Budhanilkantha Temple, Hindu temple in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Budhanilkantha is a Hindu temple in Budhanilkantha in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal, known for its large reclining statue. The figure carved from black stone shows Vishnu resting on his back, surrounded by the coils of a serpent that extends along the entire length of a rectangular water pool.
The complex was built in the 7th century during the Lichhavi period when King Vishnugupta commissioned its construction at the foot of Shivapuri. Over the centuries the site remained an important destination for pilgrims from the region and beyond.
The name Budhanilkantha means "old blue throat" and refers to a myth where Vishnu swallowed poison to save the world. Devotees walk barefoot around the pool and offer flowers directly into the water where the deity rests.
The temple opens daily in the early morning and closes in the evening, with access restricted during solar and lunar eclipses. Visitors should speak quietly and remove shoes before entering the inner zone with the pool.
Members of Nepal's royal family traditionally do not visit the site after King Pratap Malla received a divine warning in a dream. This tradition is still observed today even though the monarchy no longer exists.
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