"Nepal's second-tallest Shiva rises above Pokhara with blessing hand outstretched"
Pumdikot Shiva Statue
Pokhara, Gandaki Province, Nepal
At 1,500 meters above sea level, Nepal's second-tallest Shiva statue stands with blessing hand raised toward the Annapurna range. The 108-foot structure incorporates symbolic numerology throughout: 108 Shiva Lingas encircle the base, 108 steps ascend to the viewing platform. Inaugurated in 2021, Pumdikot Shiva Statue already draws devotees and visitors seeking Himalayan panoramas that span from Dhaulagiri to Manaslu.
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Quick Facts
Location
Pokhara, Gandaki Province, Nepal
Tradition
Site Type
Coordinates
28.1833, 83.9417
Last Updated
Jan 24, 2026
The Pumdikot Shiva Statue was crafted in Mathura, India, transported to Nepal, and formally inaugurated in 2021.
Origin Story
Unlike ancient temples that accumulate meaning over centuries, Pumdikot emerged from a specific project to create a new pilgrimage destination combining religious significance with scenic tourism. The statue was carved in Mathura—a city in Uttar Pradesh with deep connections to Hindu sacred art—before being transported to Nepal for installation.
The 2021 inauguration marked the beginning of the site's public life. Though young, the statue immediately became a recognizable landmark and draw for both devotees and visitors seeking viewpoints.
Spiritual Lineage
The statue embodies Shaivism—the worship of Shiva as supreme deity. While the specific site is new, it participates in a tradition of monumental Shiva images across the subcontinent, including the Kailashnath Mahadev Statue near Kathmandu (the only taller Shiva in Nepal).
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