Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati chose the beautiful Chandragiri mountain located in this Doti district for Madhu Chandrika after their marriage. When various gods including Brahma Vishnu came here in search of Lord Shiva, Mother Parvati turned into a rock in shame after seeing the gods, hence it was called Shiladevi or Shaileshwari Devi from that time.
A brief Introduction
Shaileshwari Temple is a famous religious, historical and touristic pilgrimage site in the Far West, Doti District, Silgarhi Dipayal Municipality, Ward no. 1 is situated in Shaileswari. This temple is the main religious place in this area. Shaileswari Mata is given the simile of Sakshat Devi.
This Mandi is considered to be one of the temples of nine goddesses in the far west of Nepal. Daily worship of the goddess is done here by the Bhatt Brahmin resident of Silgau. Shaileshwari is one of the famous Shaktipeeths of the country. There is a thick throng of worshipers here every day.
Kotihavan Mahayagna is held here every 12 years. In 144 years, the Mahakoti Havan Mahayagya takes place. Built in pagoda style, this temple is artistic and attractive. There are seven other temples in the Shaileshwari complex. These include Hanuman Kund, Shiva Temple, Ganesha Temple, Bhairav Temple, Mashta Temple and Chandeshwari Temple. A fair is held in this temple every year on the full moon day of Kartik Shukla.
It is believed that if you worship here, your wishes will be fulfilled. Every year on the day of Jeth and Kartik Purnima, Lakshabahan Mahayagya has traditionally been held since ancient times. This temple is considered to be one of the temples of nine goddesses in the far west of Nepal.
religious and cultural importance
This religious place is famous for Lord Shiva. Inside this temple there is a black stone of Lord Shiva 6 inches high and 1 foot round. This idol is worshiped as the combined form of Shiva and Parvati. Chandeshwari Bhairav is located behind Shaileshwari temple.
This temple is the main religious place in this area. Daily worship of the goddess is done here by Bhatt Brahmins, residents of Silgau. Every year on the days of Jeth and Kartik Purnima, Laksh Behan Mahayagya has been taking place since ancient times.
There has been a popular belief that by worshiping and meditating on Mother Shaileswari with devotion, one gets the desired results. In Shaileshwari Mela, local original cultures can be seen including local Panchebaja. For the daily worship of Shaileswari, the responsibility has been given to the priests of the Bhatt family of the local Silgaon, while other tasks have been assigned to twelve baralas (responsibility given to twelve villages) of twelve villages.
Both Vedic and Tantric rituals are performed here. Sacrifice is offered in Chandeswari for the happiness and peace of the family. This temple is famous for Khat Jatra. In the local language it is called Jaat Parva. This Jatra is held every 12 years on the full moon date of the month of Katritka. In this Jatra, on the day of Krishna Ashtami, the 12 villages of Saniya perform special puja for 12/12 years, placing the idol of Shiladevi and performing Khatjatra and circumambulating the temple.
They move the dauro (jewellery of the temple) to the dance floor, perform dhami jhakri, predict the future of the coming year, fast all night long and sing. Homa is performed in this temple complex during Khatjatra. Every 12/12 years, Koti Hom is performed from Panchami to Dhadasi when Jupiter is in Cancer. People visit this place more during the 12-year fair held in the month of Kartik and Navratri of Dashain every year.
Unique Beliefs and Rituals of Shaileshwari Temple
Part of the wonder of Shaileshwari Temple are the myriad rituals, boons and legends that have developed around it through centuries of active worship. These reflect the living culture surrounding the goddess.
- It is believed that sincerest prayers made to Shaileshwari Devi grant miracles, healing, and blessings for new ventures.
- Childless couples come seeking Shaileshwari’s grace for conception and families pray for their children’s wellbeing.
- Students come pleading for academic success before exams.
- During Navratri, devotees recite sacred mantras and fast for nine nights asking for relationship harmony or deliverance from adversity.
- Offering sweets, grains or coins equals blessings. Circumambulating the temple 9, 11 or 21 times amplifies positive outcomes.
- Khat Jatra years are considered hugely auspicious for starting new ventures or making major decisions as celestial powers peak.
Such unique rituals reveal Shaileshwari Temple as a fount of tangible hope, comfort and divine intervention for everyday problems – not just an abstract place of worship.
Historical and mythological beliefs
As mentioned in the Manas section of Skanda Purana, it is mentioned that Shiva spent years in this area after his marriage while traveling with Parvati, attracted by the beautiful scenery of this area. It is said that when a demon called Tarakasura terrorized the Devganas in heaven, when the Devganas reached this area in search of Lord Shiva, when they saw Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati engrossed in sexual intercourse, it is said that Mother Parvati hid in Shila Pinda out of shame.
As a result, after Shiva and Parvati became one and merged, the name Ardhanarishwari Shaileswari remained and Ardhanarishwari Shaileswari appeared to her during various praises by the gods including Brahma. Thus, it was called Sayalgarhi because it was the place where Shiva and Parvati used to sleep for a long time and later the word is believed to have changed to Siligari.
It is also mentioned in the Manas section of Skanda Purana that after 12 years of exile in this holy land, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after performing the Ashwamedha Yagya and worshiped Mother Shaileswari in the city of Chandagiri Parbat in present-day Silgarhi.
Travel Guide for Visiting Shaileshwari Temple
Journeying to Shaileshwari Temple is profoundly worthwhile, but reaching this remote Nepali temple takes commitment. Here is a travel guide to help you successfully organize your pilgrimage.
- Location – Shaileshwari Temple is located in Silgadhi in the Doti District of far western Nepal. The nearest airport is Dhangadhi, 174 km away.
- By Road – Take a bus from Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj or Mahendranagar to Silgadhi which takes 8-10 hours on winding mountain roads. Hire a taxi for the last uphill 14 km to the temple.
- Accommodation – Options like small lodges exist in Silgadhi but lack amenities. Consider staying in Dipayal or Dhangadhi which have hotels. Camping is possible.
- Best Time to Visit – The annual Shaileshwari Mela festival during October-November is ideal. Khat Jatra years are most atmospherically charged. Avoid the rainy season.
- Temple Timings – The temple is open daily from 5 AM to 6 PM. Aartis are held mornings and evenings. Attend ceremonies on Fridays, festival days and Khat Jatra for peak energy.
Visiting the potent Shaileshwari Temple allows becoming part of an ancient narrative – one where faith and devotion are rewarded with protection, hope and profound transformation. By taking this mythic journey, we open ourselves to miracles.
5 Key Facts About Shaileshwari Temple
- Shaileshwari Temple is one of 9 holy Shakti Peeth goddess temples in Nepal’s Far West region.
- The name “Shaileshwari” means “Goddess of the Mountain” referring to Parvati merging with the Chandragiri Mountain.
- Daily worship rituals have been performed without break for centuries by Bhatt Brahmin priests.
- Khat Jatra festival brings the deity out on a chariot procession once every 12 years during October-November.
- Myths claim true believers have prayers answered and miracles occur by Shaileshwari’s grace.
In Summary
For centuries, Shaileshwari Temple has stood as a beacon of divinity in the Far West region of Nepal. Pilgrims undertaking the difficult journey reap the rewards of being transported into sacred legend, where faith and devotion compel mystical experiences. By participating in age-old rituals and offering sincere prayers before the Goddess Shaileshwari, inner transformation becomes possible. The temple represents a rare place where celestial and earthly realms intersect – allowing us mere mortals to transcend everyday consciousness and glimpse the miraculous.
