Bhaleshwor Mahadev takes its name from bhala, the forehead. Hindu tradition, recorded in the Himavatkhanda, tells how Shiva carried the body of his wife Sati across the world after her death at Daksha's sacrifice, and how her body fell in pieces at sacred sites. The forehead is said to have fallen here on Chandragiri. For pilgrims from India who have already prayed at Pashupatinath and Guhyeshwari in Kathmandu, the temple completes a Shiva and Shakti circuit around the valley.
The shrine stands a few minutes' walk from the top station, on the highest point of the ridge, with prayer bells and a stone platform facing the mountains. Priests are present through the day to help with simple puja, and flowers, incense and offerings can be bought at the summit. Mondays, sacred to Shiva, are busier, as is the monsoon month of Shrawan in July and August, when many devotees climb on foot. Maha Shivaratri in February or March brings large crowds and long cable car queues.
Entry to the temple is free, though the cable car fare applies; donations are welcome. Shoes come off before the inner area, and leather items are best left behind. Non-Hindu visitors are welcome to watch respectfully. We usually time darshan for the first hour after the cable car opens, so you pray in quiet and still catch the clearest mountain view. Festival-day timings and crowd arrangements change from year to year, so check current status before you travel.
Good for
- Pilgrims
- Families
- Seniors
- Groups
Questions travellers ask
What is the story of Bhaleshwor Mahadev?
Bhaleshwor means lord of the forehead. Tradition holds that when Shiva carried Sati's body after her death at Daksha's yagna, her forehead, or bhala, fell on Chandragiri, and Shiva manifested here as Bhaleshwor. The temple on the summit ridge marks that spot and is an important Shiva shrine for Nepali and Indian pilgrims.
Can non-Hindus visit Bhaleshwor Mahadev temple?
Yes. Visitors of all faiths can walk around the temple and watch worship respectfully. Remove shoes where asked, avoid photographing people at prayer without permission, and do not touch offerings. On crowded festival days, priests may ask non-worshippers to stand back from the inner area so devotees can complete their puja.
Is Chandragiri crowded on Maha Shivaratri?
Yes. Maha Shivaratri, in February or March, is one of the busiest days of the year at Chandragiri, with long queues at the cable car and around the temple. If you want to be there on the day, arrive at opening time. Most of our Shivaratri guests focus on Pashupatinath and visit Chandragiri on a quieter day.
