Pashupatinath Visitor Guide: Entry Rules, Evening Aarti and Etiquette

This Pashupatinath visitor guide explains what you need to know before you go: the 2026 entry fee, who can enter the main temple, where to watch the evening aarti, and how to behave around the cremation ghats with care.

Pashupatinath is one of the most sacred Hindu sites in the world, dedicated to Shiva as Pashupati, lord of all living beings. It spreads along both banks of the Bagmati River in eastern Kathmandu, with temples, shrines, ghats and courtyards that have drawn pilgrims for centuries. It's part of the Kathmandu Valley's UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It's also a place of grief and farewell. Families bring their loved ones here for cremation on the riverbank. Visiting well means remembering that at all times.

Quick facts

• Best season: any time of year; October to April is most comfortable.

• Budget: entry NPR 1,000 (about US$7) per day for most foreign visitors and non-Indian SAARC nationals. Nepali and Indian nationals enter free. As of November 2026.

• Time needed: 2–3 hours, longer if you stay for the evening aarti.

• Nearest hub: central Kathmandu; Boudhanath is about 2 km to the north.

Getting there

Pashupatinath sits on the eastern side of Kathmandu, close to the airport. A taxi or ride-hailing app from Thamel is the simplest option; traffic can be heavy in the late afternoon, so leave extra time if you're aiming for the evening aarti.

Many visitors combine Pashupatinath with Boudhanath, about 2 km north. You can walk between them through local neighbourhoods, or take a short ride.

Entry fee and opening hours

The Nepal Tourism Board lists the entry fee at NPR 1,000 (about US$7) per day per entry for foreign and Chinese visitors and for SAARC nationals other than Indians. Nepali and Indian nationals enter free.

The wider Pashupatinath area is open daily from early morning (around 4am) until 9pm, according to the Pashupatinath Area Development Trust.

Who can enter the main temple?

The main sanctum of Pashupatinath is open to Hindus only. This is a firm rule, and gate staff enforce it. Paying the entry fee does not change it.

Non-Hindu visitors are welcome in the wider complex: the ghats, gardens, terraces and many surrounding shrines. From the eastern bank of the Bagmati, you get a clear view of the main temple's golden roofs and the riverside below.

What to see

The view from the eastern bank

Climb the stone terraces on the east side of the river and you'll look across to the main temple, its gilded roofs catching the light. Below, the riverbank buzzes with pilgrims, priests and families. It's the best vantage point for non-Hindu visitors and the spot where the evening aarti is watched.

The ghats

The stone platforms along the river are used for ritual bathing and for cremation. Watching from across the river, at a respectful distance, is accepted. Coming close, filming or intruding on a family's ritual is not.

Shrines and courtyards

Around the main temple you'll find many smaller shrines, stone lingams and quiet courtyards.

Sadhus

You'll likely meet sadhus, Hindu holy men, in saffron robes and painted faces. Some may ask for a donation if you photograph them. Always ask first, and agree on what's expected before you raise a camera.

Mrigasthali

Above the eastern bank, a wooded area known as Mrigasthali offers a calm walk among trees and old shrines, a short climb away from the busy riverside.

The evening aarti

Every evening, priests perform an aarti on the banks of the Bagmati, with lamps, chanting, bells and music offered to Shiva. Visitors of all backgrounds may watch from the designated viewing area on the eastern bank.

It usually begins around sunset, roughly 6pm, but timings vary by season and published schedules don't always agree. Ask at the gate or your hotel on the day, and arrive at least 30 minutes early to find a good spot. Security checks and crowds can slow you down.

The aarti is a religious ceremony, not a show. Sit quietly, keep your phone on silent, and follow what people around you do.

Cremation etiquette

This is the most important part of visiting Pashupatinath. Cremations happen daily, and families are mourning.

• Watch only from a distance, ideally from the eastern bank across the river.

• Do not photograph or film cremations. Photography is not permitted during cremation ceremonies.

• Never approach a funeral group or walk through a cremation area.

• Keep your voice low and your behaviour calm.

• Ignore anyone offering to take you closer for a fee.

Understanding what you see

Pashupatinath can be overwhelming at first. A little context helps.

For many Hindus, being cremated on the banks of the Bagmati here, close to Shiva's temple, is deeply meaningful, and families bring their loved ones here for these final rites. What can look confronting to a first-time visitor is, for the families involved, an act of love, duty and faith.

Around the ghats, you'll also see everyday devotion: people bathing, making offerings, lighting lamps and praying at small shrines. Priests perform rituals for the living as well as the dead. Pashupatinath is not only a place of endings, but a place where faith runs through every part of life.

If you'd like to understand more, a licensed guide can explain what's happening without intruding. Ask them to keep explanations quiet and to stay well back from any family ceremony.

Taking care of yourself

Some visitors find the cremations emotionally difficult to watch. That's completely normal. You don't have to stay by the river. The terraces, shrines and wooded paths above the eastern bank offer quieter spaces to sit and take a breath.

It also helps to remember that grief looks different everywhere. Some families mourn quietly, others openly. Whatever you see, the kindest response is the same: stay back, stay quiet and let people have their moment.

If you're visiting with children, think ahead about how much you'd like them to see, and plan to spend most of your time on the upper terraces and in the shrine areas. Talking with them beforehand about what they might see, in simple and gentle words, can make the visit easier for everyone.

What to wear

Dress modestly, with covered shoulders and knees. Remove shoes and leather items where signs ask you to. Light layers are useful: mornings and evenings by the river can be cool, especially from November to February.

Visiting during festivals

Maha Shivaratri, usually in February or March, is the biggest festival of the year at Pashupatinath. Huge crowds of pilgrims and sadhus gather, and normal visiting arrangements can change. During festivals, expect long queues, extra security and limited access to some areas. Check the festival date for the year before you go.

What to eat

There are simple tea stalls and snack shops around the temple gates. For a proper meal, Boudha's cafés are a short ride north. If you're coming for the aarti, eat beforehand, as you'll want to sit still for a while.

Where to stay

• Budget: guesthouses around Boudha, a short walk or ride away.

• Mid-range: boutique stays in Boudha with stupa views, or hotels in Thamel.

• Higher end: larger hotels in Boudha and around the airport area.

Sample itinerary

Half day

• Afternoon: arrive by 3–4pm, buy your ticket and explore the eastern terraces and shrines.

• Late afternoon: walk up to Mrigasthali for a quiet break.

• Evening: find your spot on the eastern bank early for the aarti.

Full day

• Morning: Boudhanath, with a slow kora around the stupa.

• Lunch: a rooftop café in Boudha.

• Afternoon and evening: walk or ride to Pashupatinath for the shrines and the aarti.

Practical tips

• Money: carry cash for the entry ticket and small donations.

• Guides: a licensed guide can explain rituals and history. Agree on a price and duration before you start, and only use official guides.

• SIM and data: useful for ride-hailing back to your hotel after dark.

• Safety: crowds gather in the evening. Keep your bag close and plan your ride home before the aarti ends.

• Respect: if in doubt, step back. This is a sacred place first and a sight second.

FAQ

Can non-Hindus enter Pashupatinath Temple?

Non-Hindus cannot enter the main sanctum. They are welcome in the wider complex, including the ghats, gardens, terraces and many shrines, and can view the main temple from the eastern bank.

How much is the Pashupatinath entry fee in 2026?

NPR 1,000 (about US$7) per day for most foreign visitors and non-Indian SAARC nationals. Nepali and Indian nationals enter free.

What time is the Pashupatinath aarti?

Usually around sunset, roughly 6pm, but it varies. Confirm the timing on the day and arrive early.

Can I take photos at Pashupatinath?

You can photograph the temple area and riverside from appropriate spots, but not cremations, and always ask before photographing people.

Is it respectful to visit the cremation ghats?

Watching quietly from across the river is accepted. Keep your distance, don't photograph, and remember that families are grieving.

Keep exploring

Want more thoughtful guides to Kathmandu's sacred sites? Subscribe to The Lokoon Letter for monthly guides and places to wander.