Pashupatinath Temple

As the shrine of the most sacred lingam the Pashupatinath Temple is closed to non-Hindus. They must be content with peering through the entrance gate and the view from the terracing on the opposite bank of the river.

Above the entrance, situated on the south side, is a depiction of Shiva as Yogeshvara, lord of yogis. Through the gate the rear end of Shiva's bearer, the great bull Nandi, can be glimpsed in the courtyard. His hooves were sheathed in silver and his horns and tail in gold by a penitent Jagat Jung Rana who accidentally killed a cow when hunting in the Tarai. As regards the temple itself, the only option is to visit the replica in Bhaktapur's Durbar Square.