Chandragiri Hills

Chandragiri Hills is about 7 km from Thankot. It sit’s on Kathmandu Valley’s South-West side. We can get a panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley from the hill. And even the mighty Himalayan ranges from Annapurna to Everest. There is a ton of point on the Chandragiri Hill which has rendered it a really enticing spot to explore. During holidays or certain days, people, relatives and acquaintances visit the hill for a scenic view of the mountains.

The peak of chandragiri hill has a Mandir of Bhaleshwor. This temple made the position desirable as well. Even in winter the Chandragiri Hill has a snowfall that has drawn a number of visitors towards it. People also head to the Chandragiri Hill for hiking and move towards Markhu from here.

Bhaleshwor Mahadev

Mythological Meaning In relation to the explanation written in Himvatakhanda. Bhaleshwor Mahadev emerged on the place where Satidevi’s ‘Bhala’ or the forehead dropped from her dead body. It is assume that Satidevi. Shiva’s consort, gave up her life by leaping into a fire pyre at the yagna (sacred fire ritual) of her father Daksha Prajapati after Daksha mocked her husband Shiva in front of counts of gods and goddesses invited to the religious ceremony. So an angry Shiva placed her dead body on his back and flew across the planet like a madman for a long time, never realizing the deteriorating body of Satidevi. Specific ‘shakti-centres’ were form at places where separate parts of Satidevi’s body fall in the mourning of Lord Shiva.

Chandragiri Hills History

The story of Mahadev is also connect with Gandharva, a low-ranking Hindu god called Sumukha. Sumukha secretly kiss Rambha, an angel who had recently retired as a courtier in Heaven, thought to be the realm of Indra (the king of gods). Then Rambha blame Sumukha for his crime, during which he was compelled to stay on earth, abandoning his abode in heaven. Sumukha walked across the mortal universe while enduring the curse until he encountered a wise man, Galab, who offered a way out for Sumukha to confess and lift the curse. Sage Galab urged Sumukha to give prayers beforehim after he purified himself as a penance every day. Luckily, in due time, Mahadev was satisfy and bless Sumukha, after which he settled down with Rambha.

The Himvatkhanda also has another folklore related to the Mahadev. A Brahmin called Birupas suffered from leprosy as a consequence of the sins he had done in his previous existence. The leper Birupas walked aimlessly in his distress until he came across SageNemuni who told him to attend 64 Shiva lingas as atonement for his transgressions. Birupas was report to have visited Bhaleshwor when making rounds of 64 separate Shiva temples.

It is claim that the people who come here to worship Bhaleshwor would satisfy their wishes and find a spot in the realm of Shivaloka or Lord Shiva in their afterlife.