Shree Swasthani Mata Temple

Place of Shree Swasthani brata katha where Nawaraj was nominated by Elephant as the king.
It is said that it was built by King Manjushree to house the holy idol of Swasthani Mata. The temple is believed to be around 1000 years old. It is a very popular pilgrimage site for both Nepalese Hindus and Buddhists. During the month of Magh, worshipers come to offer their prayers and participate in the rituals associated with the festival.

Swosthani Mata Temple, nestled in the serene town of Sankhu within the Kathmandu district, is a divine sanctuary that draws pilgrims and seekers alike. Its spiritual significance is amplified during the month of Magh when the air resonates with the collective devotion of thousands who participate in the revered Magh Mela or Swosthani Brata.

The temple, dedicated to Goddess Swosthani, becomes a focal point of religious fervor during this auspicious month. Pilgrims from far and wide embark on a spiritual journey to partake in the rituals and immerse themselves in the sacred atmosphere. The Magh Mela, a month-long festival, transforms the temple precincts into a vibrant tapestry of rituals, prayers, and cultural festivities.

During this time, the temple acts as a pilgrimage site where devotees seek blessings, perform rituals, and engage in collective worship. The air is thick with devotion as the temple resonates with hymns and prayers, creating an atmosphere charged with spirituality. The sacred energy of Swosthani Mata Temple during Magh Mela becomes a profound experience for the multitude of pilgrims who make the annual pilgrimage, forging a deeper connection with their faith amidst the rich cultural tapestry of Nepal.

Goddess Shree Swasthani's Temple. The Shaali river flows below the temple. Every year, for a month, we listen to the stories about the Goddess and her glory, it is a beautiful place and religiously important heritage. People drying their clothes on the railings around the temple wasn't a good sight to see though.

This temple is dedicated to goddess shri swosthani mata. People mostly visit this place to take magh snan in sali nadi and to worship mata shri swosthani parameshori. This festive start paush sukla purnima to magh sukla purnima almost one month duration. This place has long back religious history. This place is well connected with sundhara ( NARC ) kathamandu. you can get public buses to this temple. Fare is rs 60/80 from sundhara (dharhara) to sali nadi. Jai mata shri swosthani parameshori.

The oldest inscription found in Sankhu is dated 538 AD which is dated to the Licchavi Period. The inscription was written by the king Vamanadeva. The city was built on a trade route form Kathmandu to Kuti, Sigatse and Lhasa in Tibet.
Before Malla Dynasty in Nepal, Sankhu is believed to be a separate kingdom because of the presence of the historical Durbar square (Layaku), but this is still debated.[4] It is mentioned that king Sankaradeva's grandson Manadeva went to a bihar in Sankhu after kiling his father. This indicates that Sankhu existed during the time of Sankardeva.
During medieval period, Sankhu was a princely state of Bhaktapur. Sakhu is mentioned in Gopalaraja Vamsavali as the place where in 1242AD war was fought and Echimis were defeated. There is mention about Sankhu in 1334AD as the place where a person named Snkhu Mulmi stole ornaments of Brahmins. During this period it is believed that Sankhu was one of the strong fortress of Nepal.
King Svarna Malla (1504–19) divided Sankhu into two parts and gave one half to his brother. During 1520–30, King Surya Malla captured Sankhu and stayed there for a few years as a ruler. During 1540s Jayavir Malla Deva ruled Sankhu. In 1560s, it was ruled by Trailokya Malla Deva and Queen Gangadevi.[5]
King Jayaprakahs Malla ruled sankhu from 1736 to 1768. At the end of his rule, Mallas were overthrown from Kathmnadu by Gorkha Kingdom by Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1768. Prithvi Narayan Shah's initial plan was to capture Sanku before attacking Kathmandu because it was a trade route to Tibet. In 1746, he attacked Sankhu with the help from Ranajit Malla, the king of Bhaktapur. But the plan failed. It is believed that the people of Saknku were loyal to Mallas. A note from Colonel Kirkapatrick from 1793 mentions about the town of Sakhu as a place of great magnitude in the past but does not at present above a thousands families.[5]
The Gorkhali kings turned Sankhu into Jagir to reward its functionaries by the Queen with an annual word of NPR 4000.
In Rana period, a Darbare was appointed who acted as the town chief and looked after local administration. The system was abolished in 1951 with transition to democratic system.
In Panchyat period, Sankhu had three village Panchayat as the local units. In 1990, the local units were renamed as village development committees. In 2011, the Nepal government changed it into Nagarpalika.

Bajrayogini TempleEdit

Mt. Manichuda (2403m), a holy mountain, lies in the North of the Sankhu. A lake also named Manichuda lies near the mountain. The temple of Vajrayogini (Bajrayogini, Khadgayogini), one of main identity of Sankhu, lies on the on middle of this hill.[6]
Locally, in newari language, the goddess are known as 'Mhasukhwamaju' (Nepal Bhasa:म्हासुख्वा माजु) means yellow faced Mistress and 'Hyaunkhwaamaju' (Nepal Bhasa:ह्याउंख्वा माजु) means red faced Misstress.
The temple enshrines the main sacred representations of this site, Ugra-tara manifesting as Ekazati, which are said to give very powerful blessings, particularly the image in the upper temple. The image in the lower temple is red in colour with one face and four arms, two of which hold a skull-cup (kapala) and knife at her heart, and the remaining two hold a sword and an utpala (blue) lotus. In the upper temple is an identical image of Ugra-tara in bell metal, in which her left leg is outstretched. In the upper temple is the loom of the Nepali Princess Bhrikuti, spouse of the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. In both the upper and lower temples, Bajrayogini is flanked Baghini and Singhini, the Tiger and Lion-headed Yoginis. In the same upper room in the upper temple is a solid bronze standing Buddha and a standing Lokeshvara. Below this shrine room is a small room containing self-arisen (Swayambhu) stupa in stone.

Most visit this place during months of magh according to Nepali calendar to feel a different energy and peacefulness and religious vibe. The management is great and also has a good cultural ecosystem.

Located In Sankhu
Road conditions are good for both 2 and 4 wheelers
Parking space available

This Place, Temple, Pond, River is very famous place for Hindu religion followers. A long one month festival ( pilgrimage season) celebrated every year on Dec, Jan.

Famous place for Hindu religion and has great value in the book called Swasthani. Every year the Mela takes place for one month which generally falls on the month of Jan-Feb(Poush-Magh). And most of the people visit during this period.

Salinadi is a famous holy area where you can bath and worship Swasthani Mata and Mahadav Narayan.

Religious place . Its for the hindu religion people where people worship a goddess swastani for whole month(lunar month) . Great to visit . Taking bath in the holy river and worshiping the god is good way to fresh your mind .

Very famous place for Hindu religion followers. There is a month long festival ( pilgrimage season) in winter..

A beautiful and peaceful religious place near by Kathmandu , less then an hour ride from central Kathmandu .

Salinadi is a little escape from Kathmandu. The temple, stories, village, river everything makes the whole thing so relaxable.

Sali Nadi is located is Sankhu - Sankhu is ana ancient Newar Town located in north-east of Kathmandu also known as “Sakwa” in Newari Language. It is the site where long month of fasting (brata), meditation, worship and ritual bathing by both and men to tribute the Lord Madhav Narayan from the beginning of January till end of January according to Tithi sometime it goes up and down 10-15 days which means start from full moon day and ends also in the full moon day.

Born in sankhu where salinadi lies.
It's a beautiful and peaceful spot.
Clear water river with natural beauty surroundings. Always loving this place.. I often go around the place whenever I get free time. This place is a must for nature lover. Come visit the place with your family and friends.

Historic place, must go place for Hindu devotee;

Holy place to be!! Usually the Mela starts around the month of February!!!

Purely Holy place for all Hindus

Sankhu (alternative name: Sakwa (Nepal Bhasa: सक्व)) is the ancient Newar town located in the north-eastern corner of Kathmandu Valley in about 17 km 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 Municipalitymerging 3 above mentioned VDCs and other neighbouring VDCs. At the time of the 2011 Nepal census it had a population of 4333 living in 928 individual households.