Pashupatinath Temple is regarded as the most sacred temple of Shiva in Nepal. It is located on the shore of the Bagmati River. Near the temple lies “Arya Ghat”- the most widely used place of cremation for the deceased. Believers of the Hinduism faith are allowed to enter the temple, but only if they were born into the religion.
The priests who perform the services at this temple have always been Brahmins from South India.
The temple is typical of pagoda architecture and has two levels roofs that are made of copper with gold coverings. It has four main doors, which are all covered with silver sheets.
The priests are called Bhattas and the chief priest known as Mool Bhatt, or Raval, who answers only to the King of Nepal.
As I mentioned, only people who were Hindu born could enter the temple; The rest can stay on the opposite side of the river, where they can take in and appreciate the entire sight. From there, I had witnessed the tradition of cremation, which included a priest and a small group of relatives around each body. The bodies of the deceased were on the elevated platforms, surrounded by their close ones who would pray, burn the body to charcoal, and then throw the ashes into the river. The smell was unbearable, even from the far distance where I was located. Nevertheless, it was a mesmerizing sight. It was done quickly, coolly and by the book, (so to speak), And that was it! The person lived; the person died. there is no more body. The end. But I was left with a thought, something to think about. Is there and end?
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