Naradevi Temple (Nepali: नरदेवी मन्दिर), also called Swetakaali Temple, is a Hindu temple located in an older part of
Kathmandu
Kathmandu () is the capital and largest city of Nepal, situated in the central part of the country within the Kathmandu Valley. As per the 2021 Nepal census, it has a population of 845,767 residing in 105,649 households, with approximately 4 mi ...
,
Nepal
Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mainly situated in the Himalayas, but also includes parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China Ch ...
.
It is believed that occult and tantric rituals are performed in the temple and there is a female energy in the temple. The goddess housed in the temple, Sweta Kali is believed to receive human sacrifice in the ancient times.
The goddess is also referred as ''
Nyata Ajima'' by the
Newar community
Newar (; , endonym: Newa; , Pracalit script: ), or Nepami, are primarily inhabitants in Kathmandu Valley of Nepal and its surrounding areas, and the creators of its historic heritage and civilisation. Page 15. Newars are a distinct linguisti ...
. The goddess is also considered to be the mother of the goddess Kumari Chandeswori Bhagwati.
On the tenth day of
Dasain
Dashain or Bada'dashain, also known as Vijaya Dashami in Sanskrit, is a Hindu religious festival in Nepal, Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, South India, and Sri Lanka. It is also celebrated by other religions in Nepal and elsewhere, including the L ...
,
Khadga Jatra is celebrated in the temple. Various swords (''Khadga'') are taken to the temple in a grand procession and revered with traditional tantric rituals. Buffalo slain in a single blow are sacrificed to mark the event of Nawami.
Mythology
According to the mythology, a king of
Patan in his hunting trip lost his way in Kantipur (current Kathmandu). When he reached near Kilagal, he was chased by a wild elephant and upon trying to escape the elephant he reached near Nardevi temple and hid inside a huge tree. There he got unconscious. When he woke up, goddess Swetakali appeared and granted his life back by saying “You may live.” The king then returned to Patan and later erected the Nardevi temple. Two other two kings of Bhaktapur also saw the same goddess which led them to repair the temple and set up a group to look after the temple. They also started the ceremony of lighting ghee lamps and sacrificing a sheep in the temple. This ritual is carried out by the
Kumale potters from
Thimi to commemorate the goddess.
The locals believe that the original home called ''Byachen'' belonging to of the goddess, still exists in the nearby area where all the ornaments and clothes are secured.
History
The temple is believed to have been established in the ninth century by
Gunakamadeva
Gunakamadeva was a Thakuri dynasty, Thakuri ruler credited with the founding of Kathmandu. He ruled from around 949 to 994 CE.
Life
He is also credited to have started Yenya and Lakhey Jatra. He was known for his Tantra, tantric abilities which w ...
, the founder of Kathmandu.
Architecture
The temple is a three tired structure. One of the roofs is gold plated and the support pillars are crafted artistically.
The temple houses three silver statues of Kali.
Gallery
File:Naradevi-Basantapur Durbar Square (2).jpg, Main view
File:Naradevi Swyatkali Temple-IMG 2766.jpg, Statue inside the temple
File:Naradevi-Basantapur Durbar Square (5).jpg, Stone inscription
File:Raktakali Temple.JPG, Raktakalika temple next to Naradevi
See also
*
List of Hindu temples in Nepal
This is a list of major Hindu temples in Nepal, alphabetically sorted by district.
Arghakhachi District
* Aakashdevi Temple
* Supa Deurali Temple
Bajura District
* Badimalika Temple (बडिमालिका मन्दिर )
Banke ...
References
{{Hindu temples in Nepal
Hindu temples in Kathmandu District
9th-century establishments in Nepal
Newa architecture