Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa is a sacred place for both Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists. At 3750m, about 18 kms northeast of Jomsom in the North Central part of Nepal and falling within the Annapurna Circuit, it is also a popular trekking destination. Muktinath is a great example of how two religions can share the same holy spot with mutual respect and harmony.
Muktinath (the provider of salvation) is a holy site that thousands of devotees flock to for attaining the much sought after moksha. Lord Vishnu is supposed to have gotten Moksha here thus the name Muktinath or Lord of Salvation. Hindus call it Muktichhetra (place of salvation). Many Shaligrams found here are considered by Hindus as avatars of Lord Vishnua and thus fit for worship. Similarly, Buddhists call this valley the Chumig Gyatsa (place of a 108 waterspouts). It is believed that Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambha) the scholar-founder of Tibetan Buddhism, once meditated and gained lifetime achievement of spiritual knowledge here while on his way to Tibet in the 12th century.
The trip to Muktinath can be divided into two parts; going to Jomsom from Kathmandu and then to Muktinath from Jomsom. From Kathmandu you can take a bus to Pokhara and then another to Jomsom from there or once in Pokhara you can trek to Jomsom (6 days). Once in Jomsom you can walk to Kagbeni, then Jhargot and finally reach Muktinath in about 5-7 hours total.
