Pashupatinath Temple Evening Aarati Tour

Duration

Evening

Group Size

15 People

Languages

English

Location

Kathmandu

Cancellation:

Before 1 week of activity date: Full refund
3-6 days before the activity date: 50% cancellation charge
Before 24 hours of the activity date: 100% cancellation charge

Overview

The Pashupatinath Temple Evening aarti Tour offers a unique opportunity to witness a captivating spiritual experience in Nepal. Held every evening along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, the aarti is a vibrant ceremony dedicated to Lord Shiva. The tour takes you to Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the holiest Hindu temples in the world.

As dusk falls, the temple complex comes alive with devotees, priests, and visitors gathering for the aarti . The ceremony involves the rhythmic chanting of Vedic mantras, the lighting of oil lamps, traditional music, and sacred dances performed by priests. The flickering flames of the aarti lamps reflected on the river create a mesmerizing atmosphere, offering a serene yet uplifting spiritual experience.

This tour is perfect for those who wish to explore Nepal’s rich cultural and religious traditions. Your guide will provide insights into the significance of the aarti and Hindu spirituality, making the experience both informative and deeply moving.

Highlights:

View the magical evening aarti ceremony on the bank of the Bagmati River.
Visit the Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sacred.
Learn about Hindu rituals, traditions, and the significance of the aarti from your expert guide.
Soak in spiritual energy with live music, chants, and sacred fire rituals.
Watch the serene beauty of the temple light up with oil lamps in the evening.
Feel the spirituality of the evening aarti with its flabbergasting fire ritual and rhythmic chants.
Enjoy the view of the Bagmati River, with the oil lamps all around and surrounded by a serene spiritual aura. Take perfect shots of the spectacular sunset over the Pashupatinath Temple complex.
Learn about the historical significance and architectural beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Itinerary

Your guide will be picking you up from your hotel and taking you to the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, situated on the bank of the Bagmati River, a short drive from the center of Kathmandu. During the drive, your guide will introduce you to the history of the temple, its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and what to expect during the evening aarti ceremony.

Drive to Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred hindu shrine, and also one of the most sacred Lord Shiva destinations in the world. Explore Pashupatinath and its area including other subordinate temples that showcase images in both local and Sanskrit languages. Your guide will tour you with information of architectural, historical significance, and its relation towards Hinduism on this pagoda-styled main temple, which denies accessibility inside for non-Hindus, would be truly an enriching moment. You will also come across sadhus, or Hindu ascetics, meditating or performing rituals, adding to the spiritual atmosphere.

As the sun starts to set and the sky gradually dims, the evening aarti ceremony commences on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Sandhya aarti is a ritual of devotion in which mantras are chanted in rhythm, accompanied by ringing bells and traditional instruments such as harmoniums and tablas. The priests enact a synchronized movement with large oil lamps, with the simultaneous singing and clapping of the devotees-an electrifying spiritual atmosphere. This reflection of the flickering flame in the Bagmati River adds a mystic touch to the whole view. Your guide will explain the meaning of this ritual in detail and highlight its significance in paying respect to Lord Shiva and establishing a connection among the devotees with the god.

After the aarti , you will be given free time to explore further around the surroundings of the temple and get a chance to interact with local devotees. Local interactions with sadhus will be arranged with the help of your guide, where you can learn from them about the ascetic lifestyle and spiritual practices. This is a great opportunity to mix with people who have devoted their lives to meditation and religion.

After the tour, your guide will escort you back to your hotel. The drive is not too long, and during this time, one can reflect on what they have just experienced and ask questions on Hindu traditions, the history of the temple, or the aarti ceremony. By this time, you will have acquired more insight into Nepal’s spiritual riches and ageless traditions that make up its culture.

Cost

Included:

Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Professional English-speaking guide
Entrance fees to Pashupatinath Temple complex
Guided explanation of the evening aarti ceremony
Opportunities for interactions with sadhus and local devotees

Excluded:

Meals or snacks during the tour
Personal expenses (e.g., souvenirs, donations)
Photography fees (if applicable)
Gratuities for guide or driver
Any services not mentioned in the inclusions

FAQ

A holy Hindu ritual, evening aarti at Pashupatinath Temple, is conducted every day on the banks of the Bagmati River, with Vedic mantras being chanted, traditional music played, and oil lamps being waved in rhythmic motions. It is a way of showing respect to Lord Shiva and offers an atmosphere that is very spiritual.

Non-Hindu viewers may also witness the ceremony from designated viewing areas on the banks of the rivers. Though they do not have access inside the central temple sanctum, they may fully participate in the aarti activity and the atmosphere of the grounds from the main outer perimeter.

Generally, yes, photography is allowed during aarti , but one should not be intrusive; avoid using flashes or disturbing the devotees or priests. Your guide will inform you if restrictions apply at the time.

It is advisable to wear decent clothes that cover the shoulder and knee since Pashupatinath is a sacred site. One should wear comfortable shoes to be able to walk since the complex is uneven.

Aarti in general would take about an hour from about 6:30 PM and will be finished by 7:30 PM. Coming early would allow you to roam around the complex and get a better spot to stand.

Yes, after aarti, you’ll have the time of interaction with sadhus dwelling around the temple. Your guide shall coordinate this meet during which you’d also get knowledge on spiritual disciplines and philosophies taken up.

Yes, it is family-friendly and a lot of learning about culture. The aarti ceremony is really vibrant, filled with music and fire rituals, and may be the centerpiece that intrigues any age of visitor.

The Bagmati River is considered sacred in Hinduism and is believed to purify the soul. It plays a central role in rituals at Pashupatinath, including cremation ceremonies and the evening aarti .

Pashupatinath Temple is located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from central Kathmandu. The drive usually takes 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic.

You don’t have to bring anything specific for the tour. It’s a good idea, however, to bring along a bottle of water, a light jacket-just in case it gets cooler-and a camera to capture those special moments.

Pashupatinath Temple Evening Aarati Tour

Cancellation:

Overview

Highlights:

Itinerary

Cost

Included:

Excluded:

FAQ

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