Jal Vinayak

                There is a lot of folklore about the 17th century Jal Vinayaka temple at Chobar, where the Bagmati River exits the Kathmandu valley. There is one popular story that connects Chobar with the origin of the valley. Located nine kilometers southwest from Kathmandu’s hustle and bustle, the Jal Vinayaka temple is a popular destination for performing various ceremonies at auspicious times such as birthdays and marriages.

                  Chobar gorge behind the temple is a popular destination and very much a part of the folklore. There is geographical evidence that supports the notion that Kathmandu valley was once a huge lake. Manjushree, an avatar of Saraswati, the Goddess of Wisdom, cut the gorge open to drain the lake. All the rivers and lakes of the Kathmandu valley are believed to exit the valley via Chobar. Some stories also mention how a very powerful nag (snake) who inhabited the lake almost escaped when Manjushree cut open the gorge to drain the water. To prevent the drought that would surely occur if the snake escaped, Jal Vinayaka, an avatar of Lord Ganesh, showed Manjushree where another smaller lake in the valley could be made for the nag to dwell. Thus, the residents of the valley would not have to go without rain. There is, indeed, a lake nearby called Taudaha, which fits such a description. Tau in Newari means gigantic and daha in Nepali means lake, hence the name Taudaha for ‘a huge lake’ (though Taudaha is not so ‘huge’).

                    In Nepal’s customary puja ceremonies, Ganesh is always worshipped first, before any other deities, and as Tuesdays are believed to be propitious for worshipping Ganesh the Jal Vinayaka temple is particularly crowded that day each week.  It has also been a common belief amongst the Nepalese that Lord Ganesh has the power to find a groom for an unmarried girl and to bless people with children. Hence, a large number of devotees pray at the Jal Vinayaka to experience the joy of matrimony and/or parenthood. There is also a huge flat stone inside the temple premises. It is believed that if you lay down on it, it will cure a backache. It is not uncommon to see people being helped to lay flat on their backs on the stone, hoping to ease back pains. Besides Jal Vinayak, there are also Ashok Vinayak, Karya Vinayak, Surya Vinayak and Kamal Vinayak, each of whom is also avatars of Lord Ganesh. Each one has its own special power that brings devotees flocking to their temples located around the valley.

                  Chobar’s Jal Vinayak temple is very scenic next to the river running through the Chobar hills. The soothing gush of the water flowing between the cliffs of the gorge is hard to miss. A river typically signifies a journey and the river bank behind the temple. To get there, take a bus or taxi from Balkhu, a mere ten minute drive from Basantapur Durbar Square, for a fifteen minute ride to the temple. Or walk... or bike... and enjoy the outing and the significance of this picturesque religious shrine.