Explore the Mystical Budhanilkantha Temple: Stories and Serenity
Welcome to Budhanilkantha Temple, a sacred place in Nepal! Let’s take a tour and explore the stories behind this beautiful site.
As you walk around the temple, you’ll find a Shiva-Linga. Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and it’s believed that his throat turned blue from drinking poison during a legendary event. He created a lake called Gosaikunda to quench his thirst, and the water from that lake flows to Budhanilkantha.
Next, you’ll see an idol of Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge. People perform rituals and even get married on a platform nearby.
Before entering the main temple, you’ll visit a pagoda-style temple dedicated to Ganesh, the elephant-headed god. It’s customary to worship Ganesh first as he was granted the boon of being worshipped before other deities.
Now, let’s move on to the main attraction of Budhanilkantha, the idol of sleeping Vishnu. This majestic sculpture lies in the center of the temple. The name “Budhanilkantha” means “elder blue throat,” and Lord Vishnu here is believed to be the eldest Narayan. People say that worshipping here is equivalent to visiting the holy city of Kashi in India.
There are many stories about how this idol was found, but the most famous one is about a farmer who discovered it while ploughing his field. The idol now rests in a pond, with Lord Vishnu’s hands holding various symbols and his body lying on a bed of intertwined snakes.
To avoid a sin, young Brahmins under 16 years old perform the worship rituals because they are exempt from the sin associated with stepping on the snakes.
The best time to visit is during the Aarati, a daily ritual held at 7:30 in the morning and 5:30 in the evening. The crown on the Budhanilkantha idol is removed in the evening and installed in the morning by the priest. It’s a bit crowded during these times, but the experience is worth it.
After visiting the main temple, you can explore the Mahanta building where the head priest lives. Nearby, you’ll find the Laxmi temple, dedicated to the goddess of wealth, and the RadhaKrishna temple, celebrating the love between Lord Krishna and Radha.
Budhanilkantha Temple is a peaceful oasis in the bustling city, and you can also come here to relax and clear your mind. Enjoy your visit!
Book your tour now for an unforgettable journey into ancient legends and serene spirituality!
