Gadhimai, Hindu temple in Bariyarpur, Nepal
Gadhimai is a Hindu temple in Bariyarpur featuring traditional Nepali architecture with intricate carvings and sculptures depicting mythological narratives throughout its structure. The complex displays elaborate details that reflect the community's religious devotion.
The temple was founded over two centuries ago after a feudal lord named Bhagwan Chaudhary experienced a divine vision during his imprisonment. This experience led to the establishment of one of the region's most significant pilgrimage sites.
The temple serves as the center of a major Hindu festival held every five years, drawing thousands of pilgrims who come to perform rituals and make offerings to Gadhimai Devi.
The temple is located roughly 160 kilometers south of Kathmandu and 7 kilometers east of Kalaiya, making it fairly accessible to reach. Visitors can arrive throughout the year, and there are no admission fees to enter.
The site gained international recognition due to a festival where mass animal sacrifices were once performed, a practice authorities announced would end in 2015. This shift made the temple a symbol of the broader debate between tradition and animal welfare in modern Hindu practice.
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