About Manakamana Temple
Manakamana Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati believed to be an incarnation of Parvati. It is known to be a temple that grants the wishes of its devotees. Manakamana was derived from two words, “mana” meaning heart, and “kamana, ” meaning wish. Anyone making a wish from their pure heart is believed to be fulfilled. It is located in the village of Gorkha District of Gandaki Province, Nepal. The temple is made in Pagoda style and is four-storied. It has multi-layered roofs and wooden cravings. The cravings reflect the mythical creatures and tales from Hindu epics. The temple is made from a combination of stone and wood as well which represents strength and artistry. Today the Manakamana temple is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of Nepal’s rich culture and history.
Location of Manakamana Temple
The Manakamana temple is located 1300 meters (4300 ft.) above sea level. It is situated in the Kafakdada hill which sits in between Trishuili and Marsyangdi River. It is about 106 kilometers west of Kathmandu. We can enjoy the view of Manasalu and Annapurna Himalayas from there. People from different places in Nepal visit this temple in the hope that their wishes will be granted. Thousands of tourists from various countries visit the Manakamana temple every year. It has helped to boost the local economy as well.
Legend about the Foundation of Temple
According to the legend, Queen Lilawati, wife of King Ram Shah of the 17Th century possessed some supernatural power. She was said to be an incarnation of a Goddess. Lakhan Thapa who was her biggest and closest devotee knew about the Queen’s secret. Once, the king accidentally saw his Queen as a goddess and he revealed that to Lakhan Thapa and he died immediately. As there was a tradition of sati Pratha where a woman had to self-immolate at her husband’s funeral pyre Queen Lawati committed sati during her husband’s cremation. Before dying the queen promised her devotee Lakhan Thapa that she would appear again in a certain place of village. After 6 months of the royal cremation, one stone started flowing blood and milk. The blood and milk stopped flowing only after the devotee Thapa worshipped it. Later on, the Manakamana temple was built at the same place under the guidance of Lakhan Thapa. The present priest of the temple is from Lakhan’s seventeenth generation.
How to reach The Temple?
People visit the Manakamana temple for many different reasons. People who have experienced a lot of failures visit to be successful in the days to come while students visit to get better in their studies. Likewise, couples who are unmarried visit to worship for their long-lasting relationship, and married couples visit to worship for their long life together. We can reach Manakamana Temple by two alternatives which are by cable car or by foot. We have to walk through green and beautiful hills for almost 4 hours to reach the Temple. People who love trekking can find this option best. But we can reach the temple in about 10-12 minutes which is only 2.8 kilometers long. This cable car is Nepal’s first cable car., the cable car system was built in 1998. It connects the town of Kurintar to the hill of Manakamana.
The cable car carries six people at a time. We can enjoy the mesmerizing view of the Trishuli River, beautiful farms, and wide forest by cable car. Before the cable car was introduced, it was a very challenging journey for people who were old and other devotees who were unable to walk and had other health issues. Now it has not only made the journey easier for devotees but also has attracted tourists from around the world. It has benefited the local economy.
Cable Car Tickets can be booked online by using E-Sewa, khalti and other banking services. The Manakamana cable car Opens at 9:00 A.M. and closes at 12:00 P.M. There will be a lunch break from 12:00 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. It reopens at 1:30 P.M. and closes at 5:00 P.M. The journey to Manakamna temple starts from Kurintar by cable car. If it is your first visit to the temple you can also take help from the local guides available there. They can provide guidance towards the history of the temple, local customs and traditions and other best spots for you to visit and enjoy.
Why and when to visit The Temple?
Manakamana temple has become one of the famous tourist places so many tourists visit here. Mostly, Indian pilgrims are seen visiting this temple. This place is naturally attractive as it is located in the middle of Kathmandu and Pokhara. Oranges of Manakamana Temple are very famous, and selling oranges has become one of the successful business ideas for the locals. The best time to visit Manakamana Temple is during the spring and autumn season. The weather is pleasant and the views of the surroundings are awesome. Avoid visiting in the rainy season as it will be difficult to travel in heavy rain.
If you want to experience the local festivals you can visit during Dashain festival which falls in September-October or Panchami which falls in April-May. It is very crowded at this time as many people come to celebrate and also to see how the locals celebrate these festivals.
There is a tradition of scarifying goats for the goddess on the occasion of Dashain and Nag Panchami. Animal sacrifice is a part of some ritual and it is necessary to approach the topic with respect and sensitivity. Pigeons were also killed earlier but nowadays scarifying birds such as pigeons, ducks, and roasters have been banned. We can see many Puja shops once we reach the Temple. These shops offer items that are needed for Puja. Once you buy those items you have to stand in a queue to worship the goddess. You must take off your shoes to enter the inner areas of the temple as a sign of respect and humility.
The Manakamana Temple is the main but there are fifteen minor temples surrounding it. Among all, the famous is Bankeswari Temple, a beacon of hope for those children who cannot speak. It is believed that the person worshipping there gets blessed with good health, strength, and voice. Many people visit there in the hope that their problems in life will be solved after worshipping here.
Worshipping and offering materials for Manakamana
As per Hindu mythology all the objects in the universe consists of five cosmic elements the earth, water fire, air, and sky. Because of that, the Pooja samagri (materials) are arranged based on these elements. Devi is worshipped with the same elements. Mostly, the Pooja samagri contains Kesar, flowers and leaves, dhup, diyo, cloth, mirror, fruits and sweets. For Prasad coconut and other sweet desserts are used, Bells for sound, supari and janai, and a small amount of rice or other grains. The Pooja samagri is taken by the priest when the devotee reaches the Devi statue and he offers to the goddess and returns the same after offering to Devi. If the devotees have any sankalpa or bhakal, the priest offers the materials to Devi in the name of sankalpa or bhakal. After the wish gets fulfilled devotees visit again to thank the goddess.
Things to Do after Worshipping
After worshipping the goddess, you can do other several exciting things like hiking to the nearby villages or enjoying the Trisuli River. You can have lunch in the hotels available there. You can enjoy both food and views from the hotels at the top. Beautiful mountains and green hills take the breath away, you can also enjoy the orange garden in the season of oranges. There are a lot of beautiful hotels near Manakamana temple offering the best accommodation facilities. You can worship the goddess and spend quality time at the same time. You have a variety of options available near Manakamana Temple for accommodation. You can stay in simple and basic lodges if your budget is low and if you are willing to spend more then there are luxurious stays as well. You can also choose to stay in homestays as well if you want to experience the local culture and hospitality of the locals.
You can also visit some nearby places of interest. Gorkha Palace is near from Manakamana temple. It is the ancestral home of the Shah Kings of Nepal. You can see a few temples and the best view of the nearby valleys from the palace.
You can also go to Bandipur which is known for its preserved culture. Many interesting architecture and mesmerizing views of Langtang, Manaslu, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri ranges can be seen from there. The largest cave in Nepal, Siddha Gufa is also there. You can see the natural architecture and have an adventurous trip to the cave.
A religious Centre Devghat lies in the junction of two rivers, Trishuli and Kaligandaki. It holds the importance of religious significance. It is a popular destination during Maghe Sankranti. Many people come to worship there on the occasion of Maghe Sankranti.
Conclusion
Manakamana Temple is a must-visit destination if you are religious and interested in exploring the culture and religious heritage of Nepal. The temple is surrounded by beautiful scenery and a peaceful environment carrying its value and importance. It is well maintained, you can take a break from your busy schedule and get relaxed visiting there. It is the best option for nature lovers as it is surrounded by beautiful green forest. The Manakaman temple is not only a religious place but also a representation of culture, history, and art. It is also a place where your wishes come true with the blessings of Goddess Bhagwati. If you love to explore art, culture and tradition of Nepal you must visit Manakamana temple you’ll get to know about the history from locals about the temple. It offers the enriching and unforgettable experience.
Frequently asked Questions
It is located in the Gorkha district of Nepal which is approximately 105 kilometers west of Kathmandu.
It is believed that the goddess has the power of fulfilling the heart’s desire of all the devotees who worship her with pure heart.
Cable car is the best and popular way to reach the temple. It runs from Kurintar to the temple taking only 10 minutes but another option is trekking which is longer route.
There is no any entry fee to the temple but cable car ride needs a fee.
Visitors can wear the clothes according to the weather. Additionally, they are advised to dress modestly covering legs and shoulders out of respect for the religion.
Excluding travel time, it can take 2-3 hours depending on the queue to worship and other personal interest and exploration.
It is not too crowded in normal days. But you can expect the huge crowd in festivals like Dashain and Nag Panchami.
Yes local guides are available to guide you about the significance of temple and provide other information.