Located in the foothills of Gaurishankar Himal, Dolakha district has its own historical and original features. We find that he is equally famous and famous. Looking at the historical background, it is believed that Dolakha developed after the opening of trade routes between Nepal and Tibet. During the time of Arshu Varma, Nepal’s relationship with the vote was established and Nepal’s relationship with Tibet was also established through the vote.
After the opening of the trade route between Nepal and Tibet, Nepal has also established a link between China and India. Historian Shiromani Baburam Acharya has said that the history of Nepal is incomplete until the history of Dolakha is completed.
The city of Dolakha, its historical name was known from Abhaypur till the Mallaka period, but after the death of Yaksha Malla in Bikram Samvat 1538 BS, the valley was divided into two parts. After that, the word Abhaypur disappeared and the word Dolakha originated. According to the evidences found at that time, how the word Dolakha originated in this way, it is believed that the word Dwalakha became Dolakha as it was Dhwaku-Thulo Lukha-Dhoka i.e. Dwalkha, Thulodhoka.
V.S. From 1591 to 1605, the then King of Dolakha, Jayendra Singh Dev, minted a silver coin for the first time in the Hindu kingdom and during his reign, he and Rani Vijayalakshmi Mahadevi printed a tuk-tuk.
In making the history of Nepal, Baburam Acharya was instrumental in the tireless efforts of Dhanbajra Bajracharya and Tek Bahadur Shrestha. In the year 2031 BS, “Historical Outline of Dolakha” was prepared in the form of Jamar to keep Dolakha in the pages of history.
Champuja is located to the east of Dolakha city, which is considered important in terms of tourist and natural beauty. From here, you can see the beautiful scenery of Tamakoshi flowing in its own lake along with the cool air of Gaurishankar Himal in a melodious voice, tearing apart the well-equipped places. Gaurishankar Himal of natural and religious significance seen from the same place seems to be laughing at the welcome of tourists.
Located at an altitude of 7134 m above sea level, Gaurishankar Himal is considered a symbol of Hindu deities Shiva and Mother Parvati, so internal and external tourists are not allowed to climb it. Similarly, Ganesh Twapar including Kalinchok Bhagwati located at an altitude of about 13602 feet above sea level can be easily seen from here.
These historical and religious shrines have established this city as an important historical and religious site of the Kingdom of Nepal. Therefore, here is an attempt to present an exploratory and analytical analysis about Shri Bhimeshwar, famous in the country and abroad, under the name of Dolakhadhipati, a temple worshiped by three incarnations of one stone.
Although he was one of the Pandavas of the Mahabharata period in the Dwapar era, Bhimsen is revered as a hero and a deity who is also a part of Shiva. Although the tradition of Bhimsen Jatra has been practiced and celebrated in different places in different ways, Dolakha Bhimeshwar has its own distinctive originality and specialty.
At that time, Kichak was the chief commander of the state in the palace of Virat. Once Bhimsen had an erotic look at King Virat’s brother-in-law, he could not bear it. As a result, Kichak was killed by Bhimsen and Bhimsen chased him to Dolakha, where there was a dense forest at that time.
Bhimsen worshiped Mahadev and Bhagwati not only to kill Kichchak but also to destroy Kaurava’s side. According to the locals, the stone of the mighty Bhimsen originated in the course of time and it is customary to worship this stone as Bhimeshwar. Bhimsen used different language to speak to his followers while worshiping Mahadev and Bhagwati.
Thus, the different language that Bhimsen used to speak to his followers is now being spoken by the Dolakhali Newar community as their mother tongue. It is believed that the Nepali language is a different and older language spoken in the three cities of the valley.
VARIOUS LEGENDS AND BELIFS ABOUT THE ORIGIN AND ESTABLISHMENT OF BIMESHWOR.
(A) During the Lichhavi rule, major trade routes between Tibet and India were opened. Abhaypur Mahapatan became a major center of international trade importance after the Dolakha Mahapatan opened its way to India via Sindhuli on the Tirakti side of Tamkoshi and to Tibet via Tibet and Lamabgar Lapchi.
Meanwhile, on their way to Tibet from Dolakha for business, 12 Dhakre residents settled down at the site of the present temple. While cooking dinner, they tried to make a stove. At that time, they got only two spoons and as the third spark they started to cook rice by making a stone stove in the form of stone. Even after 2 hours of cooking, the rice in one corner is still raw.
When Orkai told him that the rice in that corner was still raw, when he was hungry, he got angry and hit the stone saying that the stone was lazy. Then a piece of stone (currently worshiped by Bhimeshwar) was thrown from the side of the rock and milk and blood started flowing from it. When milk and blood began to flow from the rock, he walked away in fear, thinking that he was the idol of which deity. After a few days of meeting the yogi with a fresh wound on his forehead, the yogi explained that the stone belonged to Bhimsen.
Since then, the practice of sacrificing 12 goats has been made as an apology. The practice of bringing goats from Bigu village of Dolakha district has been stopped till now. In the same way, to build a beautiful temple of Bhimeshwar, when the king of that time started to build a golden roof with gold,
it collapsed in the night. Similarly, it is possible to build a copper, brass and iron roof. After being disturbed in this way, Bhimsen told the king in a dream that he would like to stay in the temple covered with gajur and said that the simple chaughera made by the Dhakras was suitable. Which is still standing.
(B) Bhimsen reached the gold mine of Dolakha district one day while walking. When he saw a farmer trying to build his broken field, Bhimsen said, “I am very hungry. Give me food. I will help you build your field.” The farmer happily asked him to build a field and also gave him food. After the finished meal was over, the farmer went back home to get food.
When the farmer brings food from home, all the fields are ready, but there is no one to work. After that, while searching for the man, the farmer came to Dolakha. When he saw the man in the present Bhimeshwar temple in Dolakha, Bhimsen assumed the form of the same stone. Later, it is believed that the same stone was worshiped as Bhimeshwar.
It is believed that after the establishment of Bhimeshwar temple, the settlement in Dolakha city has been expanding. The Kirat, Malla rulers of that time called this city Abhaypur, a city free from fear and terror, called Bhimsen, Bhimeshwar, Bhimsen Thakur, Bhimsen Maharaj, Shri 3 Bhimsen, etc. .
There is no roof over the Bhimeshwar temple. A black slate-like triangular shaped rock is erected. The right side of the rock has been cut and surrounded by a stone fence. The structure of the temple has been changed by enclosing the stone quarry on the inside with oil bricks on the outside. On the top of the Bhimeshwar rock is a gold-plated nagpas.
Similarly, the simple stone (idol) on the right side is worshiped as Pandava Mata Kunti and the stone (idol) in the small water tank on the left side is worshiped as Draupadi, the wife of Pandava. This water tank is called Nirmal. The locals say that if the water of this reservoir dries up, there will be a crisis in the country, there will be drought, there will be famine, that is, there will be a big accident in the country.
Similarly, there is a belief among the people of Dolakhali that Nirmal is currently confessing that chopping up religion or eating kiria is the last way to distinguish the truth. Similarly, in the idol of Bhimeshwar, only goats and goats are sacrificed. Dash Dal is a symbol of Mandal or Mahavidya.
Similarly, only a few years ago, a golden idol of Ganesha was erected by the local devotees. Outside the Bhimeshwar temple, i.e. around the walled temple, among the deities, the stone idol on the north side of the temple is considered to be Bhairab, in which only sheep are sacrificed. Similarly, on the north side, Uma-Maheshwar, Gopinarayan and a lot of tridents have been placed as idols of Kalinchok Mai.
The entrance of the temple is on the west side and there is also an entrance on the north side. But the entrance to the north is open only during festivals and processions and is closed at other times. The main entrance on the west side is open from 4 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. At the back of the Bhimeshwar temple, i.e. on the east side, on a high wooden lingo, there is a gajur and a hexagonal stove.
It is called Chulakapsi in Dolakhali Nepali language. In other words, it is called Chudamani in Nepali language and it has its own characteristics and importance. It is said that the deity of Bhimeshwar (Bhimsen) is shifted to Chudamani while worshiping Bhimeshwar as Rudri and the deity of Mahadev is shifted to Chudamani while worshiping Bhimeshwar. It is customary to cut the flesh of the goat and goat and then offer it to Chudamani.
It also has its own beliefs. It is believed that the deity of Bhimeshwar (Bhimsen) is offered to Chudamani during the sacrifice. If Chudamani is broken by doing something like this, the sacrificial worship will be stopped in Bhimeshwar temple and the sacrificial worship will not be opened without Chudamani standing.
The current Chudamani B.Sc. According to local elders and guthiyars, the old Chudamani Bhacher was established around 2009. Along the western part of the temple, i.e. the entrance, there is a huge pillar of 21 inches square four-sided marble.
The gold-plated yellow metal statue of the lion on the pillar is worth a look back at the Bhimeshwar temple. Nepal Samvat 640 is inscribed on the statue of the lion. In this way, along with the huge pillar, 3 other small stone pillars have been erected. Of these three stone pillars, two are covered with gold and the yellow metal lion statue is considered to be of archeological significance.
A small metal statue has been erected in front of the entrance of the temple. Many small to large bells are hung around the temple. Along with the entrance of the temple, Chandvir Basnet built a B.S. There is a big clock offered in 1968, and on the left is Colonel Fouad Singh Khatri. There are hours offered in 1943. Similarly, on the back wall of the temple, i.e. on the east wall, artistic paintings are found carved on oily bricks. The paintings depict the character of the Pandavas, the calm face of Yudhisthira and the scripts of the Nepali language.
BHIMESHWOR THREE INCARNTIONS:
Dolakha Bhimeshwar has gained fame not only in Dolakha district but also in neighboring foreign countries including the Kingdom of Nepal. Bhimeshwar is worshiped as a rock with three incarnations. In this way, worshiping a rock as three incarnations, the form of worship is different. Bhimeshwar is considered to be the form of Mahadev when Rudri is worshiped, Bhagwati is considered to be sacrificed and Bhimeshwar (Bhimsen) is worshiped at other times. Thus, it is customary to worship Bhimeshwar for the first time every day at 4 am. From this time the main door of the temple is opened. While worshiping, Bhimeshwar is not offered rice beaten by Dhiki, only rice beaten in Okhal is offered. After the completion of the first morning worship, it is customary to offer sacrifice till 10 o’clock in the morning and at this time the deity of Bhagwati is on the stone of Bhimeshwar. After this, that is, after the completion of Bali Puja, it is customary to perform Rudri till the noon Puja. At this time, the deity of Mahadev is on the stone of Bhimeshwar. Mid-day worship is performed between 2 pm and 2:30 pm. Apart from these two times, there is a popular belief that the divinity of Bhimeshwar is in the rock.
RAJPUJA (STATE WORSHIP)
It has been the custom to worship in the temple of Dolakhadhipati Shri Bhimeshwar four times daily from morning to evening. In ancient times, it was customary for the gods to take different forms according to the times and to worship according to them. In this Bhimeshwar temple, apart from other worships, special puja raj (royal) puja is performed at 3 o’clock in the day. This type of royal worship has a different significance and method than other forms of worship.
The locals and worshipers say that this worship is called royal worship as Bhimeshwar is worshiped by the state as the king. Rajpuja must be performed in any situation. It is customary to ring the bell around the temple for hours while performing Raj Puja. Pure cow’s milk, curd is bathed in the stone of Bhimeshwar and then honey, sugar and ghee are crushed in the stone.
It is customary to place a flower of Bhimsenpati on the right side of Bhimeshwar’s stone. It is customary to wear a crown with a nagpas, a heart flower, a white rhinestone, a padyasana, a gold three-eyed spectacles, an old asarfi, a pylon, etc. Guthiyars have been arranged for this kind of Rajpuja and the children of the four Guthiyars who have been separated are fasting and worshiping according to their turn, while those outside the Guthiyars are not allowed to worship it. B.S. As mentioned in the copperplate of Shri 5 Ran Bahadur Shah of 1850, it is mentioned that only the children of 4 Guthiyars will worship it.
There is a belief that the incarnation as Bhim Narayan will change after performing Raj Puja in this way. After Raj Puja, all the doors of the temple are closed. These doors are opened only for evening worship and after removing the ornaments by giving Aarti, the worship of that day can be done, but on the days of Kalratri, Shivaratri and Moharatri, Raj Puja is performed throughout the night.
GUTHI AND TEMPLE MANAGEMENT:
The Bhimeshwar temple has a guthi with separate guthiyars from the local Newar community for conducting worship. Although a field was allotted in the name of Bhimeshwar Guthi by King Mahendra Singh of Mallakalin for conducting Guthi and Pooja Path, it was not enough to spend only on Pooja Path and expenses. According to the copperplate of 1850, Bhimeshwar Guthi was run by Bhedpu VDC of Dolakha district. The land is named after Bhimeshwar. It mentions that worship and guthi will be conducted from the income of the land, which is still preserved.
A Bhimeshwar Management Committee has been formed under the coordination of the Chief District Officer after the Guthis could not operate due to various circumstances and the arrival of multi-party system.
In order to facilitate the operation of some Guthis on the initiative of this committee, Rs. Fees ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 50 have been provided. This arrangement has also brought some relief to the worshipers.
According to the locals, the Bhimeshwar Management Committee has not been able to make the arrangements as planned due to the reshuffle of the Chief District Officers in the district in a short period of time.
Thus, keeping in view the poor state of daily recitation of the famous temple Bhimeshwar, which is famous outside the country, if the concerned government body gives its opinion, this religious place will be well-run in the future and will be successful in gaining fame in the world. According to the locals, this will give more support to our country Nepal in the field of religious and tourist importance.
SWEET AND PUBLIC BELIEF IN THE STON (IDOL) OF BHIMSEN (BHIMESHWOR)
Sweat and public belief in the stone (idol) of Bhimsen Bhimeshwar):
Sweating on Bhimsen’s rock has its own unique feature. The locals believe that the Bhimsen rock is sweating before any accident or disturbance or crisis occurs inside the country.
The sweat on Bhimsen’s rock is also taken as a strong indicator of a crisis in the country. Although there is no mention of sweat coming on the stone in the old copperplate, Bhojpatra and Tadpatra available till now in Dolakha. Mentioned in 1832. V.S. Elderly locals say that Bhimeshwar’s rock was sweating before the 1990 earthquake. Similarly B.Sc. Before the execution of four martyrs in 1997, B.Sc.
Before the democratic movement of 2007, before the ascension of Father of the Nation Tribhuvan in 2011, Before the ascension of Shri 5 Mahendra in the year 2028 BS. According to the locals, before the earthquake in 2045 BS and before the Jana Andolan of 2046 BS, the idol of Bhimeshwar was sweating profusely. V.S.
The idol of Bhimeshwar was sweating twice on January 1, 2057 BS at 6:40 pm and on January 3, 2040 BS at 5:40 pm. It has been raised as a premonition of the tragic incident of the members of the royal family that took place in the royal palace on June 3, 2058 BS. Similarly, it came in January, 2064 BS.
Similarly, on 30th December, 2070 BS and 13th January, 2070 BS, Dolakha Bhimeshwar was sweating. It is linked to the earthquakes of 2072 BS. Similarly, it came from 2:55 pm to 5:15 pm on September 26, 2074 BS. Similarly, it came from 6:28 am to 7:25 am on Thursday, February 26, 2076 BS. It is linked to the Carona virus infection in the world.
Thus, this is the 17th time that Dolakha Bhimeshwar has been sweating. Due to these events, after the sweat on the idol of Dolakha Bhimeshwar, there are indications that some events may happen in the country. There is a religious belief that if the sweat comes from the right side of Bhimsen, the royal family and if the sweat comes from the left side, it will be unfavorable to the people. In this way, when sweat comes on the stone of Bhimeshwar, sweat also comes on the surrounding Draupadi, Kunti, Gada and the pylon above the entrance, Kshetrapal (Kshapar). In this way, it is customary to wipe the sweat only from the priests who have initiated karma.
There was a tradition of sending news to the royal palace through the district administration office with tears and offerings after wiping the sweat. After the news was sent, it was customary to send goat worship from the royal palace as an apology, but now it is being sent to the president’s office, according to local guthiyars. .
FAITH AND PUBLIC BELIEF OF BHIMSEN (BHIMESHWOR)
DW It is said that Bhimeshwar went to Simpani, a place north of Dolakha Basti, after a meeting between the Salvation Army and the then Ranashahi government army in 2007 and warned the army chief not to fight inside Dolakha without causing any harm to them.
– W.S. Around 2014, Bhimeshwar’s gold-encrusted gold umbrella was stolen from Rani Forest (Kadal Forest) east of Dolakha and sold to a goldsmith, a goldsmith from Charikot, as the ancestral property of my house. At the same time, Jogi, who had just arrived at Bhimeshwar’s party, was interrogated on charges of theft. But the next morning, the goldsmith of Charikot unknowingly told me that he had bought the gold nugget, and that my devotee was being tortured in a dream all night, saying, “You will buy gold.”
– On the day of Magh Shukla Purnima, the then Dolakha district Sunkhani VDC. A local trader from Shivakoti Thar said that he could fill Bhimeshwar with the oranges in his garden. It is still customary to bring oranges from that place.
– Once the rice, maize, wheat, barley, sesame, akshata, rice, chickpeas, ghee, curd, milk and honey etc. are offered on the head of Bhimeshwar at the same time at the rate of one muri at the same time. It is said that meat guthi is kept by offering only one pathi of goods.
–There is a legend that a fire erupted from the abyss in the middle of the night in the circle in front of the idol of Bhimeshwar.
–Devotees still share their beliefs that their aspirations have been fulfilled by the grace of God.
There is a belief that the vision of Bhimeshwar will lead to procreation, increase in strength, relief from crisis, growth in business and progress.
– Farmers believe that before planting crops in their fields, they go to Bhimeshwar and plant crops in their fields.
–Traders who come from the valley to visit Bhimeshwar offer a lot of incense and they feel that their business has increased when they take the incense offered to Bhimeshwar in their shops day after day.
–According to the local Dolakha residents and guthiyars, there is a belief that it is better if Bhimeshwar’s Nirmal is brought to the damaged crop.
–The elders here believe that their aspirations will be fulfilled soon if they visit Dolakha Bhimeshwar especially on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
–There are many faiths and folk beliefs. All devotees are urged to visit Dolakha Bhimeshwar one stone three incarnations.
