Old Photo: Aakash Bhairav

Aakash Bhairav at around the turn of century

Location : Indrachoka, Kathmandu, Nepal.

In the photograph, the temple at the right side is that of Ākāśa Bhairava.

In many temples, people would not be allowed to go to the roof (except on some occasions, in some temples), unlike in this photograph. But locals would go to the roof of the temple from the top of the adjacent house. Now, after the reconstruction of this temple in 2000s, going to the roof (as in this photograph) is not allowed.

The photograph depicts a festive occasion, and people have gathered in large number at every possible places that outlook the street.

Seven Sister Deities of East Nepal Terai

पूर्वी नेपालका सात दिदीबहिनी देवी

पूर्व नेपालका सात दिदीबहिनी देवीहरूको सूची

१. गढीमार्इ, बरियारपुर, बारा

२. वीरता मार्इ, वीरगञ्ज, पर्सा
३. बैाधी मार्इ, मधुवन, बारा

४. संसारी मार्इ, शिवनगर पोथीयाही

५. कन्हार मार्इ
६. समीरा बगढ

७. घोडाही मार्इ, धरमपुर, रैातहट

गढीमार्इ, बारा

The temple of Gadhimai is best known for perhaps the largest fair in South Asia that attracts the largest animal sacrifices in the region. The Gadhimai fair, held once in every five years for 20 days, is also one of the largest sacrifices in the world too. The annual fair, however, does not go to that scale as in every five years.

The temple is located at Bariyarpur village of Bara district, and is one of most famous deities of the Terai belt and of Nepal too.

Hindus in this area regard Gadhimai and Taleju (the tutelary deity of the Malla rulers of the Kathmandu valley) as the same deity. They also refer to Taleju as Raja Gadhi Mai.

Lumbini: Buddhas, Birds and Beasts - ECSNEPAL

Lumbini: Buddhas, Birds and Beasts

This article is shared from Features section of ECS Nepal.

By: Daniel B Haber

The woman at the tour desk of the Kathmandu Guest House handed me my tickets to Lumbini on Buddha Air “how appropriate”, I thought. I flew out late Saturday night on the last Buddha Air flight from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa’s Gautam Buddha Airport.

It was pitch-dark on the lampless highway to the birthplace of the Light of Asia. Six or seven centuries before the Christian era—and some 2,000 years before the Disney-era—Lumbini, located on an important trade route between Kashi (Varanasi) and Taxila, was famed for its celestial pleasure groves. It was here that Queen Maya Devi, wife of King Sudodhana, chose to give birth to her baby son, a prince named Siddhartha who later became known as “The Buddha” or the Enlightened One.

Coming from polluted Kathmandu, the pristine atmosphere of Lumbini in the rural Terai is palpable. There are still shady groves and heavenly breezes even in the hot months such as April and May when Buddha Jayanti usually falls.

Lord Śiva

Seven Sister Deities of Far West Nepal

सुदूरपश्चिमका सात दिदीबहिनी देवी

सुदूरपश्चिमका सात दिदीबहिनी देवीहरूको सूची

१. बडीमालिका, बाजुरा

२. शैलेश्वरी, डोटी

३. उग्रतारा, डडेल्धुरा

४. डिलाशैनी, बैंतडी

५. निंगलाशैनी, बैंतडी

६. मेलैाली भगवती, बैंतडी

७. त्रिपुरा सुन्दरी, बैंतडी

बडीमालिका देवी, बाजुरा

Photo Courtesy: Bharat Bandhu Thapa

The Baḍīmālikā temple, in the Bājurā district, is at a height of 4219 meters above the sea level. It lies near the borders of Kālīkoṭ, Jumlā and Achām.

A large fair is held every year on the day of Janai Pūrṇimā at Baḍīmālikā, with visitors from as far as Kumāoñ and Garhwāl.

Purāṇic tales has it that the shoulder of Satī devī fell here, as Lord Śiva carried her dead body to roam around the universe in mourn.

How to reach?

• Reach Dhangaḍhī bazār.
• Take a 4:00 p.m. bus from Dhangaḍhī to Maure, Kailasmāṇḍu VDC, Bājurā district. You will reach Maure at 6:00 a.m. the next morning.
• A tedious walk from Maure: first night stay at Nātyeśvarī and the next day at Baḍīmālikā.

शैलेश्वरी, डोटी

Photo Courtesy: flickr.com

It is situated on the Silgaḍhī hill.

उग्रतारा, डडेल्धुरा

Photo Courtesy: flickr.com

It lies at 4 km from the Dadeldhurā bazār.

A large fair is held every year on the day of Kārtik Pūrṇimā (full moon) at this temple.

Legends have it that the Sākī castes, while ploughing their field, found an icon of Bhagvatī deity. Since then, the Sākī castes have been the pujārī (priest) of this temple.

It was reconstructed in 2038 B.S. in the pagoda style.

It is often said that upon visiting the Śaileśvarī temple of Dotī district, it is compulsory to visit this Ugratārā temple.

The temple area is also famous for a panoramic view of Api and Saipāl mountain range.

निंगलाशैनी, बैंतडी

Bhaṇḍārī = Narsingh Bhaṇḍārī

It lies along the road to Goṭhālāpānī, headquarter of Baitaḍī district.

The temple complex has icons of not only the devī deity, but also of Lord Rām and Kṛṣṇa as well.

Legends say the deity originated itself.

Devotees offer bells to this goddess, and also offer he-buffalo and goats for sacrifice.

त्रिपुरा सुन्दरी, बैंतडी

Bhaṇḍārī = Jit Singh Thāpā

A large fair is held on the month of Mangsir. 

Legends have it that in the 14th century, an icon of the Bhagvatī deity was found wrapped in cloth. It was later installed at a place called Tripurā, and, thereafter, named Tripurāsundarī. 

It is said that one has to leave the ground upon paying homage to the deity; for this devotees play on a swing.

Lord Viṣṇu with Goddess Lakṣmī on Garuḍa

Lord Viṣṇu with Goddess Lakṣmī on Garuḍa