Bhadrakali

    According to ancient writings in the Vayu Purana and Mahabharata, Bhadrakali came into being by Devi’s wrath, when Daksha insulted Shiva during the great Ashvamedha Yagna (Horse Sacrifice). According to Tantra Rahasya, she arose from the north (Uttaramnaya) face (Amnayas) of Shiva, which is blue in color and with three eyes.

    It is believed that Bhadrakali was the main goddess of Nepali Hindu culture. Sometimes she assumes a terrible aspect, and is represented with three eyes and four, 12 or 18 hands. She carries a number of weapons, with flames flowing from her head and a small tusk protruding from her mouth.

     Nepal’s Bhadrakali temple is located at the eastern edge of the Tundikhel, near Shahid Gate. This temple is also known as Lumarhi Temple and is one of the main Bhagavati temples of Kathmandu city. Bhadrakali is also known as the ‘Gentle Kali’, an auspicious form of the goddess Kali.Bhadrakali is also known by the Newari people as Lumarhi Devi, from lumdi in Newari, meaning ‘golden bread’. According to mythology, in ancient days a farmer used to plough some nearby land and had his food (bread) placed on the side. Because the food turned into gold so the temple is known as Lumdi/Lumarhi Devi’s temple.

    According to one local myth, in the 7th century a tantric practitioner named Saswat Bajra went to Kamaru Kamachya, in India, and worshipped Shri Bhadrakali. He made the goddess happy and brought her back to Nepal in a holy water pot (a kalash). He hung the kalash on a tree at Jamal, on the north side of Rani Pokhari, and went to run some errands. But Kalika took the form of a small girl and walked away. A farmer met her on his way to the field.  After that, the place was established as the temple to Bhadrakali. Placed in an open place, the north wall has statues of a lioness, Kumar, and Ganesha.

The other name of Bhadrakali is Lazzapith.  King Ratna Malla started the Astamatrika together with Bhadrakali Dance which takes place here every 12 years. On April 10 each year there is Bhairab Bhadrakali Jatra (festival). Likewise, during Ghode Jatra (the ‘Horse Festival’, the horse racing day on the nearby Tundikhel), which falls in the month of March, and during Dasain each October, devotees crowd into the temple.