Exploring Muktinath and Activities to Do Around
Located at the foot of the Thorong La mountain pass in Mustang, Nepal, and up at an altitude of 3800 meters lies one of the world’s highest temples namely Muktinath temple. This temple is located in Muktinath valley and is one of the most sacred temples to both the Hindus and Buddhists as it embodies the statue of Hindu God Vishnu.
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Due to its attractive location, elevated height, off-track trails, mighty terrains and the cultural richness it carries, the temple and Muktinath valley itself has been speaking of volume ever since it has been introduced to this world and has been successful in holding its spot as one of the most popular attraction sites for tourists from all over the world.
History and Importance
This temple is still standing tall for the past 14 centuries and has been providing great evidence of the staggering architecture Nepal has had ever since the beginning of time. This temple might be small in size and the statue may just be the size of a man, but it is all made up of gold. Nevertheless, it was revered in the 7th-9th century and the minute details and the history it has been carrying is what makes the temple stand out from the crowd.
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This temple has a central shrine which is considered to be one of the eight-most sacred shrines in the Hindu Vaishnavas. But it is as holy to the Buddhists as well as they firmly believe that the place is where all the five basic elements of life i.e. (water, air, earth, fire, and space) co-exist and blend with each other in perfect harmony.
The place Muktinath can be roughly translated as a “place of salvation” where the temple is considered as a Shakti Peeth. To receive blessings from a holy deity who is standing tall ever since despite the economic and natural phenomenon the country has gone through, is mind-blowing and certainly attractive.
Adventure and Activities
One of the main mottoes of every traveler traveling to Muktinath has to be to visit the Muktinath temple that promises to spellbound everyone. For people who do not know, the temple also holds a record for the “World’s Highest Altitude Located Temple”. Around the periphery of the temple is 108 waterspouts from where crisp crystal-like water flows straight from the mountains and the glaciers.
People take a bath from these waterspouts irrespective of the freezing temperature as this activity is considered to be a sacred one. The landscape of Muktinath is akin to Tibet and the entire route is an off-track and rough one. Despite its difficult topography, the place has a lot of recreational activities in the store.
The topography makes it a great place for rock climbing, mountain biking, cycling, horse riding, and even trekking for people looking for adventure and thrill. The other exciting activity you can do in Muktinath is booking a jeep and taking a jeep safari throughout the valley and its exquisite places.
This is a splendid opportunity to cruise through the wildlands, stop by any place you want, and capture beautiful photos to cherish for a lifetime. The other thing you can do here is to visit the monasteries that date back to 500 years and observe their traditions and culture.
Local Culture
You will find that the culture here is influenced by the Tibetans and the perfect blend between these cultures is a masterpiece. So it would be a wise decision if you be a part of their festivals like the Tiji festival.
This is certainly a great way to study and observe the culture of both countries, the harmony amongst people, and the respect they have for one another despite their differences.
One must not forget to plunge into and try out some of their famous local cuisines. Though the place has a majority share of apple fields, the cuisine is surely going to tickle your palates and be a retreat!
Economy of Muktinath
The economy of places like Muktinath and Mustang wholly lies in farming, animals, and tourism. The place is rich in apple fields and vegetation. You will come across lush valleys of apples that envelope the pretty town that is surrounded by green and irrigated orchards, and that must not be a common site there.
Upon reaching there, one must try out some of their local cuisines and taste the variety of foods made out of the apple. Some of the famous dishes there are apple pie, wine, and dried fruits.
Nearby Places
The monasteries date back to 500 years and the age-old Kagbeni village is one of the places to hop by as it is visited by many Hindu people to offer to pray to God and to pay homage to their ancestors. From Kagbeni to Muktinath, it is a three to four-hour trek. Many people choose to trek up to Muktinath in a single day whereas some halt at one of the many teahouses available at Muktinath.
People also opt to trek to Mustang from Muktinath as the distance between the two is 14.3 miles. This trek envelops the amazing diversity of Nepal with astounding views of the deep valleys, high mountains, and landscapes. There, after walking uphill for 45 minutes, and crossing the small metal bridge over Kali Gandaki River, you can view the magnificent canyon similar to that of the USA. Mustang is also home to one of the deepest gorges of Nepal.
Mustang is subcategorized into Upper Mustang and Lower Mustang and these two regions enable you to explore different landscapes of Nepal. While the upper Mustang resembles Tibet and is a place where you may enjoy bright dry treks during the summer, the Lower Mustang is accessible throughout the year and provides stupendous views of the beautiful rhododendron forests.
While strolling around the mighty terrains, you will also get a sight of rhododendrons forests and some species namely the snow leopard, musk deer, extinct species of mollusks, reptiles, mammals, birds, and butterflies residing within the periphery.
Best Time to Visit Muktinath
Since the temperature won’t be either too hot or too cold, September, October, and November would be the best months to visit Muktinath. Thus, the best season to visit Muktinath has to be autumn as those times are considered to be the peak seasons to visit and explore the nooks of Nepal.
However, the weather up to an altitude of 3800 m is surely going to be unpredictable. So, if Muktinath temple is on your to-go destinations list, you should always pack some cozy warms clothes to protect yourself from the cold winds and strong breezes as the weather there for obvious reasons is mostly cold.
The topography of Nepal is uneven throughout but this is what makes the country so special and welcoming of new opportunities and adventure whilst learning. Muktinath is a place untouched by modernization and basic infrastructures.
Let alone the 21st-century advancements. But, it is surely a heavenly place away from the chaos of the bustling cities that are always running out of time and running errands. To reach our end destination, Muktinath, might not be an easy one compared to others, but it is surely a place you won’t find elsewhere no matter where you go. The place itself is a small paradise on its own.
