Kathmandu Valley is known for the place of peace and ample of religious history. There are many places where you can hike enough, travel to religious places and have peaceful and relaxing areas. With those scenaric view place available it’s a shocking thing that one of the 15th Century Adinath Lokeshowar Temple at Chovar, Kirtipur is reflected as one of the rarified territory.
Kirtipur is called as a place of history which was defeated during the time of King Prithivi Narayan Shah. Moreover, Chobhar is said to be the place created by Manjushree cutting two hills. And on the top of the hill of Chobhar climbing through the stone steps and through the cool forest path starting off the Chovar gate, there lies a place called Adinath. It is the first thing and most astonishing aspect of Adinath temple premises noticed once you enter through the gate at the apex of Chobhar. Going through the gate of Adinath Temple, locating Temple on the middle you would find the myriads of bronze pots and plates hanging by the walls around the place and even the wooden struts and roofs of the temples, which today only seem to have multiplied.
No any vehicle goes at the top of Adinath Temple so reaching there means a hike of less than 30 minutes of slow and relaxed uphill climbing is best to be preferred. And while the walk might not be restored back to its full glory, it still makes for an enjoyable cultural tour and a short yet an incredibly pleasant hike. Right from the start of the Chobhar gate, nature welcomes you with all warmth and songs such as chirping of birds slowly muffling the sound of traffic and trees surrounded everywhere of you. Along the route, you also come across the herders making their way up and down the steps while trending to the goats and many local people with their local products in shops. Up this hill, which the locals call it as the Kacchapala Giri (meaning Turtle Hill) lies the Adinath Lokeswor Temple. And with no surprise you can get the local morning food there with hot chiya or coffee if you go in the morning.
The place Adinath is enchanting in every sense of the world but the story behind it is even more interesting. It is said that since the Tibetan monks stole the real statue of Adinath temple during a Chariot Festival, back when “gods and demons freely roamed the earth”, the temple situated now is not a real one. However, historian and cultural expert, Lok Ratna Shakya, agrees that the temple does in fact bear a different statue which holds the belief of curing illness and provide pleasure, joy and happiness. The deity available as a statue is called Anandayi or Ananda which means pleasure, for a reason all goes back to the time of Karkotak Nagraj, whi us still believed to be residing in Taudaha and an unassuming cow herder.
Thus, Adinath Lokeswor Temple is one among the oldest and culturally most significant temple available in the Kirtipur, Chobhar area which make your every step of walk worth it to go. In addition, after a trek to the monument you would probably like visiting to Taudaha Lake with a 30 minutes distant from there on a bus.
