Mukthinath

[sundachu]

Share:

Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Email Share Link

I have just reurned from Mukthinath. It is noticed that the chief priest is a woman , a Buddhist monk.It is starange that A hindu temple has a proest from a different religion. It is said that the original temple has disappearedand the Mulavar idol also missing.Can anyone enlighten me on it?

 

[prasad1]

Muktinath is said to be one of the 108 Divya Desams or the holiest of the Vishnu shrines. Through this part of Nepal flows the Kali Gandaki River, and here the shaligram ammonite stone is found. Among Hindus, Lord Vishnu is often worshipped as the shaligram stone.
Travel to Muktinath is considered one of the hardest of all pilgrimages. You need to cross the dark waters of the Kali Gandak river and its barren valley to reach there. Some may want to go to Damodar Kund or the Forbidden Lake, which is the source of the Kali Gandaki river. Damodar Kund is a 10 days ride and is accessible only in the summers.
Though Muktinath finds reference in Hindu mythology, a temple was built here in just about 200 years ago in 1815. The temple was apparently constructed on the behest of a queen of Nepal. The temple holds an image of Vishnu at the center and Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side. The image is also worshipped as Avalokitesvara. Right next to the temple, there are 108 water spouts in the shape of the head of a bull. Just below the temple of Muktinath is the Jwala Devi temple, where flames emerge from rocks in a cave.

Muktinath Temple: Vishnu Temple for Salvation

http://www.muktinath.org/muktinath/

 

[Nara]

What we find as Muktinath today, some 20 KM day-long trek from Jomsom, is very likely not the Saligramam Thirumangai Azhvar sang about. The actual Dhivya Desam must be further up the mountain, a week-long trek, where river Gandaki begins. In describing this dhiva desam Thirumangai Azhvar uses the phrase "சாளிக்கிராமம் அடைநெஞ்சே" instead of வணங்குதுமே or பணிமினே that he used for other dhiva desams. The only other divyadesam for which he use the phrase was Badinath -- "வதரி அடைநெஞ்சே". This may mean he did not really visit these two dhivya desams in person.

I visited Muktinath some 15 years ago. At that time there was a male priest, helped by his daughter. Perhaps this daughter has now taken over. The temple is encircled by 108 Go-Mukha figurines with water from Gandaki river diverted to flow through the mouths of the figurines. I remember taking a walk with the ice cold water falling on my head. By the time I reached the half way point the water falling on my head felt like a ton of bricks.

There is also a small minaret looking structure and a granite plaque just outside the temple walls. The plaque was engraved with a record of Bhagavat Ramanuja visiting the site. This structure is a modern placement.

There is a Thenkalai SV type Matam at a distance, not sure whether there are any Tamil speaking SVs there.

I am quite dubious that this place represents the true Saligramam that Thirumangai Azhvar sang about. It is probably a relatively modern invention. It serves very well as an exciting religious tourism spot for the general public and a place to make a decent livelihood for the priest there, male or female.

Cheers!