Visitor Interest in Guided Tours at Pashupatinath Temple: A Call for Youth Engagement

 Introduction  

Pashupatinath Temple, located in Kathmandu, is one of the most sacred Hindu sites in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Pashupati (the Lord of all living beings), it has been a center of spiritual, cultural, and artistic life since at least the 2nd century CE during the Licchavi period. Over time, especially under the Malla kings, it grew into a complex of over 500 shrines, with stunning Nepali multiple-roof (pagoda) style architecture, detailed wood carvings, and the spiritually significant Bagmati River flowing alongside.

Despite its global fame, many local visitors, especially young Nepalis, know little about its deep history, symbolic art, or intangible traditions. After leading a guided tour of the temple premises, I noticed this gap clearly. Most youth are familiar with foreign histories and global tourist spots but remain disconnected from their own heritage. This inspired me to offer free educational tours not just as a tourism professional, but as a way to share knowledge and strengthen cultural identity.

This short report shares insights from a small survey I conducted in August 2025 to understand what young people know about Pashupatinath, and whether they’d join a guided heritage tour.

Methods

I collected responses from 10 unique participants (mostly young adults) via a digital form before a planned tour on August 30, 2025. The questions asked about:

- Age, religion, and past visits

- Knowledge of Hinduism, Shiva, and temple history

- What they associate with Pashupatinath (e.g., peace, rituals, architecture)

- Their interest in learning more, and whether they’d join a guided tour

I analyzed answers using simple counts and themes (like “spirituality,” “history,” or “art”). Because the sample was small, this is a descriptive snapshot not ‘a statistical study’ but it reveals important patterns.

Key Findings

1. Who Responded?

   - 88% were under 35 years old (44% aged 18–25; 44% aged 26–35).  

   - Religions included Hindu (44%), Sanatan (22%), Buddhist (22%), and spiritual-but-not-religious (11%).  

   - All had visited Pashupatinath before.

2. What Do They Know?

   - About Shiva and Hindu beliefs: 33% said they knew “very well,” but most had only basic or partial understanding.  

   - About the temple’s history: 44% knew “some basics,” 33% knew “very little.”  

   - Awareness of specific features was low:  

     - Only 11% felt they “knew well” the temple’s art/icons.  

     - Just 22% understood the meaning behind wood carvings and architectural designs.  

     - Many had seen the Bagmati ghats but didn’t know their ritual or ecological significance.

3. What Interests Them?

   - 89% were drawn by spiritual/religious aspects.  

   - 67% wanted to learn about architecture and art.  

   - 56% expressed interest in history and legends.  

   - When asked what they’d like to learn, 44% each chose “history” and “art/iconography.”

4. Would They Join a Guided Tour?

   - 78% said “Yes” they wanted expert explanations, stories behind the icons, and deeper context.  

   - Only 22% declined, mostly due to time or access concerns.

Discussion  

The results confirm something I’ve observed firsthand: young Nepalis feel a strong emotional and spiritual connection to Pashupatinath but lack structured knowledge about its tangible heritage (like the five-faced Shivalinga, Licchavi inscriptions, or Malla-era craftsmanship) and intangible heritage (rituals, chants, cremation practices, and philosophical meanings).

This gap matters. When youth don’t understand their own heritage, they can’t protect or promote it. Guided tours especially free, educational ones can bridge this divide. My tour highlighted elements often missed: the symbolism of the Panchamukhi (five-faced) Shivalinga, ancient stone inscriptions, the role of the Bagmati in life-death cycles, and how every carving tells a story.

The high interest (78%) shows demand. But we must design tours that speak to youth: engaging, visual, story-driven, and rooted in both facts and feeling.

What I Share During My Pashupatinath Heritage Walks

Every time I walk through the Pashupatinath area with students or young visitors, I feel a deep sense of peace and gratitude. In my heart, I quietly thank Lord Pashupatinath for giving me the chance to serve this sacred place not just as a guide, but as someone who truly cares about sharing its meaning.

What I teach doesn’t come only from textbooks. It comes from years of listening to my gurus, elders, temple priests, local storytellers, and even my own experiences. I see myself as a bridge between this ancient heritage and the new generation. My walk is divided into two meaningful parts, and usually takes 3 to 4 hours:

Part 1: Inside the Main Temple Premises

Here, I help visitors understand the spiritual and artistic heart of Pashupatinath:

- Who is Pashupati?: I explain that “Pashu” means “all living beings,” and “Pati” means “lord” or “protector.” So Pashupati is the compassionate guardian of all life- not just humans, but animals, nature, and the soul itself.

- The Sacred Shivalinga : I describe the unique Panchamukhi (five-faced) Shivalinga - one of the rarest forms of Shiva in the world and what each face represents: creation, preservation, destruction, illusion, and grace.

- Ancient Art and Icons: We look closely at stone and bronze sculptures around the temple like the images of Harihar (half Vishnu, half Shiva), Basudev, Kamalaja, and others. Each has a story, a philosophy, and a purpose.

- The 790 B.S. Stone Inscription: I point out the historic inscription from 790 Bikram Sambat, which includes 34 verses from Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda and records royal donations. It shows how deeply art, devotion, and governance were once connected.

-Myths, Legends & Local Beliefs: I share stories I’ve heard since childhood how Shiva came to rest here as a deer, why the temple faces west, how the Bagmati chose this land, and why certain rituals are performed the way they are.

- Major Festivals: I explain the significance of Maha Shivaratri, Teej, and other festivals celebrated at Pashupatinath not just as events, but as living traditions that keep the culture alive.

Part 2: The Ghats and the River Side (Life, Death, and Beyond)

This part is often the most powerful for visitors:

- Aryaghat: I explain why Aryaghat is considered the holiest place for cremation in Nepal, and how it’s not just about death, but about liberation (moksha).

- Important Sites Along the River

  We visit places like:

  - Birupaksha Temple

  - Tilopa Cave (linked to the great Buddhist sage)

  - Suryaghat

- Philosophy of Death in Hinduism: I talk gently but honestly about how death is seen not as an end, but as a transition. The rituals at the ghats reflect deep beliefs about the soul, karma, and rebirth.

- The Bagmati River: I share how the river is both physically and spiritually central to Pashupatinath- used for bathing, rituals, and final rites. I also speak about the need to protect it, because a polluted river weakens the sacredness of the whole site.

At the end of every walk, I don’t just give information I try to create a moment of reflection. Because Pashupatinath isn’t just a temple to look at. It’s a place to feel, to question, to connect with history, with faith, and with yourself. And that’s why I do this not for money, but as sewa (service). Because if our youth don’t know the depth of places like this, who will carry this heritage forward?

Conclusion and Recommendations

Pashupatinath isn’t just a place of worship it’s a living classroom of Nepal’s history, art, and philosophy. My experience and this small survey show that young Nepalis are eager to learn, but need accessible, meaningful guidance.

To nurture this interest, I recommend:

- Free or low-cost heritage tours for students and youth groups, led by trained local guides.

- Thematic modules focusing on history, iconography, architecture, and eco-spirituality.

- Collaboration with schools, universities, and tourism departments to integrate such tours into civic education.

- Feedback loops to improve content based on what youth actually want to know.

As someone studying tourism and culture and as a licensed guide, I believe sharing this knowledge isn’t just my profession; it’s my responsibility. If we help youth see the depth in places like Pashupatinath, they’ll become not just tourists, but guardians of Nepal’s soul.

#upadeshsjbkunwar