When you think of Kathmandu Valley temples, you probably think of Pashupatinath, Nyatapola, or Kaasthamandap; however, when you’re in the city of temples, there are more temples in the city than you realize.
There are pagoda-style temples, monasteries, and stupas all over Kathmandu, and can be found just around the corner in every local community. Although they are not as well known as the Pashupatinath Temple or Swoyambhunath Stupa, Nepalese worship them as deities and guardians.
Although Nepal’s famous temples have hosted diverse ethnic groups, races, and traditions, they have maintained religious tolerance to the fullest extent. A Buddhist pilgrim site and a Hindu pilgrim site are both in the same area, as are Christians and Muslims exchanging smiles and living together.
This blog will showcase a few of those temples and highlight their significance to local communities:
- Maitidevi:
The Maiti Devi Bhagwati Temple is located between Delhi Bazaar and Gyaneshwor and has been worshiped and maintained by Newar Vajracharyas for generations. The temple has been hosting morning and evening pujas with local priests and community members conducting pujas and other cultural activities.
Devotees come here mainly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays as devotees believe they will get what they ask for from Mathidevi during these days. Devotees believe that worship at this temple brings happiness to the mind and fulfills the desires of the heart.
Every year, a special fair is held here on the day of the dog festival, the ninth day of Dashain and Chaite Dashain. Decorated with many lights during Dashain, the temple is very beautiful and pleasant to visit.
- Naxal Bhagawati:
Naxal Bhagwati is a temple dedicated to the Naxal goddess in Kathmandu, attracting hundreds of devotees every day. As one of Nepal’s most famous and oldest heritages, the Naxal Goddess is also known as Satya Swaroopini, meaning truth incarnate.
Also, Naxal is Goddess Aryamata, who fulfills all the wishes of her devotees. According to legend, the Temple of Women’s Consciousness is a shrine that encompasses concepts of sexuality, gender, and spirituality from East and West
It is also considered the ninth manifestation of the Naxal goddess Lord Durga and is visited by a large number of devotees during Dashain, especially during Asthami. Naxal Goddess Durga is known to protect her devotees from the manifestation of evil energies and evil spirits.
- Shova Bhagawati:
Shobha Bhagawati is a shrine dedicated to the Hindu goddess Bhagawati in Kathmandu, Nepal. The temple of Shova Bhagawati is one of Nepal’s most important Shakti peeths. During Dashain, many devotees visit the temple and offer animal sacrifices on Navami, the ninth day of Dashain.
The name ‘Shobha’, which is derived from Sanskrit, also refers to everything offered by ‘brightness’ or ‘32 lachin’. As the name suggests, the goddess Shobha is considered to be the goddess of perfection and glory. Goddess Shobha Bhagavati is believed to fulfill the wishes of her devotees.
Hindus regard Goddess Shova Bhagwati as a very powerful goddess who can fulfill the wishes of any of her devotees. The temple is a three-storey building with a copper roof and a bastion of all characteristics surrounding the temple and it is very beautiful and beautiful.
- Ganesh temple, Gairidhara:
The Kamaladi Ganesh Temple near the Ghantaghar (Clock Tower) is dedicated to the Hindu god Ganesha, who is known for helping devotees clear obstacles. The temple also has small monuments dedicated to Durga, Mahadev, and Krishna Buddha and a beautiful pagoda-style structure.
The temple is packed with people on Tuesday, an auspicious day when devotees offer prayers to Lord Ganesha. Additionally, locals are also known to visit the temple when starting a new business, buying a new home, or buying a car to bless their success and happiness.
- Bhatbhateni Temple Mothaa: Dyaa:
Located just across the Naxal Bhat Bhatbhaeni Street, it is very popular among Hadigaon residents and locals. The temple has rich wooden beams and an impressive exterior with stained glass panels depicting members of the Brahmayani and Astamatrika sects (goddess sects).
On the walls of the second floor, you can see home furnishings being offered, which are believed to inspire desire. In addition, they worship a Brahmin couple, and their blessings are known to cure children of their diseases.
It is believed that worshiping this temple will cure diseases of children, evil spirits and ghosts. There are many other deities in this beautiful temple. Every Sunday and Thursday, this temple is packed with worshippers.
The journey through the local sacred temples of the Kathmandu Valley is a pilgrimage for the soul. Exploring the local sacred temples of Kathmandu Valley provides insight into Nepal’s spiritual essence and highlights the profound interconnection of its varied cultural and religious traditions.
The sacred temples of the Kathmandu Valley represent the soul-stirring beauty of Nepal’s cultural and spiritual mosaic, leaving an indelible mark on those who visit them. Experience Nepal’s rich tapestry of heritage through the Himalayan Circuit Treks to witness its soul, embodied in sacred stones, bright prayer flags, and unwavering devotion to its people.