by Lokanath Mishra
Nepal is a congregation of Hindu and Buddhism Heritage with several Ancient Pilgrimage sites on its Land with its cool weather, which is why it is the prime attraction for visitors and pilgrims visiting this place. Nepal is also the “Gateway to Kailash” Mansarovar-the mythical abode of Lord Shiva. Devotees from various parts of Nepal and India throng the temples during special festivals.
As it possessess 8 of 10 highest mountains in the World, it is considered as the hotspot destination for rock climbers, mountaineers and people seeking adventure. “Mount Everest” is the highest mountain peak in the World situated in Nepal. “Lumbini” is considered as “The World Heritage Site”, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, located in the South West region of Nepal and has some of the important religious pilgrimage sites throughout the country. The Tourism Industry comprises: a)Adventure Tourism and b)Ecotourism are important attractions for visitors and people of Nepal to achieve greater social equity and alleviate poverty in the country.
‘Sleeping Vishnu Temple’ or “Budhanilkantha Temple” is located 9kms north of Kathmandu, is a popular ‘Hindu Open Air Temple’ in Nepal, dedicated to Lord Vishnu situated below the Shivapuri Hill at the Northern end of the Kathmandu Valley dated 7th or 8th century. Kathmandu is about 4400 ft above the sea level and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Asia and capital of Nepal. It is also known as ‘Narayanthan Temple’. The temple name as Budhanilkantha is not derived from the Buddha, but it stands for “Old Blue Throat” which gave name to this temple, which actually refers to Lord Shiva, who drank the poison of the ocean which turned his neck blue. To soothe the burning sensation in his throat Lord Shiva threw himself into Lake Gosainkund, since then it is said, comes the water in Budha Nilkantha’s tank. However this shrine itself is dedicated unambiguously to Lord Vishnu.
Sleeping Vishnu Temple or Budhanilkantha Temple
Legend says, that once a farmer and his wife struck a figure while ploughing the field which started bleeding, ultimately it started soaking blood into the ground. There is a belief that this statue was lost long time ago. Immediately that place turned out to be the statue of lost deity of Budhanilkantha, which was then recovered and placed as is seen in its present position.
Another Legend says that the statue was sculpted and brought to this place by 7th century Monarch Vishnu Gupta in Kathmandu during his reign, who controlled the Kathmandu Valley under the Lichchhavi King Bhimarjuna Dev.
The huge statue of Lord Vishnu at Budhanilkantha Temple is carved with a single block of black stone a type which is not found in the valley. The statue of the Deity is over 1000 years old. The statue is seen in a reclining position of about 5 mts tall (around 16.4 feet) and 13 mts long (42.65 feet) situated in the midst of a small pond as if floating, with His legs crossed. This Jalashayan sculpture of Lord Vishnu in mid of the pond symbolizes the Lord’s long meditative sleep on thousand headed Snake Anantha Naag in the cosmic ocean dated 5th century and is considered as the largest stone carving in Nepal. Lord Vishnu here is depicted as Chaturbhujadhari (having four hands ) with Sudarshana Chakra ( Discus ) – left of Vishnu’s head is the main weapon to fight demons and Clubin on one side, and Conch-Shell and Lotus Flower on the other side.
All Hindus can walk down the steps and touch His feet to seek his blessings, but the foreigners cannot.
