Banepa

Banepa is just outside the valley, 25km east of Kathmandu and 3km before Dhulikhel. There is not much to do here and most people will just pass through. There is a statue of King Tribhuvan in the center of town.

The old part of the town in the northwest side of town has some interesting buildings and squares. There are two Narayan temples in the old town square.

Chandeshwari Temple
This triple-roofed temple is dedicated to the goddess Chandeshwari. The temple has an arched entrance gate. The temple has a Siva linga and images of Ganesh and Nandi. The doorway has a brightly colored image of Parvati killing the Chand demon on top of it. Once a demon named Chand was terrorizing this valley, and Parvati come and killed him. She got the name Chandeshwari or “Lord of Chand.”

On the west wall is a large colorful painting of Bhairab in his destructive mode. The roof struts have carvings of the eight Ashta Matrikas and eight Bhairabs. There is a chariot festival in which Chandeshwari is taken out at the same time as the Nepali New Year (April 13 or 14).

This temple is on the edge of the gorge, about 1km northeast of Banepa. The bathing ghats on the stream near the temple is considered auspicious. To get here is an easy walk on the road through some field and past an old tank.

Travel
Buses to here depart from the Kathmandu City bus station and take two hours (Rs 17). Buses go to Dhulikhel, Kodari and Panauti.

Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides