Chandeshwori Temple Banepa is located just about 25 km from Kathmandu. Locals refer to the temple as Chasa: Ajima, and it is nation-wide recognized as Shree Chandeshwori Temple.
The myths surrounding this sacred site are fascinating to hear. And if you’re a devotee of Nepal’s living Goddess Kumari, this is a place you must visit at least once.
Today, we’ll uncover some hidden secrets of Chandeshwori Temple, which I had the opportunity to visit with Yoga Premi Pariwar Nepal during their recent picnic and hike program.
Ready? Let’s get started!
Key Facts About Shree Chandeshwori Temple
| Location | Chandeshwori, Banepa, Kavrepalanchowk, Bagmati province |
| Deity worshipped | Goddess Durga (Goddess Kumari) |
| Altitude | 1,500 approx. (source) |
| Distance (from Kathmandu) | 25 km approx. |
| Mode of Transportation | Public or Private |
| Ride/Drive Duration | 1 – 1.5 hours (from Kathmandu) |
| Best Time to Visit | All months |
Story of Chandeshwori Mata
Let’s first start by understanding the religious story/myth.
Ekadeshma… A demon named Chandasur, also known as Chanda, worshipped Lord Shiva for years. Impressed by his devotion, Mahadev granted him a blessing—no man could defeat him, only a woman could.
Just like in many other legends of demons we hear, Chanda soon began troubling the gods. Seeking help, they turned to Lord Brahma, who advised them to visit the Chandeshwori Forest in Banepa.
Let me tell you—this region was once home to different mother goddesses. When Chandasur arrived in Banepa with his squad of demons, the gods managed to take the form of birds and flew away to escape.
At that time, Chandeshwori had taken the form of a tree. As Chanda attacked with an axe, she emerged, transformed into a lion, and a fierce battle began.
It is believed that the marks of this battle are still visible on several rocks near the Punya Mata River. In the end, Goddess Chandeshwori won the battle, slaying Chanda.
After this defeat, a lingam sprouted from the demon’s belly, which remains inside one of the temples on the premises to this day (source).
To truly experience this legendary tale, you must visit the Chandeshwori Temple in Banepa, built in the 17th century in honor of Goddess Chandeshwori. She is even believed to be an avatar of the living Goddess Kumari.
The entrance gate itself features a statue of Goddess Chandeshwori slaying the demon Chanda. Hopefully, when you visit, this story will come to life in your mind.
How to Reach Chandeshowri Temple in Banepa?
You can visit this sacred site any day of the week to receive blessings from Goddess Chandeshwori.
Since I was traveling with the Yoga Premi Pariwar Nepal team, we managed a bus to the temple, which took approximately two hours from Kapan, Kathmandu.
The road condition from Kathmandu to Palanse is well-paved. However, as construction is ongoing in Palanse, expect a few kilometers of off-road travel. Once you cross Sanga, the road improves again.
There is a paid parking area near the temple where both private and public vehicles can be parked.
However, you cannot take your motorcycle or car inside the temple premises. From the parking area, you’ll need to walk for about five minutes.
For anyone taking a public bus, you can hop on a Banepa-bound bus from any part of Kathmandu. Once you reach Banepa, you can take an auto-rickshaw or taxi to Chandeshwori Temple.
What to Do in Chandeshwori Temple?
Once you reach the temple premises, you can buy the necessary pooja materials from the shops around the area. Then, head inside the main temple to perform your pooja.
Based on my experience, there isn’t usually a long queue, even on Saturdays. However, during festivals, expect larger crowds than on regular days.
If you want to fully experience the spiritual energy and learn more about Shree Chandeshwori Temple, it’s best to visit during these occasions (source):
- Chandhi Purnima / Buddha Purnima (four days prior, one day prior, and the next day)
- Falgun Shukla Dwadashi to Falgun Purnima
- Maghe Sankranti and the day after
- Every Sankranti (first day of each month)
- Ashar Sukla Sunday
- Pasha Chahre & Gatamuga Chahre
- Sithinakha
- Mha Puja
- Every full moon (Purnima) except Chandhi Purnima and Falgun Purnima
- The 12 Chahre days
- Mat Puja or Chirag Yatra
When the Yoga Premi Pariwar Nepal team and I visited, there was no special event taking place. That’s probably why we got lucky and avoided the crowds.
This gave me the opportunity to explore the temple in depth.
The temple is a three-tiered Pagoda-style structure with 28, 20, and 12 tudals on the first, second, and third storeys, respectively (a total of 60 tudals). There’s also a golden ‘gajur’ on top.
Another remarkable temple nearby is the Chandeshwor Mahadev, where Lord Shiva is worshipped.
Additionally, you’ll find a huge mural of Bhairab, several wooden-carved statues, and an old dhunge dhara (hiti) within the premises.
I might have missed some details, so if you discover anything new during your visit, let me know in the comment section below!
Expected Budget
You can easily complete this short trip within a budget of Rs. 500, with your main expenses being fuel and worship essentials.
Since most of you will likely visit the temple in the morning, you can leave the temple premises afterward and find a local eatery for breakfast.
Now, you have the option to either return home or go for a hike in the sacred Chandeshwori Forest, which is covered with Saal trees.
If you plan to explore other nearby spots, consider extending your budget to Rs. 750 or Rs. 1,000.
There’s even an option to visit Palanchowk Bhagwati, which is about 25 km away, near Panchkhal.
Final Words
Sharing my personal experiences, I continued hiking towards Gosai Sthan with Yoga Premi Pariwar Nepal team.
You can definitely do the same and explore other attractions around Chandeshwori, including:
- Bhaila Narayanthan
- Chandeshwori Thousand Steps (1,600 steps in total)
- Martyr’s Memorial Park
- Gosaithan/Budol View Tower
- Gosaithan Picnic Spot
- Shilu Mahadev/Gosaithan/Gosai Sthan Temple
See? That’s how much you can experience in just one day!
Hopefully, you’ll visit Chandeshwori, Banepa, and share your experience with us.
Happy travelling to Kavrepalanchowk!
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