Bandipur is a hilltop settlement in Tanahu District, Gandaki Zone of Nepal. Because of its preserved, old time cultural atmosphere, Bandipur has increasingly been coming to the attention of tourism. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 9952 people residing in 1929 individual households.
Khadga Devi
The temple of Khadga Devi is one of the most revered temples in Bandipur, which is belied by its look of a residential house except for the finial. This temple is opened to devotees only once a year on the day of Phulpati during the Hindu festival of Dasain. The shrine does not contain any statues of gods or goddesses, but a Khadga, a sacred sword wrapped in layers of cloth. Legend has it that if anyone looks at it, he or she invites instant death by vomiting blood. According to another story, the relic was a present from Lord Shiva to Mukunda Sen, king of Palpa (1518-1553 A.D.). The Khadga is worshipped as a symbol of the female power, hence the name Khadga Devi, which means goddess of the sword.
Bindhabasini TempleThis temple is located in the main bazaar area and is constructed in the pagoda style. An image of the goddess Bindhabasini is enshrined here. It also contains statues of other goddesses. During the New Year celebrations of the Bikram Sambat, the image of Bindhabasini is put on a chariot and pulled through town amidst other revelry.
Chandithan
This temple lies to the west of Bandipur Bazaar. According to folklore, people would place 12 eggs inside the temple and cover it with straw and a brick before the start of the planting season. If the eggs kept fresh after one year when they were uncovered, it meant that there would be a good crop the following year.
Mahalaxmi TempleThis temple is located to the southeast of the main bazaar. Its architecture shows it to date from the medieval period. The temple is in the style of a pagoda. The struts and tympanum are adorned with figures of Bhimsen and various mythical creatures. The original statue of the goddess Mahalaxmi, however, was stolen, and it has been replaced by a new one.
Narayan TempleThis temple lies to the east of the main bazaar area. Statues of the god Harihar and the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu are installed inside.
The temple of Khadga Devi is one of the most revered temples in Bandipur, which is belied by its look of a residential house except for the finial. This temple is opened to devotees only once a year on the day of Phulpati during the Hindu festival of Dasain. The shrine does not contain any statues of gods or goddesses, but a Khadga, a sacred sword wrapped in layers of cloth. Legend has it that if anyone looks at it, he or she invites instant death by vomiting blood. According to another story, the relic was a present from Lord Shiva to Mukunda Sen, king of Palpa (1518-1553 A.D.). The Khadga is worshipped as a symbol of the female power, hence the name Khadga Devi, which means goddess of the sword.
Bindhabasini TempleThis temple is located in the main bazaar area and is constructed in the pagoda style. An image of the goddess Bindhabasini is enshrined here. It also contains statues of other goddesses. During the New Year celebrations of the Bikram Sambat, the image of Bindhabasini is put on a chariot and pulled through town amidst other revelry.
Chandithan
This temple lies to the west of Bandipur Bazaar. According to folklore, people would place 12 eggs inside the temple and cover it with straw and a brick before the start of the planting season. If the eggs kept fresh after one year when they were uncovered, it meant that there would be a good crop the following year.
Mahalaxmi TempleThis temple is located to the southeast of the main bazaar. Its architecture shows it to date from the medieval period. The temple is in the style of a pagoda. The struts and tympanum are adorned with figures of Bhimsen and various mythical creatures. The original statue of the goddess Mahalaxmi, however, was stolen, and it has been replaced by a new one.
Narayan TempleThis temple lies to the east of the main bazaar area. Statues of the god Harihar and the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu are installed inside.
TundikhelTundikhel is an excellent vantage point situated to the north of Bandipur's main bazaar. From here, one can view the magnificent Himalayan Range including the spectacular peaks of Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Langtang, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal, among others. The legendary Gorkha Palace and the famous Manakamana Peak can also be seen clearly. Other sights include the Marsyangdi Valley, Bimalnagar and Dumre.
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