Ankuri Mahadev Temple

Ankuri Mahadev temple is a Hindu temple located in Mahadeva, Saptari, Nepal. The place has Shiva Linga in the main temple, as well as Goddess Parvati and God Hanuman in other temples. The Shiva Linga has a dent of size of fist on the top. It is said that the place was a crematorium long ago and was an isolated place. Some cowherds from nearby villages used to go there. They brought it several times to their home, but the Shiva Ling used to return to its own place. It is also said that whoever tried to take the Shiva Linga to their home, misery befell upon them and a member of their family fell sick or died. Later the master of the cowherds heard about these and built a temple for Shiva Linga on the same place.
It is a well known site of pilgrimage for Shiva devotees and every year there are big fairs on festivals like Shivaratri and Anant Chaturdashi. It is a holy place to perform sacred yajna.

Bajrayogini Temple

Bajrayogini Temple is a famous Tantrik temple of Kathmandu valley. It is also well known as Bodhisattva(enlightement who is fulfilling the perfection to attain Buddhahood)'s temple. A very famous temple of Nepal of Bajrayogini situated in Sankhu, Kathmandu is supposed to have the greatest power of blessings. The adduced history explains that the king Mana Dev once mediated at Gun Bihar area.
After viewing the fourth century constructed water tap and artistically decorated statue in the area, it is confirm that the Bajrayogini is an ancient religious place of the Kathmandu Valley, the capital of Nepal. It was renovated during the period of Pratap Malla, a famous king of Malla regime in Nepal.
A religious book written in Newari Script about the chronological development of Bajrayogini is kept in the library of Denmark.
The Bajrayogini is 20 km North-east from the Kathmandu downtown and 2.5 km North from Sankhu, a nearby town. It was very famous since Kirat regime and named as Gun Bihar. Literally in Newari language Gun means Forests and Bihar means recreational place. Now it is called Gunbaha.
The temple of the goddess Bajrayogini is of three floored. Near the temple Dharmaghatu Chaitya is located, which is also believed older than the Swoyambhu Chaitya, according to Shidhiwar.
Bajrayogini is a goddess of red faced having three eyes, thumb and the middle finger of the right and left hands have decorated at bodily state Bajrayan tantra with a sword and amethyst work almost in full decoration with ornaments named Shree Shree Shree Prachanda Ugratara; respectively.
Around the area, there are nine caves that refer to the stone age. In one of the caves, there are two rooms. The priest, the ardent lover of the goddess goes into the cave for penance.
The Bajrayogini Fair continues from Chaite Purnima, Full Moon day that lies in March or April of the Gregorian calendar.
A very interesting story about the origination of Bajrayogini goddess written in the holy book is supposed to have brought into memory about 200 years ago. According to the book, at the starting of the Snow age and Bhadrakalpo’s age from the fork of the stone where the temple is now, a five-colored flame came out and after a long time, there a volcanic goddess. The first priest Gyanacharya Yogi who did penance in the cave, Shidikul Mahabihar and was given Bajracharya Dikshya (Super Knowledge) naming Bachashidi Bajracharya with his appointment. The present priest are generated from the ancestopr, Bachashidi Bajracharya.
Upon learning the heritage, the goddess gave order to Jog Dev Bajracharya to establish Shankharapur (conch-shell shaped town) near by the temple area to run the Fair in 1801 Kaligat Sambat. It is now called Sankhu.
It is also necessary to bring the historical, cultural legendary importance into the account in the world heritage list. Now Shree Bajrayogini Service Committee is taking care of the area with the help of Nepal government’s Department of Archeology, Trust Institutions and the public sectors. Chairman and Treasurer of the committee Mr. Govind Prasad Shrestha and Mr. Bishnu Prasad Shrestha; respectively are committed to develop the area.
Recently, District Soil Conservation Office of Kathmandu, Bagmati Integrated Watershed Management Project, Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management is working to conserve the area with the treatment of landslides and gullies.
The area is selected for the spot of 29th Soil Conservation Day celebration. Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management annually organize Soil Conservation day on 24 Shrawan to mark its establishment.

Surya Binak Temple (Bhaktapur)

On the way to Surya BinayakThis is a shrine of Ganesh, the elephant-headed God, situated in the beautiful surroundings of Bhadgaon, placed in a sylvan setting to catch the first rays of the rising sun. The view of the city of Bhaktapur is seen from here with snow-capped peaks in the background. Nestled in a thick forest, it is a good picnic spot flanked by many attractive landscapes. For an easy stroll, go down to the highway past the trolley-bus and then head up hill. From here you can photograph an unbelievable view of the city backed by the movie-like sets of gigantic Himalayan peaks. Past this about twenty minutes lies the Surya Vinayak Ganesh temple. This is an auspicious place to start your exploring around Bhaktapur, because Ganesh is worshipped before starting any new endeavor. Here the elephant headed good is known as the ‘Sun Ganesh’, because this is the first place in the Valley that the suns rays hit each the Earth morning. People come here to pray if their children are having trouble learning how to speak, or for just about any activity that requires a little luck. At the top of the hill, a steep flight of stairs leads up
Surya Binayakto the shrine itself, which is set in a shady forest. Ganesh dwells beneath a golden torana and a big white shikhara. Mounted on a pillar in front of his image is a statue of a large and very realistic looking rat, the god’s vehicle. At the top of the hill, about another five minute walk, is a shrine to Ganesh’s mother, Parvati. Surrounding the temple is a small beautiful forest. People from all over the Valley come and picnic here, especially on Tuesday, Ganesh’s auspicious day and Saturday. Don’t forget to bring Ganesh’s favorite offerings: radishes, ladoo and sesame seed balls.

Bhadra Kali Temple

Bhadrakali is according to legends a fierce form of Kali. Bhadra in Sanskrit means blessed, auspicious; fair, beautiful; good; fortunate, prosperous.Bhadrakali is the popular form of Devi worshiped in Kerala. In Kerala she is considered the auspicious and fortunate form of Kali.
She is generally considered the consort of Shiva in the form of Rudra. But there is also a story that she is the consort of Virabhadra, who was himself born of the wrath of According to Vayu Purana and the Mahabharata, she came into being by Devi's wrath, when Daksha insulted Shiva, during the great Ashvamedha Yagna (Horse-sacrifice) .According to Tantra Rahasya, she arose from the North (Uttaramnaya) face (Amnayas) of Shiva, which is blue in color and with three eyes.It is believed that Bhadrakāli was a local deity that was assimilated into the mainstream Hinduism, particularly into Shaiva mythology. Sometimes she assumes terrible aspect, and is represented with three eyes, and four, twelve or eighteen hands. She carries a number of weapons, with flames flowing from her head, and a small tusk protruding from her mouth.
Kshatriyas like the Kodavas and Nairs would ardently worship this deity. They worship certain weapons at their temples which they believe to be the weapons used by the goddess Bhadrakali.

Kasthamandap

Kasthamandap is three storied temple which is situated in the Kathmandu, which is the capital of Nepal. This temple is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world. This temple is built in pagoda style design. It was built in the early sixteenth century by King Laxmi Narsingha Malla. The whole temple is built from just wood of a single tree, and covered with the shrine. The name of capital city is named after this temple. Once a year a huge ceremony is performed in the temple. On that day people gather around the temple, and they stay up all night. The people share the legendaries stories about the temple, and enjoy themselves with different varieties of foods. This temple is one of the major tourist attractions too. Everyone is allowed to visit inside the temple, but people are not allowed to take photographs inside the temple. The temple is open after mid day until midnight. The unique feature of Kasthamandap has made it the most noted pagoda of Nepal.

Bishranti Temple

Nuclear famies have come into being probably because of material aspects and growing tendency of individualism among people rather than spiritualism. Consumerism has given rise to heedless imitation of Western countries and the Nepalese people seem to have lost the traditional value. The concept of elderly people living peacefully with the family has become a thing of the past. People are not fully aware of its consequencess. Family cohesion is coming under the pressure of generation gap between parents and children, especially in urban areas.
In view of such developments, it had become necessary to start a crusade against these evils that is slowly creeping into the society. Keeping these facts in mind, an organisation called Bishranti Mandir for the elderly and needy people has been started.
Bishranti Mandir, the first NGO for the elderly and other needy people, is situated at the confluence of ‘Dovan’ of Tamor river, a holy and religious site of the Nepalis. It covers an area of 3.4 hectares of land, beautified by thick sub-tropical vegetation. The forest has been developed and protected through grants from Nodrik of Lions and DANIDA through Lions Club, Bishal Bazar of Kathmandu. The greenery definitely gives a pleasant feel to the surroundings. The place is warm during winter and hot in summer. The forests cover and the cool breeze coming from the river makes the place pleasant. The cool and relaxing shade of the trees indeed make this place an ideal place for the elderly people to live in.
Bishranti Mandir (literally meaning a peaceful retreat for the elderlies) is an integrated multipurpose NGO which gives priority and emphasis to religious as well as spiritual programmes. In order to encourage the involvement of the elderly in religion and spirituality, a temple of Shiva - Panchayan with facilities for Yoga practice, meditation, residential library has been established. The organisation also provides health services and vocational trainings on farming, cattle rearing and beekeeping.
Fuel wood needed for the funeral pyre to perform the last rites of the deceased is also brought to the ghat which is provided by the institution. Apart from rendering service to the aged, the Bishranti Mandir also has provisions for developing appropriate facilities as a short term rural retreat for people with hectic and tiring schedule. Overworked people, scholars in interlude, pilgrims, government officials, research students can take short or long vacations and relax in this pleasant Shangria-La. These visitors can have close interaction with the aged and also people coming from different walks of life.
Bishranti Mandir, being a local level NGO, has put forward national level activities and objectives, thereby providing assistance and training to the concerned people. It has planned to extend its activities to different parts of the kingdom. Keeping International Year for the Elderlies 1999’s concept in mind, the main activities of the Bishranti Mandir include institutional building, awareness building, development of physical facilities, income generating activities moral re-awakening and even performing the last rites of the aged.
One of the major functions of the Bishranti Mandir is to raise awareness about its obligation towards the old people and associated socio-economic problems. As an ambitious project is underway, a large amount of financial as well as human resources will be needed. Nevertheless, it has rolled up its sleeves to meet these challenges.
At present, the institution has the capacity to accommodate 70 people but it aims at providing shelter to about 200 in the near future and is also opening various branches in other parts of the country. A recently launched training provides training to the members of Bishranti Mandir, entrepreneurs in the neighbouring region and selected women groups. In addition to raising social awareness, serious efforts have been made to analyse the various factors responsible for the gradual degeneration of moral values in our society and to find ways of arresting such social evils.
Bishranti Mandir has been successful in mobilizing the support of the people for the creation of physical facilities. It has started to made the people aware of this problem of attending to the needs of the elderly citizens as the percentage of the old people is rising at an alarming rate. There are about 1000 members and the resources of the Bishranti Mandir primarily consist of membership fees.
Bishranti Mandir is definitely doing its bit to create an appropriate emotional atmosphere to creatively rehabilitate the old-age people under service strain of economic deprivation, emotional tension and attitudinal desperation. But the government has to keep the need of the helpless elderly citizens in its agenda and open homes for the aged in all areas of the country.

Jalpa Devi Temple

This temple is situated in Chintang village development committee at about 8 km far from Dhankuta Bazar. This temple is named as Jalpadevi because the godes is situated or formed in water. The temple is also caled as Chintang devi because it is situated at Chintang. The formation of Jalpadevi Temple has got a story -" In a dream of the priest of the temple Devi ordered him to put some mud of the place Ankhibhuin (Humbung Gaun) on a leaf of Mane and bring in Chintang and then to trust. When the priest came to see after some time he saw the source of water at the place where the place was barren or with out any drop of water/ At the mean time he put Sculpture (Murti) of the goddess in water and started to worship and give bali (scape) daily as a priest. Then the children of the priest is performing as a worshiper from generation to generation. At present priest Dagendra Rai is the 12 th priest.
Here is the temple without roof each of Jalpadevi and Kanyadevi. There is a big tree inside Jalpadevi temple. It is believe that the murti of devi was under the tree and the should be the source of water. There is a tradition of worshipping and giving bali(scape) regularly. There is a belief that all are desires would be fulfilled if we worship (do puja). Matured women are banned to enter inside the temple. People not only from Dhankuta but also from many far places has come to worship in this temple. It is worshipped eevery day except the new moon and sunday and it is worshiped especiallly in Baisak and Bhadra Purnima. There have been made a gravel road from Hile Bazar to visit,so surely pilgrimage feel comfortable to reach this Chhintang Devi temple.