narayan Temple. |
Smog mars an otherwise beautiful view of the Kathmandu Valley en route to Nagarkot. |
Children attend to their family goat. |
Terraced agriculture near Nagarkot is indicative of overpopulation. |
The Himalayas are visible through the haze at Nagarkot, at an elevation of 2,175m. |
Life can be hard in Nepal, especially for women. |
A house of one of the more prosperous farmers in the area. |
A woman proudly shows off her cow, a source of wealth in this largely agrarian society. |
Map courtesy of The World Factbook. |
