Sightseeing · Mustang
Muktinath Temple
A 3,800m temple sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike — 108 water spouts and an eternal flame in the Mustang heights.
- Rating
- ★ 4.8 (2200)
- Price
- $
- Address
- Muktinath, Mustang, Gandaki Province
Muktinath is one of Nepal's most revered pilgrimage sites, sitting high in the arid heights of Mustang at around 3,800m. Sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, it draws pilgrims from across the subcontinent to a windswept complex of shrines, springs and prayer flags above the Kali Gandaki valley.
What to expect
The temple is best known for its 108 water spouts, a curving wall of brass bull-head fountains fed by glacial water, beneath which devout pilgrims bathe in turn. Nearby, a natural eternal flame burns over a spring — a rare meeting of fire and water that gives the site much of its spiritual weight. The setting, ringed by bare ochre slopes and distant snow peaks, is striking in its own right.
Good to know
- Altitude: At 3,800m the air is thin — walk slowly and take it easy, especially if you have come up quickly by jeep.
- Access: Muktinath is in freely accessible Lower Mustang on the standard Annapurna permit, but confirm current rules before travelling.
- Nearby: Pair a visit with the medieval village of Kagbeni on the way up, and see where it sits among the region's other highlights in the best things to do in Mustang.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is Muktinath temple?+
Muktinath sits at around 3,800m in the Mustang district of Gandaki Province, in the upper Kali Gandaki valley behind the Annapurnas. It is reached from Jomsom by jeep or on foot via Kagbeni, and is a fixed stop on the lower Mustang circuit.
Why is Muktinath sacred?+
It is one of the rare sites holy to both Hindus and Buddhists. Hindus revere it as one of the Char Dham and a Vishnu shrine, while Buddhists honour it as a place linked to Guru Rinpoche. Pilgrims come for the 108 water spouts, the sacred springs and the natural eternal flame.
What are the 108 water spouts at Muktinath?+
Behind the main temple is a wall of 108 brass spouts shaped like bulls' heads, fed by glacial water. Devout pilgrims bathe under each one in turn — an icy ritual believed to wash away sins — making the spouts the temple's most famous feature.
Do you need a permit to visit Muktinath?+
No special restricted-area permit is needed. Muktinath lies in Lower Mustang, which is freely accessible on the standard Annapurna Conservation Area permit. Confirm the current permit requirements before you travel, as Mustang's rules can change.
