Devotees flock to Taleju Bhawani Temple (Photos)

Kathmandu: A huge crowd of devotees paid homage at the Tulaja (Taleju) Bhawani Temple on Friday morning.

The temple, located within the Hanumandhoka Durbar premises, opens to the public only once a year — on the occasion of Mahanavami. Tulaja Bhawani is revered as Sakshat Devi, i.e., Living Goddess. 

According to ancient scriptures, King Pratap Malla of Kantipur used to play dice with Tulaja Bhawani. The Malla kings worshipped her as their Kuldevi (ancestral goddess).

On the day of Fulpati, the idol of Tulja Bhawani is placed at Mulchowk, Hanumandhoka Durbar. It is returned to the temple on Vijaya Dashami. After the Kalaratri Puja, performed on the night of Maha Ashtami at Mulchowk, 54 goats and 54 buffaloes are sacrificed.

(Glimpses of devotees at the Taleju Bhawani Temple)

(Photos: Saroj Basnet)

Nepali version of the photo story