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{{Short description|Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site in Mustang, Nepal}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name               = Muktinath Temple
| image              = The Muktinath Temple.jpg
| alt                = Muktinath Temple
| caption            = The temple of Muktinath ('lord of liberation or [[moksha]]') during winter months
| map_type           = Nepal
| map_caption        = Location in [[Nepal]]
| coordinates        = {{Coord|28|49|01.5|N|83|52|18.1|E|type:landmark_region:NP|display=inline,title}}
| module  ={{Infobox mapframe |wikidata=yes |zoom=12 |frame-height=300 | stroke-width=1 |shape-fill-opacity=0.2 |coord={{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}}
| native_name        =
| country            = [[Nepal]]
| state              = 
| district           = [[Mustang District]]
| location           = [[Dhawalagiri Zone|Muktinath (Dhawalagiri)]]
| elevation_m        =3762 
| deity  = [[Vishnu]]
| temple_tank        = Gandaki River or Chakra Tirtham
| tower              = Kanaka Vimanam
| architecture       = [[Pagoda#Architecture|Pagoda]]
|religious_affiliation=[[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]]}}
'''Muktinath''' is an ancient [[Vishnu]] temple located in [[Mustang District|Mustang]], [[Nepal]]. The temple of Muktinath, known as 'the lord of liberation', is sacred to both [[Hindus]] and [[Buddhists]] whom they worship as an abode of Hindu deity [[Vishnu]] and Buddhist deity [[Avalokiteśvara]] respectively.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Brief history of Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa at the Annapurna Circuit - Nepal |url=https://muktinath.org/muktinath/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=muktinath.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-13 |title=Muktinath Temple |url=https://templesofindia.co/listing/muktinath-temple/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=templesofindia.co |language=en-US}}</ref> Located in the Muktinath valley at the foot of the [[Thorong La]] mountain pass, it is one of the world's highest temples at an altitude of 3,800 meters. The temple is given a status of one of the 108 [[Divya Desam]]s of Hinduism (and the only Divya Desam located outside India) as well as one of the eight most sacred shrines, known as [[Swayambhu|Svayam Vyakta Ksetras]], of [[Vaishnavism]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Muktinath - A Religious site for Buddhist and Hindu followers |url=https://www.buddha-statues.info/blog/muktinath-a-religious-and-sacred-place-for-hindu-and-buddhist/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=www.buddha-statues.info |language=en}}</ref> It is also one of the 51 [[Shakta pithas]], associated with the head of goddess [[Sati (goddess)|Sati]].<ref name="Alightindia">{{Cite web |last=Alightindia |title=Muktinath Temple - History, information & Temple timings |url=https://www.alightindia.com/muktinath-temple |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Muktinath Temple - History, information & Temple timings |language=en}}</ref> The temple complex is known as ''Mukti Kshetra'', which literally means "the place of liberation ([[moksha]])" and is one of the [[Char Dham, Nepal|Char Dham]] in Nepal.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=2019-03-30|title=Nepal's Top Pilgrimage and Holy Sites – The Abode of Spirituality|url=https://www.nepalisansar.com/tourism/nepals-top-pilgrimage-sites-the-abode-of-spirituality/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=Nepali Sansar|language=en-US}}]</ref>

{{location map+|Nepal|width=260|caption=[[Char Dham, Nepal]]|places=
{{location map~|Nepal|label=[[Pashupatinath Temple|Pashupat Kshetra]]|position=right|lat=27.710509|long=85.348877}}
{{location map~|Nepal|label=[[Ruru Kshetra]]|position=bottom|lat=27.934525|long=83.437684}}
{{location map~|Nepal|label=Mukti Kshetra|lat=28.819644|long=83.869652}}
{{location map~|Nepal|label=[[Barahachhetra|Baraha Kshetra]]|position=bottom|lat=26.877391|long=87.165708}}
}}
For Buddhists, Muktinath is an abode of [[dakini]]s - goddesses known as Sky Dancers and is considered one of the twenty-four [[vajrayana|Tantric]] places. Tibetan Buddhists call it [[Chumig Gyatsa]], which in [[Standard Tibetan|Tibetan]] means "Hundred Waters" and the [[murti]] is revered as a manifestation of [[Avalokiteśvara]], who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas.<ref>{{cite book |last=Zurick |first=David |title=Illustrated Atlas of the Himalayas |date=2006 |publisher=University Press of Kentucky |location=Lexington |page=153}}</ref>

Muktinath temple is seen as a symbol of religious harmony in Nepal where both the Hindus and Buddhists have been historically worshipping on the same spot, mutually respecting and including each other.<ref name=":1" />

==Legend==
Muktinath's importance within Hinduism is described in ancient Hindu [[Vishnu Purana]]'s [[Gandaki River|Gandaki]] Mahatmya.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gandaki Chandi Homam {{!}} Devi Homam {{!}} |url=https://www.vedicfolks.com/life-time-management/karma-remedies/homams/gandaki-chandi-maha-homam.html |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=www.vedicfolks.com}}</ref> The ancient name of Muktinath in Sri Vaishnava literature is ''Tiru Shaligramam''. The [[Gandaki River|Gandaki river]], which flows downstream from Muktinath, is considered to be the only source of the [[Saligrama|shaligrama shila]], the non-anthropomorphic representation of Vishnu. The Tibetan Buddhist tradition states that Guru Rinpoche, also known as [[Padmasambhava]], the founder of [[Tibetan Buddhism]], meditated at Muktinath on his way to [[Tibet]].<ref name=":1"/><ref name="Alightindia"/> The temple is believed to have been blessed by numerous [[mahasiddha]]s.<ref name=":1"/>

==Architecture==
The central shrine of Muktinath is considered by Hindu [[Vaishnava]]s to be one of the eight most sacred shrines, known as [[Swayambhu|Svayam Vyakta Ksetras]]. The others are [[Srirangam]], [[Srimushnam]], [[Tirupati]], [[Naimisaranya|Naimisharanya]], Thotadri, Pushkar, and Badrinath. The [[murti]] inside the temple is made of gold and is the size of a man.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=History of Muktianth Temple |url=https://muktinathtempletour.com/history-of-muktianth-temple/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Muktinath Temple Tour {{!}} Muktinath Temple Package {{!}} Muktinath Yatra |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[prakaram]] (outer courtyard) has 108 bull faces through which water is poured, called mukti dharas (liberation  representing the [[Sacred waters|sacred water]] from [[Divya Desams|108 Divya Desams]] of Hinduism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Muktinath Temple: Muktinath Dham History, Muktinath Mandir Dharshan 2022 |url=https://www.divinekailash.com/muktinath-temple/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Divine Kailash |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Religious significance==

=== Hinduism ===

==== Vaishnavism ====
[[File:Muktidhara (4716458657).jpg|left|thumb|186x186px|108 mukti dharas, or the water spouts of liberation]]
Muktinath is sacred to the [[Sri Vaishnava]] tradition. The deities of Vishnu and his consorts, [[Lakshmi|Sridevi]] and [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhudevi]], are regarded by adherents as offering [[Jivanmukta|jivanmukti]] to devotees, offering the epithet Muktinath to Vishnu. It is praised by Thirumangai Alvar in the compilation of the [[Naalayira Divya Prabandham|Nalayira Divya Prabandham]]. The river [[Gandaki River|Gandaki]], flowing adjacent to the temple has a kind of stone called [[Salagram|shaligrama]]. The different patterns of the stone are worshiped as different forms of [[Vishnu]]. The colour white is considered as [[Vasudeva]], black as [[Vishnu]], green as [[Narayana]], blue as [[Krishna]], golden yellow & reddish yellow as [[Narasimha]] and [[Vamana]] in yellow. The stones are found in various shapes with even shapes of the [[Panchajanya]] and the [[Sudarshana Chakra]], the attributes of Vishnu.<ref name="R">{{cite book |last=R. |first=Dr. Vijayalakshmy |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZY2lZpy.TVA_BOK_0006115 |title=An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam |publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies |year=2001 |edition=1st |location=Chennai |pages=489–90 |ref=R.}}</ref> The temple is revered in ''[[Nalayira Divya Prabandham]]'', the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by [[Kulasekhara Alvar]] in one hymn. The temple is classified as a ''[[Divyadesam|Divya Desam]]'', one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. Many devotees have contributed to it, most prominently the [[Alvars]]. [[Thirumangai Alvar]] could not reach Muktinath, but sang 10 pasurams from the nearest place, in praise of the deity. [[Periyalvar]] sang in praise of Vishnu as "Salagramamudaiya Nambi".<ref name="R" />[[File:Muktinath-temple-nepal.jpg|thumb|268x268px|The temple of Muktinath]]The pontiff of [[Srivilliputtur]] installed the idols of [[Andal]] (Gotadevi), [[Ramanuja]], and [[Manavala Mamunigal]] there during the ''[[yagna]]'' performed between 3 and 6 August 2009. This is considered by devotees of the tradition to be a milestone in the history of Muktinath. A large crowd of devotees visits this shrine, where the deity resides in the form of Sri Paramapada Nathan with his divine consorts Sridevi, Bhudevi, [[Niladevi]], and Gotadevi.
[[File:BRP Muktinath mainGate.jpg|thumb|263x263px|Gate of Muktinath overlooking  [[himalayas]]]]
[[File:Inbound4822038242440480981.jpg|thumb|325x325px|Buddha statue inside Muktinath area]]

==== Shaktism ====
{{main|Shakta pithas}}

Muktinath Temple is considered an important place of pilgrimage in [[Shaktism]] as one of the [[Shakta pithas]] associated with goddess [[Sati (Hindu goddess)|Sati]]'s head (face). The [[Shakti]] of Muktinath is addressed as "Gandaki Chandi", and the [[Bhairava|Bhairav]] ([[Shiva]]) as "Chakrapani".<ref name=":2" />

Muktinath temple complex is also revered as a place on earth to host all [[Pancha Bhuta|five elements]] (fire, water, sky, earth, and air) from which all material things in the universe are made. The goddess Jwala Mai Temple situated adjacent to the Muktinath Temple is worshipped for its sacred flame fueled by natural gas emanating from the earth.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tour |first=Pilgrimage |date=2024-01-08 |title=Places to Visit In and Around Muktinath |url=https://medium.com/@pilgrimagetour.in/places-to-visit-in-and-around-muktinath-194e57cd6488 |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref>

=== Buddhism ===

The temple has been worshipped by Buddhists as an abode of [[Avalokiteśvara]], the Buddha who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. In [[Tibetan Buddhism]], the place is known as "Chumig Gyatsa" (the Hundred Springs) and is venerated as one of the important places related to [[Padmasambhava]], the founder of [[Tibetan Buddhism]] and one of the 24 [[vajrayana|Tantric]] (sacred) places of [[Tibetan Buddhism]].<ref name=":1"/> The area of the temple is worshipped as a residence of 21 [[Tara (Buddhism)|Tara]] and many Dakinis, goddesses known as Sky Dancers.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Muktinath: An Exemplar of Religious Symbiosis {{!}} Buddhistdoor |url=https://www2.buddhistdoor.net/features/muktinath-an-exemplar-of-religious-symbiosis |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=www2.buddhistdoor.net}}</ref><ref name=":1"/><gallery mode="nolines" widths="170" heights="170">
File:Photo-chhairo gompa padmasambhava shrine.JPG|Statue of Guru [[Padmasambhava]]
File:Mustang-Marpha-Gompa-24-Padmasambhava-gje.jpg|Buddhist Goddess in Muktinath temple complex
File:Mustang-Marpha-Gompa-30-Padmasambhava-2015-gje.jpg|Buddhist thangka 
</gallery>The nuns of the temple complex are considered to be goddesses called Dakinis and to be the offsprings of the women who were taught by  [[Padmasambhava]] during his stay in Muktinath. It is believed that Padmasambhava built a statue in his own image before departing from Muktinath to Tibet, which resides in the Mharme Lhakhang Gompa and is tended by these nuns.<ref name=":3" />

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="190" heights="190">
File:Himalaya mountain Near Muktinath, Mustang.jpg|Himalayan near Muktinath, Mustang, Nepal
File:Muktinath Valley, Ridge, Nepal.jpg|Muktinath valley
File:Kali Gandaki Valley260, Nepal.JPG|Muktinath Temple
File:Entrance to Muktinath-Temple in Mustang-Region of Nepal.JPG|Entrance to the temple area
File:Inside Muktinath Temple.jpg|The Vishnu shrine inside Muktinath Temple
File:Mukthinath1.jpg|Goddess Jwala Mata Shakta pitha Temple
File:Holy Shree Muktinath Temple.jpg|Muktinath Temple with 2 ponds (right) and 108 spouts (left)
File:Tap in Muktinath-Temple - Mustang - Nepal.JPG|Close-up of one of the 108 holy spouts
File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi offering prayers at Muktinath Temple, in Nepal on May 12, 2018 (3).JPG|[[Narendra Modi]], Prime Minister of India, offering prayers
File:Main Muktinath temple and ponds c.2016.jpg|Temple and pond
File:Muktinath After2.jpg|Prayer flags over Muktinath area
File:Gumba at Mustang atop Dhumba lake.jpg|Gumba
File:PSX 20190506 224558.jpg|Buddha overlooking valley
File:Muktinath Bus Stand,Mustang Nepal.jpg|Muktinath bus stand 
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Narsingh monastery|Narsingh Gompa]], a Buddhist monastery nearby
* [[Bajrayogini Temple]]
* [[Guhyeshwari Temple]]
* [[Pashupatinath temple]], Nepal
* [[Badrinath]]
* [[Kedarnath]]
* [[Manasarovar]]
* [[Changu Narayan]]
* [[Janaki Mandir]]
* [[Shree Pashupatinath]]
* [[Budhanilkantha Temple]], Sleeping Vishnu

==References==
{{Reflist}}

Picture in map of Nepal
{{Commons category}}

{{Mustang District}}
{{Hindu temples in Nepal}}
{{Famous Vishnu temples}}
{{Hindu deities and texts}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Divya Desams| ]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in Nepal]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Gandaki Province]]
[[Category:Char Dham temples in Nepal]]
[[Category:Vishnu temples in Nepal]]