Pashupatinath Temple is 2 kilometres from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Most pilgrims from India land, clear immigration, and reach the temple in under an hour. Indian nationals enter free. The temple is open from 4:00 AM. By the time most India-Kathmandu flights land, the morning darshan is already in progress. This is the holiest Shiva temple in South Asia — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a five-faced Shivlinga, a 246-hectare complex with 518 shrines, a river that flows with the sacred smoke of its cremation ghats, and an evening Aarti that every visitor — Hindu or not — can watch from the Bagmati riverbank. Nepal’s national deity. Hinduism’s most sacred Shiva destination outside India.
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💡 Quick Answer Timings: 4:00 AM – 7:00 PM (summer) | extended on festival days Evening Bagmati Aarti: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM — open to ALL Indians: FREE entry Foreign nationals: NPR 1,000 (~₹625 / ~$7.50) Non-Hindus: Outer complex + Bagmati terrace — not inner sanctum Airport distance: 2 km from Tribhuvan International
2026 Update: Pashupatinath Temple — Indian nationals free entry. Foreign nationals NPR 1,000. No online booking system. Evening Bagmati Ganga Aarti 6:00–7:30 PM daily — all visitors welcome. Maha Shivaratri 2027 (Feb): 1 million+ devotees. Source: tirumalaonline.in Feb 2026 + templetimings.in 2025.
Pashupatinath Temple — At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Temple Name | Pashupatinath Temple (Pashupati Nath Mandir) |
| Deity | Lord Pashupati — Shiva as Lord of All Living Beings |
| UNESCO Status | World Heritage Site — inscribed 1979 |
| Location | Gaushala, Kathmandu, Nepal — 4 km east of city centre |
| Airport distance | 2 km from Tribhuvan International Airport |
| Area | 246 hectares |
| Shrines | 518 smaller temples/shrines in complex |
| Timings | 4:00 AM – 7:00 PM (summer) |
| Bagmati Aarti | 6:00–7:30 PM daily — all visitors |
| Indians | Free entry |
| Foreign nationals | NPR 1,000 |
| Non-Hindus | Outer complex + terrace across Bagmati |
| No online booking | Counter only |
Darshan Timings 2026
| Session | Time |
|---|---|
| Temple Opens | 4:00 AM |
| Morning Darshan | 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Afternoon Darshan | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Bagmati Ganga Aarti | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Temple Closes | ~7:00 PM |
Maha Shivaratri: Extended all night — 4:00 AM onwards continuously. Best time: 4:00–7:00 AM — early morning rituals, minimal crowd, coolest air.
Entry Fees 2026
| Visitor | Fee |
|---|---|
| Indian nationals | FREE |
| Nepali nationals | Free |
| SAARC nationals | NPR 1,000 |
| Other foreign nationals | NPR 1,000 (~₹625 / ~$7.50) |
Buy tickets at the entrance gate counter. Carry passport for fee verification. No online purchase available.
Non-Hindus — What You Can See
Non-Hindus are not permitted inside the main temple building or inner sanctum.
However, the outer complex is vast — and accessible:
| Area | Access | What to See |
|---|---|---|
| Outer complex | All visitors | 518 shrines, smaller temples |
| Bagmati River terrace | All visitors | Main temple from across the river |
| Cremation ghats | All visitors | Ancient Hindu cremation rituals |
| Bagmati Aarti (evening) | All visitors | Most spectacular ritual |
| Inner sanctum (Shivlinga) | Hindus only | Five-faced Shivlinga |
The view of the golden-roofed main temple from the Bagmati River terrace — with the evening Aarti in progress — is one of the most powerful religious images in all of Asia.
The Five-Faced Shivlinga — Pancha Mukhi
The main Shivlinga at Pashupatinath is Pancha Mukhi — five-faced — representing the five aspects of Lord Shiva:
| Face | Direction | Aspect |
|---|---|---|
| Tatpurusha | East | Concealment |
| Aghora | South | Dissolution |
| Sadyojata | West | Creation |
| Vamadeva | North | Preservation |
| Ishana | Top | Grace |
This five-faced form is extraordinarily rare — found in very few Shiva temples worldwide. It makes Pashupatinath’s Shivlinga uniquely complete as a representation of Shiva’s total cosmic power.
Bagmati Ganga Aarti — Evening Spectacle
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM daily — open to ALL visitors
This is Pashupatinath’s most accessible and most powerful experience — comparable to the Ganga Aarti at Varanasi.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time | 6:00–7:30 PM |
| Location | Bagmati River ghats |
| Accessible to | Everyone — Hindu and non-Hindu |
| Atmosphere | Fire, incense, bells, chanting |
| Best view | Terrace across the river |
The Bagmati River is considered a sacred tributary of the Ganga. The river ghats here serve as traditional Hindu cremation sites — pyres are visible from the terrace. This juxtaposition — the evening Aarti’s fire and the cremation ghats’ smoke on the same sacred river — creates a spiritual intensity that is unlike anything else in South Asia.
Maha Shivaratri — Over 1 Million Devotees
Maha Shivaratri 2027: February 2027
Pashupatinath Maha Shivaratri is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Crowd | 1 million+ devotees |
| Sadhus | Thousands from India and Nepal |
| Duration | All-night vigil |
| Timing | Temple open continuously from eve to next morning |
| Accommodation | Book 3–4 months before |
The arrival of thousands of ash-covered, dreadlocked Sadhus from across the subcontinent — many in dramatic spiritual states — transforms Pashupatinath during Shivaratri into something beyond ordinary pilgrimage.
The Cremation Ghats — Understanding What You See
Visitors to Pashupatinath will see cremation pyres burning on the Bagmati riverbank. This is not a hidden or uncommon sight — it is integral to the temple’s spiritual identity.
In the Hindu tradition, dying near a sacred river and being cremated at its ghats is considered the highest blessing — it is believed to grant liberation (moksha). Pashupatinath’s Bagmati ghats are considered among the most sacred cremation sites in the world.
Visitor etiquette:
- Observe quietly from a respectful distance
- No photography of ongoing cremations
- No loud talking near the ghats
How to Reach Pashupatinath from India
| Route | Details |
|---|---|
| Flight to Kathmandu | From Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Patna, Lucknow, Varanasi — 1.5–3 hours |
| From Airport | Tribhuvan International → Pashupatinath: 2 km, ~10–15 minutes |
| Overland from India | Sunauli/Gorakhpur border → Kathmandu: ~8–10 hours |
| From Thamel (tourist area) | 5 km, ~20–30 min by taxi |
Common Errors + Fixes
Non-Hindu expecting to enter the main sanctum → Fix: Non-Hindus are not permitted inside. The Bagmati terrace across the river provides an excellent view of the main temple and the evening Aarti is open to all.
Not knowing Indians enter free → Fix: Indian nationals enter Pashupatinath free. Foreign nationals pay NPR 1,000. Carry your Indian passport/ID.
Missing the Bagmati Aarti → Fix: 6:00–7:30 PM daily — plan to be at the riverbank by 5:45 PM. This is the most accessible and most powerful experience at Pashupatinath for all visitors.
Coming during Maha Shivaratri without planning → Fix: 1 million+ devotees. Book Kathmandu accommodation 3–4 months before.
Pashupatinath Visit Checklist
☑ Arrive 4:00–7:00 AM — most peaceful darshan ☑ Indians: free entry — carry ID/passport ☑ Foreign nationals: NPR 1,000 at counter ☑ Bagmati Aarti 6:00–7:30 PM — arrive by 5:45 PM ☑ Non-Hindus: Bagmati terrace + outer complex ☑ Cremation ghats — observe quietly, no photography ☑ Modest attire — no bare shoulders, no leather ☑ No photography inside main sanctum ☑ Kathmandu Airport — 2 km ☑ Maha Shivaratri — book hotel months before
FAQ
What are Pashupatinath temple darshan timings 2026?
4:00 AM – 7:00 PM (summer). Extended during Maha Shivaratri. Bagmati Ganga Aarti: 6:00–7:30 PM daily — open to all visitors.
Is entry free for Indian citizens at Pashupatinath?
Yes — completely free for Indian nationals. Nepali nationals: also free. Other foreign nationals: NPR 1,000. Carry passport/ID.
Can non-Hindus enter Pashupatinath Temple?
Non-Hindus can access the outer complex and Bagmati River terrace. The inner sanctum housing the Shivlinga is Hindus only. The evening Bagmati Aarti (6:00–7:30 PM) is open to everyone.
What is the Bagmati Ganga Aarti at Pashupatinath?
A daily evening ritual (6:00–7:30 PM) on the Bagmati River ghats — fire, incense, bells, and chanting. Open to all visitors. One of the most spiritually powerful experiences at Pashupatinath — comparable to the Ganga Aarti at Varanasi.
When is Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath?
Maha Shivaratri 2027: February 2027. Over 1 million devotees, thousands of Sadhus. All-night vigil. Book accommodation 3–4 months before.
How far is Pashupatinath from Kathmandu airport?
2 km — approximately 10–15 minutes. One of the easiest major temples in Asia to reach directly from an international airport.
Two kilometres from the airport where India-Kathmandu flights land. Free for Indians. Open at 4:00 AM. A five-faced Shivlinga that has been worshipped since the 5th century. An evening Aarti on the Bagmati River that anyone can watch. This is Pashupatinath — Shiva as the Lord of All Living Beings — and Nepal has been offering him this riverbank for 1,500 years. Om Namah Shivaya! पशुपतिनाथ की जय!
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