Muktinath Temple: Travel Guide to Nepal’s Sacred Temple

The Muktinath Temple is a pagoda-style temple built in 1815 and within its premises there are 108 water sprouts, two holy ponds, as well as Buddhist gompas and a statue of Buddha.

It is believed that visiting the temple breaks the cycle of birth and death, and brings salvation to devotees. They also say that bathing in the 2 holy ponds and the water sprouts cleanses your past sins and bad karma.

Where is Muktinath Temple Located?

The Muktinath Temple is located in Lower Mustang, the Mustang District of Nepal. It is 175 km from Pokhara, and most people reach Muktinath from Pokhara in 2 days of travel.

It is within the Annapurna Conservation Area, and foreigners have to get the ACA permit to enter. There are checkpoints in Ghasa and Jomsom on the way to Muktinath where you have to show your permit.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) costs Rs. 3,000 (USD 22) and you can get it at the permit office in Kathmandu, Pokhara or online.

Best Time to Visit Muktinath Temple in Nepal

The best time to visit the Muktinath Temple is in the Autumn (October to mid-December), and the second best time is during Spring (mid-February to May).

The weather is the considered the best during these times and the highest chance for clear skies. The weather can be a bit unpredictable in the Spring, so the best chance for clear views is in the Autumn.

It can be also interesting to visit the Muktinath Temple during one of the Nepali festivals (although it could be very crowded).

One of Mustang’s major festival is the Yartung Festival. It celebrates the end of the summer, and they hold holding horse riding races and cultural performances.

Muktinath Temple History

The Muktinath Temple (also called as Muktinath Mandir) is a sacred pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists.

It is one of the 8 most sacred sites in Hindu religion (Swayam Vyakta Kshetras). Out of the eight Swayam Vyakta Kshetras, 7 are located in India, and one in Nepal, which is the Muktinath Temple.

The Swayam Vyakta Kshetras are sacred as it is believed to be self-manifested temples of Lord Vishnu, where Lord Vishnu manifested itself.

The Muktinath Temple complex has the pagoda-style temple, the 108 water sprouts behind it, two holy ponds in front, as well as Buddhist gompas and a statue of Buddha.

Muktinath Temple Complex

Muktinath Temple

The Muktinath Temple is a major religious site for Hindus, and nearby there are also several Buddhist gompas (monasteries) that are significant for Buddhists, such as the Narsingh Gompa.

The place where the temple is located has origins back to the 1st century as a significant religious place, however, the pagoda-style temple was built in 1815 by Queen Subarna Prabha, the wife of Shah Rana Bahadur.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, as he is believed to have self-manifested there. ‘Muktinath’ means ‘God of Salvation’ and it is believed that visiting the temple breaks the cycle of birth and death, and brings salvation to devotees.

108 Water Sprouts & Holy Ponds

There are 108 water sprouts located just behind the temple in a semi-circle shape, and two holy ponds in front. It is believed that bathing in the 2 holy ponds and the water sprouts cleanses your past sins and bad karma.

The water coming out from the sprouts is very cold and when I visited, it was fun to see lots of people running through under the water sprouts, and even collecting the water from the sprouts into bottles.

I didn’t go full under the water taps but put my hand through the taps which was good enough for me!

Buddhist Monasteries and Statues

Muktinath is also a significant religious site for Buddhists. In Tibetan, Muktinath is called “Chumig Gyatsa” which means “Hundred Waters”.

It is believed that Guru Rimpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism meditated at the Muktinath Temple and achieved enlightenment. Thus, the temple is a significant place for Buddhists to achieve enlightenment.

Within the area of the temple complex, there are Buddhist Gompas, chortens (like small stupas), and a Statue of Buddha.

The Muktinath Temple complex is also a significant example of how different religions (Buddhist and Hindu) can co-exist in harmony.

Nearby Attractions

There are a couple of villages with beautiful, old architecture nearby Muktinath that are totally worth checking out before or after visiting the Muktinath Temple.

Kagbeni

Kagbeni is one of the oldest villages in Lower Mustang and was an important point on the Salt Trade Route between India and Tibet.

When visiting, you can still find the remains of the old fortress walls in the village. It has a proper medieval feel to it, with its tunnel-like narrow allies and mud-brick houses.

Some of the best things to do in Kagbeni is to go on a village walk, visit the Kagbeni Monastery (Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling Monastery), hike to Tiri village, and collect shaligrams on the riverbank.

Be prepared that it is very windy in Kagbeni. They say that it is the “windiest place in Nepal”, and I don’t think it is an exaggeration because the last time I felt so much wind, it was typhoon season in the Philippines.

Marpha

I found Marpha to be the most beautiful village in Lower Mustang, or even all of Nepal (Yes, it is my new favourite spot in Nepal!).

The village has beautiful white stone houses with wooden windows and doors, and you can see that they have put a lot of effort into preserving the architecture.

Marpha is also famous for its apple production, and you can find everything here from apple brandy and apple wine to apple pies and jams.

Hotels in Muktinath

There are lots of hotels in Muktinath (Ranipauwa) so you can find accommodation once you arrive – you don’t need to reserve a place beforehand.

The hotels are more like modern hotels, and not like the basic teahouses on trekking routes in Nepal. Most of the rooms also come with attached bathrooms.

The prices of the rooms are between Rs. 500-1,500 (USD 3.50-11) per night but in most of the hotels you can negotiate the prices a bit. If you eat all your meals at the hotel, you could even get the room for free.

If you are planning to visit the Muktinath Temple from Kathmandu, then you first have to travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara, then from Pokhara to Jomsom/ Kagbeni, and then from Jomsom/Kagbeni to Muktinath.

There are also package tours from Kathmandu, however, if you want to plan it yourself, it is pretty easy, and you can just take a bus, jeep or flight – depending on your preference.

There are flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara, and also from Pokhara to Jomsom, however, once you reach Jomsom, you can either take a bus or taxi to Muktinath.

The bus from Jomsom to Muktinath costs Rs. 300 (USD 2), while the taxi is Rs. 1,500 (USD 11) one-way.