Hanuman ghat (value for the people of Bhaktapur)
Early in the morning, the denizens of Bhaktapur city roam all possible temples around them. But, during the month of poush and magh (Madhav Narayan mela) from the full moon day of Poush till another, they all destined to one destination. It’s no other than Hanuman ghat.
It flows through the rural and urban areas of the Bhaktapur district before joining the Manohara River at Jadibuti in Kathmandu.
Locals, in their own language call this place khorhe. However, this place is quite similar to the Pashupatinath too, in terms of having a cremation expanse along with the sack of temples.
There are significant places of Sitala Mai, Hanuman, Mata Bhagwati, Badrinath, draupati Bhimsen, and Astamatrika. Along with them, there is a huge Shivalinga installed outside the entrance. Some beautiful statues of Buddha, Ganesh, and Ram Sita are also established over there.
Hanumanghat, locally called ‘Khorhen’ by the locals is located at the confluence of two rivers, namely, Brahmayeni Khola River flowing from the north-east side and Tabyakhusi Khola River flowing from the south-east side. The river carries the name Hanumante only downstream of the confluence of these two rivers.
There is a belief with regards to the religious importance of Hanumanghat, Hanumanghat is considered to be located at Tribeni (confluence of three rivers) of Bira, Bhadra, and Tamasa. To them, Bira is Brahmayeni Khola River Bhadra is Tabyakhusi Khola River and the river Tamasa is coming out from the ground.
Besides all of these temples and statues, there is one beautiful statue of Budanilkantha. People worshipped it as Bhujasi Narayan. The statue is said to be transferred over there from one of the courtyards of 99 courtyards of Bhaktapur Durbar Square, after the earthquake of 1990.
Considering all these facets of Hanuman Ghat, it could easily be sanctioned as a religious pilgrim. While, on the other hand, because it has a cremation area, many people avoid going there at night.
Ghats are said to be an abode of ghosts, evil spirits, fierce deities, and tantric. That’s why it sounds quite scarier too.
Ghat is a Nepalese word that means the cremation area. Also, one of the features of ghats is being situated near rivers or Triveni. This, Hanuman ghat is also blessed with Triveni. Triveni generally means the confluence of three rivers. Near Hanuman ghat, a river named Bira ( streamed from Jagati), along with another river named Bhadra (running from Maheshwari) collide with the third river named Tamasa.
It is also believed that the Tamasa river does not pass from elsewhere instead the origin of this river is said to be this pilgrimage, Hanuman ghat itself.
Well, there is an interesting story regarding its orientation. As per which, when Lord Ram along with Sita and Hanuman was returning from the after-battle at Lanka, he paused at this place. After some rest and bath, they sat on a stone near the river and started to have fruits.
Meanwhile, Hanuman was in a jittery situation, thinking about sharing foods from the same plate as his master’s. He, in any situation, could not let his master eat the same food touched by his Jhuto hands.
(Jhuto means impure in the Nepalese language. While you are eating, your hands are assumed Jhuto until you washed them. Thus, while eating you are not allowed to enter the Kitchen, temple and another restricted area in Nepal.)
To resolve his inner dilemma, he founded a new origin of Ganga beneath his tail which we call the Tamasa river nowadays. With the pure water of Ganga, he used to wash his hands each time he took a bite from the plate.
You can imagine, that scene must be quite hilarious. Washing hands beneath the tail that each time when you have a bite. When Lord Ram noticed this interlude, he asked Hanuman that why is he acting this weird just like a typical monkey.
Which after, Hanuman explained all his dilemmas and deeds. Seeing Hanuman’s this devotion, lord Ram then hugged him tightly. It is said that after that incident the place was started to call Hanuman ghat though.
However, people still believe that one time in a day, Hanuman appears to bathe over there. And, during that time, the way toward this ghat seems vanished or clouded.
Well, that one was an interesting story associating with Ramayan. Moreover, there is one more darn which states that the statue of Balmikeshwor Mahadev of Khorhe was erected by the Balmiki himself. Balmiki is that person who is revered as the author of Ramayana.
Story reference: Reviews of GR Ranjit.
Hanuman Ghat is quite famous for annually holding Madhav Narayan Barta, which lasts for a whole month.
It is more like the Pashupatinath temple, where there is both temple and cremation area. But people prefer to call it ghat, the cremation site.
Yes, it does. The Madhav Narayan Barta starts and ends at the Hanuman Ghat.
Hanuman Ghat is taken as a sacred place because it has numerous temples, a month-long Madhav Narayan barta is held over that. And on top of that, it has a cremation site which is assumed as a salvation site.
There is not a grand temple of Hanuman at Hanuman Ghat but yes, there is a statue of Hanuman established over there.
Hanuman ghat is located at the outskirt of Bhaktapur Nagara, on the bank of Hanumante Khola. There is Jame Masjid at the west, Muni Vihar on the North and Maheshwori temple on the north-eastern side of the Ghat.
Khorhe is an alternative name of Hanuman ghat. Especially the local residents call Hanuman Ghat with this name, which perhaps means the cremation site in the respective language.
Triveni basically means the collision of the three sacred rivers. Hanumanghat is considered to be located at Tribeni (confluence of three rivers) of Bira, Bhadra, and Tamasa. To them, Bira is Brahmayeni Khola River Bhadra is Tabyakhusi Khola River and the river Tamasa is coming out from the ground.
Hanuman Ghat is a sacred site that has temples ( a ton of) and a cremation site surrounding it.
Yes, it is. It is important considering its religious, cultural and historical significance.
You can take the temples and sculptures of Astamatrikas, Shivalingas, Hanuman, Ramsita, Saraswati, Ganesha, Buddha, Uma Maheshwor, Narayan and cremation spot as the main attraction of the site.
Bhaktapur Municipality, Bhaktapur District, Nepal.
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