Location
Province: Province 3
Kusheshwor Mahadev Temple is located in the intersection of Roshi River and Sunkoshi located in Sunkoshi Village Council in Sindhuli district. This western side of Sindhuli is also the border point of Kavre and Ramechhap districts. Kuseshwar Mahadev is a one-storey temple. The intersection of Roshi River and Sunkoshi is regarded as a Durga-Tirtha. The Shiva Linga is seen some one and half foot above the ground. It also comprises stone idols symbolized as Narayan, Bhagawati and Surya. Dumja is located on the river side in a valley which is surrounded by mountains in all the sides.
How to Reach
The construction of BP Highway has made it easier to travel to and fro to this spot. This shrine is located some 65/70 kilometers from Kathmandu, some 50 kilometers from Dhulikhel, on the way to Khurkot, Ghurmi and Sindhuli from Kathmandu.
Significance of Shrine and Public Belief
Kusheshwor Mahadev is worshipped after taking a holy bath at Durga-Tirtha. The Shiva Linga is named as Kusheshwor as the sage Kushik had worshipped the Shiva Linga, which is just nearby the Kush Mountain. It has been mentioned in the holy Himbat-Khanda that Shiva Linga was erupted after Kusheshwor took a holy bath in this area and meditated in the name of God Shiva. It is also known as Aadinath. Roshi River is also known as Lilawati. It is believed that taking holy bath in the intersection of Koshi and Lilawati, which is believed to be created by the sweat of a Maha Goddess, will fulfill all the wishes.
Towards the end of Dumja plain and Roshi intersection, Roshi flows from the both east and west direction, and sometimes field is swept away by the flood. However, irrespective of the size of flood, it has never swept away or flooded the temple area. Locals share this as a surprising issue. In “Inscriptions (Abhilekh) of Kusheshwor Mahadev”, it has been mentioned that Kusheshwor Mahadev Temple was protected by Rana Siddhi Malla by constructing a wall in all sides of the temple in 761 BS (704 AD) as per the inscription craved in simple lipi of Nepal Bhasa (language). In the southern belt of outer wall, there is a temple of Uma Maheswor, which is one among the sixty four Jyotirlingas.
Major Fairs and Festivals
The inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley Dangol and Maharjan regard Kusheshwor as the main-god. There is a worshipping ceremony everyday. There are special fairs organized during the festivals like Saune Sankranti, Makar Sankranti and Teej among others. There are fairs also during Bala Chaturdashi and Shivarati festivals. The devotees stay awake whole night by lighting lamps and singing hymns on these occasions. There is a huge crowd of devotees thronging in the shrine during Pushe Aushi as well.