Southeast of Kathmandu, bordered by the holy Bagmati River is the beautiful forest grove of Gokarna.This is a lovely Gokarna Safari Park. It lies about ten kilometers northeast of Kathmandu, on the banks of the river. It is said to be the place where Shiva himself once wandered, disguised as a beautiful golden deer under cover of the low forested hills. Local people built a fine shrine, the Gokarna Mahadev temple on the river bank opposite the forest. Visitors pay a fee to enter Gokarna which also contains a safari park and other facilities. Many species of deer roam here as well as pheasants and peacocks. Elephants and ponies are available for adventurous riders. Gokarna safari park 10 km east of Kathmandu provides elephant safari for viewing wild animals and birds such as spotted dear, peacock etc. It has a resort and a restaurant as well.
The ancient Newari village of Gokarna has the interesting Gokarna Mahadev Temple dedicated to Siva. It is one of the famous hindu pilgrimage sites. You get to Gokarna by taking the Sankhu road a short distance northeast of Bodhnath and taking the Sundarijal road. After a couple of kilometres you get to Gokarna. Mahadev means “Great God.” The pagoGokarneshwar Mahadev Temple da style temple is on the bank of the Bagmati River.
The triple-roofed Mahadev or Gokarneshwar (Lord of Gokarna) Temple contains an important Siva lingam and some interesting woodcarvings. Nandi’s, Siva bull, is next to the temple. The temple has an excellent collections of sculptures located all around the temple. Some of the sculpture are over 1000 years old. Many Hindu deities are represented including a bearded Brahma, Narasingha (half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu), Surya (sun god), Ganesh, Kamadeva (god of love), Durga and Chandra (moon god). The 14th century temple has been recently restored.
Over the entrance of the temple is a golden torana with Siva and Parvati in the center in the Uma Maheshwar position (Parvati has her hand on Siva’s knee).
In a small temple in the compound is an 8th century statue of the goddess Parvati that is considered to be the best statue at Gokarna. It is in a small shrine in the northwest corner of the courtyard.
On the side of the Gokarna Temple is a single-storey Vishnu Paduka, which has Vishnu’s footprint on a metal plate. There is a figure of Siva lying on a bed of cobras embedded in the steps above the river,
Before you take picture you should ask the priests for permission. Non-Hindus can not enter the temple.
There is a big festival here the Gokarna Aunsi (Nepali “Father’s Day”), in late August or early September.
From here you can walk up to the Pulahari Monastery, on the hill to the west, and from there you can walk west to Kopan or north to Nagi Gompa.
|
|
|
|