The
author performed the Muktinath yatra in
2014 after the completion of Holy Kailash Manasarovar yatra from Kathmandu. It
cost of the yatra was Rs.20000/- from
Kathmandu to Kathmandu. The itienary was
as follows from Kathamndu by bus to
Pokhra in between they prayed at Mano Kamna Devi temple and stay at Pokhra.
Then travelledby air from Pokhra to
Jomsom and by bus theytravelled to
Muktinath had a fine darshan and came
back back and stayed at Jomsom. On the
third day by air back to Pokhra and tour of Pokhra. On the fourth day they
returned to Kathmandu by bus.
As
Muktinath is located among the snow covered peaks at an elevation of 3710m it
remains inaccessible for most part of the year as it remains in the draconian
hold of snow. So the best time to visit Muktinath is from middle of April to third week of May. After that when the
monsoon starts there is likely hood of land slides and should be avoided. Also September middle to October
middle one can visit Muktinath but cold will be severe during this period and
would need adequate warm clothing.
The
normal route for Indians for the visit to Muktinath is from Kathmandu which can be reached by air from
Delhi and many other Indian cities. Nowadays bus service is also there between
Delhi and Kathmandu also Varanasi and Kathmandu also is connected by Bus. From
Kathmandu normally the pilgrims travel to Pokhra by bus, air service is also
there between Kathmandu and Pokhra. From Pokhra the pilgrims reach Jomsom by
air. But as air service is very much dependent on weather in inclement weather
like rain, high velocity wind and snow the pilgrims have to travel by bus/ jeep
from Pokhra, where as it takes about 45
minutes by air, it will take about 8 hrours if one travel by road from Pokhra
to Jomsom. Many times because of inclement weather the pilgrims are forced to
travel by road. From Jomsom to Muktinath
taxi stand jeeps and small buses are available. Some pilgrims trek in this
stretch. From Muktinath taxi stand to the gate of the Muktinath stand one can
trek or take motor bikes. On the return thay take the same path and return to
Kathmandu.
The
second route is through Gorakhpur. One can travel by train upto Gorkahpur have
the darshan of Gorknath and then by bus travel upto Pokhra and then travel to
Jomsom and Muktinath and return by the same route or travel to Kathmandu and
then return home from there. Normally buses are not allowed to cross the border
so one has to travel upto the border town by Indian bus and then cross over
into Nepal and travel by local bus/ jeep upto Pokhra. The cost will be less but the yatra time
increases when one travels by train. When one travels by this route they can
visit Janakpur where the marriage of Sita and Ram was solemnized, Sitamarhi
when Sita was found by King Janaka, Lumbini the birth place of Gautama Buddha
depending upon their convenience. Earlier there was helicopter service directly
upto Muktinath from Pokhra but now that service is suspended.
From
Kathmandu (1500 m) the pilgrims can fly
directly to Jomsom (2700 m) or travel by bus to Pokhra (800m) and the next day they fly to Jomsom.
The other options are trvel by jeep from Pokhra to Jomsom which will
take about 12 hrs, or perform 6 day trek to Jomsom starting from Pokhra. From Jomsom walk to Kagbeni (2900 m) to
Jhargot (3400m) to Muktinath (3710m) in about 7 hours trek. Go by rented horse
in about the same time. Go on the back of a local rented motor bike or travel
in jeep/ Small bus. For acclimatization stay at Pokhra and Jomsom is a must.
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