Kathmandu— Ghanshyam Pandey, born in 1781 in Uttar Pradesh, India, is globally recognized as Swaminarayan, a central figure in Hinduism with over 20 million followers worldwide. From age eleven, he embarked on a seven-year pilgrimage across India and Nepal, visiting sacred sites like Mount Kailash and Muktinath while developing his spiritual philosophy emphasizing ethics, non-violence, and education. This journey established a tradition now internationally recognized, drawing devotees to locations connected with his life and offering potential for increased religious tourism in Nepal.

A Life Dedicated To Spiritual Seeking

Swaminarayan’s early life was marked by intense spiritual practice and travel. He left home at a young age, journeying through pilgrimage sites across India before reaching Gujarat where he became known as Neelkantha Varni and later received the name Sahajananda Swami after initiation from Guru Ramananda Swami. It was his preaching of the “Swaminarayan” mantra that ultimately led to him being widely recognized as Swaminarayan Bhagwan by his followers.

The Himalayan Journey And Muktinath

According to records within the Swaminarayan tradition, Neelkantha Varni’s travels extended into the Himalayas. He reached Mount Kailash through Nepal and spent two and a half months meditating at Muktinath, a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists. This period of austerity – performing penance while standing on one leg with a stick – is particularly significant to Swaminarayan followers, with idols depicting this practice found in Akshardham temples around the world. As a result, Muktinath holds special importance within the sect, attracting thousands of visitors annually.

Potential For Increased Religious Tourism

The route taken by Swaminarayan through Nepal presents an opportunity to attract India’s Vaishnava pilgrim market and boost religious tourism in the country. The path from Butwal, via Galeshwor and other sites, to Muktinath is seen as a particularly promising corridor for spiritual travelers. Local municipalities, the Nepal Tourism Board, and Swaminarayan organizations are exploring ways to promote this route, potentially connecting it with sites like Mahadatta Sen’s palace in Butwal and temples in Palpa.

Establishing A Clear Pilgrimage Path

Currently, efforts are underway to clearly define and map the historical path of Swaminarayan’s journey through Nepal. This includes coordinating with municipalities along potential routes – from Bhairahawa and Lumbini to Muktinath – as well as collaborating with Swaminarayan organizations in both India and Nepal. Indian scholars have yet to fully agree on the precise route, making coordinated research essential for accurate promotion.

With millions of Swaminarayan followers worldwide, particularly within Indian diaspora communities in Gujarat, Maharashtra, the UK, America, and Canada, there is significant potential to increase religious tourism to Nepal through this historically and spiritually important pilgrimage path. This initiative could also complement Nepal’s broader goals for health and spiritual tourism.

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.