Among the 12 districts of Lumbini Pradesh, Arghakhanchi is a beautiful hilly district. Argha and Khanchi are two old twenty-four states that were combined and named Arghakhanchi. This district is naturally beautiful and has many tourist spots, including Supa Deurali, Thadadah, Uluk Maharaj’s region, and Panina, the abode of Rishi Panini.
Supa Deurali Temple: A Major Tourist Destination
Among the tourist destinations of Arghakhanchi, the glory of Supa Deurali temple is now widely spread. Not only in Arghakhanchi, but it is also developing and expanding as a major tourist destination in western Nepal. People from different parts of the country and neighboring countries of India come to Supa Deurali to offer prayers.
Location and Accessibility
Supa Deurali temple is located in Khanchikot, situated 46 km north of Gorusinge in Kapilbastu, under the East-West Mahendra Highway, between Sandhikhark Municipality of Arghakhanchi and Shitganga Municipality. This temple is located on the Gorusinge Sandhikhark road section and is easily accessible due to the paved road. Its glory is widely spread in Gulmi and Arghakhanchi districts.
Branch Temples and Tourism Infrastructure
Branch temples of the Supadeurali temple have been established at different places in Gulmi and Arghakhanchi districts, as well as in Pipra of Kapilbastu district. Due to the spreading glory of this temple, a small market has developed in Khanchikot and Narapani hills. The process of establishing tourist infrastructure, including roads, hotels, restaurants, and resorts, is increasing day by day. Tourism infrastructures are well-developed in Narpani Danda, a beautiful hill with a cool climate. From here, visitors can enjoy the scenic hills and natural scenery. Due to the cool climate, a large number of tourists arrive in the summer season from different parts of Nepal’s Terai and also from India to enjoy the coolness of Supadeurali Devi.
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Historical Evidence and Legends
Legend 1: The Story of Supadeurali Devi
According to the legend told by Fars Bahadur KC, Chairman of the Supadeurali Temple Management Committee, Supadeurali Devi was born in the royal family of Khanchi in 1600. In 1619, she was married to the Rajkula of Balrampur, India, against her consent. While being carried on a doli (palanquin) to India, the bride of Devi Swaroop did not commit suicide. When they reached the place where the present temple is, blood was seen leaking from the doli. She was cremated in the same area, and everyone went to their homes.
After this incident, there was a great commotion in Khanchi Rajkul, and disease also spread in the village. A dhami (shaman) of the Khanal family said that this happened because the princess was married against her will and suggested offering black cloth at the spot where the blood was spilled to find peace for the princess’s soul. After that, the disease disappeared from the village. The goddess then appeared as a rock, and worshiping of the goddess started there.
Legend 2: The Story of Lilavati Devi
According to another historical evidence given by the culturalist Rajendra Acharya, she was born as Lilavati, the daughter of King Dhwajan Shah of Khanchi. According to the genealogy of the Khanchi dynasty, King Dhwajan Shah ruled Khanchi from 1627 to 1669. Lilavati was solitary and reclusive from her childhood and had a nature of worshiping gods and goddesses. She was married to Ram Shah, the king of Gorkha (under the present-day Gandaki state), against her will. She told her parents that she would live without marriage.
Although she married a Gorkha and became a queen, she was not as famous as a Siddika queen who desired to worship gods and goddesses rather than engage in Rajkajama (royal duties). After her death, she appeared as Mankamana Devi. She appeared as Manakamana Devi in the home country of Gorkha and as Supadeurali Devi in the Maiti country of Khanchi. Later, it took the form of a legend. She is considered as Jagadamba Devi.
Age and Relationship with Mankamana Temple
Considering both the historical evidence and legends, it can be assumed that the Supadeurali temple has been in vogue since the 17th century. According to legend, if 1619 is considered the base year, this temple is 461 years old.
To discuss the relationship between the Supa Deurali of Arghakhanchi and the Mankamana temple of Gorkha, the author consulted Insan Thapa, who has been working as the original priest of the Mankamana temple for the past 54 years. Thapa said that based on the source materials written about the Mankamana temple, this temple is about 300 years old. Thapa also said that Ram Shah’s queen Lilavati went sati (self-immolation on her husband’s funeral pyre) after Ram Shah’s death and then manifested as Manakamana Devi.
According to the culture scholar Rajendra Acharya, Raja Ram Shah became the king of Gorkha in 1661 BS (Vikram Samvat calendar year). Thus, although the period when the two temples came into use is different, the fact that Ram Shah’s queen was Lilavati and she appeared as Lilavati Devi is consistent.
Worship and Rituals
Gorkha’s Mankamana Temple is popularly worshiped as a wish-fulfilling goddess. Similarly, the Supadeurali temple in Arghakhanchi is also worshiped as a wish-fulfilling goddess. Goats, snakes, ducks, and chickens are offered as sacrifices in the Mankamana temple. In Supa Deurali, there was a custom of offering black cloth, but now goats, sheep, and chickens are offered.
The Supa Deurali temple is very crowded for worship from October to November. During this season, up to 7,000 devotees come daily, and there is a record of maximum monthly income up to 2.2 million rupees.
