Lakṣmībhakteśvara Mandira, Teku, Kathmandu

Curated by Bharat Maharjan and Thomas Schrom

Lakṣmībhakteśvara Mandira, Teku, Kathmandu
LAKṢMĪBHAKTEŚVARA MANDIRA, PHOTO BY THOMAS SCHROM, 2023

This Śiva temple (DANAM ID: KAT2612) stands as a tribute to Lakṣmīdāsa Pradhāna, an important mediator of governmental information for over five decades from the early 19th century. Following Lakṣmīdāsa's death in Banaras at the age of 75 in 1867 CE, his wife, Munithakuṃ, built the temple in 1871 CE, naming it Lakṣmībhakteśvara in memory of her late husband. The temple is constructed in a style prevalent during the early Śāha era, featuring an ornate archway crowned with a depiction of Chepu, a mythic aquatic figure. Originally, serpent maidens (nāgakanyās) flanked the entrance, but they were stolen prior to the 2015 CE earthquakes. Inside the sanctum, a stone śivaliṅga is housed beneath a bell-shaped domed roof adorned with a finial and a trident (triśūla). Lakṣmīdāsa held the significant post of Mīra Munsī, heading the Munsīkhānā, an institution responsible for managing foreign affairs and correspondence. This position was established during the tenure of Mukhtiyāra (chief minister) Bhīmasena Thāpā from 1806 to 1837 CE and continued until the downfall of the Rāṇā regime in 1951 CE. Lakṣmīdāsa embraced the prevailing trend of creating a private cremation ground by the Bagmati river and constructing a rest house, the Munsīghāṭa Sataḥ (KAT2611). An inscription from 1881 CE within the Munsīghāṭa Sataḥ records the temple's establishment in 1871 CE and the donation of 27 ropanīs of land to support daily, periodic, and annual rituals. However, nowadays, many rituals are no longer observed. The descendants of Lakṣmīdāsa Pradhāna still commemorate the temple's anniversary on the 7th day of the bright fortnight of Vaiśākha, which involves the sacrifice of a male goat. For further information, please visit DANAM.