Author: Nature Trail

Damodari Ganga springs along Shaligram Parvat which contains Shaligram (sanctifying sacred stones)It is the holy part of Damodar Himal elevated to 22,000 feet high from sea level situated in Mustang district.There are numerous sanctifying glacial lakes, both small and large, where Damodari Ganga takes her form, Damodarkunda being the largest one. As a confluence of lakes and ponds such as Brahmakunda, Rudrakunda and Anantakunda; Damodarkunda contains the largest volume of water. Damodarkunda, the estuary of Krishnagandaki river,   is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus .Several colophons of religious scriptures describe the heavenly bliss of this Kunda ( sacred pond).So, it bears both religious and historical importance. A unique place to feel ecstasy of self and be transported to holy bliss, Damodarkunda is one of the holiest of terrestrial shrines, so reverently described in Puranas, the holy books of Hinduism.

Gloriously described in Puranas as Krishnagandaki (Black Gandaki) as well as Chakranadi, and worshipped as one of the holiest rivers, Krishnagandaki consists of seven Gandaki rivers supposed to have sprung from cheek (Gandasthal) of Lord Vishnu. It has a distinct honor of being the only river in the world to contain sacred stones (Shaligrams).Shaligram forms the stone incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Almighty Preserver of the Universe. Shaligram only resembles basalt which contains ammonite symbols of Lord Vishnu: the chakra (wheel type ring-rang diverging from a minute epic-centre gravitated inside out found free in the untouched relapses of Mother Nature).Hindu devout worship these stones at their homes. His Holiness Shankaracharya praises the river thus: Which means: Lord Vishnu who accommodates the universe is in your folds. Such an omnipresent god is present in the form of stone i.e., Shaligram. Shaligram’s jala (the water where Shaligram is dipped and rinsed) sprinkled over one’s head gets him/her rid of past wrongs and beckons him/her thereby to keep pace along the path to salvation. Even Muslims have a great reverence to Shaligram as they pay highest and holiest bows to Kalapathar (the black stone –collossium of Shaligram). Krishnagandaki, inexhaustible reservoir of Shaligram starts from Damodar Himal and flows southward through Mukti Kshetra (the place of salvation).According to the Baraha Purana, the place is named after a sage (Rishi), Gandaki, who sat in a penance. The river is believed to have sprung as perspiration from the cheek of the Lord Vishnu.

This is such a holy place where the son of Brahma, Pulai Rishi in Satya Yuga; Ravana and Rajarshi Bharat, the son of Hrishavdeva in Treta Yuga had a penance amidst green forests, gardens, fresh wind pure water and wild roots and fruits. There is huge Shaligram at this place. It is believed that the spirits of the dead live in heaven for eternity if their descendents perform Shradda, death rite, at the place where the big sacred stone is situated. Even insects or lower species go to heaven if they die nearby or some miles away around the Shaligram. Due to the Chakrankit Sheela, sacred stone stamped with holy wheel, the place is known as Chakra Tirtha. King Raghu received Bramhopadesh (gospels) from Jada Bharat at this holy place. There are Shivalinga, Temples, shrines, altars, public shelters (dharmashala) etc, at this place. Galeshwor, described in religious scriptures as a holy place for the time immemorial, lies in Myagdi district, Dhaulagiri zone, the western region of the country.

Located in Palpa district of western region of Nepal and known as Shree Muktinath Katti Hrishikesh Tirtha is named after the name of god so addressed at His grace by Ruru, a famous legendary woman devotee who was in a deep penance in devotion of god. The Purana says that god was so happy to see Ruru in such devotion that he stood outside her hermitage. She requested him to sit inside and god converted himself into a big and beautiful stone, Hrishikesh Sheela.

Located at the top of a tall hill in Gorkha district of western Nepal, Manakamana temple is revered as that of the wish fulfilling Goddess. Several pilgrims from India and other parts of Nepal visit the temple every year. Unlike in other temples, the priest in the temples comes from an ethnic group, Magar, non-Brahmin caste. Regular cable car service has made the access to the temple much more feasible.

Because I, Lord Vishnu, exist in the form of Shaligram (sacred stone), this place is ever peaceful, secret, pleasant and salvatory. Muktinath Kshetra is the place where all gods including Lord Brahma performed a special religious rite, Yagyan for the salvation of all living species on earth. So, this place called Mukti Kshetra, the place of salvation/spiritual salvatorium.It is widely believed that sacredness of this place has been enhanced because of the presence of Trinity Gods: Vishnu as water, Shiva as fire and Brahma himself as a performer while performing the divine Yagyan. All four species: Jarayuj (root breed), Swoidesh (self breed), Andaj (egg breed), and Udima (birth breed) who visit the place and worship gods get salvation after their death.Besides Lord Vishnu, Brahma and me with other gods and sages shall be with you, says Lord Shiva while pronouncing the sacred value of the place. To have a holy dip at Krishnagandaki is equal to hundred holy dips at other pilgrimage sites in terms of the salvation. Mukti Kshetra includes many other holy areas. The different parts of this composite whole are compared to the organs of human body as followings:-Charanaravinda ( Feet)  - Shree Gajendramoksha Divyadham Trivenidham,Nawalparashi Ghunda ( Knee)              - Devaghatdham, ChitwanKatti ( Waist)                  - Ruru kshetra, PalpaBakshasthal (Chest)       - Shaligram Chakrasheela Galeshwordham, MyagdiKantha (Neck)               - Pitreetirtha Kagavenidham, MustangMukharvinda (Mouth)     - Shree Muktinathdham, MustangShree/Sheekha (Head)  - Shree Damodharkunda, Mustang The Holy stones are available all the way from Damodar Kunda to Gajendramoksha Divyadham. Among all Hindu Shrines of Nepal, Muktinath is situated at the highest altitude of 13,000 feet from sea level, in mid-hilly region of Mustang district, Dhaualagiri zone of western Nepal.

Located at the border of three districts: Tanahu, Chitwan and Nawalparasi, Devaghat is the confluence of three main holy rivers: Kali Gandaki, Seti Gandaki and Trishuli. This is one of Nepal’s most important pilgrimage sites which contain numerous temples and a famous cave. It is believed that one gets the blessing equal to many good deeds. Scholars say that the name originally came from Devaghat

Long back, Viddyadhara (writers of religious texts) and gods got heavenly pleasure through their meditation and by performing Yagyan at this place. Since then, Vedic yagyan with a Vedic slogan known as “Yagyan vai Vishnu” (Flames as Lord Vishnu) has been continuously going on till date for 108 years.On the basis of that principles, his holiness Swami Shree Hansananda Giri Sworgadwari Mahaprabhu set up a Vedic yagyan in Pyuthan district, mid-western region of Nepal at 6960 feet height and started panchmahayagyan. Myth further says the king of gods; Indra had also performed a Yagyan in Satya Yuga at this place.

This temple was set up by Siddababa, Chandannath a priest from Nath clan and so it was named after him. Here is no image of god but the prominent presence of Lord Vishnu, Dattatreya is symbolically represented by wooden slipper (kharau). God Dattatrya is believed to give happiness and salvation.Such a huge famous temple with a great religious faith among Hindus and Buddhists is situated in Jumla district, Karnali zone of mid-western region of Nepal. All priests of this temple belong to Nath clan.6th and 7th chapter of Sreemadhagavata’s 11th skanda describe n detail that Dattatreya learnt from 24 elements like earth, water sky and others.

Vindhyavasini temple is situated on a hillock in the heart of Pokhara city in the western part of the country.  People worship Vindhyavasini as the mother goddess who fulfills the wishes of her devotees. There are other shrines, temples and monasteries in the area. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of Machhapuchre hold the visitors spellbound.

Located at eastern part of Kathmandu on the way to Sundarijal, Gokarna holds a distinct religious status because it is the place where Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Shiva by setting up a deer’s horn as a Shivalinga. The deer was no other than Shiva himself in disguise. So it is also called Brahmashrama. Its sacredness has been further enhanced due to another specialty: confluence of Chandrabhaga and Bagmati river and is popularly known as North Ganga. It is more celebrated as a shrine of departed forefathers.It is believed that the dead spirits ascend to Heaven if we offer panda holy rounded ball of cooked rice offered to departed soul in a rite called shradda at this place. Its importance is equal to ten Gayas.