Vajra Jogini (22km)

Located here is a temple dedicated to the tantric goddess Vajra Jogini, who Hindu see as Durga (Kali) or as one of the eight mother goddesses. She is also called Khadga Jogini, because she has a khadga (sword) in her right hand. This interesting temple complex is located a few kilometres from Sankhu. The main temple was built in 1655 by Pratap Malla of Kathmandu. There are many monkeys here.

When you enter the temple compound on the right there are some bells, which are the female equivalent of the Tantric vajra or thunderbolt. There are two temples here. The closest one is the pagoda Vajra Jogini Temple. You can not see the goddess’ image on the altar. It has a three-tiered copper sheet roof. On the struts there are protective Buddhist gods and animals. There is a stone next to the temple entrance, which a Nag (snake) shrine.

The further two-tiered temple has a chaitya that honors Ugra Tara or Nilo (Blue Tara), who is a Buddhist Newar goddess, who is a terrifying form of the goddess Tara, one of the goddesses of Buddhism. There are some good carvings around the doors and a gilded lion on a pillar. There is a cave in the northwest corner of the courtyard that is used in Tantric worship, and a Tibetan inscription. There is Dharma Pap Gupha cave to the west of the temple compound. It is believed that is a person can get through this cave they show their dharma (pious credits) and if you can’t you show you pap (sins).

To walk here from Sankhu you take the main road north under the arch at the north end of town. Then go left after around 500m onto the cobbled path, but if you have a bike you continue straight for another kilometre, and from there walk up the stairs.

Travel
From Sankhu, you turn left after coming out of the bus stop. Walk north through the village. Immediately after the road goes right, you take the left road out of the village passing under a concrete archway. Pass the archway are some interesting sculptures of Vishnu and Ganesh. The road forks. The left fork is the normal way to walk to the temple along the small river. You can drive or ride a bike on the right road. When you reach the car park, if you came on a bike, it is good idea to pay a few rupees for someone to watch the bike.
From the car park it is a steep, hard climb to the temple. On the way up is a structure with sculpture on it of Ganesh and Kali. There is a natural stone that represents Than Bhairab. Sacrifices are made at it.

Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides