High in the Himalayas, where the air is thin and the peaks touch the heavens, lies a sacred sanctuary known as Muktinath. Located at an altitude of 3,800 meters at the foot of the Thorong La mountain pass in Mustang, Muktinath is one of the world’s highest temples in Hinduism.

A Lord Vishnu temple sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, its roots trace back to antiquity, and it stands as a testament to devotion across centuries. Mukti Kshetra, the location where the temple of Muktinath stands, finds mention in revered Hindu scriptures such as the Ramayana, Barah Purana, and Skanda Purana. In the Sri Vaishnava tradition, Muktinath bears the ancient name of Tiru Shaligramam. Here, Lord Vishnu resides in the form of the Shaligram Shila. These sacred stones are revered by Hindus and are believed to embody Lord Vishnu in stone form. The nearby Gandaki River is revered as the sole source of these non-anthropomorphic representations of Lord Vishnu. Pilgrims collect these sacred stones, believed to hold divine blessings. 



For Tibetan Buddhists, Muktinath is Chumig Gyatsa—the Hundred Waters. They believe that Dakinis—the celestial sky dancers, dance here. It is one of the 24 Tantric sites. The Tibetan Buddhist tradition narrates that Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, meditated at Muktinath during his journey to Tibet. Additionally, Muktinath is considered a symbol of the harmonious coexistence of Hinduism and Buddhism in the region. The presence of both a Vishnu temple and a Buddhist monastery at the site reflects the inclusive and tolerant ethos of the Himalayan communities, where followers of different faiths often live in proximity and with mutual respect. 



Muktinath holds a sacred significance as a place on Earth where all five elements—fire, water, sky, earth, and air converge. Amidst the natural surroundings of earth, air, and sky, a remarkable phenomenon occurs at the Jwala Mai Temple: a spring with a flame hovering just above the water. This flame is fueled by a naturally occurring gas outflow, creating the mesmerizing illusion of water itself being ablaze. Nearby, there are 108 sacred waterspouts (springs) where pilgrims take a ritual bath. The winds of Muktinath carry secrets. They whisper of past lives, of karmic debts paid, and liberation earned. Prayer wheels spin, releasing mantras into the ether. The fluttering flags inscribe blessings upon the sky. And as the sun sets, casting a golden glow upon the barren landscape, pilgrims gather together, seeking solace in the comforting embrace of their devotion. In the shadow of Mount Dhaulagiri and the Nilgiri North Himal, Muktinath stands as a beacon of hope, a place where battles yield to liberation, and the divine dances with the mortal.