Suresh Gurung, a 34-year old mechanical engineer from Pokhara, Nepal, had everything most people strive for a steady job, a comfortable lifestyle and a supportive family. But despite checking all the boxes, something was missing.
Like many of us, Suresh found himself increasingly caught in the cycle of deadlines, screen time, and daily stress. His days were consumed by client meetings latenight technical reports, and a constant stream of notifications. While the world around him moved fast, he felt spiritually stagnant. There was a nagging emptiness that even weekend gateways or social events couldn't fix.
" I was living, but not feeling alive,"he admits.
This isn't unique to Suresh. A 2022 survey by the Nepali Health Research Council showed that nearly 40% of working professionals in urban Nepal report feeling mentally exhausted or spiritually disconnected at least once a week. The reasons range from professional pressure to the sheer absence of meaningful experiences.
Agitate: The Tipping Point
Suresh's breaking point came during the Dshain festival. As he visited relatives and engaged in rituals, he noticed how mechanical everything had become. The chants, the blessings - they were just habits, not heartfelt acts. His connection to his culture and spiritual roots had thinned overtime. That's when he remembered Muktinath.
As a child, he had heared stories from his grandfather about Muktinath Temple, nestled in the Mustang region of Nepal. A sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists, Muktinath stands at an altitude of 3710 meters, near the Thorong La mountain pass. According to tradition, bathing under the 108 water spouts at the temple washes away a lifetime of sins. It's not just a religious journey it's a physical and emotional test that leaves a lasting impact.
" I realize that i needed something more than a vacation, " Suresh said. " I needed a reset and Muktinath wasn't just a destination it was a path back to myself."
Solution: The Journey Begins
With minimal planning but maximum determination, Suresh took a five day leave from work. Unlike most tourists who opt for quick air travel to Jomsom and then a jeep ride to Muktinath, Suresh chose the long route a combined road and trekking journey. He wanted to feel every step, breathe every breath and absorb every change in the landscape.
Day 1 : Pokhara To Tatopani
Suresh started early, boarding a local bus to Beni and then on to Tatopani. The bumpy roads and dust didn't deter him. In fact, he welcomed the discomfort. At Tatopani, he soaked in the natural hot springs, known for their healing properties. " The locals believe the waters here cleanse not just the body, but also the mind, " he noted in his travel journal.
Day 2 - 3 : Tatopani To Kagbeni Via Jeep And Short Treks
The next two days were a mix of jeep rides and short treks. Suresh passed through Ghasa, Marpha ( Famous For Its Apple Orchards ) and Jomsom. Each village had its own rhythm stone houses, prayer flags fluttering in the wind and people who lived close to nature.
At Marpha, he spent a night in a local homestay where the host , a 70 year old Buddhist nun, shared stories of pilgrims from around the world. " People come here burdened with guilt, grief, or confusion and many leave lighter," she said.
Day 4 : Kagbeni To Muktinath On Foot
From Kagbeni, the real climb began. The trail to Muktinath was steep and windy, the altitude starting to show its effects. But the landscape was mesmerizing snow capped peaks, barren cliffs and the deep blue sky. The cold air burned his lungs but every step felt purposeful.
Finally, reaching the Muktinath Temple, Suresh was overwhelmed. The 108 water spouts were icy, but he took the plunge, bathing under each one. Locals say it takes courage to complete all 108 in freezing conditions, but for Suresh, the physical challange mirrored his internal transformation.
" I felt everything pain, release, joy and clarity. It was like peeling away years of built up mental fog," he recalled.
Why Muktinath Matters
Muktinath isn't just a temple. It's one of the few places in the world revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. For Hindus, it's one of the 108 Divya Desams ( Sacred shrines of Vishnu ). For Buddhists, it's associated with the guru Padmasambhava, who meditated in the region.
The temple complex is located at a unique juncture where the Himalayan mountain ranges meet the Tibetan plateau. It symbolizes a meeting point between heaven and earth, belief and experience.
The natural eternal flame inside the temple, fed by natural gas, is considered a divine manifestation of the five elements ( earth, water, fire, air and sky ). It's no wonder pilgrims describe it as a place where " the world feels thin, " and deeper truths became accessible.
Day 5 :Returning Home, Changed
Suresh returned to Pokhara five days later because of dusty, tired and sunburnt but deeply renewed. His colleagues noticed the change. He was mmore present in conversations, more focused at work and less bothered by the daily grind.
It wasn't miracle. It was the power of stepping away, reflecting and physically challenging oneself to break through internal barriers.
" I didn't find all the answers at Muktinath, " Suresh says, " but i rediscovered the questions that matter."
The Takeaway: Why You Should Consider A Journey Like This
In a world filled with superficial distractions and constant stress, a journey like Suresh's isn't just inspiring it's necessary. You don't have to be religious to find meaning in a pilgrimage. It's about intentional movement, about leaving behind noise to reconnect with yourself.
- Here's what Suresh's case shows us:
- Spiritual travel isn't escapism it's active healing.
- Physical effort enhances mental clarity.
- Meeting new people in unfamiliar settings brings unexpected wisdom.
- Nature is a better therapist than your smartphone.
You don't need a guidebook to start a journey like this. What you need is honesty about what is lacking in your life and the courage to pursue something deeper.
Conclusion
Suresh Gurung's journey to Muktinath wasn't a tourist adventure. It was a conscious decision to break free from routine and reconnect with something meaningful. His story is not about religious obligation but human necessity the need to feel, to question and to grow rapidly.
If you ever feel like your life is moving but you are standing still, maybe it is a time to pack a small bag and switch off your phone and take a real journey. Not to escape your life but to find your way back into it.
