Nepal - Pilgrimages and Temples

1. Mithila Kshetra - Mithila Shakti Peetha (Mithila):

Puranic Mithila Kshetra is identified with regions (given below) spanning across the Bihar - Nepal border:

Mithila (Darbhanga district, Bihar), (Sitamarhi district, Bihar), (Madhubani district, Bihar), (Janakpur, Dhanusha district, Nepal):
▬ Rivers Dudhmati, Jalad, Rato, Balan and Kamala surround Janakpur

Darbhanga:
Rama: Ahilya Asthan, Brahmapur Gautam Kund
Hanuman: Manokamna Hanuman Temple
Devi: Shyama Kali Temple, Subhankarpur Sati Sthan, Rambag Kankali Temple
Mithila Shakti Peeth (identified): Uchaith Bhagavati (50 km), Begusarai Jayamangala Garh (86 km), Saharsa Mahishi Ugratara (90 km)

Sitamarhi:
Sita: Janaki Mandir, Punaura Dham (5 km), Panth-Pakar (8 km)
Shiva: Haleshwar Sthan, Deokuli
Mithila Shakti Peeth (identified): Uchaith Bhagavati (60 km)
Others: Ranjitpur Baghi Dham (10 km)

Janakpur:
Sita-Rama: Janaki Mandir, Ram Mandir, Ram-Sita Vivaha Mandap, Manimandap, Dhanusha Dham (25 km)
Shiva: Jaleshwarnath
Others: Ganga Sagar, Dhanush Sagar, Ratna Sagar

◍ Greatness:

1. Delivering Devi Ahalya: Sri Rama delivered Devi Ahalya from the curse of sage Gautama on the upavana of Mithila.

2. Appearance of Devi Sita: Sri Rama heard about the appearance of Devi Sita at Mithila.

3. Breaking bow of Lord Shiva: Sri Rama broke the bow of Lord Shiva at Mithila before marrying Devi Sita.

4. Sita-Rama marriage: Sri Rama married Devi Sita at Mithila.

• Shakti Peetha: Mithila is identified with the Mithila Shakti Peetha. Where the Vama Skanda (Left Shoulder) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Uma and the Bhairava is called Mahodara.

◍ Puranic References:
• Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 51 to 73 (About the deeds of Sri Rama and Devi Sita in Mithila)
• Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 47 (About Mithila Shakti Peetha)

1. Pashupatinath Kshetra (Kathmandu Pashupatinath): (1400 m)

Kathmandu Pashupatinath (Kathmandu district, Nepal):
▬ River Bagmati flows

Shiva: Lord Pashupati

◍ Greatness:

1. A famous temple of Lord Shiva.

◍ Puranic References:

1. Salagrama Kshetra - Gandaki Kshetra - Swayam Vyakta Kshetra (Muktinath): (3710 m)

Muktinath (Mustang district, Nepal):
☗ Muktinath Valley
▬ River Gandaki flows

Vishnu: Sri Chakrapani
Devi: Devi Gandaki Chandi

◍ Greatness:

1. Swayam Vyakta Kshetra: Muktinath is one of the Swayam Vyakta Kshetras (Srirangam, Srimushnam, Venkatadri, Muktinath, Naimisharanya, Thoyadri or Thotadri, Pushkara and Badrikasharama). The Chakrapani Temple of Muktinath is the famous Vishnu Temple associated with this kshetra.

2. Divya Desam: Muktinath is one of the Divya Desams (Thirusalagramam).

3. Shakti Peetha: Muktinath is identified with the Gandaki Shakti Peetha. Where the Ganda (Cheek) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Gandaki Chandi and the Bhairava is called Chakrapani.

◍ Puranic References:
• Varaha Purana (About Vishnu Pilgrimage)
• Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 14 (About Shakti Peetha)

1. Mithila Shakti Peetha:

► मिथिला शक्ति_पीठ (Mithila Shakti Peetha)

• Mithila Shakti Peetha: I meditate on the Mithila Shakti Peetha where the Vama Skanda (Left Shoulder) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Uma and the Bhairava is called Mahodara.
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 47)

- Mithila Shakti Peetha
- Mithila Devi Uma (several districts, Bihar) (Dhanusha district, Nepal)

2. Nepala Shakti Peetha (Kathmandu Guhyeshwari): (1400 m)

Kathmandu Guhyeshwari (Kathmandu district, Nepal):
▬ River Bagmati flows

Devi: Devi Guhyeshwari

◍ Greatness:

1. Shakti Peetha: Devi Guhyeshwari is identified with the Nepala Shakti Peetha. Where the Janu (Knee) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Mahamaya and the Bhairava is called Kapali.

◍ Puranic References:
• Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 10 (About Nepala Shakti Peetha)

3. Gandaki Shakti Peetha:

► गण्डकी शक्ति_पीठ (Gandaki Shakti Peetha)

• Gandaki Shakti Peetha: I meditate on the Gandaki Shakti Peetha where the Ganda (Cheek) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Gandaki Chandi and the Bhairava is called Chakrapani.
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 14)

- Gandaki Shakti Peetha
- Muktinath Devi Gandaki Chandi (Nepal Himalayas, Gandaki) (Mustang district, Nepal)

1. Pilgrimages and Temples of Sri Rama: (Nepal)

-- Mithila - Janakpur - Palace of king Janaka; Sri Rama married Devi Sita


2. Pilgrimages and Temples of Lord Shiva: (Nepal)

-- Kathmandu - Pashupatinath - A famous pilgrimage


3. Pilgrimages and Temples of Lord Vishnu: (Nepal)

-- Muktinath - Sri Chakrapani (SVK-4) (DD-70) - Swayam Vyakta Kshetra; A famous pilgrimage


4. Pilgrimages and Temples of Devi: (Nepal)

-- Mithila - Mithila Shakti Peetha [Devi Uma] (SP-43) - The Vama Skanda (Left Shoulder) of Devi had fallen

-- Kathmandu - Nepala Shakti Peetha [Devi Guhyeshwari] (SP-8) - The Janu (Knee) of Devi had fallen

-- Muktinath - Gandaki Shakti Peetha [Devi Gandaki Chandi] (SP-11) - The Ganda (Cheek) of Devi had fallen