Manakamana

Manakamana Devi Temple in Gorkha, Nepal is famous for a sacred place of Hindu Goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Parvati. Every version of the legend of Manakamana tells the story of a 17th Century queen of King Ram Shah of Gorkha. Apparently, she left her King's bed every night to return in the morning. Ram Shah, knowing of her nightly sojourns, followed his queen to discover that she attended a meeting of gods and goddesses in a large hall guarded by two massive lions. He discovered her as Durga Bhawani, the possessor of divine powers, but his secretary Lakhan Thapa Magar already knew her true identity. Ram Shah was said to have been stuck dead when he confronted the Queen with his knowledge of her identity. In keeping with the practice of the day the Queen committed Sati (a tradition where a wife sat on the funeral pyre of her husband), promising Lakhan Thapa Magar that she would return.

A farmer named Dhandhoj Thapa discovered a stone while plowing a field later in legend. Hearing of this phenomenon, Lakhan Thapa Magar was convinced that it was a sign from his late queen. After discovering the stone, he built a temple in her honor where he devoted the rest of his life to serving her. This started a tradition of only Magar priests, who are now in their 21st generation. Manakamana Devi temple is named after Bhagawati's incarnation, who grants pilgrims' wishes according to Hindu tradition. The temple rests on a 1300-meter hill, west of the city of Kathmandu. Like many other hill top temples, Manakamana Temple also over looks the Marshyangdi and Trishuli rivers. During a clear day, pilgrims can see the Annapurnas, Himalchuli, and Manaslu peaks. During the 2015 earthquake, the temple was destroyed and reconstructed with funds raised by the local communities.

Origin Legend (17th Century)

• The Queen: Her loyal attendant, Lakhan Thapa, was the only one who knew about Rama Shah's divine abilities.
• The Discovery: Six months after King Ram Shah's death, Queen Rama Shah committed sati (ritual immolation). A farmer plowing a field hit a stone from which blood and milk gushed, a sign from the queen.
• The Temple: Wish) The Manakamana (Heart's Wish) deity was established there by Lakhan Thapa to honor his queen's reincarnation. 

Significance

• Wish-Fulfilling Deity: Manakamana is the combination of "mana" (heart) and "kamana" (wish), indicating its ability to grant sincere wishes.
• Shakti Peetha: There are many Hindu pilgrimages to this site, especially those who worship the divine feminine.
• Cultural Hub: The spiritual center, perched on a hill overlooking the Trisuli River, is accessible by cable car today