Was Pashupatinath Temple Damaged In Earthquake?

On Saturday morning, a massive 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal, devastating the capital of Kathmandu, and causing incalculable damage to homes and businesses. Early estimates approximate this weekend's colossal quake could have resulted in at least 700 deaths, including at least 8 dead as a result of a Mount Everest avalanche triggered by the quake, with still thousands more injured and unaccounted for. While there is clearly tremendous scarring to buildings in and around the capital, immediate concern has been expressed over the condition of Pashupatinath Temple following the earthquake, which has reported only suffered minor damage. (Update: The death toll has now risen to over 3,800, and more than 6,000 people are thought to be injured.)

Located on both banks of Bagmati River on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu, Pashupatinath Temple is one of Nepal's most sacred Hindu temples. The earthquake was centered roughly 50 miles from Nepal's capital of Kathmandu, putting it dangerously close to the revered temple, located in the heart of the small South Asian country.

Exact details on what kind of damage has been done to Pashupatinath Temple as a result of the destructive earthquake, with information about this and other widespread damage still coming in, but for now, it appears as though this valued Hindu landmark isn't on the staggering list of places destroyed and irrevocably damaged in this tragic disaster.

Image: Wikimedia