SATV 18 July, Kathmandu: Additional facilities have been added targeting pilgrims in the Muktinath Temple located in Varagung Mukti Chhetra Rural Municipality-1 of Mustang, a popular pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists.
As hundreds of pilgrims visit the temple daily for worship and rituals, the entrance and temple premises have been upgraded. With the support of the social office, stones have been laid in the temple area without affecting the original structure of the temple.
After incidents of pilgrims slipping and falling while bathing in the 108 spouts and sacred pond, the Muktinath Management Committee took the initiative to pave 3,140 square feet of the temple premises, including the 108 spouts and the pond, with stone. As a result, the temple area now appears clean and tidy.
Chairperson of the Muktinath Management Committee and Chief District Officer Bishnu Prasad Bhusal stated that keeping the concerns of pilgrims at the centre, necessary facilities are being added from the temple entrance up to the temple itself.
Officer Bhusal said, “Structures are being added in such a way that pilgrims do not feel any inconvenience inside the temple. It has become much more comfortable now.” He further explained that pilgrims’ grievances and needs are being collected, and immediate management is arranged if the financial cost is minimal.
As the temple is located at an altitude of 3,800 metres above sea level, and pilgrims feel the need for hot water after bathing in the cold water, an electric dispenser with a capacity of 200 liters of purified hot water, funded by donations collected in the donation box has also been installed.
According to Muktinath Management Committee staff member Rabin Subedi, after past accidents while bathing at the 108 spouts, railings have been constructed to make the bathing area safer.
Plans are also underway to expand various facilities, including changing rooms and toilets within the temple premises. The Muktinath Management Committee has also arranged for immediate treatment of pilgrims in case of injuries, and mobilization of police and volunteers in the surrounding areas of the temple to respond promptly in case of any issues.
The Muktinath Development Committee has designed physical infrastructure to serve up to 50,000 pilgrims at once and has submitted the design to the Department of Archaeology.
This includes plans to add facilities such as toilets, changing rooms, expanded entry and exit routes to the temple, the construction of compound walls, and shelters for the rainy and snowy seasons, especially when existing archaeological structures have made access difficult for pilgrims.
Statistics show that the Muktinath Temple receives around 800,000 visitors annually, including Nepali and foreign pilgrims as well as tourists from third countries. Among the foreign visitors, after Nepalis, the majority are Indian pilgrims.
