Bajrayogini Temple

Bajrayogini Temple is a famous Tantrik temple of Kathmandu valley.It is also well known as bodhisatta(enlightement who is fulfilling the perfection to attain Buddhahood)'s temple. A very famous temple of Nepal of Bajrayogini situated in Sankhu, Kathmandu is supposed to have the greatest power of blessings. The adduced history explains that the king Mana Dev once mediated at Gun Bihar area.

After viewing the fourth century constructed water tap and artistically decorated statue in the area, it is confirm that the Bajrayogini is an ancient religious place of the Kathmandu Valley, the capital of Nepal. It was renovated during the period of Pratap Malla, a famous king of Malla regime in Nepal.

A religious book written in Newari Script about the chronological development of Bajrayogini is kept in the library of Denmark.

The Bajrayogini is 20 km North-east from the Kathmandu downtown and 2.5 km North from Sankhu, a nearby town. It was very famous since Kirat regime and named as Gun Bihar. Literally in Newari language Gun means Forests and Bihar means recreational place. Now it is called Gunbaha.

The temple of the goddess Bajrayogini is of three floored. Near the temple Dharmaghatu Chaitya is located, which is also believed older than the Swoyambhu Chaitya, according to Shidhiwar.

Bajrayogini is a goddess of red faced having three eyes, thumb and the middle finger of the right and left hands have decorated at bodily state Bajrayan tantra with a sword and amethyst work almost in full decoration with ornaments named Shree Shree Shree Prachanda Ugratara; respectively.

Around the area, there are nine caves that refer to the stone age. In one of the caves, there are two rooms. The priest, the ardent lover of the goddess goes into the cave for penance.

The Bajrayogini Fair continues from Chaite Purnima, Full Moon day that lies in March or April of the Gregorian calendar.

A very interesting story about the origination of Bajrayogini goddess written in the holy book is supposed to have brought into memory about 200 years ago. According to the book, at the starting of the Snow age and Bhadrakalpo’s age from the fork of the stone where the temple is now, a five-colored flame came out and after a long time, there a volcanic goddess. The first priest Gyanacharya Yogi who did penance in the cave, Shidikul Mahabihar and was given Bajracharya Dikshya (Super Knowledge) naming Bachashidi Bajracharya with his appointment. The present priest are generated from the ancestopr, Bachashidi Bajracharya.

Upon learning the heritage, the goddess gave order to Jog Dev Bajracharya to establish Shankharapur (conch-shell shaped town) near by the temple area to run the Fair in 1801 Kaligat Sambat. It is now called Sankhu.

It is also necessary to bring the historical, cultural legendary importance into the account in the world heritage list. Now Shree Bajrayogini Service Committee is taking care of the area with the help of HMG’s Department of Archeology, Trust Institutions and the public sectors. Chairman and Treasurer of the committee Mr. Govind Prasad Shrestha and Mr. Bishnu Prasad Shrestha; respectively are committed to develop the area.

Recently, District Soil Conservation Office of Kathmandu, Bagmati Integrated Watershed Management Project, Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management is working to conserve the area with the treatment of landslides and gullies.

The area is selected for the spot of 29th Soil Conservation Day celebration. Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management annually organize Soil Conservation day on 24 Shrawan to mark its establishment.

Chagu Narayan

Changu Narayan is the name of the deity enshrined in the Changu Narayan Temple, located near Changu village in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples of the valley, and is believed to be constructed in the 3rd century. Changu Narayan is the name of Vishnu, and the Temple is dedicated to him. A stone slab discovered in the vicinity of the temple dates to the 5th century, and is the oldest such stone inscription discovered in Nepal.It is listed as one of the world heritage site by UNESCO

The Changu Narayan Temple is one of seven structures cited by UNESCO as demonstrating the historic and artistic achievements that make the Kathmandu Valley a World Heritage Site.

Guheswari Temple

Guheswari Temple Kathmandu, Nepal Guheswari temple, also spelled Guhyeshwari or Guhjeshwari temple is one of the revered holy temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. It is believed that Lord Shiva wandered the world carrying the body of Sathidevi after she burned herself to death. During this process, her yoni, the female sexual symbol, fell at this place. King Pratap Malla built this temple in the 17th century.

The temple name originates from guhya (vagina) and ishwari (goddess). Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter this temple.

Guheswari Temple is located near Pashupatinath temple. It represents female force.

Janaki Mandir

Janaki Mandir (Nepali: जानकी मन्दिर) is a Hindu temple which is at the heart of Janakpur, Nepal. It is dedicated to goddess Sita.

It is an example of 'Hindu-Rajput' architecture. This is considered as the most important model of the Rajput architecture in Nepal.


History

The Janaki Mandir was built by Queen Brisabhanu Kunwar of Tikamgarh from central India in AD 1911, at a cost of Rupees 900,000. In local parlance, the temple is also called Nau Lakha Mandir or Temple of Nine Lac Rupees.


In 1657, a golden statue of the Goddess Sita was found at the very spot, and Sita is also said to have lived there. The legend had it that it was built on the holy site where Sannyasi Shurkishordas had found the images of Goddess Sita. In fact, Shurkishordas was the founder of modern Janakpur and the great saint and poet who preached about the Sita Upasana (also called Sita Upanishad) philosophy. Legend has it that King Janak performed the worship of 'Shiva-Dhanus' on this very site. This temple has preserved the broken idol of King Janak and other beautiful idols.

Janaki Mandir

Janaki Mandir (Nepali: जानकी मन्दिर) is a Hindu temple which is at the heart of Janakpur, Nepal. It is dedicated to goddess Sita.

It is an example of 'Hindu-Rajput' architecture. This is considered as the most important model of the Rajput architecture in Nepal.


History

The Janaki Mandir was built by Queen Brisabhanu Kunwar of Tikamgarh from central India in AD 1911, at a cost of Rupees 900,000. In local parlance, the temple is also called Nau Lakha Mandir or Temple of Nine Lac Rupees.


In 1657, a golden statue of the Goddess Sita was found at the very spot, and Sita is also said to have lived there. The legend had it that it was built on the holy site where Sannyasi Shurkishordas had found the images of Goddess Sita. In fact, Shurkishordas was the founder of modern Janakpur and the great saint and poet who preached about the Sita Upasana (also called Sita Upanishad) philosophy. Legend has it that King Janak performed the worship of 'Shiva-Dhanus' on this very site. This temple has preserved the broken idol of King Janak and other beautiful idols.

Muktinath temple

Muktinath, a sacred place both for Hindus as well as Buddhists, is located at an altitude of 3,710 meters at the foot of the Thorong La mountain pass (part of the Himalayas), Mustang district, Nepal. The Hindus call the place Mukti Kshetra, which literally means the "place of salvation". It is also one of the 51 Sakthi peetams. Buddhists call it Chumig Gyatsa, which in Tibetan means 'Hundred Waters'. For Tibetan Buddhists Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa is a very important place of Dakinis, goddesses known as Sky Dancers and one of the 24 Tantric places. They understand the murti to be a manifestation of Avalokitesvara.

The temple

The shrine of Muktinath is considered one of the eight most sacred shrines for Hindu Vaishnavas known as Svayam Vyakta Ksetras, the other seven being Srirangam, Srimushnam, Tirupati, Naimisharanya, Totadri, Pushkar and Badrinath. The temple is very small. Muktinath is one of the most ancient Hindu temples of God Vishnu. The murti is of gold and is tall enough to compare with a man. The prakaram has 108 bull faces through which water is poured. It is of freezing temperature. There is an old Buddhist monk present in the temple. The worship is conducted by Buddhist nuns.

Legend

The Tibetan Buddhist tradition states that for this reason Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, had meditated at Muktinath on his way to Tibet.

Sri Murthy Mahatmyam

This is the only place on earth where you can find all five elements from which everything is made, according to the Hindu tradition: fire, water, sky, earth and air at the same place together in their own and distinct form. This place is near Jwala Devi temple.

The entire river bed has Shalagram stones which are prominent in worshiping Lord Vishnu.

According to Sri Vaishnava philosophy it is considered to be one of the Divya desam (108 in total) or holy places of worship of Lord Vishnu praised by Alwars in a compilation called the Nalayira Divya Prabandha.

It is said that one has to be gifted to get the darshan of Lord Sri Murthi and Goddess Sri Devi Thayaar.

Prasad

There is no specific priest to maintain the temple. Pilgrims who go there should offer food to Lord.

Darshan, sevas and festivals

The most suitable time to visit Muktinath is from March to June, as the weather conditions would not be safe enough to travel in other months. The journey passes through many archeological sites and temples.

Composers

Thirumangai Alvar could not reach Muktinath, but had sung from nearest place in praise of Lord Sri Murthy. Periyalvar had sung in praise of Sri Murthi as "Salagramamudaiya Nambi".

Travel access

It is quite difficult to travel because of tough weather conditions. One can fly from Delhi to Kathmandu and then from Kathmandu to Jomsom Airport. From there, trekking can be done or one can use a private helicopter. The helicopter would take around 45 minutes to reach and then it would leave there for 1 hr and then the return trip is taken. The helicopter can be hired only when the weather permits.

Pashupatinath temple

Pashupatinath temple (पशुपितनाथ मन्िदर ) is a Hindu temple located on the shore of the Bagmati river on the eastern part of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

It is regarded as the most sacred temple of Shiva (Pashupati) in Nepal. "Shivaratri" or night of lord Shiva is the most important festival celebrated in this temple. Along the shores of the Bagmati river near the temple lies "Arya Ghat", the most widely used place of cremation for the deceased in Nepal, especially in and around the Kathmandu valley. There is also a large market in the streets surrounding the temple. Vendors sell souvenirs to tourists, but also cloth, dyes, and religious supplies. Believers of the faith Hinduism are allowed to enter the temple. Non-Hindu visitors are allowed to have a look at the temple from the other bank of Bagmati river.

The priests who perform the services at this temple are always from south India. This tradition is supposed to have started by Sage Shankaracharya in 6th century, ostensibly to stop human sacrifice which was prevalent in that temple. Another interpretation is that Indian priests are stationed at Pashupatinath because when the King passes away, the entire Nepali people are supposed to stop religious services and enter a year long period of mourning. As the Pashupatinath needs to be eternally worshipped, Indians were brought to make sure that the Pashupatinath is worshipped even at the time of official mourning. One of the best known of these priests was Raval Padmanabha Shastri Adiga (1927-2005). He started as a priest in 1955 and was promoted to Chief priest in 1967. In his time, he started a movement to use the temple funds for local development. He retired in 1993 and moved back to his home town Udupi.

The temple is of pagoda architecture. The two level roofs are of copper with gold covering. It has four main doors, all covered with silver sheets. The western door has a statue of large bull or Nandi, again covered in gold. The deity is of black stone, about 6 ft in height and about 6ft circumference.

The priests are called Bhattas and the chief priest is known as Mool Bhatt or Raval. The chief priest is answerable only to the King of Nepal and reports to him on the matters of temple on periodic basis.main temple