Muktinath Temple, a revered pilgrimage site for both Hindu and Buddhist devotees, is witnessing an influx of visitors following the Dashain festival. Since the festival concluded, around 4,000 religious tourists have been arriving daily at Muktinath.
According to Robin Subedi, the manager of the Muktinath Development Committee, the clear weather has significantly boosted tourist numbers visiting Muktinath and other attractions in Mustang. Over the past week, more than 4,000 religious pilgrims have been reported visiting the temple daily.
During the Dashain and Tihar holidays, thousands of tourists enter Mustang, primarily through Magdi, with Muktinath often being their top choice. Subedi highlighted that there are currently 35 well-equipped hotels operating in the Ranipauwa market area near the temple, all of which are fully booked by religious tourists daily.
As per the local police office in Muktinath, 80% of the current visitors are domestic tourists, with the majority of international tourists coming from neighboring India. The Muktinath Development Committee noted that tourists from other countries also visit the temple after trekking up the Thorong La Pass along the Annapurna Circuit.
During the holidays, students, representatives from various organizations, and youth frequently travel to Muktinath via road, as noted by Subedi.
Typically, the temple remains closed from 12 PM to 1 PM for prayers. However, due to the high volume of devotees after Dashain, it has been kept open from morning until evening for worship and visitation, according to the temple priest, Krishna Prasad Subedi.
“We have arranged for devotees to worship and visit without hassle, allowing the elderly and disabled to bypass waiting in line,” he stated. He emphasized that the fame and promotion of Muktinath have led to a notable increase in the number of pilgrims visiting each year.
Visiting Muktinath is believed to fulfill wishes and bring peace and happiness. It is customary for devotees to bathe in the hundred-and-eight water spouts within the temple complex and in the water pond before performing rituals at the temple.
The surge in religious tourists is filling hotels in Kagbeni, Muktinath, Jomsom, Marpha, and Letek in Mustang, with local traders noting a significant increase in income due to the growing number of visitors.
Source: RSS
