Dakshinkali Temple

Dakshinkali is a Hindu shrine nestled in a forested gorge 22 kilometers south of Kathmandu. The centerpiece is a black stone figure of the goddess Kali with six arms, set in a small open-air compound at the confluence of two streams.

A Malla dynasty king built the shrine in the 14th century at this spot after the goddess revealed the exact location to him in a dream. Since then, the rites and ceremonies have drawn believers from across the Kathmandu Valley.

Pilgrims prefer to come on Tuesdays and Saturdays, bringing ritual offerings to the goddess while animal sacrifices remain an integral part of the traditional worship practice. After the ceremonies, families share the meat among themselves, reinforcing bonds within the community.

Visitors who are not of Hindu faith may not enter the inner area but can view the exterior compound and explore the market stalls along the access path. The atmosphere is calmer on weekdays, while the major worship days draw large numbers of devotees.

In a dedicated area, worshippers prepare communal meals from the meat of the sacrificial animals after the ceremonies and share them with one another. These shared feasts are considered part of the religious ritual and strengthen social bonds within the group.