Guhyeshwari Temple

Guhyeshwari Temple
Guhyeshwari Temple
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Kathmandu
Deity	Guhyekali
Festivals	Navaratri, Dashain
Location
Location	Kathmandu
Country	Nepal
Location in Kathmandu
Geographic coordinates	27°42′40″N 85°21′12″E / 27.71111°N 85.35333°E / 27.71111; 85.35333
Architecture
Type	Pagoda
Inscriptions	Inscription of Pratap Malla

Guhyeshwari Temple (Nepali: गुह्येश्वरी मन्दिर), also spelled Guheswari or Gujeshwari, is one of the revered holy temples in Kathmandu, Nepal. This temple is dedicated to Guhyeshwari or Adi Shakti. The temple is also a Shakti Peetha and it's about 1 km east of Pashupatinath Temple and is located on the southern bank of the Bagmati River.^[1] It is an important pilgrimage destination for Hindus, especially for Tantric worshipers. King Pratap Malla renovated this temple in the 17th century.

The temple's name originates from the Sanskrit words Guhya (secret or hidden) and Ishwari (goddess). In Lalitha Sahasranama the 707th name of the Goddess is mentioned as "Guhyarupini" (Lalita Sahasranama 137th verse: Sarasvati shastramayi, Guhaamba guhyaruupini).^[2]

Only Brahmin clan from Newar community, perform daily rituals or nitya puja of Guhyeshwari Temple. Daily rituals of Guhyeshwari are performed by tantric priest Karmacharya. In the special rituals and occasion Vedic priest Rajopadhyaya perform Vedic puja and Karmacharya do tantric rituals. ^[3]