At Pashupatinath, there is a belief that the end of the Kaliyug (the current age in Hindu cosmology) will occur when a great flood, as prophesied in ancient scriptures, will submerge the temple. According to the belief, when this flood happens, the Pashupatinath temple will remain standing as a symbol of divine protection and the presence of Lord Shiva. This marks the final phase of the world’s cycle, after which a new era, known as Satya Yuga (the age of truth), will begin.
This belief is tied to the cyclical nature of time in Hindu philosophy, where the universe goes through four ages (Yugas): Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapara Yuga, and Kaliyug. Kaliyug is considered the darkest and most corrupt age, and the end of Kaliyug is expected to bring about a significant transformation, leading to the renewal of the world. The belief at Pashupatinath connects the temple's sacredness to this cosmic event, representing the endurance of truth and divinity amidst the destruction of the current age.