The biggest and longest festival celebrated by Nepalese is Dashain Festival, also known as Vijaya Dashami. Dashain occurs in the month of Ashwin (September/October). All public and private institutions are closed for ten to fifteen days during Dashain. People who live distant from their homes can visit their homes. This festival's major appeal is its joyous reunions with loved ones. Hindu mythology claims that Mahisasur, a demon, caused trouble in the Devlok (where God lives). Therefore, after 10 days of battle, Mahisasur was assassinated by Goddess Durga. Dashain is the celebration of achieving victory over evil.
During Navaratri (the first nine days of the festival), people also visit the temples of Navadurga, which are culturally called Shakti peeths. Some people have strict definitions of a Shakti peeth, but in general, devotees regard all of the temples dedicated to Devi, Durga, or Bhagawati as Shakti peeths. And, the city of temples, being true to its name, the Kathmandu valley accommodates many Shakti peeths. Here are major nine of them.
1) Shobha Bhagawati
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| Source: Naya |
The Shobha Bhagawati Temple, a renowned Shakti peeth devoted to Goddess Durga, is situated in the Kathmandu valley. This temple is situated On the bank of the Bishnumati River. Shobha Bhagawati is revered as a goddess who bestows good fortune on those who worship her. This temple receives a huge number of worshipers during Chaite Dashain and Dashain.
2) Taleju Bhawani
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| Source: Khojnu |
In the center of Kathmandu, close to the Kathmandu Durbar Square, Taleju Bhavani Temple is located. Mahendra Malla, the ruling monarch at that time, is believed to build the shrine. Another myth claims that Taleju Bhawani is a goddess with four heads and 10 arms, which was originally from southern India before becoming the clan goddess of the Malla Kings and then the Shah dynasty. On the ninth day of Dashain, the temple only opens once a year.
3) Bhadrakali |
| Source: Twitter |
The Bhadrakali temple is a renowned temple dedicated to the goddess Shree Lumadhi Bhadrakali, who has three eyes and four to eighteen hands that are capable of holding a variety of weapons. This temple is located on the eastern side of Tundikhel, next to the Sahid Gate. Many worshippers visit this temple daily and throughout Navaratri, making it one of Kathmandu's most well-known Shakti peeths.
4) Bajrabarahi |
| Source: Wikimedia commons |
One of the four Barahi temples in the Kathmandu valley, the Bajrabarahi temple is devoted to Matrika, the goddess with a pig head and a human body. Hindus and Buddhists travel to this temple, situated in the Chapagaun village of Lalitpur, hidden in a forest. According to legend, the late 16th-century Patan king Shree Niwas Malla built this temple.
5) Bagalamukhi
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| Source: Nepal travel guide |
Bagalamukhi temple is located in patan. It is dedicated to Goddess Bagalamukhi, an incarnation of Durga. According to mythology, people began to worship Goddess Bagalamukhi when she saved people who were being tortured by the monster called Bagala. Every Thursday is observed as Goddess Bhagawati's day. As a result, devotees visit this temple on Thursdays and Dashain.
6) Maitidevi |
| Source: Wikimedia commons |
One of the well-known Shakti peeths in the Kathmandu valley is Maitidevi. The Vajracharayas are looking after this temple, which is located halfway between Dilli Bazaar and Gyaneshwar. The current Maitidevi temple was only constructed in 1711, even though it is said that the temple was founded during the time of Amshuvarma. Many worshippers come here with the hope that Goddess Maitidevi would grant their wish, especially on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Each year, a fair is held here, and on the ninth day of Dashain people sacrifice animals in the name of Devi.
7) Naradevi
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| Source: KTM Guide |
The Naradevi temple, also known as Nyata Maru Ajima by the Newa people, is one of the important Shakti peeths in Kathmandu. Goddess Swetakaali is worshipped at this temple, which is situated halfway between Chhetrapati and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Devotees visit the temple to worship the goddess every day, and during Navaratri, the shrine is crowded with worshippers. Additionally, Khadga Jatra is also observed at this temple on the tenth day of Dashain.
8) Dakshinkali
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| Source: Holidify |
Dakshinkali temple is located South of Kathmandu, around 17 km away. At the intersection of two streams, this temple is surrounded by a beautiful forest. On Saturdays and Tuesdays in particular, thousands of devotees come to this temple to worship Goddess Kali in the hopes that she will fulfill their wishes. Throughout the Dashain festival, a unique fair is also hosted here. Many worshippers sacrifice duck, chicken, and goat during the Navaratri festival.
9) Guhyeshwari
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| Source: TemplePurohit |
Guhyeshwari temple (the original power).is the most renowned temple in Nepal devoted to Adi Shakti. In addition to being a holy place for Hindus, this temple is also a sacred place for Buddhists. One of the most important Shakti peeths in the nation, this temple is located on the eastern bank of the Bagmati River, about one kilometer northeast of the Pashupatinath temple. At the exact location where the temple is today, Sati Devi is said to have lost a body part after being set on fire. According to people, King Pratap Malla constructed this temple in the 17th century.
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