Location
Province: Province 3
Bhimeshwor Temple is located at Bhimeshwor Municipality of Dolakha district. This temple is situated on the edge of Dolaka Market and is considered a powerful Shakti Peeth.
How to reach
This is located 135 km east of Kathmandu. Therefore, transportation from Kathmandu is readily available to Dolakha and subsequently, local vehicles can be accessed to reach the temple.
Significance and Belief
The God of this temple is known as Dolakha Bhimsen or Bhimeshwor Dolakhapati. The natural stoned scripture eludes that this god does not have a head. The temple is constructed in such way that four copper pillars are erected surrounding the scripture from four sides. Upon the pillars, a golden pinnacle is placed on top. A copper water tap has been constructed here. From the copper tap, water is offered for the Rudri Path, worship, and Aarati. There is no roof above the scripture.
Beside the temple, there are two statues, one of Pandavas mother Kunti and another of Pandavas wife Draupadi.
According to the legend, it is believed that 12 porters traveled to this region. They settled in the area where the temple stands today and started cooking their meal. They are said to have cooked a traditional Nepali meal of Dhedo (local item prepared from corn flour in place of rice). The pot on which they were cooking was balancing on black stones. While cooking, the meal (Dhedo) on one side of the pot remained raw when the rest was cooked. It is believed that the potter who was making the meal got angry, and hit the stone upon which the raw Dhedo was with his spoon. The particular stone is said to have broken into two and started spurting blood and milk.
When this happened the 12 potters gathered and began worshipping the stone. It is also believed that there is a water pit beneath the Bimeshwor scripture, which was made using the broken black stone.
Furthermore, it is believed that before any national crisis, the statue of Bhimeshowr starts to sweat. It is believed that the local ancestors witnessed it before: natural disasters, political upheaval and instability in the country.
Main Festivities and Jatras
It is believed that Bhimeshwor takes three roles throughout the day. The first is Bhimeshwor Mahadev in the morning, the second is of Mahadev Bhairav at midday, and then the third is Hero Yoddha Bhimsen of Pandav brothers in the evening. Therefore, rituals are performed to worship all fronts of this god.
• Maha Ashtami (Sept/Oct),
• Ashwin Shukla Ashtami & Purnima, (Sept/Oct),
• Chaitra Dashain (Mar),
• Chaitra Shukla Ashtami (Mar/Apr)
• Maha Shivaratri (Feb/Mar)
This city of Bhimeshwor is considered one of the ancient cities of Nepal and the oldest Bhimsen Temple.
Following that, during the rituals, the rice offered to Bhimsen is caressed by hand, pressed by traditional grinder Dhiki and not by modern machines. Then only sweet foods are offered, including sugar, ghee, beaten rice, and jaggery. Then, during Bhima Ekadashi, Lakh bati lights are burned (one hundred thousand lights are burnt once at a time). Some sacrifices are made and then in the name of Mahadev, Rudri Pujas are conducted.