Our Visit to Manokamana Temple (Nepal)

                                                           ॐ श्री गणेशाय
                                                              जय मातादी 

Manokamana Temple Before Earth Quake


We started in the morning from Khatmandu by Jeep and reached in around three hours to the 

entrance point of Manakamana Temple on way to Pokhra.

That day We could not get road route to temple as it was under closure for maintenance.We 

took the walking route after crossing wire hanging bridge on the river and then took a four 

wheel drive jeep on hire as the  route was very much rough filled with boulders 

.It took one hour to reach nearby spot of temple village from where we had to trek on the steps 

for nearly an hour to reach temple village 


Main Entrance to Approach Road to Manokamana emple


Manokamana Temple after Earth Quake in Temporary Shed
The meaning of Manokamana means what ever you wish in your mind will be fulfilled by Goddess Durga/Bhagawathi ,the preceding Deity.It is an old temple visited by pilgrims in deep devotion to fulfill their wishes.For students it is for success in exams,for  businessman for prosperity,for a patient to get good health and for childless couple to get blessings for children etc.

There was first cable car facility first of its kind in Nepal to visit this temple from main road,.After earth quake it was stopped during our visit and we trekked by steps.



History of Temple.

It was informed that during 17 th Century beginning,there was a Nepali King Rama Shah who with his wife,the queen was sleeping one day in his palace and suddenly he saw at mid night,queen left palace went out side. Curiously king followed and saw that she was surrounded by Loins and other goddesses. He returned to palacunable to digest the fact that the queen was Goddess Parvathi"s incaranation.

He informs queen that he saw her in dream going to Forest and what he saw there.The queen understands the he saw her in real shape.He dies immediately.After that as per those days customs,She commits Sati,ie sacrificing her body in the pyre of husband.But she gets stopped by her disciple Lakshman Thapa .The queen assures him that she will come back as incarnation.

But after some days while ploughing his land a farmer finds blood on his  plough bottom and and informs queen"s priest Lakshman Thapa who discovers it to be bleeding from queens body and built a temple there as incarnation of Goddess Bhagawathi/Parvathi and from that day,She was known as Mata Manakamana ie Goddess fulfilling the wishes of Devotees.



Till now only his descendants are only performing Puja in the temple and not Brahmin preists as normal practice.It is 17 th generation which are  now offering those services.
Main Festival of the temple is Dasain or Dusserah performed during Sep-Oct of every year and Naga panchami.

This temple is in the Gorkha Dist of Nepal at an altitude of 1300 meters on banks of River Marsyandhi


There is a Big Bell of Bronze in the premises which is said was built in 1893.The roof of the temple is made of copper in 1762 by by King Prithvi Narayan Shawwho has united entire Nepal.


A golden gate to Temple was made by King Sooor Bir Rana in 1802.Animal sacifices which was in practice till few years ago near the temple is banned now.

Main gate from Approach Road where cable cars were operating till earth quake


Temple in Tin shed as Original Temple is under Renovation after earth quake.
17 th Century Magnolia  Tree near the Temple


Outside Temple after Puja


In front of Temple


Performing Abhishekam


Main Deity Mata Manokamana  



T

After Crossing Hanging Wire Bridge on River Marsyandhi

The Journey by walk after crossing the river bridge is almost one hour by Jeep and followed by steps .return journey is same.Once Cable car is restored it will take less time .But the thrill of walking and trekking cannot be enjoyed by cable car journey


Tea Break on way


Tea Break


Relaxing after crossing the Bridge
There are hotels ,Lodges and restaurants available for reasonable pries for food and stay near the temple and on either side of river and also on the main Road from Khatmandu to Pokhra

Wire Hanging Bridge on River Marsyandhi




Crossing the Bridge



Steps way to Temple



Return Journey after Darshan



Balancing way down hill slope


Return Journey from Temple



On step way back form Temple to Bridge



Ready for Onward Journey to Pokhra

Manaokamana Temple valley view Himalchuli and Annapurna Mountains from North


 Marsyandhi River Bridge

Valley View




 




 

Manaokamana Temple valley view Himalchuli and Annapurna Mountains from North.

After Darshan we left for Pokhra which is second biggest city of Nepal


C.Chalapathy Rao

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