Pashupatinath Temple

There is a charming river called the Shivna which flows just where the temple steps end. Legends say a young washerman would wash clothes on a smooth rock, every day. Slapping the wet clothes hard against the smooth surface would make them cleaner. This became his favorite spot. One night, Lord Shiva appeared in his dreams and told him to unearth his favorite stone. That very same which had become his daily companion in the midst of his washing chores. The washerman thought lightly of his dream and dismissed it away. When the dream started recurring, the washerman finally spoke to his friends about it. Afraid of any untoward consequences, the group decided to pay heed and uproot the stone. The ensuring efforts soon made it apparent - that stone was simply too heavy. Finally, many pairs of bullocks were tied together in a line. Helped with many men, and strong ropes, the stone yielded. What emerged was the stunning, 8-foot Pashupatinath idol, a hidden gem amongst India’s rich religious monuments (almost double of the idol enshrined in the Pashupatinath temple in Nepal). There is a belief that the river levels rise at least once in the holy month of Shravan - in a gesture where the river water touches the idol of Pashupatinath and pays her respect. Devotees call it the ultimate jalaabhishekam.

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