Tourism Info Nepal

Neglected Chardham Shrines of Bhaktapur: A Hidden Gem for Religious Tourism

Neglected Chardham Shrines of Bhaktapur: A Hidden Gem for Religious Tourism

The sacred pilgrimage site of Chardham Devasthal, located within the premises of Khwopa Layku (Bhaktapur Durbar Square), has fallen into neglect. Despite being constructed during the reign of the Malla kings, the five deities of Chardham, situated in the southwest of Khwopa Layku, have been overlooked due to a lack of publicity.

Bhaktapur is home to the five shrines of Chardham: Badrinath, Jagannath, Kedarnath, Dwarikanath (Gopinath), and Rameshwar Mahadev. These shrines are located south of the main entrance gate, Khwoma Gate, leading to Khwopa Layku. Locals believe that regular worship of the deities of Chardham, along with Taleju Bhawani at Khwopa Layku, ensures a heavenly abode after death.

Daily rituals are performed at all Chardham shrines every morning. According to Binodraj Sharma, the priest of Dwarikanath, devotees are allowed to enter the temple for worship during the daily rituals. “Due to a lack of publicity, most people are unaware of the existence of Chardham in Bhaktapur. Even the locals rarely visit for worship,” he said.

He further mentioned that there is a tradition of creating an image of the deity using roasted grains (NASA) like corn, wheat, puffed rice, and soybeans during Kartik Shukla Purnima at the Dwarikanath temple. Additionally, an annual Rudri Puja is performed at Kedarnath, accompanied by the celebration of the deity’s birth anniversary (Busada).

A tradition of scattering satbij (a mix of seven grains) on Balachaturthi is also observed at Chardham. This custom, which dates back to the Malla era, continues to this day. However, the practice of Mahasnan (grand ablution) at Chardham has disappeared. The sanctum of the shrines, built in the Shikhar architectural style by Danchiappa, houses a 1.5-foot tall idol of Lord Vishnu, adorned with intricate stone and wooden carvings, along with a pair of stone lions at the entrance.

The Jagannath temple was built during the reign of King Bhupatindra Malla. It houses wooden idols of white Balaram on the left, red Subhadra in the center, and blue Krishna on the right. Collectively known as Jagannath, these deities are undergoing reconstruction work.

At the Kedarnath temple, a Shivlinga with a jalhari, similar to that at Pashupatinath, is installed. This temple, also constructed during King Bhupatindra’s reign in the Shikhar style by Danchiappa, features four pinnacles representing the eleven Rudras. It is adorned with intricate stone and metalwork, with a water spout and a statue of Nandi in the west.

The Dwarikanath (Gopinath) temple is a two-story structure with tiled roofs and a gilded pinnacle. Its wooden windows and doors are intricately carved, and the central idol depicts Krishna flanked by his consorts Satyabhama and Rukmini, standing on two cows with a flute in his lower hands and a conch and mace in the upper hands. A Garudadhwaja column stands in front of the temple.

The Rameshwar temple features a stone Shivlinga with a jalhari and is built in the Nagara style with an inverted lotus-shaped roof. It sits atop a six-foot-high platform and features artistic stone pillars.

The Chardham shrines include Badrinath, Jagannath, Kedarnath, and Dwarikanath, with Rameshwar, added as a substitute for those unable to visit Kedarnath in India during winter. This was part of the vision when constructing Chardham in Bhaktapur, as per Priest Sharma.

Built during the Malla period to enhance the grandeur and heritage of the capital city, the daily and festival rituals of these shrines are managed by the Guthi institution. Repairs and maintenance are overseen by the Monument Conservation and Palace Care Office, along with Bhaktapur Municipality.

The Chardham shrines offer an alternative for economically disadvantaged, elderly, and disabled individuals who cannot travel to India. Historian and cultural expert Dr. Purushottam Lochan Shrestha highlights that the Chardham in Bhaktapur was established with the tantric installation of deities to promote harmony between Shaivites and Vaishnavites, who had some differences at the time.

Dr. Shrestha further states that the Chardham represents religious harmony, cultural unity, and social cohesion. “Chardham is an excellent example of religious integration, symbolizing no distinction between Shiva and Vishnu,” he said.

The Chardham shrines suffered damage during the 1934 earthquake, with Kedarnath’s pinnacle restored afterward. The 2015 earthquake caused further damage to Kedarnath, but it has since been reconstructed by Bhaktapur Municipality.

Recent research reveals that the Jagannath idol was replaced during Nepal Sambat 347 (13th century), predating King Yaksha Malla and likely established during King Anandadeva’s reign in the 12th century. At that time, Bhaktapur was the primary center for Jagannath worship, later expanding to Kathmandu and Lalitpur.

The Chardham constructed in Sikkim, India, has gained popularity, attracting millions of religious tourists annually. Promoting Bhaktapur’s Chardham could similarly boost domestic and international tourism, drawing large numbers of devotees daily.

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