Situated at the foot of the Thorung la Mountain pass at an
altitude of 3,710 meters, Muktinath is one of the most sacred of Hindu
pilgrimages. Its name refers to “liberation” and it is widely believed that
visiting this temple redeems a person from their sins. There are 108 water taps
in this temple and they are considered to be holy. Devotees can be found taking
baths in these taps despite the freezing temperature.
The river flowing from Muktinath to the Kali Gandaki River
is the source for the Shaligramas; black ammonoid fossils considered holy and
are required to establish a temple for the creator of Hindu belief, Vishnu.
Because of the religious importance, this temple receives a lot of domestic as
well as international tourists every year.
The trek to Muktinath is found to be fairly easy by most of
the trekkers as opposed to other difficult routes of the Himalayas. Because of
the low altitude, it is almost impossible to experience altitude sickness and
hence it can provide you with a good adventure of trekking in Nepal. This trek
provides you some of the most spectacular views on the planet in their
untainted form. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Macchapuchre mountains peek at the
trekkers all along the route. You can see villages inhabited by ethnic groups
in regular intervals. Trekkers will be subjected to a trail that goes from low
land forests to the dreary wastelands of upper Kali Gandaki.
It is astonishing to many tourists that people still live in
such remote areas only approachable by foot. On the route, trekkers will meet
many locals hauling food, water or other necessities back to their small
villages. The people, however, are exceptionally well-mannered and treat the
people passing by with respect. The tea houses and lodges placed in villages
are a good place to rest and get accustomed to the culture of the Himalayas.
The walk downhill is arduous but once you reach Muktinath, you will find
yourself in a tranquil state.
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