The Siddhikali Temple is a Hindu temple located in Thimi, Nepal.[1] The two-story roofed temple is dedicated to Kali, Shiva, and Ganesh. It is believed that this Shaktipeeth was formed from the fallen right eye of Sati's corpse. This place is located in Inayekwo, in the north west of Thimi.[2] The temple is also known as Inayekwo Dyo in the Nepalese Bhasa language. The Siddhikali Temple is also known as Chamunda, one of the goddesses of Astamatrika. The temple has large numbers of Pataa streaming down the front. There is a Satah (rest-house) opposite to the temple, multiple Falcha (Inns) and several smaller shrines (Bhairav, Shiva Temple, Saraswati Temple, Bhimsen Temple, Basundhara Temple, Sahsrabhuj Lokeshwor Temple, and Buddha Chaitya) nearby, and several stone taps around the area. The Siddhikali Temple's Gajur and 2 roofs are gold-plated.
Siddhikali Temple also known as Inayeko dyo and Chamunda. Goddess Chamunda is one of the goddess of Astamatrika.Siddhikali Temple of Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur
The Siddhikali Temple or Siddhi Kali Temple is a cultural and religious place. Inside the temple, Siddhikali and Ganesh can be recognized in the middle part of the building. The deities Bhairav and Navadurga also exist inside the temple. In Chapacho Thimi, there is Siddhikali Dyo Chhen (meaning "House of God"), where people can worship Siddhikali. The Jatra of goddess Siddhikali starts and ends here. Twice a year, (Baisakh 1 and Yenya Punhi) Siddhikali takes to the Siddhikali Temple from Dyo Chhen to observe the Jatra known as Dyo Bwekegu Jatra. A statue of Ganesh is kept on Dyo Chhen and the chariot during Biska Jatra (Bisket Jatra) (Baisakh 1st and 2nd) and Yenya Punhi Siddhikali Jatra.
Dhwakaha (gate) of Siddhikali temple premises
Siddhikali Temple is a Shaktipeeth and pilgrimage site situated on the outskirts of the old city of Thimi in Bhaktapur District. There are two traditional gates (Dhwakha) to enter the city from the Siddhikali Temple. In the past, a residential area only started at the gate. One Dhwakha was near Nasanani Tole, which has vanished, and another is near Dwoda Tole, the nearest residential area from temple. Besides that, there are two newly built entrance gates near the temple.
The premises of the Siddhikali temple have more than 10 traditional Lhon hiti (stone taps) and two ponds. Still, most of the stone taps have natural water flowing continuously. Most of the Lhon hiti have their own name, like Dhwo hiti, Poo hiti, Nasa hiti, Dathu hiti, and Patawal hiti.
It is believed that Siddhikali fulfills the wishes of devotees. Many devotees visit the temple every day. Tuesday and Saturday are viewed as the special days to worship Siddhikali. On most Tuesday and Saturday nights, people visit the temple to worship and light the diyo of Itaa (a type of diyo made by cotton and oil). This is called Chaakamataa Chyakeu in the Newa language. Devotees light the diyo with oil around the temple.
The Nitya Bhajan is performed everyday in the morning and every Saturday night. Ramayan Bhajan is performed every Friday mid-day in the Siddhikali Temple.
There are numbers of Pataa (a long metal hanging from top of temple to front) in the Siddhikali temple. Most of the Pataa are offered from devotees to show their deep belief in Siddhikali.
A Khuchaa (small river) passes through the temple premises. A Bhimsen Temple is located on the bank of that Khuchaa, on the west side of the Siddhikali temple. That was a pilgrimage site known as Bishnuganga, also called Bhimghat. In the past, crying babies were often brought there to have their face washed. It is believed that the babies would often stop crying after having their face washed with water from that river. People from the north part of Thimi still visit here to offer and flow Pinda to their ancestors after completing Shradhha (a special worship of ancestors mostly done annually on their death date).
A Mahadev temple is located near to Bhimsen Temple, which is known as Gopaleshwor Mahadev.
On the east part of Siddhikali temple, there is a small hill known as Kutunga. It is believed that while the Sanjivani hill was being carried by Hanuman, some part of Sanjivani hill fell down there. Kutunga means "fallen hill" in the Newa language.
Holidays and Festivals
The major festivals celebrated in Siddhikali Temple premises are Biska Jatra / Bisket Jatra (Last days of Chaitra month, Baisakh 1st and Baisakh 2nd), Digu puja, Gathemangal, Yenya punhi Jatra, Mohani (Dashain), Bala Chaturdashi, Shree Panchami/Vasant Panchami, Bhim Dwadashi, Holi Purnima and Maha Shivaratri.[3][4][5][6]
On the day of GathemangalGathamuga chaturdashi, three different Gathamuga are pulled out to the bank of the Khucha near to the Siddhikali Temple to be burned. Every year, three Gathamuga from Nasanani Tole, Digu Tole and Wachunani-Kumanani Tole of Thimi are pulled to the riverbank. Gathamuga chaturdashi is a unique festival where festivals of the Newa people start.
During the Dashain festival, on the day of Fulpati, the Fulpati (an assortment of different plants and flowers) is brought from Siddhikali temple to Layeku Taleju temple of Thimi. Khadga Jatra (KhaanPyaaWoigu) is celebrated on the next day of Bijaya Dashami in Balkumari temple premises.
Siddhikali Jatra celebrated on Baisakh 1st every year. Generally we called it Biska Jatra of Thimi
Siddhikali Jatra is celebrate twice in a year. Once in Baisakh month known as Biska Jatra and another in Bhadra month known as Yenya Punhi Jatra. On the day of Yenya Punhi Jatra, goddess Siddhikali is taken to temple from Dyo Chhen (God house) which is called Dyo Bwekegu Jatra. A special worship is done in the temple then Siddhikali is returned to Dyo chhen again. During Dyo Bwekegu Jatra, only Dyo Bwekegu beats is played in Dhime Baja (drum type musical instrument). On the next day, pratipada tithi night, Siddhikali jatra is celebrated within the Siddhikali Jatra route (traditional route of siddhikali jatra) by carrying the Palanquin, playing Dhime, Bhusya and carrying Chilakh (special type oil lamp). Siddhikali jatra starts from Dyo Chhen and moves around the Thimi core area and returns to Dyo Chhen.
On Biska Jatra (Bisket Jatra), 1st of Baisakh morning, Dyo Bwekegu jatra is performed by taking the goddess Siddhikali from Dyo Chhen to the temple. Baisakh 1st is important for Thimi. On this day a puja is offered the whole day. Many people from Thimi visit the temple to worship. In the evening, a big jatra of Siddhikali Gan is celebrated in the temple premises. Seven palanquins of Siddhikali Gan (Siddhikali, Koshi Inaye Ganesh, Bishwo Binayak, Korki Inaye Ganesh, Gaancha Inaye Ganesh, Raj Ganesh and Shiwa Ganesh) are gathered together and celebrate a big Biska Jatra in Siddhikali temple premises, it is also known as Siddhikali Jatra and Byalisiya Jatra. The jatra also includes large crowds, sounds of Dhime and Bhusyas, Naya khin, vermilion color, fires on Chilakh, seven palanquins and rounding Chhatra. The Jatra will take round the Thimi upper part too. On Baisakh 2nd morning, 19 palanquins are gathered together with Siddhikali Gan in Balkumari temple premises to celebrate SuthasiyaBiska Jatra/Balkumari Jatra and go around Thimi city. The Biska Jatra palanquin of the goddess Siddhikali has gold plated Gajur and two gold plated roofs.
Gholi Naag Lhon hiti
In Baisakh 1st Biska Jatra 7 palanquins are gathered together in the temple. One palanquin (Bishwo Binayak) will not cross the Dhwakha (traditional gate to enter the city) of the temple premises and stops near the Dhwakha while all other palanquins go into temple and around the Siddhikali temple. On the left side of Siddhikali temple there is a Lhon hiti (stone tap) which is believed to have a supernatural power. It is believed that, the stone tap has Gholi Naag and the Aasan (throne) of Bishwo Binayak also has Gholi Naag. Both Gholi Naag should not meet each other so the palanquin of Bishwo Binayak stops near to Dhwakha and will not cross that Dhwakha.
There are numbers of Guthi related to Siddhikali Jatra from ancient times. Each Guthi has their own responsibility during the jatra. Siddhikali Dyo Guthi, Siddhikali Moo Dhime Guthi, Siddhikali Dhime Guthi, Chhatra Guthi, Nol Guthi, Sinha Guthi, Falcha Guthi, Dalbu Guthi, Siddhikali Basuri Khala are some of the Guthis related to Siddhikali Jatra.
Moo dhime of Siddhikali
Moo Dhime is a special Dhime across Thimi city. It is played with one Dhime only where other Dhime are played in groups. A single Dhime with more Bhusya, Chwamo (Chamar) and Pankha in Biska jatra is the one of main attraction of Biska Jatra (Bisket Jatra). This Dhime is played outside only two days (Baisakh 1 and 2nd) during the year. The rest of the year it is kept hanging in Moo Dhime Chhen. Only after the arrival of Moo Dhime during Biska jatra is the palanquin of Siddhikali carried out. This Dhime is called the symbol of Naag. The beat of this Dhime is unique from other common Dhime beats. The Moo Dhime beats are not allowed to be played by other common Dhime in jatras or other occasions. Moo Dhime Guthi was formed to protect and play the Dhime during Biska Jatra.
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