Pokhara is a magical land as it houses some of the ornate historical landmarks that the world has ever seen. The soothing waters of Fewa Lake and the sky-piercing peaks of Annapurna are to die for, but shrouded in mystery is the religious temple called the Bindhyabasini temple. Nepal is a religious country, and out of the thousands of religious temples, the Bindhyabasini temple stands out as one that is a must visit during your tour in Nepal. This temple proudly resides on top of a hill in old Pokhara, and quietly overlooks the hustle of the bustling city.
The Bindhyabasini temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati. The Goddess is a popular deity known throughout Hinduism, and generally referred to as Shakti. The temple is considered as one of the main Shaktipiths of western Nepal. If some myths are believed, then people say that this temple is directly related to the Vindhyachal temple that is in Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is clad in white and during Dashain, pilgrims flock the temple and offer animal tributes to their guardian deity. The temple is a popular hub for marriage ceremony and Bratabandha as well. There is a big tree in the temple premises, which provides a calm environment to meditate and relax.
Brief history of Bindhyabasini Temple
There are numerous accounts regarding the fact as to how the temple came into existence. The most popular belief is that the King Khadag Bum Malla had a dream in which the Goddess Durga appeared and ordered him to set up a statue there. In order to please the Goddess, the king had the temple constructed. If historical accounts are to be believed, then the temple was constructed in 1845 BS. There are many questions as to the exterior structure of the temple. People believe that it was initially small, and after the passage of time, the temple saw the renovation and is what it is today. Currently, the exterior of the temple is of pagoda structure and is clad in white.
In recent years, the Bindhyabasini temple has seen a sudden influx in the number of tourists. The people that visit here are mostly Indian tourists as well as Nepali tourists. The availability of transport facilities and the internet has made this temple renowned to the general public.
Getting to Bindhyabisini Temple
The Bindhyabasini temple resides in Bagar, Pokhara. More specifically, it lies on the Pokhara Baglung highway. The roadways are aptly developed so commuting back and forth will not be a problem. If you are traveling from Lakeside, then you can easily catch a bus that takes you to this temple. It may take somewhere between 25 to 30 minutes. If you feel the urge to explore the valley in a simplified way, then choose to hire a private Vehicle through tour agency with a guide if you want to have guided tour, they charge you a bit extra, but it is a better alternative if you do not know your way around the city.
Permits and fees to enter in Bindhyabasini Temple
To enter the Bindhyabasini temple, you don’t require any sort of permits and fees. Don’t wear shoes while entering the temple as it is considered unholy. You should only take photos when you have permission to do so. There is always a donation box so if you are feeling generous, then you make some swift donations.
Some interesting facts about Bindhyabasini Temple
- In Bindhyabasini Temple, Durga is represented in the form of a Saligram. In Hinduism, a Saligram is a holy stone and is used during religious purposes. It is an ammonite fossil, which is mostly found in the Kaligandaki river of Upper Mustang. It is said to be a symbolic form of Lord Vishnu.
- The Bindhyabasini temple resides about 3,000 feet above the sea level and is located in the busy old Bazaar of Pokhara.
- The Goddess Durga is the guardian deity of Pokhara and protects the city from harm.
- The temple is built in pagoda style and is white colored.
- It is almost one and a half-story tall, and on the top, there is a golden Gajur.
- The gate of the temple is golden in color.
- From the temple, you can catch amazing sights of the Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri Mountain.
Things to do around Bindhyabasini Temple
- The road leading to the Bindhyabasini temple is filled with ancient settlements that reminds you of the ancient Newari architecture of Nepal. In the 17th century, the king of Kaski had invited artisans from Kathmandu to build artistic buildings and sculptures in Pokhara. Many of them went back to Kathmandu, but some of them stayed in Pokhara.
- The houses we see here are reminiscent of ancient times. You can choose to include the visit to Bindhyabasini temple during the tour of the Pokhara valley. You can opt to go for souvenir shopping in these old Newari streets and learn the culture here.
- Since its foundation, the Bindhyabasini temple has been a major hub for not only Hindus but international tourists as well. The chanting of prayers, the sound of bells, and the powerful smell of incense take the visitor on a religious journey that is bound to provide unforgettable memories.
- We have a day tour in Pokhara, Best of Nepal, Pokhara Tour that includes tour of Bindhyabasini Temple in Pokhara.
