One chant, many callings: Why people gather for Pashupati’s aarati

Each evening, Kathmandu’s Bagmati banks glow with sankha sounds and gokul dhoop,offering pilgrims, travellers, and seekers a peaceful space for reflection.

If there is one place in Kathmandu that resonates deeply with both pilgrims and travellers, it is the sacred grounds of the Pashupatinath Temple. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its history is believed to date back to around 400 BC , making it one of the oldest and most revered Hindu temples in Nepal. Among its many rituals and traditions, the evening aarati has become a spectacle that visitors from near and far eagerly await.