Taleju Temple in Kathmandu

Taleju Bhawani Temple is located in central Kathmandu around Kathmandu Durbar Square established in 1564 by Mahendra Malla. The temple is dedicated to goddess Taleju Bhawani and is 35 meters in height. The goddess, Taleju Bhawani, was originally a goddess from south India but later on, in the 14^th century, she became the royal goddess of Malla Kings and officially regarded as a goddess in Nepal from that time. One of the most artistic, beautiful and attractive temples situated very near to Durbar square adds more beauty towards that area too. The temple you see in today’s days is the product of additional work done by most artistic King Pratap Malla.

Taleju Bhawani temple in Kathmandu was built in the shape of a yantra, a mystical diagram said to have magical powers, and believed as it was due to a suggestion that came straight from the mouth of Goddess Taleju herself. According to SAARC, Taleju Bhawani made a special appearance at the temple’s dedication ceremony. Legend has it that Goddess Taleju Bhawani showed up undercover and disguised as a bee. The main temple is situated towards the left while there are old paintings towards the right side. The stone guardian statues here are Tibetan looking which their attractive and artistic looks and may have been brought here separately. Moreover, the temple can only be visited once in a year during Nawami (ninth day of Dashain) for everyone. Inside the temple, 12 miniature versions of the temple which surround the main building and four more temples higher up just below the main temple. Inside the main temple, there are golden statues representing the ten-armed Goddess along with temples of both Taleju Bhawani and Kumari (Nepal’s Living Goddess).