PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE
Pashupatinath temple serves as the seat of Nepal’s national deity, Lord Pashupatinath. Pashupati is an incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva as "lord of the animals". He is revered throughout the Hindu world, but especially in Nepal, where he is unofficially regarded as a national deity.
I got a ride to Pashupatinath Temple by Aadesh Bhattarai cutting through Katmandu Traffic with his scooter. Approaching rush hour traffic before day's end required a scooter to arrive before dark. Luckily we had minimal traffic and travel time was short.
It was my luck to be escorted by Aadesh Bhattarai. He is the former Nepales Yoga Champion, a children's yoga teacher and spiritual musician. Although a former yoga champion he stopped after a few competitions in order to focus his practice more deeply. It is said by him that because the depth of yoga is without competition he had to stop competing in order to stay true to his next step on the path of yoga. His reputation as a yoga champion attracted children to learn from him in order to compete. While teaching children to compete the message of non-competition is conveyed by him as the future outlook. It is understood that the first 25 years of life is about study. There is no better time to compete than these first years due to our evolutionary heritage to survive in our distant past. It is an imperative step for many children to compete express such sentiment and most importantly with his teachings the message of growing into non-competitiveness is conveyed. This enables children to move from the competitive frame of mind into the deeper practice of yoga when they become adults during their work and family stage of life.
Aadesh Bhattarai, is a spiritual musician that expresses himself in rap songs. Spirituality is expressed in different forms all over the world. As the world changes and new forms of music emerges then so will the expression of spirituality be conducted through such new mediums of musical expression. For this reason Aadesh Bhattarai is truly one of the most contemporary yoga practitioners and teachers you may come across.
Pashupatinath Temple is a revered Hindu temple near Kathmandu listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is seat of Nepal’s unofficial national deity Lord Pashupatinath who is an incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva as "lord of the animals”. Shiva is part of the Hindu trinity Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. A trinity comparable to that of the father, son and holy ghost in Christianity. A trinity concept merely serves to remind us that the underlying truths of all religions are the same. We merely express that truth in different ways. Whether you are a person of religion or an atheist the beauty of the music and uplifting vibrations of the grounds is undeniable when visiting the temple of Pashupatinath.
After visiting Pashupatinath Temple I was privileged to be introduced to Dasanudas Hari Das Baba, their family friend, who is a cave-dwelling local guru. He lives next to the temple in this cave that is no more than a few meters squared. Ten years is the dedicated time that will be lived here before returning to his ashram in India.
Seen on my forehead is a tika. The tika is a mark created by the application of fragrant paste, such as sandalwood or vermilion on the forehead. This is done as a rite of passage on special religious occasions depending on regional customs. It is also a welcome and expression of honor for guests.
Yoga, although coming from Hinduism, at its core is not a religion. For myself, as a baptized Catholic during my childhood, I grew into adulthood as a believer in all religions as a whole. I am always happy to participate in different religious customs due to the positive intention behind them. I am happy to have the intentions behind the application of a tika by Dasanudas Hari Das Baba. I feel blessed by him.
Seen on my forehead is a tika. The tika is a mark created by the application of fragrant paste, such as sandalwood or vermilion on the forehead. This is done as a rite of passage on special religious occasions depending on regional customs. It is also a welcome and expression of honor for guests.
Yoga, although coming from Hinduism, at its core is not a religion. For myself, as a baptized Catholic during my childhood, I grew into adulthood as a believer in all religions as a whole. I am always happy to participate in different religious customs due to the positive intention behind them. I am happy to have the intentions behind the application of a tika by Dasanudas Hari Das Baba. I feel blessed by him.
YOGA RETREATS
