Guhyeshwari temple is the epitome of feminine divinity and is regarded as a sacred shakti peeth. Shakti peeth is considered to be a reference to the female Shakti, Adi Shakti. It is located in close proximity to Pashupatinath temple in Nepal.
Pashupatinath and Guweshwari are beautiful representations of the Shiva and Shakti unity. Located on the banks of River Bagmati, the temple portrays the female side of the divine. Guweshwari is also known for its Tantrik powers for those who seek power.The Tantrik practitioners and the devotees visit this Shakti Path of Power Place for the perfection of their spiritual practices and also to offer prayers requesting the Goddess for supporting is healing physical and spiritual problems.
History
As the legend goes, Shiva and Sati were married in spite of her father. Dakshya’s wishes, hence Dakhsya looked for opportunities to look down upon Shiva. organizing a puja and not inviting Sati was just the way to do. As Sati arrived despite not being invited Dakshya took the moment to insult them, resulting in Sati plunging herself to the fire. Shiva agonized with the loss of his beloved carried her body around. Lord Vishnu in an attempt to end the misery used his Sudarshana chakra to disperse the body. As so happened the temple marks the spot where her both knees fell.
The current temple was built in the 17th century by King Pratap Malla.
Architecture:
The pagoda-style temple has a distinct interior. Instead of a standing figure of the Goddess, it has a flat figure parallel to the ground that is worshiped by bowing down. Next to the divine figure is a pond, the Bhairav Kunda. The goddess is worshiped at the center of the temple in a kalasha (water jar) that is covered with a layer of silver and gold. Devotees put their hand inside the pond and whatever they get is considered holy and is accepted as a blessing from the divine.
The temple stands at the center of a courtyard and is topped with four gilded snakes that support the final roof.
The Hindu and Buddhist Assimilation:
The Buddhist Newar community performs various Puja at Guhyeshwari Temple. Newari Bhoj (feast) is also held at the temple during festivals. Newar Bajracharya Buddhists worship Guhyeshwari as Vajrayogini.
During the first 10 days of Dashain (Navaratri), the main festival of the Hindus, devotees from all over Kathmandu come to worship Goddess Guhyeshwari. A lot of importance is placed in visiting this temple during this time.
This temple is not open to non-Hindus and as such.