Guhyeshwari Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal
Guhyeshwari
Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Hindu Goddess Sakthi located at
Kathmandu City in Nepal. The Temple is situated very close to famous
Pashupatinath Temple. Guhyeshwari is also spelled as Guheswari or Guhjeshwari.
It is one of the revered holy temples in Kathmandu, Nepal. This temple is dedicated to Adi Shakti. The temple is also a Shakti
Peetha near to the Pashupatinath Temple. It is said that this temple is the Shakti chair
of Pashupatinath Temple.
The
Guhyeshwari temple, dedicated to Sati Devi, Shiva's first wife, was built by
King Pratap Malla in the 17th century. The goddess is also called Guhyekali. It
is an important pilgrimage destination for general Hindu and especially for
Tantric worshipers. The Temple of Guhyeshwari lies about 1 km east of
Pashupatinath Temple and is located near the banks of the Bagmati
River. It is an important pilgrimage destination for the Hindus as
well as the Buddhists. Non- Hindus are not permitted to enter the Temple.
Etymology
The
temple name originates from the Sanskrit words Guhya (Secret) and Ishwari (Goddess). In Lalitha Sahasranama the 707th name of Goddess is mentioned
as Guhyarupini (The form of Goddess is beyond human perception and it
is secret. Another argument is that it is the secret 16th syllable
of the Shodashi Mantra).
Legends
Sakthi Peetha:
The
mythology of Daksha Yaga and Sati's self-immolation had immense
significance in shaping the ancient Sanskrit literature and even had impact on
the culture of India. It led to the development of the concept of Shakti
Peethas and there by
strengthening Shaktism. Enormous mythological stories in puranas took
the Daksha Yaga as the reason for its origin. When Shiva was
insulted by his father in law, Sati Devi was so angry that she jumped into flames
of Yaga (fire worship), an event which gave rise to the practice of Sati, or
self-immolation. Shiva was grief-stricken and picked up her corpse and began to
wander about as her body parts fell to the earth. The temple marks the spot
where her knowledge fell; Guhya means secret knowledge and Ishwari means
goddess.
It is
often mistaken fact for taking meaning of Guhya as vagina. The genitals of Sati
Devi fell on another Shakti Peetha worshipped by the name
"Kamarupa-Kamakhya" in Assam. Shakti
Peethas are shrines or divine places
of the Mother Goddess. These are places that are believes to have enshrined
with the presence of Shakti due to the falling of body parts of the corpse
of Sati Devi, when Lord Shiva carried it and
wandered throughout Aryavartha in sorrow. There are 51 Shakti Peethas
corresponding to the 51 letters of the Sanskrit alphabet. Each temple possesses
shrines for Shakti and Kala
Bhairava. The Shakti is Mahashira and the
Bhairava is Kapali.
Vajrayana Buddhism:
Newar
Vajrayana Buddhists consider Guhyeshwari
to be sacred to Vajra Yogini in
the form of Vajravarahi and to be the location of root of the mythical lotus
upon which Swayambhunath stupa
rests, which is also the umbilical cord which nurtures Kathmandu. In Tibetan
the place is called Pakmo Ngülchu (Varahi's womb fluid) and the water which
flows from the spring in the well in the temple is believed to be the sexual
fluid of Vajra Varahi.
The
Temple
The
Temple is located at the banks of River
Bagmati. The pagoda-style temple has a
distinct interior. The temple stands at the centre of a courtyard and is topped
with four gilded snakes that support the finial roof. Instead of a standing
figure of the Goddess, it has a flat figure parallel to the ground that is
worshipped by bowing down. The goddess is worshipped at the centre of the
temple in a kalasha (water jar) that is covered with a layer of silver and gold.
Next to the divine figure is a pond, the Bhairava Kunda. Devotees put their
hand inside the pond and whatever they get is considered holy and is accepted
as a blessing from the divine.
Religious
Significance
This
temple has great value to Hindus as well as the Buddhists. Guhyeshwari Temple is visited
before the main Pashupatinath Temple. This tradition is still followed by
members of the earlier Royal family. The Guhyeshwari Temple is worshipped first
and then other temples are visited. It is because of the belief of worshipping
Shakti before Shiva. This Temple is revered as an important Shakti Peetha, by
the Shaktism sect of Hinduism. There are 51 Shakti Peethas corresponding to the
51 letters of the Sanskrit alphabet.
This
temple is revered by Tantric practitioners and Tantric rites are performed in
this temple. The temple is also mentioned in the Kali tantra, Chandi tantra,
Shiva tantra Rahasya as one of the most important places for gaining the power
of tantra. The Newar community performs various Puja at Guhyeshwari Temple. Newari Bhoj
(feast) is also held at the temple during festivals. Newar Bajracharya
Buddhists worship Guhyeshwari as Vajrayogini.
Festivals
During
the first 10 days of Dashain (Navaratri), the main festival of the Hindus,
devotees from all over Kathmandu come to worship Goddess Guhyeshwari. A lot of
importance is placed in visiting this temple during this time. Statues of
different forms of Durga (Hindu Goddess) are placed around Guhyeshwari Temple
during this time. Guhyeshwari Yatra is
a festival, which is a tour that starts from Guhyeshwari following
Pashupatinath Temple and ends at Hanuman Dhoka, Basantapur. This tradition has
been prevalent since a long time.
Connectivity
Guhyeshwari
Temple is located on the banks of the Bagmati River, north-east of Kathmandu
Valley in the eastern city of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. The Temple
is located at about 500 meters from Micro Station Bus Stop, 1 Km from Pashupatinath
Temple, 5 Kms from Durbar Marg, 8 Kms from Kathmandu Bus Station, 2 Kms from
Tribhuvan International Airport and 4 Kms from Kathmandu.
Location
