Gandaki Shakti Peeth or “Muktinath Temple.” This Shaktipeeth is located at the origin of the Gandaki River in Nepal.
The cheek Shakti fell here and according to some the forehead/head of Mata Sati fell in the Gandaki Shakti Peeth. Here Mata Sati is known as ‘Gandaki Chandi’ and Lord Shiva as ‘Chakrapani.’
Hindu Vaishnavas consider the central Shrine of Sri Muktinath, known as one of the eight most sacred shrines, names with Svayam Vyakta Kshetras. Srirangam, Srimushnam, Tirupati, Naimisharanya, Thothadri, Pushkar, & Badrinath are seven others. The temple is small in size but adorable.
The temple’s unique thing is the 108 bull faces on the outer courtyard of the temple through which water is poured. The divine water flow in 108 pipes around the temple complex indicates the holy Pshkarini water from the 108 Sri Vaishnava Divya Desams. Devotees take sacred bath here even in freezing temperatures.
Religious Significance of Muktinath.
Muktinath is one of the most significant temples of the Vaishnava sect. This pilgrimage center is famous for the god Shaligram. Shaligram is a sacred stone which is considered revered in Hinduism. It is mainly found in the Kali Gandaki River flowing towards Nepal. Traditionally, Lord Vishnu is worshiped as Shaligram Shila or Shaligram stone. This stone was formed from fossil found in prehistoric times, mainly in the Tethys Sea; there is now the Himalayan Mountains.
According to the scriptures Lord Vishnu resides in the Shaligrama rock. Lord Vishnu helped Lord Shiva when he could not win the battle against the demon named Jalandhar. No one could defeat Jalandhar as long as the devil Jalandhar’s wife, Vrinda, saved his integrity. In such a situation, Lord Vishnu, taking the form of Jalandhar, succeeded in destroying Vrinda’s chastity.
By the time Vrinda realized this, it was too late. Then Vrinda got angry and cursed Lord Vishnu to lead a life as grass and Vishnu took life as the Darbha grass; she got more angry and cursed Lord Vishnu to lead a life as a plant and Vishnu took life as the Tulasi plant; she got more angry and cursed Lord Vishnu to lead a life as a tree and Vishnu took life as the Peapal tree; she got more angry and cursed Lord Vishnu to lead a life as a stone and Vishnu took the form of Saligrama. So all above four are revered in Hinduism. According to old legends, Muktikshetra is the place where salvation is attained. Muktinath is also an essential place for the Buddhists.
Genuine Saligramas are found only at the Gandaki river Nepal.
By Air: Jomsom airport, considered the most dangerous airport is is 23 KM from Muktinath. Jomsom airport is 20 minutes flight – 350 KM – from Kathmandu airport. From Jomsom catch the local bus or Jeep (2 Hours) to reach Muktinath temple – it is another 2-kilometre by walking, horse riding, or hiring a motorbike.
By helicopter: Muktinath can visit by Helicopter either from Kathmandu or from Pokhara. It is about 5-hour tours both way from Kathmandu and 2 hours from Pokhara. Helicopter tours are available.
By Railway: You can plan your visit to this temple by reaching Gorakhpur Railway Station. From Here you can take Govt Buses/ Private Taxis.
By Road: From Pokhara to Jamsom, one can hire local private vehicles (personal vehicles are not allowed) or go through trekking.
