Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Pashupati is an epithet of the Hindu god Shiva, meaning "lord of animals". This name is associated with the Pashupata sect, one of the earliest Hindu groups to worship Shiva as the supreme deity. The most sacred site dedicated to Pashupati is the Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal, a significant pilgrimage destination where devotees believe dying there leads to salvation. The temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, dates back to at least the 5th century BCE, with current structures from the 15th century CE.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.