Muktinath
Muktinath is a Vishnu temple, sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, located in the Muktinath Valley at the foot of the Thorong La mountain pass in Mustang, Nepal. It is one of the world's highest temples (3,800 m). In Hinduism, it is one of the 108 Divya Desams and the only Divya Desam located outside India. It is also known as Mukti Kshetra, which literally means the 'liberation arena' (moksha) and is one of the Char Dham in Nepal.
| Muktinath Temple | |
|---|---|
Muktinath Temple with Dhaulagiri Himal in the background | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Mustang District |
| Deity | Vishnu |
| Features |
|
| Location | |
| Location | Muktinath (Dhawalagiri) |
| Country | Nepal |
Location in Nepal | |
| Geographic coordinates | 28.816854°N 83.871742°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Pagoda |
| Elevation | 3,762 m (12,343 ft) |
This temple is considered to be the 106th of the 108 Divya Desam and is considered sacred by the Sri Vaishnava sect. Its ancient name in Sri Vaishnava literature is Tiru Shaligramam. The Gandaki river, which flows nearby, is considered to be the only source of the shaligrama shila, the non-anthropomorphic representation of Vishnu.
Buddhists call it Chumig Gyatsa, which in Tibetan means "Hundred Waters". For Tibetan Buddhists, Muktinath is an important place for dakinis, goddesses known as Sky Dancers, and one of the 24 Tantric places. They understand the murti to be a manifestation of Avalokiteśvara, who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas.
The site is close to the village of Ranipauwa, which is sometimes mistakenly called Muktinath.