Sankhu and Bajrayogini

Sankhu and Bajrayogini

Sankhu and Bajrayogini are other places to visit around Kathmandu Nepal. Once the city was on the trade route towards the east of Helambu to Tibet. It is the ancient Newar town located in the north-eastern corner of Kathmandu Valley in about 17km from the capital city Kathmandu. Sankhu, also known as Shankharapur for its famous ancient Sankha-shaped town structure, was formerly divided into 3 Village Development Committee namely Pukhulachhi, Suntol and Bajrayogini.
Recently the town of Sankhu has been declared as Shankharapur Municipality merging 3 above mentioned VDCs and other neighbouring VDCs. It is a typical Newari town with many fine old buildings and temples, Forest above the village hides. This place is also known as the Eighty Siddhas as there are four of five caves where the siddhas of India are said to have stayed. One of the caves is also said to have been the practice cave ofNagarjuna, and an image of the great master which was originally in the cave has been taken outside and placed some distance away.

Important temple of the Tantric goddess Bajra Yogini. The main structure is of the 17th century, but Nepalese legend says the goddess has resided here since per-medieval time. It is also well known as Bodhisattva’s Temple. The temple is actually a sort of temple complex, with the main temple having been built by King Pratap Malla in the sixteenth century. Bajrayogini is the Hindu goddess of wisdom of which Ugra Tara is the Buddhist equivalent. Thus the temple is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.

The Bajrayogini Temple is situated roughly 20 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu. The area where it is located is often referred to as Gunbaha, which can be roughly translated from Newari as recreational forest place. The main temple is a three-story high building, which was obviously carefully constructed with the utmost attention to detail. You will likely find a statue of the goddess Bajrayogini in this temple which will feature a red face with three eyes as well as hands, which have the thumb and middle finger carefully, decorated. Ornaments surround her statue.