Vishnughat Temple: Historical, Cultural, and Artistic Significance
Located in Bode, Ward No. 8 of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, Vishnughat Temple may not stand out artistically compared to other temples, but its ancient connections suggest it deserves in-depth research. Additionally, the name of the site itself appears equally worthy of study. “Vishnughat” combines the words “Vishnu,” referring to Lord Narayan enshrined in the temple, and “ghat,” which usually implies a riverside structure with steps. However, the current state of the area shows no signs of a river or stream nearby. Nevertheless, the Manohara River, which still flows about 400 meters from the site, raises the possibility that the river might have once flowed near this location. The ever-changing course of the Manohara River further supports this hypothesis. Hence, deeper investigation into this site could reveal its archaeological significance.
A) Historical Background
Although there is no direct record of the temple’s establishment, a stone inscription dated Nepal Sambat 758 (approximately 1638 AD) found on the temple premises mentions that a donor, Satyaram Bharo, dedicated the adjoining courtyard to his patron deity. This indicates the presence of Narayan worship during that period. However, whether a temple structure existed or only a deity was worshiped at that time remains unclear. Additionally, a document in the National Archives mentions that the Vishnu idol enshrined in the temple and the Garuda idol in front of the temple date back to the 15th–16th century. This further solidifies the temple’s archaeological importance.
B) Cultural Significance
As noted earlier, the Thimi and Bode regions were inhabited as early as the Licchavi period. Licchavi-era inscriptions reveal that these areas were hubs for milk and curd traders. Even until the 1970s, the Bode region prioritized livestock farming. This connection supports the hypothesis that the ancient “Bosing Village” of the Licchavi era might be the present-day Bode. The cultural relevance of Vishnughat’s Narayan Temple adds weight to this theory. According to local traditions, when a cow or buffalo gave birth, its first milk would be offered to the temple. However, as livestock farming has completely disappeared from the region, this tradition is now extinct. This reflects the temple’s once-central role in the local culture.
C) Artistic Significance
The Narayan Temple is a two-storied pagoda-style structure with a height of approximately 28 feet, from the ground to the pinnacle. The roof is tiled with traditional shingles. Unlike many modern temples adorned with gilded metal spires, this temple features a distinct stone pinnacle, indicating its ancient origin. The temple has intricately carved “chapas” (wooden lattice windows) beneath both roofs. Facing west, the temple has three walls enclosing it, with an ornate main entrance decorated with carvings of Ashtamangala symbols and tribhanga poses. The main entrance is flanked by statues of lions, while a Garuda statue is placed 15 feet in front of the door. The temple features “chakhamatha” (courtyard areas) on all four sides.
Inside the temple, a sacred stone, representing Vishnu, is enshrined at the center. The back wall houses nine stone idols, including Lokeshwar, Narayan, Ganesh, Garuda Narayan, and Kalki Narayan. A stone spout on the northern wall drains water from inside the temple. On the southern side of the temple, three unadorned large stones are placed, which are worshiped as Mahalakshmi, Bhairab, and Dwarapalas (gatekeepers).
To the east of the Narayan Temple, there is a dome-style Radha Krishna temple built with bricks. Constructed by a local named Vishnumaya Shrestha in Nepal Sambat 1025 (approximately 1905 AD), this temple features a 6-foot-tall stone column with a Garuda idol in front of it. The temple’s main door, crafted with intricate wooden panels, houses idols of Radha Krishna, a Shivalinga, and Narayan inside.
This fusion of historical, cultural, and artistic elements underscores the need for thorough research to uncover and preserve the significance of Vishnughat and its Narayan Temple.