Tripureshwar Mahadev Temple/Tripureshwor Mahadev Mandir Kathmandu,Nepal

Tripureshwor Mahadev Temple is located near Kalmochan on the banks of the Bagmati river, it was built in the 19th century by the Queen Lalit Tripura Sundari Devi She was youngest wife of Rana Bahadur Shah. Tripura Sundari is also considered the first woman scholar in Nepali history, who wrote ‘Dharmagrantha’. She has also written poems and books in Sanskrit and Nepali language. This temple is very beautiful in its artistic style and there are many small deities in this temple premises.

Very large and peaceful temple of lord Shiva.In the year 1818, Rani Lalit Tripurasundari commissioned the construction of this temple in memory of her husband Ran Bahadur Shah.The Tripureshwar Mahadev temple ranks among Kathmandu’s largest historical monuments, comparable in scale to the mighty Taleju temple in Hanuman Dhoka square.

The Tripureshwar Mahadev Temple is a significant historical monument in Kathmandu, Nepal. Constructed in 1817-18 under the direction of Queen Lalit Tripura Sundari Devi, it was intended to commemorate her late husband, King Rana Bahadur Shah. This temple is situated at the confluence of the Bagmati River and the smaller Ichu Nadi, reflecting a traditional belief in the power of such river junctions.

The temple’s construction was guided by religious experts, and its centerpiece is a Shivalinga made of black polished stone within an inner sanctum. The temple’s design incorporates a quincunx arrangement with a central shrine and four miniature corner temples, representing deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Durga, Surya, and Ganesha. The structure is supported by carved wooden brackets and features intricate carvings that showcase various deities, including Ganesha, Krishna, and the Astamatrikas.

The temple’s exterior showcases Newar-style portals on each side, which hold technical and artistic significance. Over time, due to earthquakes and restoration efforts, the temple’s design has seen alterations and reconstructions. Notably, a bronze statue of Queen Lalit Tripura Sundari Devi overlooks the temple, emphasizing her dedication to the project.

The temple’s location at the confluence of rivers, its architectural design, and its intricate carvings make it a testament to religious and historical significance in Kathmandu. The structure’s history includes reconstruction efforts after earthquakes, demonstrating its enduring importance to the local culture and heritage.