Palanchowk Bhagwati Temple – Nepal

Address

Palanchok – Bhagawati Rd,

Panchkhal 45212,

Nepal

Amman

Bhagwati

Introduction

Palanchowk Bhagwati Temple is 7 km north of the mountain of Panchkhal, 15 km of Dhulikhel on the Arniko Highway and, 42 km from Kathmandu. There is a 3 foot tall idol of goddess Bhagawati carved in a black stone. This temple is believed to have been constructed during the reign of King Mānadeva. The temple is situated on the top of the Palanchowk hill named after Bhagawati, the height is 1563 meters, and is connected by road to the Arniko Highway.

Puranic Significance

In almost all cases, deep-rooted history and legend characterize the temples and shrines in Nepal. So is the Palanchok Bhagwati–steeped in history and age-old myths. It is said that the founding of the Palanchok Temple at the present location was just a happenstance. The story goes back to the Licchavi Dynasty and its first ruler, King Manadeva First. Going by the folklore, King Manadeva, once in his dream, was visited by the Goddess Palanchok Bhagwati who wished her idol re-located from a small village called Buchhakot elsewhere in the north. The king lost no time and with his Queen set upon the venerated mission escorted by a royal entourage along with the porters bearing the idol of Bhagwati. At sunset, the royal retinue with the troops pitched camp at a wooded hilltop called Jagpankpur. At early dawn, the next day, the royal team prepared to strike off camp and head further north.
To the bewilderment of everyone, the porters failed to heave the idol of the Bhagwati on their shoulders despite every possible attempt made. Confusion and uncertainty descended on the camp. Words flew around and the King was duly informed about the unexpected predicament. Priests learned pundits and Tantriks were sent for to find an answer to this fortuity. After long discussions and a pressing consultation, the royal priests arrived at the decision that the Goddess willed to be instated at the very spot where she had been laid for the night and advised the King to that effect. Consequently, the foundation stone of the present-day Palanchok Bhagwati was laid. That made the little-known settlement called Jagpankpur a famous pilgrimage site and got its present-day name, Palanchok Bhagwati.