A Trip To Muktinath, Lower Mustang ( मुक्तिनाथको यात्रा, तल्लो मुस्ताङ )

Muktinath Temple is one of the most sacred pilgrimage site (तीर्थयात्रा) for both Hindu and Buddhist from all over the world. Located at the Mustang district of Nepal, Muktinath is one of the world's highest temple (altitude 3,800 m). Muktinath is derived from the Sanskrit word "Mukti" and "Nath". "Mukti" means "Salvation, Nirvana or Moksha " and "Nath" means "God".

For Hindu it is an important place to worship Lord Bishnu, where Lord Bishnu got salvation from the curse of Brinda who was wife of Jalandhar. It is believed that after completing pilgrimage of 4 religious site called 4 dham yatra, the pilgrim must visit Muktinath temple once. Hindus also call this region as Mukti Kshetra (the place of Salvation).

For Buddhist it is an important place of dakinis, goddesses known as sky dancer. It is one of the 24 Tantric places. Buddhist consider this place as place of hundred waters.

Muktinath Temple is one of such temple in the world where people from two religious belief come and pray together. In human body there are 114 Chakras (energy centers). 112 are in physical while 2 are above the human body. 113 is referred as Muktinath and 114 is called Kailash (the home of Lord Shiva). There are 2 Kunda and 108 stone spouts holy water springs in Muktinath. It is believe that taking bath in these 2 Kundas and 108 Jal Dhara takes all your sins away and attain Moksha. This 108 Jal Dhara also represent all those 108 Shrines of Lord Bishnu in the entire entity. 

It is one of the famous trekking destinations in Nepal. Traveling to Muktinath has become easier these days due to good road. Bus will take you up-to the foot of Muktinath Temple. But trekking is too much fun than travelling in bus. 

 

A small beautiful village while travelling from Beni to Jomsom.

This area is full of big and dry mountains.

Jomsom Airport, having flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and back.

On the way to Kagbeni from Jomsom.

On the way to Kagbeni.

Somewhere around Kagbeni.

Farming above the Kagbeni. On the route to Muktinath from Kagbeni.

Way to Muktinath 

Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range 

Horses are available in case you can't walk upto Temple.

The sacred Muktinath temple.

10 Highest Currency in the World 2020 ( विश्व २०२० मा १० उच्चतम मुद्रा )

Here are the top 10 Strongest currencies as of Sep 2020 valued against the World's most traded currency, the US dollar. The rank of these currencies doesn't remain the same as it depends upon sever fact's like import-export, inflation, employment, interest rate, growth rate, trade, deficit, banking capital, foreign investment and many other. 

#10- Canadian Dollar

The Canadian Dollar is the currency of Canada. 

Abbreviation: $ or sometime CA$, C$

Currency code: CAD

1 CAD = 0.76 US dollar (Canadian dollar to US dollar)

  

#9- US Dollar

The United State Dollar is the currency of United State Of America. 

It is the most traded currency in the World.

Abbreviation: $ 

Currency code: USD

1 USD = 0.85 EUR (US Dollar to Euro)

#8- Swiss Franc

The Franc is the currency of Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Abbreviation: Fr

Currency code: CHF

1 CHF = 1.09 US dollar (Franc to US dollar)

#7- European Euro

The Euro is the currency of 19 of 27 member states of the European Union.

Abbreviation: €

Currency code: EUR

1 EUR = 1.18 US dollar (Euro to US dollar)

#6- Cayman Island Dollar

The Cayman Island Dollar is the currency of Cayman Island.

Abbreviation: $, or alternatively CI$

Currency code: KYD

1 CHF = 1.20 US dollar (Cayman Island dollar to US dollar)

#5- British Pound Sterling

The British Pound Sterling  is the official currency of the United Kingdom, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, the British Antarctic Territory, and Tristan da Cunha.

Abbreviation: £

Currency code: GBP

1 GBP = 1.30 US dollar (British Pound Sterling to US dollar)

#4- Jordan Dinar

The Jordanian Dinar is the currency of Jordan since 1950.

Abbreviation: د.ا

Currency code: JOD

1 JOD = 1.41 US dollar (Jordanian Dinar to US dollar)

#3- Oman Rial

The Oman Rial is the currency of Oman.

Abbreviation: ر.ع.

Currency code: OMR

1 OMR = 2.60 US dollar (Oman Rial to US dollar)

#2- Bahraini Dinar

The Bahraini Dinar is the currency of Bahrain.

Abbreviation: .د.ب, BD

Currency code: BHD

1 BHD = 2.65 US dollar (Bahraini Dinar to US dollar)

#1- Kuwaiti Dinar

The Kuwaiti Dinar is the currency of Kuwait.

Abbreviation: KD, د.ك

Currency code: KWD

1 KWD = 3.27 US dollar (Kuwaiti Dinar to US dollar)

Some glimpse of Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha ( गौतम बुद्धको जन्मस्थल लुम्बिनीको केही झलक )

Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It is the holiest places of one of the world's great religion, Buddhism . It is located in Western Development Region (Province No. 5). Lumbini has a number of temples, monuments, monasteries, museum and research institute. Lumbini is about 9-hour ride from Kathmandu and about 30-minute ride from Bhairahawa. The closest airport to Lumbini is Gautam Buddha Airport at Bhairahawa, which has flight services to and from Kathmandu. Very soon Gautam Buddha Airport is going to be upgraded to Gautam Buddha International Airport. People from different country of the world can directly land to Bhairahawa afterwards. 

Lumbini (UNESCO World Heritage Site) 

Details

In Nepali - लुम्बिनी 

Country - Nepal

Province - Province No. 5

Zone - Lumbini

District - Rupandehi

Municipality - Lumbini Sanskritik

Time Zone - UTC +05:45 (NST)

Criteria - Cultural

Area - 1.95 ha

 Maya Devi Temple ( माया देवी मन्दिर )

Maya Devi Temple is considered as the main temple at Lumbini (Heart Of Lumbini). It is the spot where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in around 563 BC. Inside Maya Devi temple you will see the Seven steps taken by Lord Buddha immediately after his birth. Around Maya Devi temple you will find the scared pool (known as Puskarni), scared garden, the pillar of Ashoka and Bodhi (Pipal) tree decorated with colorful prayer flags. Buddhist monks often sit under the Bodhi tree meditating and chanting spiritual words. 

Monks meditating and chanting spiritual words under the Bodhi Tree.

World Peace Pagoda ( विश्व शान्ति प्यागोडा )

World Peace Pagoda is situated at the northern end of Lumbini. It was designed and built by Japanese Buddhist. It is designed to be a symbol to unite humanity in a desire for peace. Out of eighty World Peace Pagodas around the world, two are in Nepal, one in Lumbini and another in pokhara

Myanmar Golden Monastery ( म्यानमार गोल्डन मठ )

Myanmar Golden Monastery is one of the oldest temple in Lumbini. It is built in Burmese style of architecture. There are three prayer halls and a pagoda inside the building. The corncob shaped shikhara with a golden colour is the main attraction of this place.

The Great Drigung Kagyud Lotus Stupa(दि ग्रेट ड्रिगंग काग्याड लोटस स्तूप )

The Great Drigung Kagyud Lotus Stupa (German Monastery) is one of the most beautiful stupa in Lumbini which was constructed by German Tara foundation.The roof of the stupa has the carving of a few Buddhist teachings that spreads the message of non-violence and world peace.

Singapore U.D.C Monastery (सिंगापुर यू.डी.सी मठ)

Singapore U.D.C Monastery is built by Urgen Dorjee Choling Buddhist centre Singapore.

International Gautami Nuns Temple (अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय गौतमी नन्स मन्दिर )

It is the replica of Swayambhu  Stupa of Kathmandu. This Nun is made by the government of Nepal representing Nepali temple in Lumbini.

Nepal Vajrayana Mahavihara Temple (नेपाल वज्रायना महाविहार मन्दिर)

This temple is also built by the government of Nepal.

Similarly there are other various beautiful monasteries and stupas in Lumbini. Presently, there are 32 Buddhist monasteries in Lumbini master plan area. Every monasteries in Lumbini has its own cultural and architectural importance. Several religious and spiritual events are organized throughout the year. To know more about the life of Lord Buddha and his disciplines, you can visit the museum in Lumbini.

Some other pictures around Lumbini

People enjoying canal boating in Lumbini. When you walk north to the Maya Devi Temple you will find this canal boating that connects to World Peace Pagoda.

Proper vision helps man in quenching the desire and leads to the path of peace

Beautiful lotus and a small water sprinkle 

How can i miss him in this blog, he was so happy visiting Lumbini.

If you are seeking peace, spirituality or wish to learn more about Buddhism then take a break and visit Lumbini.  I hope you will find some peaceful time there. You can visit Lumbini simply by waking or taking bicycle, e-rickshaw and taxi. Two days will be enough if you want to visit whole temples within the area. Around the place there is proper fooding and lodging services.

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