Muktinath Jomsom Trip Guide—everything You Need To Know

By Author: weramblers
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If a trip to the famous
Muktinath Temple is on your cards, combining it with a trip to Jomsom can be a great idea. Even though Jomsom is better known among people for the airport and the daily flights from Pokhara that give the place great connectivity, it is an ideal base spot if you are looking to explore the upper parts in the Kali Gandaki region. Accommodations are not a problem at this route as there are a number of them on this trail. There is also a new resort complex that is comparatively high class.
Combining Jomsom with Muktinath also means you get a chance to trek together with your spiritual journey. Jomsom is a great place for trekking and a great way to explore the Nepali culture, thanks to the varied landscapes and cultures that are found on the trekking trail. It’s a peek into the lifestyle of rural Nepali people.
After flying from Pokhara to Jomsom, trekking to Kagbeni which is at an altitude of 2810m, you trek up to 3810m to the magnificent Muktinath Temple to begin your spiritual Muktinath Yatra. You can also ...
... choose to drive a jeep from Jomsom to the temple which will take about three hours.
48 km north east of Jomsom and in the district of Mustang lies the famous Muktinath Temple that is beautifully placed on a high mountain, as if strategically by nature. The pagoda style small temple structure is surrounded by majestic high peaks that are covered with snow during the winter months.
Post the Muktinath Yatra, when you visit the spectacular Muktinath temple, you are awestruck by the modest structure that still looks so beautiful nestled in the laps of nature. It is an ancient structure in the remote regions of the Mustang district, a temple dedicated to the Hindu god, lord Vishnu.
The holy shrine is believed to have risen on its own and is one among the eight similar shrines namely Pushkaram, Badrinath, Tirupati, Srirangam, Sri Mushnam, Thottadri, Naimisaranayam. It is situated at the foot of the Thorung La mountain pass and falls in the famous trekking route—the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
The term ‘Muktinath’ is derived by combining ‘Mukti’ meaning ‘Salvation’ and ‘Nath’ meaning ‘Lord’ which means the provider of salvation. The Hindus flock to this place in large numbers every year only to find salvation, freedom or moksha (liberation) that is quite sought after in the religion. The holy site is also called ‘Muktichhetra’ by Hindus and is among the four popular religious sites.
Just like the Hindus, Buddhists also hold the temple in high esteem. As per the Tibetan Buddhists, the temple is one among the 24 Tantric places. They believe that the founder of their faith, Guru Rinpoche had stopped at this place to meditate and worship the sky dancing goddesses or Dakinis.
Some of the major attractions inside the temple include the 108 water spouts made in stone in the shape of a bull head. The water from the Kali Gandaki River is directed to flow out of these. Just in front of the temple, there are two water ponds called the Kundas-the Saraswati and the Laxmi kunda.
To the north of the temple, there is a monastery that is dedicated to Guru Rimpoche. To the south of the muktinath yatra
is the Jwalamai Temple that has a spring and three flames that burn eternally. Currently, two of these flames still burn in the temple and as per the Hindu belief; these were lit by Brahma himself. Apart from these, there are a few other major attractions in the temple as well.
Muktinath Yatra together with a trek to Jomsom is a complete journey in itself. While trekking takes care of the adventure junkie in you, visiting the Muktinath Temple melts your heart forever!

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