BAGMATI BRIDGE CONNECTING THAPATHALI AND KUPONDOLE. PHOTO DATED : 1880 AD

Bagmati (Nepal Bhasa (Newari):बागमती क्या , नेपाली: बागमती नदी) is a holy river of Nepal. It flows through the Kathmandu valley and is the river separating Kathmandu from Lalitpur. It is a holy river for Hindus from all around the world after Ganga. A number of Hindu temples are located on the banks of this river. The importance of Bagmati also lies in the fact that Hindus are cremated on the banks of this holy river. According to the Nepalese Hindu tradition, the dead body must be dipped three times into the Bagmati river before cremation. Hindus and local buddhist of Kathmandu are creameted in Bagmati River from holy Gokarna Temple, Pashupatinath, Sankhamul, Pachali and Teku. Locals of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur want themself to be creameted in Aryaghat which is located in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple on the bank of Bagmati River. The chief mourner (usually the first son) who lights the funeral pyre must take a holy river-water bath immediately after cremation. Many relatives who join the funeral procession also take bath in the Bagmati River or sprinkle the holy water on their bodies at the end of cremation. But presently relatives don't bath after the cremation, they go back to their home and take a bath as the river it self can transmit disease. But still Bagmati River is thus considered purifying the people spiritually and physically. The river originates at Bagdwaar (Bag Tiger, dwar gate) on the northern hills of Kathmandu valley and flows by several important parts of Kathmandu (capital of Nepal) including the temple of Lord Pashupatinath, the holiest Hindu temple in Nepal. The river mixes with Bishnumati at Teku Dovan. The Dakshinkali temple complex is at the entrance to Chobar gorge, on the south of the valley. This gorge cuts through the Mahabharat Range or Lesser Himalaya. The river also crosses the lower Sivalik Hills before reaching the Terai, crossing into India, and joining the Kosi River.