4. BINDHABASINI TEMPLE

This temple is one of the most revered temple of the Pokhara where hundreds of Hindu devotees flock every morning worship the goddess Bindhabasini after whom the temple is named. It is located on a small hill at about 3000 ft above sea level. A stone idol of goddess Bindhabasini is placed here which has seen artistically carved into the unique shape of goddess Bindhabasini. As legend toes King Khadga Bam Malla, Kihng of ganga in Kathmandu was a veritable devotee of goddess Bindhabasini. One night goddess Bindhabasini did appear in his dream and order him to bring her idol from Bindhyachal Pradesh, India and place her in Nepal. Being a staunch follower of goddess Bindhabasini he immediately set out for an arduous journey to India to bring the revered goddess Bindhanasini to Nepal. On the way to Bindhyachal Pradesh, he faced several difficulties but nothing could deter him. Eventually King Malla reached the place where the idol of Bindhabasini was kept. King Malla was taken aback when the Indian King refused to hand over the idol of the goddess Bindhabasini. At the last broken hearted the king made him was back to Nepal. Goddess Bindhabasini then appeared in the dream of the King of Bindhyachal Pradesh and ordered him to cooperate with the King Nepal and allow him to carry her idol to the Himalayan Kingdom being a sincere devotees of goddess Bindhyabasini. He handed over the idol of goddess to Khadga Bam Malla received the idol and set out the return journey to Nepal. When he was still on the way to Pang, he took an night halt at the same place where the temple is now locate. Tired porters and king had their dinner and soon went int a deep slumber. Goddess again appeared in the dream of the king Khadga Bam Malla and told him that she liked the very place and that he should established her there only. Next morning the porters got up and tried to lift the idol of Bindhyabasini to their surprise they could not even move the idol an inch. With great amazement the porters ran to the King and described the whole story, but they became even more surprised when they found their King did not show any sign of astonishment. Later on, the king told them about the wish of the goddess and that she wanted to stay there permanently. The whole story was later written in an Bhoj Patra during the reign of King Bhirkote.