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- Apr 5, 2005
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Last year when I was in Nepal I visited the Manakamana Goddess.
This ancient Nepal temple is famous for making your wish come true
sooner or later. Most people visit the temple and make puja (worship)
to the Goddess.
Legend says that you can only make one wish, so if any of you want
to go there and make a wish, this is the perfect place to be. Just be
sure to make just one wish.
Ive posted a few photos of the temple that I took while I was there
making my own wish. Lets get on with the legend.
-----------------------------------
Legend has it that the Queen of Gorkha King Ram Shah (A. D. 1614-1636)
possessed divine powers known only to her devotee, Lakhan Thapa.
One day, the King found his Queen disguised as a Goddess. Following the
revelation, he mentioned it to his Queen and he suddenly died. He was
cremated and his Queen committed sati (suicide) by jumping into his
funeral pyre, as required by the local custom.
Before she jumped into the funeral pyre, she consoled her lamenting
devotee, Lakhan, saying she would reappear near his home.
Six months later, a farmer plowing his field hit a stone and cleaved it.
Blood and milk flowed from it, which ceased only when Lakhan worshipped
it with his tantric knowledge.
The site became the foundation of the present shrine. The present pujari
(worshipper) is the 17th generation descendent of Lakhan Thapa.
The Shrine of Manakamana, renovated many times over the centuries, has
four story pagoda style roofs with entrance from the South-West. The pujari
performs daily prayers and ritual in the temple behind closed doors by offering
eggs, oranges, rice, red powder and strips of cloth to the deities. On completion
of the pooja (religious worship) of the shrine by the priest, the public can enter
to begin their own worship.
Manakamana temple lies 12 Km south of historic town Gorkha and located on a
prominent ridge (1302 MT. above sea level), overlooking the river valleys of
Trisuli (south) and Marsyangdi (west). The unique location of the place is
dramatized during winter when the ridge appears as an island above the sea
of morning mist. People believe Manakamana Devi fulfills the wishes of her d
evotees, thus she is called the wish fulfilling deity.
Spectacular views include deep valleys, terraced fields and the Manaslu-Himalchuli
and Annapurna ranges. In the past, the only access to the region was by arduous
climb of over five hours, but one can now visit the shrine in comfort by Manakamana
cable car. The reward on reaching the shrine is spiritually satisfying.
-----------------------------------
I hope you enjoyed our legend. In two weeks I am going to send our Kamis to
Manakamana to celebrate the Nepali New Year 2069. They will spend the day
at the temple, do puja, make a wish and enjoy my treat of lots of good food
and drinks.
This ancient Nepal temple is famous for making your wish come true
sooner or later. Most people visit the temple and make puja (worship)
to the Goddess.
Legend says that you can only make one wish, so if any of you want
to go there and make a wish, this is the perfect place to be. Just be
sure to make just one wish.
Ive posted a few photos of the temple that I took while I was there
making my own wish. Lets get on with the legend.
-----------------------------------
Legend has it that the Queen of Gorkha King Ram Shah (A. D. 1614-1636)
possessed divine powers known only to her devotee, Lakhan Thapa.
One day, the King found his Queen disguised as a Goddess. Following the
revelation, he mentioned it to his Queen and he suddenly died. He was
cremated and his Queen committed sati (suicide) by jumping into his
funeral pyre, as required by the local custom.
Before she jumped into the funeral pyre, she consoled her lamenting
devotee, Lakhan, saying she would reappear near his home.
Six months later, a farmer plowing his field hit a stone and cleaved it.
Blood and milk flowed from it, which ceased only when Lakhan worshipped
it with his tantric knowledge.
The site became the foundation of the present shrine. The present pujari
(worshipper) is the 17th generation descendent of Lakhan Thapa.
The Shrine of Manakamana, renovated many times over the centuries, has
four story pagoda style roofs with entrance from the South-West. The pujari
performs daily prayers and ritual in the temple behind closed doors by offering
eggs, oranges, rice, red powder and strips of cloth to the deities. On completion
of the pooja (religious worship) of the shrine by the priest, the public can enter
to begin their own worship.
Manakamana temple lies 12 Km south of historic town Gorkha and located on a
prominent ridge (1302 MT. above sea level), overlooking the river valleys of
Trisuli (south) and Marsyangdi (west). The unique location of the place is
dramatized during winter when the ridge appears as an island above the sea
of morning mist. People believe Manakamana Devi fulfills the wishes of her d
evotees, thus she is called the wish fulfilling deity.
Spectacular views include deep valleys, terraced fields and the Manaslu-Himalchuli
and Annapurna ranges. In the past, the only access to the region was by arduous
climb of over five hours, but one can now visit the shrine in comfort by Manakamana
cable car. The reward on reaching the shrine is spiritually satisfying.
-----------------------------------
I hope you enjoyed our legend. In two weeks I am going to send our Kamis to
Manakamana to celebrate the Nepali New Year 2069. They will spend the day
at the temple, do puja, make a wish and enjoy my treat of lots of good food
and drinks.
Last edited by a moderator:
I'd love to see Nepal first hand one day.
Thanks for sharing the pictures Auntie.
