Kirtipur Municipality

Historical
Importance

It is said that Bishwo Nath (source) from Patan (made endowments to) built this temple and installed idols of Bhawani Shankar which is now known as Bhawani Shankar Uma Maheshwor. The idol was installed in respect of Shiva and his concort Parvati, both immensely worshipped by Hindus.

Inside the temple, inscriptions dated 1662 AD, 1678 AD, 1679 AD, 1687 AD 1715 AD (782 NS, 798 NS, 779 NS, 807 NS and 835 NS) can be found. Idols of Saraswati, Maheshmardini and Ganesh are also placed inside temple

Cultural Activities

Every day, puja is offered and once a year in Dashain (Mohani), special puja is carried out.

Architectural
Characteristics

The temple stoods as an example of extraordinary Newah temple architecture. This three tiered temple rests on a raised platform of four successive plinths made of brick.

A stone stairway leads to ground floor of temple where a circumambulatory space is also provided in the form of Verandah. Two elephants in the first plinth guard the entry way. Inner core brickwall and twenty number of beautifully carved exterior columns support the upper structure. Just below the first roof, a verandah like space is provided instead of solid wall normally seen in other temples.

The brick walls are provided with decorated doors and windows. All the three roofs are finished with jhingati tiles and supported from below by decorative timber struts. The struts consists of images of gods/goddesses. The temple is topped by metal gajur and a metal banner is hanged down from gajur to first tier in the front side. As Uma Maheshwor temple is located in high elevation, it provides the good views of Kathmandu and immediate surroundings.