3 years ago
Taleju Bhawani temple at Hanumandhoka Durbar has not been opened to the public this year due to the risk of corona infection. Temple of Taleju Bhawani at Hanumandhoka Durbar in Kathmandu has not been opened to the public due to the risk of corona infection. Temple of Taleju Bhavani is traditionally open every year only on the day of Ashwin Shukla i.e. Mahanavami.
As it was open only on the day of Navami in Bada Dashain, it used to be crowded with visitors on the day of Navami. In previous years, on the day of Navami, visitors had been queuing up since nightfall. However, due to the risk of corona infection, worship of Bhawani has not been opened to the public this year, said Udvaman Karmacharya, chief priest of Taleju Bhawani temple. Chief Priest Karmacharya said that there is a plan to open the temple to the devotees on one Saturday after the risk of infection in Taleju temple is reduced.
Chief Priest Karmacharya also said that Taleju temple was closed after the death of Mahendra Malla on dashain of Nepal in 695 BS and then this year due to the risk of corona infection.
Though the public is not allowed to worship at Taleju temple, devotees worship at the main entrance of the closed temple. There is a tradition of worshiping Taleju Bhawani in the belief that the desires of the mind will be fulfilled.
Taleju Bhawani, idol of Malla kings, was brought to the valley by Harihar Singh Dev, a king of Karnataka. It is mentioned in the history that Harihar Singh came to Bhaktapur with his goddess to escape the attack after Indian Muslim ruler invaded the kingdom of Simraungadh in 1325 BS. In the seventeenth century, King Jayaprakash Malla was seen playing Talepasa with Taleju Bhawani and disappeared from Taleju Bhawani temple. There is a legend that Taleju Bhawani promised to come only once a year on the day of Mahanavami after the king cried a lot apologizing.
Taleju Bhawani is worshiped in Basantapur, Kirtipur, Pharping, Sankhu, Thimi, Chapagaun, Nuwakot, Dolakha, Banepa, Panauti and other places.
