Massive Pashupat Kshetra Pilgrimage Announced to Glorify Lord Pashupatinath and Bagmati River

The 'Brihat Pashupat Kshetra Padayatra-2082' (Sixty-four Siddha Linga Darshan) is set to be organized with the objective of magnifying the glory of the revered deity Lord Shri Pashupatinath, the sanctity of the Pashupat area, and the uniqueness of the sacred Bagmati River.

The pilgrimage is being organized with the aim of awakening all Sanatani followers and Nepalis to the glory of Lord Shri Pashupatinath and the Pashupat area, and the uniqueness of the Bagmati River, as well as to seek forgiveness and atonement from Lord Pashupatinath and the Bagmati for the pollution of the Bagmati River. The Padayatra is being organized under the noble resolve of Swami Ramanananda Giri, the Peethadheesh of Mahesh Sanyas Ashram and Chairman of 'Mahesh Sanskrit Gurukulam'.

It has been informed that the inauguration, Pashupati Pujan, and a special Aarti of the Bagmati Ganga will take place at Pashupati Shankaracharya Math on the upcoming Chaitra 15, and the Pashupat Padayatra, commencing from the Pashupati area on the 16th, will begin with the darshan of the first Linga, Kushesvar Mahadev.

After visiting Dholakha Bhimsena from Kushesvar, the pilgrimage will proceed on foot to visit the Siddha Lingas located in areas such as Sindhuli, Nuwakot, Dhading, Makwanpur, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kavrepalanchok, Janakpur, and others. It is estimated that the pilgrimage will be completed in a minimum of 35-36 days.

Swami Ramanananda Giri, the initiator and conceptualizer of the 'Brihat-Pashupat-Parikrama', shed light on the essence of Pashupati, mentioning the minor, medium, and massive circumambulations of Pashupati.

He stated that Lord Pashupatinath is displeased with Nepalis, and he has entrusted the responsibility of realizing the resolve to seek forgiveness for all known and unknown transgressions, bring spiritual awakening to society, and highlight the glory of the pilgrimage to all Sanatani Nepalis.

Shyam Krishna Subedi, Secretary of the Organizing Committee, requested participation in the Padayatra according to one's capacity, either fully or at a convenient pilgrimage site, to witness the Jyotirlinga darshan and to welcome the sadhus-saints and devotees undertaking the pilgrimage.

Lord Shri Pashupatinath is revered by Hindus worldwide and is considered the crown of Shri Kedarnath in India, being the national deity of Nepal and Nepalis. It is believed that the purpose of the Char Dham Yatra in India is only fulfilled/meaningful/fruitful after visiting Shri Pashupatinath following the pilgrimage to the four Dhams in India.

At the scholarly symposium organized for the announcement of the Padayatra, educationist Prof. Vidyanath Koirala stated that the area is protected by the national deity Pashupatinath and is a region where Pashupat civilization developed. He emphasized the need for Sanskrit scholars and pandits to deliver discourses and write in a manner understandable to the youth and the general public regarding the essence of Pashupati and the Pashupat area based on study and research.

Acharya Kapildev Subedi, Coordinator of the Main Organizing Committee, mentioned descriptions found in the Himavatkhanda, Manaskhanda, and other Puranas and Vedic literature. He stressed that the Padayatra would be successful in substantiating the glory of the Pashupati essence, explaining the significance and identity of the locations of the Sixty-four Siddha Lingas starting from the first Linga Kushesvar in the Pashupat area, and justifying why the nation of Nepal is called the land of Lord Pashupatinath.

Assistant Professor of Philosophy Dr. Ramprasad Paudel expressed the view that pilgrimage travel holds special significance for Jains more than Hindus, and that participants should observe vows like Yama and Niyama during the Padayatra, as Jains do, maintaining purity in conduct and thought. He suggested that the Pashupat Padayatra and Siddha Linga Darshan should not be limited to mere sightseeing but should involve research to make it a concrete achievement, for which universities and the Government of Nepal should facilitate and cooperate.

They emphasized the need to highlight the significance of Lord Shri Pashupatinath choosing Nepal, a spiritually energetic land among the world's religious sites, and settling on the banks of the Bagmati.

A main organizing committee and various sub-committees have been formed to ensure the grand success of the 'Brihat Pashupat Padayatra'.