Ashok Binayak Temple

Ashok Binayak Temple is one of the most famous temple in Kathmandu.It is located at eastern side of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square.This is temple of Lord Ganesha,with elephant head.This well associated with the royals of their Himalayan kingdom as well as social life of common public. This temple is recently struggling for getting its historical evident which has been found out by the people till now. It is dwarfed by the giant pagoda structure of Kasthamandap that stand in front of the temple but the locals automatically turn themselves to the temple and take a round from the left whenever they arrive at the courtyard of Maru.The only evident this temple has is that it was modified around 1850 A.D, which cannot be known as the date of its origin. It is strongly belief that large number of pilgrims come to this temple. The credit is given to the ancient priest. Jamana Gubhaju for initiating pious rituals and caretaking this temple, a local vendor Dhamanan Sayami acknowledges.

By the legend, the place where the temple is situated today was once upon a time a big jungle and people found the miraculous idol of Ganesha there. The legend implies that it belongs to the time long before Hanuman Dhoka as a royal palace came into existence. But as it was cramped among trees, the makers couldn’t give the final touch by adding a pinnacle to the small temple, so the people named it as Ashok Binayak.The tree shaped decarnation inside the temple that is hardly seen these days, are the reminder of the Ganesha’s love the Ashok tree that gave him its name.

Ashok Binayak is made of metal idol which is taken to the city on the eight day of Dashain .In this day, animals are sacrificed by the locals and people offered flowers to the Lord and runs from one street to others. The chariot of Lord Ganesha is then taking to Narayanhiti Royal Palace and Singh Durbar to poise offerings. Members of the royal family, along with their children visit to the temple to carry out rituals of Bratabandha, rice feeding and wedding. Likewise, visiting to this temple is for every monarch as a part of coronation in the country. A pilgrim hardly gets enough space in front of the temple to sit and ask for his blessing. And the busy pilgrims find it easy to salute the poor god from outside. Irrespective of its indistinct history and archaeological value, people throng to the temple every day with unlimited desire they believe will be fulfilled by bless of Ganesha.