OUR MUKTHINATH (NEPAL)TRIP COVERING GALESWAR Final Episode 5

ॐ श्री गणेशायनमः /श्रीकृष्ण पारब्रह्मणेनमः 

श्री मुक्तिनाथायनमः/శ్రీ  ముక్తి నాథాయనమః 

We started from Pokhra by Jeep early in the morning after Puri Bhaji breakfast and some parcel for lunch as we were told nothing en route as per our taste will be available.So we got something made parcel for eating  our lunch.Even though it is hardly 150 KM from Pokhra by road to Muktinath via Beni,we were told that it will take more than 10 hours as road is not good and full of boulders and we need to cross Kali Gandaki river at many places.

We reached Beni a midway town between Pokhra and Jemsom by afternoon ie almost after 5 hours of drive and had some snacks .We took some snaps of Himalayas from Beni junction and wanted to reach next halt Jemsom which is again 3 hours drive .Unfortunately,our vehicle developed some problem and we had to ask travel agent to arrange new vehicle all the way from Pokhra.He informed us to wait for minimum five hours and suggested to visit nearby place Galeswardham which was very nearby where our vehicle developed trouble.it was God given opportunity.Otherwise  we would have missed a historical important place en route Muktinath.

Starting From Hotel in the Morning Photo 1

Beni Bus Stop on way to Jemsom and Muktinath Photo 2

Hydro Electric Project Construction on River Gandaki onway o Mukthinath photo 3

We came across the below mentioned place called galeswar dham on the bank of River Gandaki.It was very nice and peaceful place with an Ashram and a Veda Pathasala with nearly 50 students learning Vedas from scholars with residential Gurukul .There is a big Mahadev temple with lot of Saligrama Siva and Vishnu Lingas recovered from River Gandaki and worshiped.It is informed that this Ashram was started by a Sadhu by name Galeswar baba who lived here more than 200 years back and and Ashram is maintained by his disciples even today.We performed Puja and Abhishekam and spent time with Veda PathaSaala(వేద పాఠశాల ) students and had our lunch there only.

Then we visited River bank and spent time in near by forest area which is very beautiful and pleasing .By 7 pm only our new vehicle has come to our rescue and we started for Jemsom

 

Samadhi of Baba Galeswar (200 Years Old)photo 4

Siva Lingas in Galeswar Dham photo 5

Students of Vedapathasala Galeswardham Photo 6

Galeswardham Mandir , Veda Pathasala campus.Photo 7

Near Galeswar Mandir photo 8

We took some rest near the banks of  Gandaki near the Galeswar Mandir and Vedapathasala  and had few snaps before our replacement vehicle came from Pokhra .The water in Gandaki was flowing slowly down the hill and water was muddy we did not dare to take bath, but enjoyed cool breeze sitting on trees and listening birds sounds .

Enjoying on the tree with birds sounds photo 9

On Banks of Gandaki Photo 10

Resting on the Banks of River Gandaki near Galeswar Mandir photo 11

Break for Tea at Jemsom at night 1.00 am photo 12

By 1 am ie after six hours of drive through tough terrain on boulders passing several times through Gandaki River up and down we reached Muktinath base.We could get temporary accommodation to fresh up and and by 6am we were ready to cross to other side of Muktinath from where we have to climb around 3 km. After tea we started with only cloths for taking bath leaving rest in jeep.

At Budhist Temple at base of Muktinath at 8am photo 13

from Jemsom break ,we took tea early morning with our nap in jeep itself and got fresh as rooms at night were not available for full rest due to Navarathri of Mata Durga and all hotels,Choultries and lodges were full.we were allowed for taking tea and getting fresh till 5 am.


From there we left to base of Muktinath in the same jeep and they left us on the other side of River Gandaki. We had to hire another Jeep after crossing the river on foot over bridge and reach other side to reach Bus stop from where separate group of taxis operate at the rate of Rs 200 Nepali per person as the next four km route to temple is on a ghat type trek.we took the taxi jeeps and reached temple base.From here it is again a trek of nearly 1.5 km by walk.It was cold breeze with occasional drizzling.We again heated up with tea and started climbing.

The final Climb to Temple Photo14

Helipad near final Climb Photo 15

By 9 am we reached temple area off Lord Muktinath.There is one south Indian Chinna Jeeyar Swami Mutt near the temple and Puja was going on .

After reaching temple area we had bath in 108 water taps which they call Pavithra Dhara .Gandaki water flows in these 108 taps and temperature of water was sub zero in liquid form.we took the courage and just ran keeping our heads under taps chanting "Om Namo Bhagavathe Vaasu Devaaya"

(ఓం నమో భగవతే వాసుదేవాయ ).By the time we finished bath our heads was almost frozen.Then there are two more small ponds in front of temple called Paap Kund/Punya Kund(పాప కుండం /పుణ్య కుండం )ie sinners pond and pous peoples pond.we have to take dip in both first in paap kund to get rid of sins and then in Punya kund to retain Punya(Pousness) earned.

108 Teerth Kund of River Gandaki.Water flows from 108 taps Photo 16

As our heads appeared frozen after 108 kund bath ,we did not dare to take further dips in those holy ponds .

Paap Kund on Right and Punya Kund on the Left/पाप कुंड दहिनेमे ,पुण्य कुंड बाहेमे 

Photo 17 

Then We had Darshan of Lord Muktinath ie Lord Krishna who gives salvation.It is a small temple with wood carved roof like other Nepali temples built over centuries.It is informed that Lord Krishna gave gnan(Enlightenment and Darshan To Maharshi Vedavyas here.Also Lord Budha believed to be next incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu after Krishna Avathar visited here from Lumbini and stayed here for some time in meditation before going to Budhgaya where he attained Gnan Sidhi and started preaching Budhism to his disciples.The priests in this temple are women budhist monks and not traditional Hindu priests as witnessed by us in other Nepali temples. 

It was a wonderful experience of life time to have Darshan and after lunch in the Mutt around 

12 pm, we left for other side of Gandaki where we left our Jeep brought from Pokhra by 3 pm.

After Darshan at Muktinath Temple Photo 18

At Mukthinath Temple after Darshan Photo 19

On way back from Temple to base by walking Photo 20

Muktinath from Hill top Photo 21

 By 6 pm we reached to take our jeep and started back to Pokhra .We traveled through out night exploring sounds of gandaki flow by morning 5 am .We stayed in Pokhra for rest till night and took bus by 8 pm for Gorakhpur to reach by 6 am on Ghat road.

It was a  wonderful 11 day journey from Janakpur to Muktinath .My next episode will be on our Experience in Gorakhpur,Ayodhya ,Chitrakoot and varanasi.

C.Chalapathy Rao

My Entire Nepal Trip was finished in 11 days excluding 2 days spent in train from Hyderabad to Raxual  from where we started for janaakpur in my Episode 1

Trip Guidance 

1.Hotels in Janakpur ,Nepal are very less .We took medium sized budget Hotel Anand .Price range Rs 1000 to 1200 (Nepali)per day

2.Hotels in Khatmandu : all Budget Hotels Available .We took in Thamel busy area .Price range from Rs 1000 to 10,000.

3.Pokhra :Very Nice place Very good Hotels in posh areas in the range of Rs 1800 to 3000(Nepali)

Food is mostly non vegetarian .But few Indian Marwari Restarants serving north Indian vegetarian available.Liquor is cheap and no permit required and available in all shops.

4.Conveyance by taxi is expensive considering Indian cost,but very good and loyal service and no cheating.

4.Shopping :Lot of bargaining is required .

5.Trekkking :plenty of of choices in and around Khatmandu and Pokhra.

6.Best time to visit;Sept to Dec any time.

7.Language:Nepali,English and Hindi,Some people speak Bhutanese also.

8.Religion:Hindu,traditional,hard working

9.Attitude of People: Friendly,cooperative and honest.