Palanchok Bhagawati Temple

Palanchok Bhagawati Temple is a Hindu shrine sitting on a hillside in Panchkhal at roughly 1,000 meters elevation. Inside the pagoda-style structure stands a black stone statue of Goddess Bhagawati that draws visitors seeking prayer.

This shrine traces its roots to King Manadeva's era, when the goddess statue was brought here from Buchhakot following the king's vision. The sacred image was relocated to this hilltop because the king believed it was its destined location.

The temple brings together Hindu and Buddhist communities who worship side by side at the same shrine. You can see how both groups share this sacred space and respect each other's devotion to the goddess.

The shrine sits roughly 42 kilometers southeast of Kathmandu and is reached via the Arniko Highway followed by local roads that climb the hill. Getting there takes several hours and is easier during dry weather, as mountain roads can become slippery.

Despite its Hindu identity, the shrine welcomes Buddhist visitors who revere the black stone statue as a form of Durga. This shared worship shows how two faiths peacefully coexist in this region.