Like all other heritage sites in Nepal, the religious site built in the Malla era was damaged in the 2015 earthquake.

The National Construction Authority (NRA) issued a press release stating that the Balgopaleshwor temple would be rebuilt in the Malla era’s traditional granthakut style. The temple was originally built in granthakut style by the then Malla rule King Pratap Malla in 1670.

“All structures built at Rani Pokhari will the given the Malla-era look,” reads the NRA press release.

Kathmandu locals, especially the Newars were demanding that the temple be built as per the former Malla-era design. They also wanted that the Ranipokhari surrounding the temple be built in granthakut style for which a 11-member committee offered suggestions on the reconstruction model at a public hearing in January, 2018.

Balgopaleshwor Temple History

The original construction of the Balgopaleshwor temple was displaced by the 1934 Nepal earthquake, after which it was reconstructed in the gumbaz model by the Rana rulers.

Even before the earthquake in 1934, the temple received changes to its original design by Jung Bahadur Rana in 1905.

In 2018, the iconic Krishna Mandir was fully restored and opened to public on the occasion of Krishna Ashtami.

Related Articles:-

• Ranipokhari Construction to be Completed By Tihar
• April 2015 Earthquake: Restoration of Nepal Heritage Sites Begin!

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Nepalis worship snake deities carved in wood, silver, gold or stone by pouring milk on them. Nepalis also post pictures of Naags above the doors of their home to ward off evil. They offer a white color liquid made of rice paste, symbolic of milk to the snakes.

People keep milk for snakes near snake holes and in their fields. People make cotton garlands, use cow dung or rice flour to make a serpent and then worship it with cow’s barley, milk, lava, nuts and sesame along with other religious items.

Some men wear demon masks and dance in the streets as part of the Naag Panchami tradition.

Devotees celebrate the day with the belief of different legends:

The Legend of Patal Loka- Abode of Snakes

According to legend, the snakes live in their abode Patal Loka. On this day, devotees call upon them to receive their blessings and welfare for their family. People believe that if Naag Panchami is observed correctly, then the Naags will provide them with good health, wealth and blessings. If they are angered, then they will make them sick, where no medicine can bring healing.

The Mahabharata Legend

Janamjeya, Kuru dynasty’ King Parikshita’s son avenges his father’s death (caused by Snake King Taksaka’s bite) by offering a sacrifice of snakes called Sarpa Satra. The sacrifice was so powerful that all the snakes of the world including the Snake King and the King of the Gods Indra were going to be drowned in the sacrificial fire.

For fear of this, the gods then went to Goddess Manasa to stop the sacrifice. The Goddess then sent her son Astika to bring the situation under control. Astika, with all his knowledge of the Shastras impressed Janamjeya who granted him a boon. Seizing the opportunity, Astika then asked him to stop the Yagna (sacrifice). The Nagas were saved on that day and that’s why Nepalis celebrated Naag Panchami.

The Legend of Shesh Naag

According to the holy Puranas, the earth rests on the head of Sesh Nag, inside whose coil Lord Vishnu sleeps. That’s why people worship snakes.

Naags Help in Providing Rain

Scripture also says that Naags help in bringing rains. Due to this, people worship Naags by offering milk and honey and pray to them for water.

Nepali Sansar wishes you a Happy Naag Panchami!

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