Seto Machhendranath temple



It lies in Southwest of Asan Tole of Kathmandu. This temple attracts both Buddhists and Hindus. Buddhists consider Seto (White) Machhendranath to be a form of Avalokiteshwara, while to Hindus, he is a rain-bringing incarnation of Shiva.

The idol of Seto Machhendranath is taken out during the Seto Machhendranath festival in March/April each year and paraded around the city in a chariot. It is believed that during the rule of King Yakshya Malla , in a place called Kantipuri, people used to bathe in the holy river and visit Swayambhunath. This led them to heaven after death. Once Yamraj (god of death) came to know the power of Swayambhunath, he visited the holy temple. During his return from the temple he was captured by King Yakshya Malla and his Tantric guru and demanded immortality and would not let Yamraj leave. So Yamraj prayed to Arya Awalokiteshwor (Seto Machindranath) to free him. The god heard his prayer and instantly appeared from the water. The god was white in color with eyes half closed. He then told the king to build a temple where Kalmati and Bagmati meet and to organize chariot procession so that the god could visit the people and bless them with happiness and long life.[ Tandukar, Sabina (n.d.). "The chariot festival of SETO MACHENDRANATH". www.spacesnepal.com. Retrieved 23 April 2013.][ Shakya, Sagar (August 2012). "Rato Vs. Seto Machindranath". Retrieved 23 April 2013]