Exploring the Prospective of Dark Tourism in Pashupatinath: A Hindu Pilgrimage Site, Nepal

A unique and increasingly pervasive feature within the tourism landscapes in post-modern world is special interests of tourists death anything associated with death. It often believed that those who indulge disaster site tours could potentially awaken their spiritual journey. The visitor immersions, spaces death, events have taken place or are re-created, triggers social conscience, some shared emotion an experience involvement, event. Reckoning to this facet, Pashupatinath temple- a pilgrimage for followers Santana Vedic religion which shows comprehensive aspect Hindu rituals, symbols processes has been chosen. study proposes as dark destination explores convergence cultural heritage site, rituals area its characterization- particularly reference witnessing live open pyre burning at cremation ground (ghat) exclusively showcases eastern phenomenon death-spectatorship exhibited by ritual. Despite immense influence industry, potential induced not recognized formally stakeholders. Even though it widely consumed western visitors tourist element. tradition ghats inclusive all death-related threshold transition transgression, between life Henceforth, central tenet being “the death”, be firmly brought into realms discourse. findings based on prevalence push factors encourages consumption proposed product liminal conditions (an in-between position). To more specific, practice intellectualization emotion, convenience visits, edutainment elements, moral disengagement. prospective Pashupatinath, if entitled mere promotion crematory may send negative connotation raise ethical concerns. Hence, stakeholders should consciously introduce accompaniment popularized mainstream religious value site.