Category: Pilgrimage Sites

Staggering with extremely burning throat having drunk the venomous poison- which came out while churning the sea- Lord Shiva was wandering with parching mouth in the quest of water. As he reached Gosaikunda, he pierced the trident into the earth where burst out a spring out a spring of water. His burning throat was cooled with the water and the place was thus called Gosaikunda and the flowing water came to be named as Trisuli, Trishulganga (holy river flowing out of trident). Lord Shiva is believed to have said himself that one who has a holy dip at this place, and offers dana (charity) can have the grace of Lord Shiva. It is located in Rasuwa district of Bagmati zone to the north of Kathmandu.

The Dakshinkali temple is situated at the south west of Kathmandu City. Goddess Kali, one of the nine goddesses is believed to fulfill the wishes of the pilgrims. Animals are sacrificed in large number especially during Dashain, the biggest festival in Nepal. Devotees through at this place every day during the nine days (Navaratri) of Dashain Festival. Normally people visit the temple every Saturday and Tuesday.  As the site is peaceful and is surrounded by rhododendron forests, it offers unique scenic and religious pleasure.

Jaleshwor literally means God of water because of the Shiva Linga situated under the surface of the water. Located in Mahottari district of central terai region of the country, it is said that about 250 years ago, a hermit named Jagadesh had visited this place and had meditated. He then made a prophecy that the soil of this place would crack and Shiva Linga would emerge. Because of this belief, even today, the ritual of offering food to the hermit Jagadesh takes place in the month of Mangsir (November/December), of each year and his Shraddha is performed. During the Shivaratri festival, great religious gatherings take place at this temple.

The temple of Dolakha Bhimsen in Dolakha district of eastern Nepal is a very important site for all Hindus. It is commonly believed that this temple was already in existence in the 7th century. There is a strong belief that people will be blessed with children if they pay a visit and worship Bhimeshwor, the idol of this temple. The devotees will also be blessed with a prosperous life and be saved from evil. The occasional perspiration of the stone idol is strongly believed to be the sign of impending natural calamity or political changes in the country.

Lord Vishnu, by taking the incarnation of a boar (Baraha) protected the earth from being submerged into Patal (underworld) with his long tusk. Then the Lord sat with his wife Laxmi at the bank of Koshi River and the lap of Himalayas and hills. So, the place bore its name after that event. There is a big and beautiful image of the Baraha incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that all wishes are fulfilled during life and one gets the eternal grace from Lord Vishnu after death if one takes holy dips at the confluence of Koshi and Koka rivers and worships god at the temple. Shradda performed at this place has greater value than that performed at Gaya

Halesi Mahadev caves located in the western part of Khotang district of eastern Nepal are believed to have been dug by Lord Shiva to hide himself from demon, Bhasmasur who had acquired the power to set anyone on fire. Haleshi Mahadevastha is also known as Pashupatinath of the east. This cave temple has a Shiva linga that pilgrim worship. Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims from different parts of Nepal and India visit Haleshi during Maha Shivaratri, Rama Nawami and other special occasions. Haleshi is now being developed into a tourist destination.

Goddess at Pathibhara is believed to fulfill the long – cherished dreams of her devotees, like son for sonless and wealth for poor. Devotees make pilgrimage to Pathibhara where their wishes come true. Buddhists living in the vicinity light lamps at the temple on the full moon nights. There are several ponds in the area of Pathibhara of Taplejung district, far eastern region of Nepal where pilgrims take holy dips and observe traditional fairs.In this region, pilgrims can also visit monasteries situated in Olangchungola and Lungchung, the waterfall at Sawa and the pond of Timbuk, during autumn and spring every year.

The above lines say that Goddess Malika Temple is located at the side of Briddaganga, in front of Karnali River at the height of 4210 m. in Bajura district of Seti zone. On the left of the temple lies devatata and to the south is a mountain called Poor. It is believed that those born in the previous life the devotion of goddess, devi go to visit the temple.Even the human beings who have committed the crimes like killing of Brahmanas, (Brhamhatya), drinking liquor (surapana) etc, can also be purged of sins if they visit the temple .The knowledge, which can not be possible through the knowledge of Sankhyayoga; the first explanation of earth ,can be achieved through this pilgrimage. This goddess is more famous than in other temples. To the south of the Briddaganga lies Khaptad Mountain (Achham) which is extended in the area of 56 x 22 miles. In the middle of the area are 5 images of Lord Shiva, carved by a famous craftsman in Hindu mythology, Vishwokarma. In located a sacred stone of Lord Shiva Shankara Sheela, surrounded by thousand personified columns, lingas, to be worshipped by gods and gandarvas (heavenly singers).Thus, Sahashreshwor Mahadeva is enshrined in the middle. Sahashreshwor is worshipped by gods in Khechar/ Khaptad area as widely as Bishweshwor in Kashi, Varanashi. Criminals and lepers also get deliverance from sins if they visit this place and worship gods. The value of this place has been further enhanced due to a great sage enlightened with knowledge of medicines, philosophy and religion, Khaptad Swami who stayed there for a long time until his death.

One, who reads and listed the myth of the emergence of Goddess Saileshwor, gets rid of crimes and gets blessings. Devout can be endowed son, property, Knowledge and salvation. Such an important place in Doti district.

The temple of Gadhi Mai, located in Bara district of central terai region, is visited by millions of Hindus. It is a temple where the largest numbers   of animal sacrifices are offered. A month –long fair is held in the month of Mangsir (November / December) once in every five years to   worship the goddess. During this fair the devotees first take a holy dip in the sacred pond and offer homage to the goddess with animal sacrifices. The sacrifices of animals to the goddess Gadhi Mai are believed to fulfill the wishes of her devotees.