Dakshinkali Temple - Dedication To Goddess Kali

Dakshinkali Temple is one of the major Hindu temples of Nepal, built to commemorate Goddess Kali, the goddess of time. Goddess Kali embodies a strong mother figure and motherly love who protects her children and devotees from misfortune.

The temple is located at Pharping, southern border of Kathmandu valley. It is also the reason behind the temple name. Since it is a temple of goddess Kali which lies on the southern part of Kathmandu, it is named Dakshinkali. The word 'Dakshin' means 'South' and 'Kali' refers to 'the Goddess'.

The temple is in between the natural forests and hills. On the main temple, there is a stone idol of Goddess Durga. The idol showcases her standing on top of a corpse and multiple hands carrying a sword, a skull cap, and a severed head. There are also idols of Lord Ganesh, Ashta Matrik, and Bhairav. There is an area for sacrifice. And a river flows below the temple.

Best Time to Visit Dakshinkali Temple

You have to follow the line of devotees on a long staircase to worship the Goddess Kali here. Most of the people visit the temple especially on Tuesday and Saturday to sacrifice animals there. The temple is popular for the sacrifice of animals.

Also the temple is full of devotees during the Dashain festival. Even the royal family of Nepal visits Dakshinkali Temple to worship Goddess Kali during this festival which has been a practice of the royal family since the beginning.

History of Dakshinkali Temple

It is believed that during the Malla reign in the 14th century, Goddess Kali appeared in King Pratap Malla’s dream and ordered him to build a temple to commemorate her. So, the king immediately built the Dakshinkali Temple.

People also believe that after the King built the temple, the lord of death, Yama, who lived in the south ran away in fear. This story posed the belief that people who worship Goddess Kali can overcome death too.