Muktinath Temple
मुक्तिनाथ मन्दिर
A rare temple sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, high in the trans-Himalaya of Mustang. Hindus revere it as one of the 108 Divya Desams of Vishnu; Buddhists know it as Chumig Gyatsa, 'hundred waters'.
Deity
Vishnu (Mukti Narayan) / Shiva
Location
Mustang
Gandaki
Altitude
≈3,800 m
Main festival
—
Muktinath sits at about 3,800 m in the rain-shadow desert of Mustang, beneath the Thorong La pass on the Annapurna Circuit. Pilgrims bathe under its 108 carved water spouts (mukti dhara) and two sacred kunda (ponds) in pursuit of moksha — liberation.
Beside the pagoda temple stands the Jwala Mai shrine, where a natural gas flame burns over spring water — fire and water together, a wonder honoured by both faiths.
Highlights
108 stone water spouts (mukti dhara) for ritual bathing
Jwala Mai — an eternal natural flame over water
Shared Hindu–Buddhist pilgrimage on the Annapurna Circuit
Dramatic high-desert Himalayan setting
How to reach
Fly Pokhara–Jomsom then jeep to Ranipauwa and walk up; or trek the Annapurna Circuit / drive via Beni–Jomsom.
Best time to visit
March–June and September–November (clear, before deep winter snow).
Muktinath Temple, answered
Which deity is worshipped at Muktinath Temple?+
Muktinath Temple is dedicated to Vishnu (Mukti Narayan) / Shiva (a Hindu & Buddhist site) in Lower Mustang, below the Thorong La pass, Mustang, Gandaki Province.
How do I reach Muktinath Temple?+
Fly Pokhara–Jomsom then jeep to Ranipauwa and walk up; or trek the Annapurna Circuit / drive via Beni–Jomsom.
What is the best time to visit Muktinath Temple?+
March–June and September–November (clear, before deep winter snow).
Other temples & pilgrimage sites
Sources & data note
Temple histories, deities and festival associations are drawn from the Nepal Tourism Board, temple trusts and the Department of Archaeology. Altitudes and coordinates are approximate. Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and shift each year. Several sites (Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Lumbini) are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List — see the heritage section for the formal listing.