Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu – Sanctum

Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu – Sanctum

This main temple is built in the Nepalese pagoda style of architecture. All the features of pagoda style are found here like cubic constructions, beautifully carved wooden rafters on which they rest (tundal). The two-level roofs are of copper with gold covering. The temple resides on a square base platform with a height of 23.7 m from base to pinnacle. It has four main doors, all covered with silver sheets. On both sides of each door are niches of various sizes containing gold-painted images of guardian deities. This temple has a gold pinnacle (Gajur). Inside are two Garbhagrihas, outer and inner. The inner garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum is where the idol is placed and outer sanctum is an open corridor-like space.

The Deity:

The sanctum houses the main idol, a stone Mukha Linga with a silver yoni base bound with the silver serpent. The Lord Pashupatinath stays here as Jyotirlinga (Shivalingam). This Shivalingam is not made by any human or God/Goddess and appeared itself from Land so Pashupatinath is also known as Bhulinga (Meaning, the self-appeared Lord in earth). Images of Vishnu, Surya, Devi and Ganesha can be found in the sanctum.

The lingam is one meter high and has faces in all four directions. These faces represent various aspects of Shiva; Sadyojata (also known as Barun), Vamadeva (also known as Ardhanareshwara), Tatpurusha, Aghora & Ishana (imaginative). Facing West, North, East, South and Zenith respectively representing five primary elements namely earth, water, air, light and ether. 

Five faces of Lord Pashupatinath;

1) West Face – The west face of Lord Pashupatinath is known as Sadyojata.  This face is known as children form of Shiva. He looks like innocent like child. This face is also known as wakeful form of Shiva. This face is also known as worldly form so it is worrisome.

2) East face – The East face of Lord Pashupatinath is known as Tatpurusha. In this face, Lord Shiva is visible with jata (hair in forehead), he wears rudraksha mala in neck. This face is also known as Kubera form.

3) North face – The north face of Lord Pashupatinath is known as Vamadeva. This face is also known as half Shiva and half Parvati. At Shiva side there is Chandra (moon) in his hair and Shiva carry kamandalu (vessel) in hand. And at Parvati Mata side. Parvati Mata is chanting with rudraksha mala in hand. This face is also known as Ardhanareshwara (half Shiva and half Parvati). This face is also known as devastation form so this face is also known as Creator of universe. This face is symbol of Lord Moon (Chandra Devta).

4) South Face – The south face of Lord Pashupatinath is known as Aghora. This face is also known as peaceful form of Shiva. This face is also known as Fearful form of Shiva. This face is both peaceful and fearful form of Shiva. In left ear there is snake ring and at right ear, there is another ring. This face is also known as Sun, so this face is very bright comparing to all faces. This face is able to destroy evil and demons.

5) Ishan Face – The fifth face of Lord Pashupatinath is known as Ishana. This face is main roof of all four faces. So, this face is known as Shiva shakti. The priest of temple also does shakti puja everyday by making shriyanta on it. This face is also nirakar form (without any form). This face is able to provide moksha, knowledge to universe.

Each face has tiny protruding hands holding rudraksha mala on right hand and a kamandalu on the other. Unlike other Shiva lingams in India and Nepal, this Pasupathi Shiva Lingam is always dressed in its golden vastram except during abhisheka, so pouring milk and Ganga Jal is only possible during abhisheka through the main priests.

The unique feature of this temple is that only 4 priests can touch the idol. Daily rituals of Pashupatinath are carried out by two sets of priests; one being the Bhatt priests and other Bhandari. Bhatta or Bhatt are the one who performs the daily ritual and can touch the lingam, whereas Bhandaris are the helper and temple caretaker priests who are not qualified to perform pooja rituals or to touch the deity.