Sightseeing · Kathmandu
Pashupatinath Temple
Nepal's holiest Hindu temple on the Bagmati — cremation ghats, sadhus and the evening Bagmati aarti.
- Rating
- ★ 4.6 (15000)
- Price
- $
- Address
- Gaushala, Kathmandu
Pashupatinath Temple is the most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal and a UNESCO World Heritage site on the banks of the holy Bagmati River in eastern Kathmandu. Dedicated to Shiva, it is a living place of pilgrimage, ritual and cremation — solemn, intense and unforgettable rather than a polished tourist stop.
What to expect
The golden-roofed main pagoda is the spiritual centre, though its inner sanctum is open to Hindus only; non-Hindus take in the temple and the riverside rituals from the opposite bank, which gives the clearest view. Along the ghats you will see open-air cremations, ash-smeared sadhus posing among the shrines, and — after dark — the chanting and lamplight of the Bagmati aarti.
Good to know
- Access: The inner pagoda is for Hindus only; everyone can explore the surrounding complex and watch from across the river.
- Respect: Cremations are private moments of grief — observe quietly and avoid photographing the pyres.
- Best time: Visit in the late afternoon and stay for the evening aarti.
- Nearby: Pashupatinath sits close to Boudhanath Stupa, so the two pair well in one outing — both feature among the top attractions in Kathmandu.
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Frequently asked questions
Can non-Hindus enter Pashupatinath Temple?+
Only Hindus may enter the inner sanctum of the main pagoda. Non-Hindus are welcome in the wider complex and view the temple and the rituals from the opposite bank of the Bagmati River, which is actually the best vantage point for photos.
What can you see at Pashupatinath?+
The complex spans both banks of the sacred Bagmati River. You can watch open-air cremations on the ghats, meet ash-covered sadhus (holy men), explore dozens of shrines and Shiva lingams, and attend the evening Bagmati aarti ceremony.
What is the Bagmati aarti?+
The aarti is an evening fire-and-lamp ceremony held on the riverside ghats after sunset, with chanting, bells and offerings of light to the river. It is the most atmospheric time to visit Pashupatinath.
Is there an entry fee for Pashupatinath?+
Foreign visitors pay an entry fee to the complex, collected in Nepali rupees at the gate. Photography of the cremations is discouraged out of respect for grieving families.
