MANAKAMANA TAMPLE

Manakamana is the name of a Hindu Goddess. It is believed that the Goddess fulfils the wishes of the people. The term ‘mana’ means the ‘heart’ or ‘soul’ and ‘kamana’ means the ‘wish’.
The most popular temple of Manakamana is in Gorkha. The others are in various places like manakamana. It is said that a King of Gorkha was blessed by the goddess to get victory over small kingdoms and make a big Gorkha. Manakamana of gorkha is a popular place for a specific fair called Panchami. The temple was initially inaccessible and one had to ride on horseback for 2–3 days. Now it is easily accessible by Cable Car.

Contents 1 History 2 Manakamana Darshan 3 Cable Car 4 Location 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

History

The queen of Ram Shah, the king of Gorkha, born in 1614 AD, was a goddess known only to her devotee, Lakhan Thapa. One day the king saw his queen in the form of a goddess. He told about it to Lakhan Thapa and he died instantly, in 1636 AD. The queen committed Sati (commit cremation with the husband's pyre as per custom of that time). Lakhan Thapa lamented on her Sati.The queen consoled her devotee by telling him that she would reappear again. Six months later, a farmer hit a stone while ploughing his field. Blood and milk came out from the stone. When news about this spread to Lakhan Thapa, he realized that his had come true. came to know the news. He worshipped the place with 'tantric' rituals and the flow of blood and milk ceased. The ruling king of Gorkha, upon learning about the incident, donated land and money and the site became the foundation of the present-day shrine- Manakamana Temple. The current pujari, Priest, is the 17th generation descendant of Lakhan Thapa.
The Shrine of Manakamana renovated many times over centuries has four story pagoda style roofs with entrance from the South-West. The Pujari performs daily prayers and ritual in the temple behind closed doors by offering eggs, oranges, rice, red powder and strips of cloth to the deities. The people can then make their offerings after the Pujari.

Manakamana Darshan

The belief that the Manakamana goddess fulfills wishes is so deep-rooted in the hearts of Nepalese that they make an effort to visit the temple and the goddess as often as they can, at least once a year.

Cable Car (Tram way) to Manakamana Temple (Nepal)

Cable Car

There is a cable car service from Kurintar to the Manakamana Temple. It is also the only cable car service in Nepal. Manakamana cable car was inaugurated by the then Crown Prince Dipendera Bir Bikram Shah on November 24, 1998. The cable cars have been imported from Austria. The cable car ride from Kurintar to Manakamana is around 10 minute in time and 3.1 km in distance. When there was no cable car service, people used to walk 3–4 hours all the way to Manakamana. The Cable Car has made it very easy for all kinds of people to get to this religious destination. There are currently 31 carriers to carry passengers to and from the temple. Also, there are 3 freight carriers.

Location

The location of the Manakamana Cable Car Station is at the center from major cities in the country. It is at a distance of 105 km from the capital Kathmandu. Similarly, it is 95 km from another touristic site, Pokhara and 41 km from Chitwan. The bottom station is located on the banks of Trisuli River and is 2.5 hrs from Kathmandu, 2 hrs from Pokhara and 1 hour from Chitwan.
The Manakamana temple overlooks the Trisuli and Marshyangdi river valleys, and offers breathtaking views of the Manaslu, Himalchuli and Annapurna mountains to the north.
The bottom station is at an altitude of 258 meters from sea level whereas the top station is at an altitude of             

Cable Car

meters. 1302

Manakamana is a holy site of Hindu Pilgrimage. Pilgrims of different places including India come in the thousands to visit and pay homage to goddess Manakamana. ITis believed by the locals that she fulfills our wishes if we pray her by heart. So she is called 'Manakamana" which means 'wish of heart'.

There is only one cable car service in Nepal is Manakamana Cable Car. We can reach the temple of Manakamana by this car. Manakamana Temple is just away three hours from Kathmandu by drive. This is a holy place where hundreds of goats and chickens are sacrificed every day. The cars go straight up to the hilltop and comedown so beautifully which a wonderful experience.