Muktināth

Viṣṇu as the Lord of liberation · Mustang district, Nepal

Muktināth lies high in the Himalaya of Mustang, beneath the Thorong La pass. It is sacred to both Hindus, who count it among the 108 Divya Deśams of Viṣṇu, and Buddhists, who know it as Chumig Gyatsa, “hundred waters”.

Behind the temple, 108 water spouts pour icy water, and pilgrims run beneath each in turn. A small Buddhist shrine nearby shelters a natural flame burning over water. Pilgrims often bring home śāligrāma stones, fossil ammonites from the Kālī Gaṇḍakī river, worshipped as Viṣṇu. Spring and autumn are the best seasons.

Tradition says Viṣṇu appeared here as the śāligrāma stone after a curse from Vṛndā, the devoted wife of Jalandhara, turned him to stone. In her honour, tulasī (Vṛndā) and the śāligrāma are worshipped together, and their ritual wedding, Tulasī Vivāha, is celebrated in Kārtika.

Nepal · Divya Deśam · 108 water spouts · Śāligrāma

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