Devi Guhyeswari at Katmandu

 

Charanagadha Deenartha Paritrana Parayane |
Sarvasyarthi Hare Gowri Guhyeswari Namosdhude || 
Devi Guhyeswari shakthi peeth in Nepal is situated near Katmandu on the banks of river Bagmathi.
According to the legend of Dakshayani one of the prushtam (buttocks) from her dismembered burnt body fell at this place and so it became one of the sacred Devi-sthal. (refer to 'Yoga-agni' in 'Abodes of devi' for background story)
This is one of the ancient temples for Devi Parvathi incarnated here as Guhyeswari. This temple was renovated by king Prathap-malla. Even before this Devi Sati was supposed to have been installed here.
On the steps leading to the temple it looks as though three metal snakes slither upward in a triangular shape and at the top support a 'Kalasam'. The temple wall is full of figurines and decorations in wood and masonry.
In the courtyard there is a small shrine which is taken to be the abode of 'Sati-devi'. There are a number of sculpted figures.
The eight figures of 'ashta devis' like 'varahi kumari' surround the shrine of the Devi. At the sanctum there is no idol but only a 'kalash' and puja is performed to this decorated 'kalasam'. Here again 3 metal serpents support the 'kalasam'. The strange practice here is that all rites are performed only with the left hand - whereas right-hand is the vogue every where else.
Beneath this 'kalasam' when the stand-like serpents and all the decorations are removed a small hole is revealed. This hole is filled with holy water. The wonder is the level of the water remains the same - does not increase or decrease. All offerings like fruit juice etc by the devotees are deposited here. This holy water is distributed to the devotees.
It is said that since the temple of Guhyeswari is on the banks of river Bagmathi the water of the river flows under the 'kalasam' installed as the idol, with the level remaining the same even when the river is in spate. This seems to be a miracle.
 
 
                                  Om Sakthi

 

Location
This holy temple is 

in Kathmandu Nepal