Early modern · Hindu · Nepal

Muktinath Temple

Muktinath (3,800 m), Gandaki (Mustang) · 28.8172°, 83.8714°

Vishnu (Mukti-narayana); Buddhist Chumig GyatsaMustangNewar pagodaDivya DesamChar Dham (Nepal tradition)

Sacred since

800 CE

Divya Desam sung by the Alvars (Thiru Saligramam)

Standing structure

present pagoda early 19th c.; ancient site

Mustang

History & significance

At 3,800 m below the Thorong La, the highest of the 108 Divya Desams and the only one beyond India — the 'place of liberation' where 108 bull-faced waterspouts pour glacial water over pilgrims. Buddhists revere it as Chumig Gyatsa, place of the dakinis, with a nun tending the Jwala Mai flame that burns over running water; the Kali Gandaki below yields the shaligram stones worshipped as Vishnu himself.

Sthala katha — the legend

The Gandaki's shaligrams are Vishnu turned to stone — cursed by Vrinda (Tulsi) for deceiving her, he accepted eternal embodiment in her river's fossils; at Muktinath the elements themselves — earth, water, and fire burning upon water — worship him together.