Nepali Mandir / Kathwala Temple
The story of the Nepali Temple in Varanasi is interesting and takes us back to the time of the 19th century. The architecture of the temple is exact replica of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. The interesting thing is, Nepali Temple is one of the oldest Shiva Temples in Varanasi. Yes, Lord Shiva is the primary deity of this unique shrine.
Story of Nepali Temple
Once Rana Bahadur Shah, the King of Nepal, took refuge in Varanasi. It was he who decided to build a Shiva Temple here, which resembles the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. Though the construction of this temple began during his exile, it even took almost 30 years to get completed. The King Rana Bahadur Shah went back to Nepal at the construction stages, and he was stabbed to death immediately after his return. Later, his son Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah Dev completed the temple after 20 years.
Structure of Nepali Temple in Varanasi
Nepali Mandir is made out of wood, and hence it is also called by the name as Kanthwala Temple; ‘Kanthwala’ means ‘wooden temple.’ This shrine is built in the Nepali Style of Architecture with materials like wood, stone, and terracotta. The structure exhibits the excellent craftsmanship of Nepali artisans. Thus, it is one of the special times in Varanasi.
Interesting Facts about Kanthwala Temple
Did you know that Kanthwala Temple is also called as ‘Mini Khajuraho’? Yes, the sculptures carved in this wooden temple resemble the ones in Khajuraho Monuments. Moreover, it is fondly known as Mini Khajuraho. Even though it is made out of wood, the structure is termite-free. It has stood the test of times, indicating to the expertise of the local builders and artisans.
