Bindhyabasini Temple, The Oldest Temple of Pokhara
Bindhyabasini (/Bin-dhya-baa-sini/)
The ancient Shree Bindhyabasini temple, one of Pokhara's oldest, sits atop a small hill in Miruwa, near the bustling old Pokhara bazaar. Dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati, it is positioned close to the Pokhara-Baglung Highway.
History
As the legend goes, The King of Kaski, Siddhi Narayan Shah or the King of Parbat, Khadgaman Malla, had a dream about establishing a temple for the goddess, Bhagwati. Bhagwati, also known as “Shakti” or “Kali” is an incarnation of Goddess Durga and is known as Pokhara’s Guardian Deity. She is worshiped as a blood thirsty manifestation of the Goddess. The King ordered his men to visit Bindhyachal Parbat (Currently in Uttar Pradesh, India) to bring back a statue of the goddess. When returning back, the men set up a camp for the night at the current location of the temple. Much to their surprise, the statue couldn’t be lifted from the ground. When the king heard about this incident, he directed his men to establish the temple there and named it Shree Bindhyabasini Temple, where “Bindhya” means incarnation of the goddess and “Basini” means the resident of a place.
Architecture
The temple was built in 1842 B.S. The current temple is in Shikhara style and is considered older than Pagoda style. There are two golden metal lions beside the golden carved metal gate of the main temple. There are smaller temples dedicated to Shree Krishna, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Shiva, Hanuman and Shree Ganesh in the premises.
How to get there?
A taxi ride from Lakeside to the temple takes around ten minutes, while a local bus journey can take approximately half an hour, depending on traffic. The temple is 5 km from Lakeside and 2 km from a location known as Zero km. Walking from Lakeside to the temple takes about an hour. There are parking facilities near the temple entrance for private vehicles.
Things to do
Adjacent to the temple entrance is a small monastery called "Dharma Sangha Buddha Bihar," where visitors can enter to pray. Outside the monastery, there are prayer wheels where people practice meditation by chanting "Om Mani Padme Hum." It is believed that spinning the prayer wheels accumulates merit, benefiting all beings and purifying their karma.
There are two stone staircases situated on the east and north east sides to reach the temple. On the base of the temple, there are many local shops where the devotees can buy the worship materials for the Goddess. There is a small park as well which is well maintained by the local community. People can take a stroll there or have picnics.
The shoes are not allowed in the temple’s premises as it is known as a holy ground. There is a view tower where the beauty of the whole Pokhara City and the Annapurna Range can be observed. It is best to visit between September and November to get the magnificent view of the Himalayas.
There is a roadway leading to Sarangkot at the end of the hill where the temple stands. Visitors have the option to enjoy a leisurely walk around Pokhara's renowned Phewa Lake, which is conveniently located within walking distance of the temple. Alternatively, they can embark on a journey to Sarangkot to witness the awe-inspiring sunrise view from its summit.
Conclusion
Pokhara offers a rich tapestry of experiences, from ancient temples to stunning lakes, majestic Himalayan views, impressive caves, and lively nightlife. Exploring Pokhara and its natural wonders is a delightful experience, providing insights into the local way of life, encounters with people from diverse backgrounds, and visits to these remarkable attractions. For anyone considering a trip to Nepal, including Pokhara in your to- do list is a must!
