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Crown Prince of Nepal greeted at Mukti-Gupteshwar in Minto Australia by Rama Misra
Based on reading of ancient scriptures by renowned scholars and gurus in India and Nepal, it was determined that the ancients intended for the 13th Jyotirlingam - the only naturally-formed Jyotirlingam outside of India - to be housed in Australia. The King of Nepal accepted these submissions.
The other 12 Jyotirlinga are in India.
The Government of Nepal transferred the 13th Jyotirlingam to Mukti-Gupteshwar in Minto Australia.
Representing the Government of Nepal, the Crown Prince of Nepal visited Mukti-Gupteshwar for the consecration of the 13th Jyotirlingam.
About the significance of Mukti-Gupteshwar and the 13th Jyotirlingam for positive relations between Australia, India and Nepal
The then King of Nepal released and gifted the 13th Jyotirlingham, enabling it to be transferred and established in Australia. Some community summaries also describe this as a gift made in 1999 by Nepal’s then King. Reference: News18 community news summary
In this tradition, a Jyotirlingham is not simply an artefact - it is understood as something living, and therefore its placement, and guardianship are treated with deep seriousness. Mukti-Gupteshwar’s narrative emphasises that the icon’s placement in Australia was not a matter of convenience, but of historical intention and broader cosmological geography as interpreted by scholars.
Royal visit
Representing Nepal at the time, the Crown Prince of Nepal visited Mukti-Gupteshwar in September 2000 in recognition of the 13th Jyotirlingham in Minto.
For devotees and visitors, this visit is remembered as a landmark point in Mukti-Gupteshwar’s history: a public affirmation that the icon had been entrusted to Mukti-Gupteshwar, and that its consecration in Australia carried recognised significance. It also symbolised a bridge between Nepal and Australia.
Community sources describe the establishment of the 13th Jyotirlingham at Mukti-Gupteshwar as occurring in 1999. Reference: TemplePurohit – Mukti Gupteshwar Mandir
Why Australia?
The 13th Jyotirlingham is situated far from India while remaining connected to an ancient historical tradition, that automatically connects Australia with this history. Invited friends may approach this explanation as cosmology or heritage.
Mukti-Gupteshwar has been referenced in the wider Australian community: References: ABC Listen – Earshot (mentions Prem & Rama Misra at Mukti-Gupteshwar), NSW Parliament – Notice Paper (mentions Mukti-Gupteshwar festival and holy book launch)
Milestones
- 1999: The 13th Jyotirlingham is described as being gifted/released from Nepal and established at Mukti-Gupteshwar; consecration is often referenced around Maha Shivaratri. Reference: TemplePurohit
- 2012: NSW Parliament documents refer to Mukti-Gupteshwar hosting significant cultural/religious community events, including launch of a holy book the Granth. Reference: NSW Parliament – Hansard PDF
- 2025: Land and Environment Court of NSW ordered there is no legal impediment to the grant of development consent. Reference: Legal Case Report Summary PDF