Location

Province: Province 3

This temple is 1 km East-South of Pashupatinath Temple, on the lower part of the Bagmati River. 

How to reach

The shrine is located within the Pashupati area located in the centre of Kathmandu. Transportation can be easily found as it is within walking distance from Pashupatinath Temple. 

Traditional Belief and Significance 

It is believed that the ‘hip portion of Sati Devi’ fell on these grounds and the peeth was evoled as Guheyshwori Devi Shakti Peeth. This is therefore known as the cosmically powerful Shakti Peeth. There is said to be ‘51 Devi Shakti Peeth in the world’. Guhyeshwori is said to be one of them. 

According to Himavat Khanda, the cave to which Parvati remained hidden was called Guhyeshowri. Then, according to Nepali Mahatamaya, a part of Sati Devi fell; hence it became a Shakti Peeth.  And according to Meru Tantra, in the book of Shivaism, the hip portion, also called Guhya, of Sati Devi fell to the temple area, hence Guhyashowori. The prominent spot is where the part of Sati was found; hence the site is worshipped with the right hand.

The temple was constructed during the Malla period in approximately 16th century B.S. While there is no statue of Guhyeshwori Devi, there is a small opening in the ground, known as pinda. This is protected/enclosed under a gold water pot. And that pot is taken as the symbol of the goddess. So, after the puja, the pot is filled with water poured on the head of the worshipper. Next to this there is a Bhairav pinda covered in gold where both gods Bhairav and Guhyeshwori are worshipped.

The ceremonial rituals of this temple are conducted by traditional clans of priests, viz., Bhositole Bhairavacharya, Kilagal Budhacharya, and Patan Bhairavacharya. The allocated priests take turns taking care of the temple every month. On Chaturdashi, they rotate their position. And as the ceremonial worshipping is ancestral, the priests study the methodology from the predecessors of the clan. 

In mid-Magh (February) fish are kept on the surface of the Bagmati river in front. The person who can catch the fish is considered a lucky worshipper. 

The Newari community worship this temple from Bam-Marga itself. And it is believed that before worshipping Pashupatinath, Guhyeshwori should be honoured; otherwise, the fruit of the act shall be irrelevant. 

Main Festivities and Jatras

•  Every Ashtami (eight day of the lunar calendar)

•  Purnima (full-moon)

•  Chaitra (March/April)

•  Ashoj (September/October): Navaratri special rites are performed in the temple. 

• Mag Shukla Navami (February): One water pot is allocated and worshipped for Guhyeshwori at Hanuman Taleju Temple.  It is then brought to Guhyeshwori on a traditional cart. That pot is cherished and kept in the temple for a night and then returned to Taleju the next day. It is considered to be a Tantric temple founded by Pratap Malla. It represents power and opens only during Dashain.