The Helicopter Tour to Muktinath is a popular way to visit the sacred site and avoid the long and strenuous trek usually required to reach the destination. The tour begins with a flight from Kathmandu or Pokhara to Jomsom, a small town in the Mustang district. Visitors take a short helicopter ride from Jomsom to Muktinath before returning to Jomsom and then to Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Religious Importance:
Muktinath is considered a sacred site by both Hindus and Buddhists and an important pilgrimage destination for devotees. According to Hindu mythology, the site is believed to be one of the 108 sacred sites of Vaishnavism. It is said that immersing in the cleansing waters of the Muktinath Temple is one of their sins and grants them liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
For Buddhists, Muktinath is believed to be the site where the great sage Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated and gained enlightenment. The site is also considered the abode of the Dakinis, female spirits associated with the Buddhist deity Tara.
The Muktinath Temple is the main attraction in Nepal. The shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, a major Hindu deity, and is known for its 108 stone taps (Muktidhara) that spout holy water. Devotees dip in the taps to cleanse themselves of their sins and attain salvation.
The temple also has a Buddhist shrine, which is located on the side of the temple and is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. The shrine has several statues of Buddhist deities, including Guru Rinpoche, Tara, and Avalokiteshvara.
The Muktinath Temple is a unique blend of Hindu and Buddhist architecture, with its pagoda-style roof and intricate carvings and designs.