Machhenarayan Temple Kathmandu

Suprabhatam

Today is Matsya Jayanti

Machhenarayan Temple- Kathmandu

Machhenarayan Temple is located at
Machhegaun village located west of Kirtipur and around 7–8 kms from Kathmandu in Nepal.
The ancient Matsya Narayan Temple has evidences that it was originally built around 500 years ago. The temple is surrounded by natural spring water. It is believed that taking bath in that water purifies one’s body, mind and soul.

It is said that during ancient time, Manu found a small fish about to die while he was having a bath in a river. He brought the fish to his home and put it into a small pot of water. Next day, the fish grew in its size amazingly and would no longer fit in the small pot. So, he put the fish in a pond just to find next day that the fish had grown larger and no longer fit in the pond as well. Knowing that this fish is no ordinary fish, Manu bowed with respect and asked to show the fish who he was. Then God Vishnu emerged from the mouth of the fish. To remember this event, Manu established Machhenarayan temple in the center of the pond.

A mela (fair), named
Machchhenarayan Mela is organized every three years in Machhegaun for a month, mostly during a month from April to July. During this month God Vishnu is worshiped all over the country.The overwhelming crowd brave the heat and stand in lines to receive blessings from the Machchhenarayan Temple and swim in the adjacent pond. It is believed a dip in the pond will wash away the gravest of sins as well as grant the grandest of wishes.