Panauti

Large parts of the following description are from the Wikipedia entry for Panauti.

Panauti is a small town in the Kathmandu Valley. It dates back to the 13^th century.

The Indreshwor Mahadev temple is one of the largest and tallest pagoda style temples in Nepal. It was originally built over a lingam in 1294, making it the oldest surviving temple of Nepal. The roof struts embellishing the two lower stories of the temple are distinct Nepalese wood-carving and architecture.

Panauti is situated at the confluence of two main rivers, Rosi and Punyamati which has been regarded as an important religious site. In Nepali society, it is also believed that rivers are sacred places and such a visit allows man to cleanse his body and be freed from sins and anxieties. Furthermore it is believe that there is also a third "invisible" river, Lilawati creating a tri-junction and is historically known to have remarkably enhanced Nepal's religious sanctity and popularity especially in Panuati. Due to the convergence of these three rivers, on festive occasions, large numbers of people from around the world come to this holy place to pay their respects, as well as visiting the Indreshwor Mahadev temple and other holy sites located in Panuati. The confluence of these three rivers is an important pilgrimage site where every 12 years, a month-long fair is held known as the Makar Mela. During this celebration, thousands of devotees visit Panauti to cleanse themselves in this sacred water. The confluence is also an important site for burial cremations.

There is a nice, small museum with examples of old wood carvings from the area.

All pictures are © Dr. Günther Eichhorn, unless otherwise noted.

Panauti

Square in Panauti. (910k)

Small store in Panauti. (971k)

Sattal or Pati, a pilgrim's shelter. Pilgrims could sleep there during their pilgrimage. (831k)

House in Panauti. (970k)

Picture of Shiva de Destroyer on a house in Panauti. (846k)

Picture of Hanuman the Protector on a house in Panauti. (1022k)

Dried-out village well. (1090k)

Buddhist monument in Panauti. (862k)

Wooden Surya statue, holding two Lotus flowers in the museum in Panauti (from Triveni Ghat, 15^th - 16^th century CE). (646k)

Carved wood statue of a standing lady in the museum in Panauti (from Indreshwor Mahadev temple, 14^th - 15^th century CE). (662k)

Carved wood statue in the museum in Panauti. (647k)

Carved wood mask in the museum in Panauti. (675k)

Shiva temple Indreshwor Mahadev. (754k)

Golden roof of the Indreshwor Mahadev temple. One of the kings named Tulo donated his weight in gold to cover the roof in the 14^th century. (583k)