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Guhyeshwari Temple
Guhyeshwari Temple (Nepali: गुह्येश्वरी मन्दिर), also spelled Guheswari or Gujeshwari, is a Hindu temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. This temple is dedicated to Guhyeshwari or 'Nairatma' yogini, one of the important yoginis in Buddhism. The temple is also a Shakta pitha and it's about 1 km east of Pashupati Kshetra and is located on the southern bank of the Bagmati River.[1] It is an important pilgrimage destination especially for Tantric worshipers. King Pratap Malla renovated this temple in the 17th century. The temple's name originates from the Sanskrit words Guhya (secret or hidden) and Ishwari (goddess). In Lalitha Sahasranama the 707th name of the Goddess is mentioned as "Guhyarupini" (Lalita Sahasranama 137th verse: Sarasvati shastramayi, Guhaamba guhyaruupini).[2]  Only clan from Newa community, perform daily rituals or nitya puja of Guhyeshwari Temple. Daily rituals of Guhyeshwari are performed by tantric priest Karmacharya(in sanskrit and Achaju in Nepal Bhasa [Newa Bhyah]). In the special rituals and occasion, Karmacharya do tantric rituals. [3] Legend The story of Daksha yagya and Sati's self immolation had immense significance in shaping ancient Sanskrit literature and even had impact on the culture of Nepal. It led to the development of the concept of Shakta pithas, thereby strengthening Shaktism. When Shiva was insulted by his father in law Daksha, his wife Sati Devi was so angry that she jumped into the flames of the yagya. Shiva was grief-stricken and picked up her corpse and began to wander about, as her body parts fell to the earth. There are 51 Shakta pithas which are believed to be enshrined with the presence of Shakti due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi, when Lord Shiva carried it and wandered throughout Aryavartha in sorrow. The 51 Shakta pithas also correspond to 51 letters of the Sanskrit alphabet, Guhyeshwari represent I letter. [4]
Vajrayana BuddhismVajrayana Buddhists consider Guhyeshwari to be sacred to Vajrayogini in the form of Vajravarahi and to be the location of root of the mythical lotus upon which Swayambhunath stupa rests, which is also the umbilical cord that nurtures Kathmandu. In Tibetan language, the place is called Pag-mo Ngal-chu (Varahi's womb fluid). The water which flows from the spring in the well of the temple is believed to be vaginal discharge, likely amniotic fluid, or waters of Vajravarahi.[7] References
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