The most revered Hindu site in Nepal is the extensive Pashupatinath Temple complex; five kilometres east of central Kathmandu. The focus of devotion here is a large silver Shivalingam with four faces of Shiva carved on its sides; making it a 'Chaturmukhi-Linga'; or four-faced Shivalingam. Pashupati is one of Shiva's 1;008 names; his manifestation as 'Lord of all Beasts' (pashu means 'beasts'; pati means 'lord'); he is considered the guardian deity of Nepal.

The main temple building around the Shivalingam was built under King Birpalendra Malla in 1696; however the temple is said to have already existed before 533 CE. In 733 CE; King Jayadeva II erected in its precincts a stone tablet which chronicled all the kings of Nepal; beginning with the sun god. During the Muslim raids of 1349 the temple was largely destroyed; but in 1381 Jayasinharama Varddhana of Banepa restored it. Further renovations were conducted towards the end of the Malla period; and the latest extensive improvements were made in 1967.

Since the temple's inception; all the rulers of Nepal have taken great pains to pay their respects to it; to make donations; and to finance extensions. Pictures From Asia Rainer Krack