Pashupati Area of historical and cultural importance:
Location/ Introduction
With the objective to learn through observation rather than rote learning, we the students of grade-10 visited pashupati area enlisted in the world heritage site. Pashupati area is located on the bank of the holy river Bagmati in the eastern part of Kathmandu district. There are places like Gaushala, Pingalastahan, Jay bagesori, Guhesori, Deupatan, Gaurighat, etc including the holy pashupatinath temple in this area. There are about 500 different temples, shrines and 1000 shivalingas in this area. The main temple of Pashupatinath has been constructed in Pagoda style.
Objectives:
We went to pashupati area to accomplish the following objectives.
1. To know the historical importance of pashupati area.
2. To find out the tourist importance of this area.
3. To observe the condition of the holy river of Bagmati.
Methods:
We adopted the following methods of study:
1. Photography method ( we took photos of necessary objects)
2. Interview method ( we talked to priests and other pilgrims)
3. Research method ( we found a lot of things though observation)
Findings:
- The panchamukhi jyotirlinga kept inside pashupati temple was established by the person called Nep during the Gopal dynasty. After the king Prachanda dev, Dharma dutta, Queen of shiva singh; Ganga devi and Prapta malla constructed and reconstructed the temple. Evidence is found that even the Shah kings and Rana prime ministers also contributed in its reconstructions.
- Large fair is held on the occasion of Shivaratri Teej, Bala Chaturdashi, Janai Purnima as well as every Monday of Shrawan. It is found that thousands of pilgrims visit this temple during these occasions from inside and outside the country. The number of pilgrim is not less on other days as well. They visit the pashupatinath temple as it is considered the holiest temple of Hindus.
- The uncivilized acts of the so called civilized people of the capital city, Kathmandu has made the holy river Bagmati polluted. The condition of the river Bagmati seems very miserable due to the mixture of sewage's produced from the houses and factories as well as Aryaghat. Nowadays, Various organizations and agencies have been launching sanitation campaign.
Conclusion / suggestion
The housings, huts, factories and industries constructed encroaching the land of pashupati trust should be removed from their while afforestation program and construction of religious places should be launched. It is necessary to pay special attention in environmental sanitation. The government has to take responsibility in keeping the record of the income and expenditure of the temple. Besides, if the sewage can be managed on the bank of Bagmati river the importance of this area would increase even more.