Budhanikantha Temple, Nepal

Address

Budhanikantha Temple, Golfutar Main Rd, Budhanilkantha 44600, Nepal

Deity

Budhanikantha (Vishnu)

Introduction

• Temple Name: Budhanilkantha Temple (also known as Narayanthan Temple).
• Location: Budhanilkantha, Nepal, beneath Shivapuri Hill at the northern end of the Kathmandu Valley.
• Main Feature: Notable for a large reclining statue of Lord Mahavishnu.
• Significance: The main statue is regarded as the largest stone carving in Nepal.
• Age: Believed to be around 1000 years old.
• Etymology: “Budhanilkantha” translates to “Old Blue Throat,” not related to Buddha.
• Deity Representation: Lord Vishnu, part of the Hindu Trimurti along with Brahma and Shiva.

Puranic Significance

• Statue Details:
  • Carved from a single block of black basalt.
  • Height: 5 meters (approximately 16.4 feet).
  • Positioned in a 13-meter (42.65 feet) long recessed pool of water.
  • Depicts Lord Vishnu reclining on the cosmic serpent Shesha.
  • Holds the Sudarshana Chakra, club, conch shell, and a gem in his four hands.
  • Adorned with a crown engraved with multiple Kirtimukha images, often overlapped by a silver crown.
• Religious Harmony: The temple is sacred to Hindus and venerated by Buddhists, exemplifying interfaith respect in Nepal.
• Legends:
  • One story tells of a farmer discovering the deity’s figure while plowing his field, which began to soak up blood.
  • Another legend claims the statue was sculpted during the reign of King Bishnugupta in the 7th century and brought to its current location.
  • It was long believed that the statue floats in the pool, though scientific investigation in 1957 confirmed it to be a silica-based stone with low density.
• Prophetic Vision: King Pratap Malla had a vision that led to a belief that Nepali monarchs would die if they visited the temple, resulting in subsequent kings avoiding it.

Festivals

• Major Festival: Haribondhini Ekadashi Mela.
  • Date: 11th day of the month of Kartika (October–November).
  • Significance: Celebrates the awakening of Lord Vishnu from his long sleep.
  • Attendance: Attracts thousands of pilgrims.

Century/Period/Age

1000 Years old

Managed By

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

Nearest Bus Station

Budhanikantha

Nearest Railway Station

Kathmandu

Nearest Airport

Kathmandu

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