In Arghakhanchi’s Chhatradev Rural Municipality-7, in the village of Bahigauda Tarakshem, there are thirteen-story temples that hold historical and religious significance.
Despite the unique identity of the thirteen-story Akashdevi Temple, it hasn’t received proper promotion and awareness, and it remains hidden in obscurity.
Established in the year 2008, the temple, currently under the management committee, has been reconstructed and expanded into the form of the thirteen-story temple in Aglo-13, Arghakhanchi district.
Despite its religious importance, this temple remains concealed in the shadows due to the lack of proper promotion and awareness efforts in the local area.
Within the temple premises, there are various sculptures of deities like Akashdevi, Shiva, Ganesh, and Nag. Grand festivals are celebrated here such as Teej, Shivaratri, Ram Navami, Bala Chaturdashi, Janmashtami, and Dashain.
Krishna Pandey, the Chairman of the temple management committee, has conveyed that they have been organizing various promotional programs up to Dashain and have been actively participating in the temple’s maintenance and promotion.
To bring out the religious and historical significance of the temple, the local youth have contributed by providing information. Local youth, like Shobhakhar Nyaulpane, have been involved in promoting the temple, and the media has also paid attention to it.
Priest Vishnuprasad Marasini stated, “Even though the thirteen-story temple is closed, it holds immense significance. People have strong religious faith that visiting the temple and offering prayers here fulfills their wishes.
Proper promotion of this temple can attract not only locals but also religious tourists from other districts.”
Chhatradev Rural Municipality has been actively working on preserving and promoting the historical and religious sector amidst limited resources and facilities.
Chandraman Shrestha, the head of the Rural Municipality, emphasized that they have been playing a role in promoting the internal and external tourism by publicizing the religious and tourist areas within the municipality.
Such is the religious importance of the area. According to local legends, in ancient times, there was a natural pond at the place of the temple premises.
There was a small pond beneath the large pond’s surface. This pond was named Churanpokhari based on local beliefs.
Marasini shared, “The current Churanpokhari is different from what it used to be. The pond that once held great significance is now extinct.
There used to be a sacred stone, a ‘gaaj,’ in the northeastern direction of Tarakshem. It was believed to be the place of the Nag deity.”
Marasini further explained, “During the time of the Durga Puja, when the place became a Nag location, the lighting of lamps was observed.
Following this tradition, Dharma Gautam, Deudatta Nyaulpane, Tikka Nyaulpane, and other Santan children, when they moved to the new house, used to light lamps at this location.”
Later, during the construction of a dam in the Aguvai area by Dharma Gautam and Renu Pandek, local residents erected a wall near the dam’s head for the initiation of worship.
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