The site was inscribed into the list of UNESCO World Heritage in 1979 AD. It span’s a total area of 246 hectors which encompass, the temples, ghats and monuments. The site is one to hundreds of sacred rituals performed by the priests every day.
Legend has it, Manjusri after draining the Nagardha (Kathmandu Valley) established a beautiful Slesamantaka Forest near Guhyesvari for the services of Swayambhu and Guhyesvari. As the forest grew dense and beings began populating the great forest. It was then Krakucchanda Buddha visited the valley. One fine day he was near the Slesamantaka forest and saw Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara who had manifested themselves in the form of a deer and lived in the forest. The place was since then called Mrgasthali from that day on.
In time Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara agreed to leave their deer from in the forest and go back to abodes. During when, Mahesvara (Shiva) left his deer form at the bank of the Vagmati(Bagmati), as he manifested as a light that pervaded through seven worlds upwards from Earth and seven worlds downwards from hell. Lord Brahma went upwards to cross the light of Mahadeva, which had extended beyond seven worlds from the earth whereas Lord Visnu did the same in the downward direction. The place from where Visnu departed towards hell is known as Visnugupta. Similarly, the place from which Mahadeva left his deer from into light is known as Pashupati.
The given text has been phrased from the Chronicles of Daniel Wright, which were translated from the Nepal Vamshawali and is the first mention of the site of Pashupati. The true origin of the temple complex has been debated and a definite conclusion even till this day has not been made. According to the Nepal Vamshawali, the temple is said of have been built by King Dharmadatta, “During his rule, King Dharmadatta built the temple of Pasupatinatha with a large linga, following the advice of astrologers and wise panditas. He performed the consecration ritual, offered valuable goods, and pleased the god. To the northwest of Pashupati, he built a caitya as the abode of all the gods and decorated it with accompanying deities. He named it Dharmadatta Caitya, observed vows day and night, and established the dharma.” (Bajracharya & Michaels,2016, p.14)
In the time it is believed that the original temple collapsed and it was rediscovered during the era of Ne Muni. “This Raja, by name Bhuktamana, reigned 88 years and Pashupati was discovered in his reign.” ( Wright,1877, 108) Following the trail, it seems that Gopala King Bhuktamana had rebuilt the temple of Pashupati but it again had collapsed to be rebuilt during the rule of Somavamsi Kings, “His son, King Pasupresadeva, 4th generation. This king settled the valley with the people of four castes. The temple of the linga of Pashupatinatha, which had been built earlier by the Gopala Kings, was ruined. In the year 1234 of the Kaligata Era, he rebuilt it into a five-storey temple adorned with golden roofs, a pinnacle (Gajura) and a jewel on its top. Since this day, the temple of Pasupatinatha became taller, and people could pay darsana to it from far away.” (Bajracharya & Michaels, 2016 Pg. 35)
The temple was later revised into 2 stories and various Lichhavi and Malla Kings offered golden roofs and built various sites and monuments around the main temple. The current temple complex features a multitude of shrines, dharamsala's and temples. The site was inscribed into the list of UNESCO World Heritage in 1979 AD. It span’s a total area of 246 hectors which encompass, the temples, ghats and monuments. The site is one to hundreds of sacred rituals performed by the priests every day.
Being the most important Hindu shrine, the site receives a huge number of pilgrims traveling from all around the world to take blessings of Pashupati and bathe in the holy waters of the Bagmati(Bagmati). Looking from atop the bridge, near the Ghat its a surreal experience which is shared by multiple visitors as they witness the final rites before cremation, and the openness of death. Besides to which individuals are bathing in the same waters where the ashes are poured. It is a spectacle which has become a sort of attraction in the area, which for many is a time of great reflection of one's life, actions and virtues.
The history of the region might be vague, but the believes and values the site of Pashupati portrays is not. It stands as a beacon of light, uniting the world through its history, symbolism, religious importance and architecture.