Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple, Hindu temple in Chandragiri, Kathmandu District, Nepal
The Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple sits on a hilltop near Chandragiri in Kathmandu District and looks out over the Kathmandu Valley. The structure is modest in size, centered on a shrine dedicated to Shiva with few buildings around the main sanctuary.
The temple connects to Nepal's past, as Prithvi Narayan Shah used this strategic hilltop location while planning the unification of the Kathmandu region. The site grew into a sacred place with deep religious meaning for Hindu devotees over the centuries.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and during Shivaratri and the month of Shrawan, devotees gather to perform ceremonies with specific ritual offerings. You can watch pilgrims at this sacred place as they pray and carry out traditional practices.
Visitors can reach the temple via cable car from the valley below, with service running daily and extra options available during religious festivals. Access is fairly straightforward, though the elevation requires taking time to adjust gradually to the higher altitude.
According to local legend, this spot marks where the forehead of goddess Sati Devi fell, making it one of Nepal's most sacred religious sites. This mythological connection draws pilgrims who view the shrine as deeply significant for their spiritual practice.
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