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| Palanchowk Bhagawati, Kavre |
Palanchowk Bhagawati is located on a hilltop in Kavre district to the east of Kathmandu. It is a three-storey pagoda temple in which is enshrined the deity of Bhagawati, the Goddess of Power (Shakti). This exquisitely carved image is considered the most magnificent among the stone idols of Bhagawati, or Durga, in the temples of Nepal. Devotees flock to the temple to offer sacrifices to the goddess to seek divine favour for prosperity and happiness of the self and family. There is a legend behind this artistically carved stone idol. It tells the tragic story of the master craftsman whose hands were amputated by the king who had ordered the idol made, for no apparent reason other than to ensure that there would be no reproduction or duplication of the idol of such elegance. This temple dates back to Lichhavi period. It is a pagoda style temple and is 15 meters tall. The statue of goddess Durga with eighteen hands is very artistic.
There is a good view of the Himalayan ranges from the temple.
Access: The temple is situated on a hilltop and needs a detour on foot or by jeep along a narrow mountain path from a point 55 km east of Kathmandu on the Arniko Highway (road that leads to the Chinese border). It is situated between Dhulikhel and Panchkhal on Arniko Highway. A side road connects the temple from Lamidanda on the highway. There are regular buses from Banepa to Palanchowk every hour
