Muktinath temple reopened after 10 months

Muktinath, January 7

One of the highest temple of Nepal at an altitude of 3800m from sea level, Muktinath Temple is reopened for pilgrims formally from Tuesday. 

Muktinath temple is worshipped by Hindu and Buddhist communities of Nepal. According to the chairperson of Baragung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality Mr. Fyongchok Chepten Gurung the temple is now open for pilgrims. He also said that the tourism entrepreneurs and pilgrims faced difficulties due to the closure of the temple for long time. He also requested the pilgrims to visit the temple following safety precautions.

The temple was closed from 11 Chaitra 2076 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pilgrims must undergo temperature screening at the entrance of temple and only one visitor will be allowed at a time. The pilgrims must exit through the western gate of the temple. A visitor can take a maximum one hour for worship.

Muktinath Development committee has made PCR negative report compulsory for a foreigner. Similarly, taking a bath on 108 stone taps and holy dip on the pond is prohibited due to the risk of Covid-19.

Hotel entrepreneurs of the Muktinath area were worried due to the closure of the temple for a long period. It is estimated that around three lakhs domestic tourists and sixty thousand foreign tourists visit Mustang each year.

News Source: tourismkhabar.com