Seto Machindranath Temple, Kathmandu

The Seto Machindranath Temple, situated in the heart of Kathmandu, is a stunning example of pagoda architecture dedicated to the deity Machhendra, also revered as Janmadyo or Janabaha Dyo. This temple is one of the four Machindranath temples worldwide and is nestled between Indra Chowk and Asan Tole at Keltole, in an area known as Jana Bahal or Machhindra Bahal.

The temple's deity, Seto Machindranath, is considered an aspect of Avalokiteshvara and is venerated by both Hindu and Buddhist communities. This dual religious significance enhances its cultural and spiritual importance in Kathmandu. According to legend, Swami Machindranath, also associated with this temple, was either born from a fish or created by Lord Shiva using the five elements—fire, water, sky, earth, and air—to epitomize absolute purity.

Historically, the temple's origins are traced back to around the 10th century. It was established during a period when divine interventions were commonly recorded in local folklore, such as the episode involving Yamraj, the God of Death, who, upon being captured by King Yakshya Malla and his Tantric Guru, sought the aid of Arya Avalokiteshvara. The deity responded by emerging from the water, instructing the king to build a temple at the confluence of the Kalmati and Bagmati rivers and to organize a chariot procession to allow the god to bless the people with happiness and longevity.

The temple's most notable annual event is the Jana Baha Dyah Jatra, a vibrant chariot festival celebrated in the month of Chaitra (March-April). During this three-day festival, the image of Seto Machindranath is bathed, repainted, and then paraded around Kathmandu in a large chariot. This ritual symbolizes life's cyclic nature and the deity's continual renewal. The procession concludes each day with a traditional display of rifle fire by a group of soldiers, marking the deity’s arrival at each destination.