Description

Manakamana Durga Bhawani Puja

The temple of Manakamana, a very popular pilgrimage in Nepal, is a temple of Durga Bhawani (Hindu Goddess), situated in Gorkha District of Nepal. Manakamana means the “wishes”. It is believed that Goddess Manakaman fulfills the wishes of ones who worship her with pure heart. It is very true when someone wish something from the heart; it is fulfilled by the God.
Manakamana is Hindu Goddess so she is worshiped with offerings of flower, sound, scent, dress, make-ups and colors. There is a tradition of sacrificing animals at the temple. Devotees stand in line for even for 5-10 hours during festivals. The line started from the temple gate reach longer than few kilometers sometimes. People can be seen standing in line with pooja samagri (worship materials) in hand and some of them carrying duck, cock or goat with them. People seem to enjoy standing in the line without food, some even with no water.
Manakamana temple is situated at about 1300 meters at a top of a hill surround by a small village community. The Manakamana temple overlooks the Trisuli and Marshyangdi river valleys, and offers breathtaking views of the Manaslu, Himalchuli and Annapurna mountains to the north.The bottom station is at an altitude of 258 meters from sea level whereas the top station is at an altitude of 1302 meters. It lies 125km to the west of Kathmandu. It is a steep three hour hike from Abu Khaireniion Kathmandu-Gorkha Highway. Cable-cars also take travelers to Manakamana.

History of Manakamana

It is said queen of Ram Shah was a goddess. It is only known to her devotee. Even, king was unaware of it. Ram Shah is king Gorkha born in AD 1614. One day the king found his queen in goddess incarnation. He told this to Lakhan Thapa. King dies instantly, in AD 1636. The queen went Sati (commit cremation with the husband's pyre as per custom of that time). Lakhan Thapa objected and dismayed on her Sati. The queen convinced him that she would reappear again. In six months after queen’s death, Lakhan Thapa heard news that a farmer hit a stone while he ploughs his field and a stream of blood and milk came out from the stone. Immediately, he started performing Hindu tantric rituals and worship (hom and pooja) at the place. As soon the flow of blood and milk ceased, he established it as Manakamana Mai. It later on grew as Manakamana Temple. The current priest at the temple is the 17th generation descendant of Lakhan Thapa. Manakamana is only one of very few of its kind of temples where priest is from Magar community of Nepal.

Note: All the valued pilgrims are informed that as an evidence of puja we will send you a delivery video.