“Guys, Kahile Janey ta Mustang?” was what my friend said a year ago when we were eager to explore the place and had fully planned to commence our journey.
Mustang is a destination on every Nepalese and foreigner’s bucket list to explore which has been a place extremely enchanting due to the mellow mountain range and peaks you see, experiencing the welcoming environment and good food around the locality.
A wish to go and explore the Mustang region and also visit the sacred Muktinath temple, we finally reached our destination after this Tihar 2079 and brought some good memories, experiences, and knowledge about the place.
Here, I share the information you might want to know before or after you pay a visit to Muktinath, Mustang.
Overview
Muktinath temple, also known as the “Shrine of Salvation” is located at the foot of Thorong La Pass mountain, which is a popular trekking route in the Annapurna region of Nepal.
The valley gets its name after the temple which simply signifies the temple’s importance. Situated at the highest altitude (altitude of 3,800 m) in the snowy mountains of Nepal, it is a highly worshipped sacred temple for both Hindus and Buddhists.
The place is also known as Muktikshetra meaning “The Place of Liberation” and also is one of the Char Dham situated in Nepal for Hindu pilgrims all over the world.
About The Temple
Being a sacred temple, Muktinath is also supposed to be one of the premium temples (Divya Desam) among 108 other temples and also the main 8 temples known as Svayam Vyakta Kshetras (the other seven being Srirangam, Srimushnam, Tirupati, Naimisharanya, Totadri, Pushkar and Badrinath) mentioned in Sacred book where Lord Vishnu is mainly worshipped.
Chumti Gyatsa is what Buddhists call the place which in Tibetan means “A hundred Waters” that symbolizes the compassion of all Buddhas. It is also one of the 51 Shakti Pitha goddess sites.
The temple has 108 stone taps of the same shape at an optimum height separated at a one-foot distance approximately that pours clean cold water diverted from the Gandaki river for the pilgrims to wash their sins away standing beneath every tap while they visit the place. Also, do not forget to try the two kundas in front of the temple which is the end part of washing away your sins. I repeat, do not forget.
The size of the temple may seem small but inside resides a human-sized golden statue of Vishnu as Shree Mukti Narayan – The god that gives us Mukti. On the inner walls of the temple, one can find bronze images of the goddesses Saraswati and Janaki (Sita), Lava-Kusa (the sons of Rama and Sita), Bhoodevi (the Earth-goddess form of Lakshmi), Garuda (the mount of Vishnu) and the Seven Sages (Saptarishi) created by Lord Brahma.
On normal days, the lines aren’t too long though you see a lot of people handing around. You will be able to enter the temple to worship after getting in line for about 10 to 15 minutes.
History
Myths say that Guru Rimpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, also known as Padmasambhava, meditated here on his way to Tibet. An old Buddhist monastery can be seen near the temple dedicated to Guru Rimpoche where Buddhist monks live and perform the rites in the temple.
The temple consists of a statue of the Buddhist deity Chenrezig (Avalokitesvara), which is famous for its consistently burning fire from natural gas, which Hindus worship as Jwala Mai (the Goddess of Fire).
How to Plan Your Trip
“Planned Trips Never Happen” is what most people say, but I highly advise you to plan your trip prior to departure so that you don’t regret missing anything on your journey.
Here’s what you can pre-plan to travel to this place.
- Know about the location you’re visiting: It is essential to educate yourself first about the place you’re going to. Location of Muktinath, climatic conditions, and time of travel as well as any relevant travel restrictions prior to beginning your journey.
- Finalize your trip date: You might not want to randomly finalize your trip on such a date that may have an important event for you and want to wisely consider the day or date to travel. When deciding when to visit Muktinath, think about things like whether you are traveling in peak tourist season or during local events. Manage your itinerary schedule and your budget.
- Plan your travel: If you are trying to fly from Pokhara to Jomsom, make sure to pre-book seeking the best deals on airfare. To save time and money if you want to visit other places in Nepal, you might want to book a trip that includes multiple cities.
- Organize your trip: Choose the number of days you want to spend in Muktinath and the activities you want to do, such as going to the temple, hiking to nearby waterfalls, or taking a hot spring bath.
- Pack accordingly: Gear and clothing that are suitable for the climate and the planned activities should be packed. Bring plenty of warm clothes, comfortable shoes, a good hat, sunscreen, and plenty of warm clothes.
- Plan your mode of transport: You may need to arrange transportation to and from Muktinath, depending on where you are staying. This could be accomplished by renting a motorcycle, scheduling a private tour, or hiring a taxi.
- Choose a place to stay: Choose whether you want to stay in a hotel, a guest house, or a camping facility. It’s best to reserve your lodging in advance, especially during peak travel times.
- Prepare for sickness at altitude: Because Muktinath is at an elevation of 3,710 meters, it is essential to be aware of the possibility of getting altitude sickness. To lower the risk, talk to your doctor and be ready to adjust slowly.
- Consider a tour with a guide: You might want to think about booking a tour of Muktinath and the surrounding area with a guide if you’re new to the area. You can learn a lot about the region’s culture, history, and geography from a tour guide.
- Check your travel insurance policy: Before you leave for Muktinath, check to see if you have adequate travel insurance that includes coverage for medical expenses and emergency evacuation.
In conclusion, careful research, careful consideration of travel dates and activities, and preparation for potential difficulties like altitude sickness are necessary when planning a trip to Muktinath. You can guarantee that your trip to Muktinath will be one to remember and enjoyable if you follow these steps. Taking the time to properly plan your trip can help ensure a smooth and memorable journey by booking flights, lodging, transportation, and packing appropriately.
How to Reach: Mode of Transportation
Let me tell you from the point that you’ll be leading toward Mustang, your destination awaiting you to explore.
This is how you will explore your on-the-way locations as you take a bike ride or on a jeep with your friends or family.
Point To Start From
Whether you travel from the eastern or the western part of Nepal, Maldhunga Bridge, the bridge that connects the Parbat and Baglung district is the point you’d come to start your journey.
Just beside the bridge is the way you’d want to take to reach Mustang through the Beni Bazaar if you’re on a jeep or on your bike.
Next Stop, Beni Bazaar
Beni Bazaar is where you can have a break from your horrific off-road ride, to calm you down for the ongoing journey.
A place to freshen up, you can also buy on-the-way snacks from the place and have in on your way whenever you see a beautiful scene and stop by to gaze upon it.
The off-road might irritate you but the excitement you carried to visit the place will go on increasing as you drive along the beautiful sceneries on the way with Kaligandaki flowing alongside.
The initiation of Mustang
Until you reach Lete, Mustang, don’t expect you’d get to see pitch roads. Nevertheless, you can manage to stay on Lete after your long ride.
The next day, if you give your 2 to 3 hours on a ride from Lete early in the morning, then you’ll reach Muktinath easily as the roads from Lete are pitched up to Jomsom which will ease your ride.
You will have a beautiful start from Lete as the roads will be comfortable providing you with a wide-angle view of the Kaligandaki riverbank, a beautiful and astounding wideness that you might have ever seen.
The Pass
There comes a point when you’ll reach a pass that will eventually separate your way toward the way where the hills you see will have lesser vegetation.
Just the brown barren color with some bushes and bright white touch of the snow-capped mountain, making a picturesque view.
Marpha and Jomsom
Marpha Village, famous for its Marpha Local Alcohol, and Tukucha Village is the locations you’ll see before you reach Jomsom.
Just to enlighten you, Marpha is a locally made famous alcohol that is made from apples produced in the villages of Mustang.
After then, you’ll reach Jomsom and find out the reality of the song, “Jomsomai Bazaar Maa, Bara Baje Hawa Sarara“ and yes it is, while you’ll experience a drifting wind that might lead you to get off the bike, not with your intent but the wind’s intent to drop you down.
Dividing From Muktinath-Kagbeni Road
Alas, the good roads are gone for now, and off-roads start from here again which will take you to Muktinath. Only after you get to see the pleasing view of Kagbeni with its name written on the hill that you’ll see from far away.
For a trek to Upper Mustang, you take the way through Kagbeni, but to reach Muktinath, you will need to take the right snake-like track that will take you to the destination you are eager to visit.
Now the track you chose will be steep, but don’t worry as the roads are good from that point till you reach the temple.
5 Minutes of Walk
When you reach the place and see vehicles being parked there, yes the wide ground, you still have a little more to go in order to reach the temple gate.
It’s a 5 to 10 minutes walk from the parking zone, however, you can take your bikes up to the gate regardless of the days when pilgrims are high in number to visit Muktinath.
The gate you see to commence your steps inside it will lead you to the temple on a steep hill paved by stairs that you need to walk.
Alongside the stairs, you’ll see idols of stones made by visitors. It is said that if you make such an idol and wish for something, that might come true.
Finally, the main gate welcomes you with a mild smell of incense and an appealing ambiance.
A Flight from Pokhara To Jomsom
Likewise, taking a direct flight from Kathmandu to Jomsom can also be the easiest way to reach there.
A trek can be performed from Jomsom to Kagbeni which further extends up to Upper Mustang after you visit the sacred Muktinath temple.
The attractions of Mustang, Muktinath
Muktinath is the main attraction to visitors as the temple sits in the lap of the Himalayas. Thousands of pilgrims visit this place yearly. People who came just to visit the Muktinath temple or as a vacation in Mustang pay a visit to the shrine.
Peace of mind, heart, and soul can be expected being around the temple area as the calming atmosphere of Muktinath with a pleasing environment and the snowy white area will of course melt one’s heart when they arrive there.
Having a unique combination of spiritual and natural beauty, as well as a rich cultural and historical heritage for visitors, Muktinath is a destination that is worth visiting, whether you’re a trekker, a spiritual seeker, or just a lover of adventure.
You might be a visitor to travel upper Mustang but if not visited the temple while being there, it won’t be worth your whole expedition.
Besides the temple, Kagbeni Village and Kagbeni temple is also where people pay a visit. You might have watched a Nepali Movie named after the place which will introduce you to the best sceneries of the village.
Other than that, Marpha village, the village of apple liquor that we talked about previously where you can soothe your throat with the peculiar taste of the alcohol.
Mustang and Muktinath offers spirituality, adventure, and cultural experiences. A trip to this place will be something to remember for you and learn something new from your experience.
Final Words
Exploring Mustang and visiting Muktinath is a two-in-one benefit of your travel and also the desire I had for which I have this information as per my visit and as per the information I had gained before and after reaching the place.
We couldn’t explore Upper Mustang at that time as we were out of time due to some circumstances but will explore the Upper region also, sooner or later. So, my journey and exploration end here leaving you with something that might benefit you.
Conclusion
To sum up, you will be more than happy and fortunate to visit Muktinath as the roadways that will take you to the place will eventually entice you more and more exceeding your expectations.
A calm and peaceful environment will be there for you to forget all your past, stop thinking about the future, and dive into the present being in the sacred environment where Lord Muktinath will help you to achieve liberation from everything. Just as said, Muktinath: The Lord of Liberation.
So, when are you planning to liberate yourself visiting Muktinath?