About Muktinath Yatra
“Muktinath Temple” in Nepal has been a site of great spiritual importance for both Hindus and Buddhists. Also known as “Muktishetra”, the place of salvation, thousands of pilgrims from around the world visit this place for spiritual enlightenment & inner awakening.
The place is called Muktinath because it is believed that Lord Vishnu Murthi, Goddess Sri Devi, and Bhoo Devi gave Jeevan Mukthi here. Muktinath is one of the eight holy sites famous for worshiping Lord Vishnu; Swayambhu Kshetras or Divya Kshetra.
The word "Mukti" and "Nath," which together make up the term "Muktinath" (or “Mukthinath”), are Sanskrit terms that denote “Salvation” and “God” respectively.
Apart from Muktinath seven other sites are a part of Svayam Vyakta Kshetras namely, Badrinath, Pushkar, Naimisharanya, Tirupati, Srirangam, Srimushnam, and Thotadri. The water is distributed via 108 bull faces in the Outside Courtyard (Prakaram).
The hallowed Pushkarini waters (Temple Tanks) from the 108 Sri Vaishnava Divya Desams, where devotees take their sacred dip even in below-freezing temperatures, are represented by the 108 pipes of sacred water that run throughout the temple complex.
The Temple of Muktinath is the only Divya Desam outside of India and ranks 106 out of 108 Divya Desams in Hinduism. It is one of the Char Dham in Nepal and is referred to as Mukti Kshetra, which means the "liberation arena" (moksha).
There are scripts in the Vishnu Purana and the Gandaki Mahathmya that explain the significance of the temple. According to Sri Vaishnava literature, Thiru Saligramam is its earliest name The Saligram Shila, the non-anthropomorphic image of Vishnu, is thought to have solely come from the neighboring Gandaki river.
Muktinath is one of the 24 Tantric sites and a significant location for Dakinis, goddesses known as Sky Dancers, among Tibetan Buddhists. They recognize the murti of Muktinath temple as a manifestation of Avalokitevara, who represents the Buddhas' collective compassion. It is referred to as Chumig Gyatsa by Buddhists; the Tibetan name for it is Hundred Waters.
Why does Muktinath Temple of Nepal hold such a strong history?
Muktinath Nepal's history dates back to the nineteenth century. It is stated that “Sabarna Prabha”, a Nepalese queen, took the initiative to start building this temple. Hindus are thought to have erected this Vishnu temple.
A very well-known Tibetan yogi named Shabkar paid a visit to Nepal Muktinath Mandir in 1818 and stayed there for several days to get to know the place better.
According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Guru Rinpoche (also known as Padmasambhava), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, is said to have meditated at Muktinath on his route to Tibet. Damodar Kunda, the main source of Shaligram and the Gandaki River, is located close to the Muktinath Temple.
The Damodar Kund, also known as "Men-Chu" in Tibetan, is associated with Guru Rinpoche's life and is referred to as the beginning of Mukti Kshetra.
Story of a sacred bond between "Tulsi and Shaligram" that began in Muktinath?
According to Indian mythology, there was a massive conflict between Lord Shiva and Jalandhar (the powerful king of Asuras). Jalandhar was devious and went too far by attacking Kailash to get Parvati (wife of Lord Shiva). Then Jalandhar changed himself and utilized his abilities to imitate Shiva.
Due to her spiritual strength, Parvati was able to recognize reality with ease and immediately sought Shiva for assistance. Soon after, they started fighting, but thanks to her wife's loyalty, Jalandhar was largely safe
Later, other gods decide to utilize a small tactic to defeat the significant evil. To present himself to Vrinda, Lord Vishnu uses his power to transform into a replica of Jalandhar. Vrinda did not pay attention and acted in the same way as her husband.
She, therefore, forsakes Lord Shiva, who then massacres Jalandhar. When Vrinda finally learns the truth, she curses Lord Vishnu and orders him to live out the rest of his days as Shila (stone).
Lord Vishnu then gives birth as Shaligram in the Muktinath region. Vrinda destroys herself after casting a curse, and the Tulsi plant is created from her ashes.
Vrinda is valued and adored by Lord Vishnu because of her fidelity, which greatly impressed him. Consequently, a Tulsi leaf must be present when worshiping the Shaligram.
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