Gyaneshwor Mahadev and Ananda Bhairab Temple are in Gyaneshwor, Kathmandu. These temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Bishnu.9
It is believed that when Guru Nanak reached Gyaneshwor, three sages had been in samadi (deep meditation) inside a cave. After Guru Nanak interacted with the sages, they surrendered their physical body and hoped that Guru Nanak would appear and give them mukti (salvation).10 This cave is closed to the public now.
At that time Nepal was going through a severe drought. It is believed that when the Guru reached this place people were suffering from lack of drinking water and women and children fell on the feet of the Guru and begged for his blessings. The Guru pressed his thumb against the face of the hillside and a fountain of water sprung from the hill. For the last five centuries, water has been flowing uninterruptedly and this holy spring is known as Gyan Dhara and continues to flow from a stone sprout located down the flight of stone stairs behind the temple. Locals and devotees believe that the fountain water is holy and has healing powers. It is believed that all ailments can be healed if one bathes in the holy spring with their clothes on and leaves the clothes at the spring after taking the bath. On hearing about this miracle, King Jai Jagat Mal visited Guru Nanak in 1515 B.S. and sought Guru Nanak’s blessings for all of Nepal.11
The Guru walked a few steps away from the fountain and sat under a tree in deep meditation for the next six days and six nights. On the seventh day of his meditation, there was rain all over Nepal. Everyone celebrated in joy as they were saved from a drought. It is believed that King Jai Jagat Mal came to see Guru Nanak Dev for the fourth time at this place and thanked him for his blessings on his country.
Today, in Gyaneshwor Mahadev and Ananda Bhairab Temple amidst various gods and goddesses in the compound at the back is a two-storied brick building reminisces of Guru Nanak. On the first floor of this brick building in a small room, a hath likhat (handwritten) Guru Granth Sahib is kept and prayed by the Udasi mahants.
9 Puri M., Gautam P. and Bhattarai A. (2019) Sikh Heritage of Nepal p. 21.
10 Shah, M.H. (n.d), Taajudin’s Diary: An account of a Muslim author who accompanied Guru Nanak from Makkah to Baghdad, p. 253.
11 Puri M., Gautam P. and Bhattarai A. (2019) Sikh Heritage of Nepal p. 21.
12 Shah, M.H. (n.d), Taajudin’s Diary: An account of a Muslim author who accompanied Guru Nanak from Makkah to Baghdad, p. 254-255.
