Pinay sa Nepal

When I first arrived in Chapagaun, Lalitpur, the first place that I visited with my husband was the Bajrabarahi Temple , a Hindu temple. I was amazed at the place! The temple is surrounded by forest wherein you can see various kinds of tall trees and variety of birds that you can’t see in a regular temple - like the endangered species of bird, Spiny Babbler that can only be found in Nepal. Other kinds of birds are the Bengal green pigeon, black drongo, blue-throated barbet, crested serpent eagle, parrots and a lot more. Different kinds of flora and rare orchids can be seen in the place as well. 

The total area of the place is quite big, so aside from the forest, there is a mini-park as well, I have seen several groups of people having a picnic in the place. I find the place very peaceful and quite, so if you like to have an alone time I would recommend to visit this temple.  This temple is very famous among Hindu believers; you can see a lot of people visit the place especially during the main festivals like Dashain and Jatras.

Bajrabarahi Temple Location

There are four Barahi (boar avatar of God Vishnu) temples inside the Kathmandu valley: In the east valley there is Nilbarahi Temple, and on the west, you can found the Dhumbarahi Temple, in north valley erected the Swet Barahi temple and in the south, the Bajrabarahi temple was built. Bajrabarahi Temple is approximately 15 km. far and 48 minutes travel without traffic from Kathmandu City. There is also a Gumba or Buddhist Monastery located in the southwest of temple. 

Bajrabarahi Temple History and Religious Values

Goddess Bajrabarahi is the main God being worshiped in this temple. The avatar of Goddess Bajrabarahi was made by King Shree Niwas Malla during 1722 B.S. The idol was covered with gold that stands on two buffaloes.  The Goddess face is alike to a wild boar and she has three eyes and four hands. The original idol of Goddess Bajrabarahi is decorated with various kinds of fabulous ornaments. In 786 B.C in the month of Chaitra (March/April in English Date), Sukla Asthami (a lunar fortnight in Hindu calendar) the idol was formally placed in the temple. Sadly in 2025 B.S, the idol was stolen by the poachers but later the police were able to recover it. For the security of the idol, the authority has decided to keep it in the Chhauni Museum and replaced a duplicated avatar in the Bajrabarahi Temple. 

In Hindu beliefs, visiting a temple can bring good luck and prosperity to anyone’s life and home.  Praying with great devotion to Goddess Bajrabarahi will free from anyone to worries and sorrows. Some people will bring offerings for the Goddess when their pet animals gave birth to an offspring, in return Goddess Bajrabarahi will protect the newly born babies.

The local people also believed that taking any leaf or piece of wood within the temple vicinity will bring a great misfortune. This belief protects the jungle from intrusion and keeping a peaceful home for animals and flower there.

Bajrabarahi Temple is indeed a mystical place. There are a lot so see and things to discover on its wonderful environment.  The temple and locals will greet you with open arms. Thus, we shouldn’t forget to respect and be conscious with the belief of Hindus. Bajrabarahi is indeed one of the beautiful scenery in Nepal that needs to be protected and conserve for the next generation.