Nepal - Pashupatinath

For Indian pilgrims Nepal is the rare international teerthyatra that needs no visa. Pashupatinath in Kathmandu — one of the most revered Shiva temples anywhere — anchors most itineraries, with Muktinath in the Mustang Himalaya as the high point, literally and spiritually.

What to see

Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu

Set on the banks of the Bagmati, the temple is the seat of Pashupati, lord of all beings. Only Hindus may enter the main sanctum. Mornings are best for darshan; the evening Bagmati aarti on the far bank is a quieter counterpart to Haridwar or Varanasi.

Muktinath, Mustang

At roughly 3,800 metres, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike. The 108 water spouts and the eternal flame draw pilgrims from across the subcontinent. Reached by flight to Jomsom or by road from Pokhara.

Guhyeshwari Temple

A Shakti Peeth close to Pashupatinath, usually visited in the same trip.

Budhanilkantha

The remarkable reclining Vishnu carved from a single block of stone, resting in a water tank north of Kathmandu.

Manakamana

A wish-fulfilling temple reached by cable car, on the Kathmandu–Pokhara road and an easy stop between the two.

Janakpur

The birthplace of Sita Mata, which pairs naturally with an Ayodhya yatra for pilgrims with a few extra days.

Documents

Indian nationals do not need a visa. You do need acceptable photo identification — a valid Indian passport is simplest and safest, and a Voter ID card issued by the Election Commission is generally accepted. Aadhaar and PAN cards are not accepted. Rules are tightened periodically and airlines apply them more strictly than land borders, so confirm before you book.

Altitude

Muktinath is high enough that altitude sickness is a genuine risk, especially for pilgrims who fly straight up from the plains. Spend a night at Pokhara or Jomsom rather than ascending and descending in one push, hydrate steadily, and descend if symptoms worsen. Anyone with a cardiac or respiratory condition should consult a doctor first.

Best time to visit

March to May and September to November give clear mountain views and stable flying weather. The monsoon brings cloud, landslides on the Mustang road and frequent flight cancellations. Winter is severe at Muktinath though the temple usually stays accessible.

Getting there

Direct flights connect Kathmandu with Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kolkata and Mumbai. By road the common crossings are Sunauli from Gorakhpur, Raxaul from Patna and Kakarbhitta from Siliguri. Cross early in the day at peak season.

Practical notes

• Indian currency is widely accepted, but high-denomination notes are restricted — carry ₹100 notes or exchange on arrival.
• ATMs are reliable in Kathmandu and Pokhara, patchy in Mustang. Carry cash for the mountain leg.
• Build in a buffer day. Mountain weather, not your schedule, decides when you fly.
• Hindi is widely understood across the pilgrim circuit.