Maitidevi Temple

Maitidevi Temple is located at Kathmandu -Nepal which is a Pagoda style, one Storey Temple Maitidevi temple, it is said, is parental home of all goddesses. The name of the temple itself is derived from Maiti (parental home) and devi (goddess).

According to Tirtha Man Bajracharya, the head priest at the temple says, “The oldest edifice was built in 628 AD by Amshu Verma, a warrior under Lichhavi King Shiva Dev”.

The two stone lions guarding the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum, and the huge peepal tree with its expanding branches arching over the temple.The temple has remarkable sculptures and wood carvings throughout the building. Being Peacock Vahan (that which carries) between two lions in the entrance of the temple. There are many more deity sculptures and shrines around the small courtyard of the temple as well as across the street on the western side.

Legend
According to legend, in ancient times, the Pancha Kanyas flew from the sky to Maita. As one of the tantriks, who used to graze goats, forced these goddesses to stay here by his tantra power for the defense of the country. Since then, this temple has been called Maiti Devi as the mother of all three Pancha Devi.

According to another legend, while digging a field on the bank of Rudramati (now Dhobi Khola, which flows northeast of the temple), Munikar (Farmer) found a stone (Shila). The farmer tried a thousand times to move it but could not. At that time, the peacock’s feathers woke up the farmer while the Panchkumaris were walking on the peacock from the sky. He then told the goddesses about the pain he had suffered. After telling his story to the Pancha Kumaris, the goddess became happy and stayed there. That is why some even called this temple as Mayurtirtha.

A crematorium (Shamshan Ghat) lies a few feet away on the right-hand side of the temple which is considered as the most integral part of the temple by the priest of the Maitidevi Temple.

Especially on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, devotees flock here. Devotees believe that what they desire will be fulfilled when they ask the Maitidevi goddess.During Dashain, this temple is decorated with many lights and the premises are made very beautiful and pleasant.