The stone idol of Siddha Ganesh in Pokhara Metropolitan City-32, Badhare, has been mysteriously growing in size every year. This sacred stone was discovered nearly a hundred years ago while plowing the land.
According to local legend, the plow’s blade accidentally chipped a part of the stone, and soon after, the oxen used for plowing died. Upon investigation, the villagers found that the stone bore the form of Lord Ganesh, and it was then placed at its current temple site. The chipped portion remains visible even today.
Initially, the stone was about a hand span in length, but over the years, it has grown significantly, reaching over a hand’s length, according to Devi Parajuli, who regularly worships at the temple. The idol was originally sheltered with simple stones and a cover, but over time, it was transformed into a well-structured temple. Since then, devotees have worshipped it with great faith.
Elderly local Kashi Nath Pandit, 85, recalls witnessing the idol’s mysterious growth firsthand. “As a child, I passed by this temple many times while visiting my maternal home. The stone idol I saw back then was much smaller than it is now,” he shared.
During temple renovations, part of the stone was covered by concrete flooring, but the exposed portion still stands about a hand’s length above the surface. Despite increasing migration from Badhare, this mystical site remains relatively unknown, awaiting promotion and recognition. In 2018 BS (1961 AD), a grand religious festival, Dhan Dhanyanchal, was held at the temple premises.
Many from the younger generation also claim to have observed the idol growing over time. Binita Pandit Ghimire shared her own experience, saying, “The stone idol I saw as a child was much smaller than it is now. We have always worshipped this stone as a direct manifestation of Lord Ganesh.”
Previously surrounded by simple stone walls and covered with stones, the temple has been systematically renovated over the past decade. Devotees from Badhare and nearby areas visit the temple with deep reverence, believing that their prayers and wishes will be fulfilled.
The temple witnesses grand celebrations, especially on Ganesh Chaturthi, the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesh, which falls on the fourth day after Haritalika Teej. Despite its proximity to the highway, a lack of promotion has kept this spiritual site in obscurity.
The temple is accessible via a 25-minute vehicle ride from Gagangauda on the Prithvi Highway. From Gagangauda, visitors can travel through Raja’s Chautara, cross the Tal Khola Bridge, and pass through Mani to reach Siddha Ganesh Temple in Badhare.
Once a densely populated village, Badhare has seen significant migration over the last three decades, leaving it almost deserted. The site, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas, serene ponds, and the Pokhara Valley, has been affected by increasing migration. Given that roads and transportation facilities have reached the area, locals emphasize the need to promote and develop the temple as a religious tourism destination.