On the southern hill of Bhaktapur Nagara, there is one sacred temple named Suryabinayak. The temple is situated in the middle of the jungle. It is also called the elder deity among the four popular Binayak temples of Kathmandu Valley including Ashoka Binayak, Jal Binayak, Rakta Binayak and Suryabinayak itself.
About the naming of the temple, there is one darn adopted by all. In Hindu pilgrim, Surya means the sun who is also worshipped as a god and it is widely believed that the first ray of the sun directly touches the feet of this image of Binayak or the Ganesh. That’s why this Ganesh shrine is named Suryabinayak which means the merger form of the sun and Ganesh.
It takes only half an hour to reach over there from Bhaktapur Durbar Square. If you are not fit to walk enough, then you could choose to ride your own vehicle which will take only 10 min. Isn’t it great?
However, You have to ascend some stairs by yourself to reach the premises of Suryabinyak temple. From the start of the ascending stairs, you could notice temples of different deities until the entrance of the temple premises. Well, the courtyard of this temple contains a pati too which gives a tremendous view of the Bhaktapur City.
Along with the pati, there are statues of Suryabinayak himself, Shivalinga, Malla kings and the mount of Lord Ganesha, Mushak (mouse) over the premises of Suryabinayak temple. There is also a water conduit to wash out before worshipping (Puja).
The physical evidence of the temple states that it was built in the early 17th century. That somehow points to the fact that it was built during the reign of King Bhupatindra Malla. Some rumours also state that it was built by King Vishnu Dev Barma while some say it is old enough to declare its age more than a thousand-year.
There is another interesting folk related to the creation of the forest including the arise of Suryabinayak himself. As per the priest of the temple, when Hanuman was hurrying up to transfer the hill full of medicinal herbs while he was unaware of one medicinal herb named Sanjibani Buti, a small piece of that hill was fall and thus turns down as the hill of Surya Binayak.
If you are well aware of the story of Ramayana, then you could probably be well aware of this incident as well. Coincidently, the hill of Suryabinayak is also full of medicinal herbs.
Aligning with the temple of Suryabinayak temple, there is one more temple, a few steps above the main shrine of Suryabinayak temple. It is called the temple of the mother goddess. As per the locals, it is the temple of the mother of Lord Ganesh. That’s why it is also called Shiva Parvati temple (the parents of Lord Ganesh).
A strong belief stating that this temple blesses voiceless children with an oration made devotees reach over there. People still believe in this myth.
They say that children actually start to speak when they are left in the temple for some time. But they must cry while they are left alone otherwise, they won’t speak. Though this kinda belief is quite strange yet it is a belief that makes this temple so precious.
It is, indeed. People frequently visit this temple before and after accomplishing some good deed or on special occasions such as weddings.
The Suryabinayak temple is nestled among the trees of the Suryabinayak jungle. However, it takes approximately 20-25 minutes to walk from Suryabinayak Chowk to the southern hill.
You can go whenever you like, but Tuesday is thought to be the finest day to worship Lord Binayak (Ganesh).
Yes, Suryabinayak, aside from the temple, is a favourite spot for picnics. However, because the area is popular for picnics, you must reserve a site ahead of time.
There is a mythology that the Suryabinayak temple received the first beam of sunlight, possibly among the resided god and goddess because it faces east and is located at a high elevation than other Ganesh temples.
According to the available information, it was built in the late 17th century.
Unlike most of Bhaktapur’s temples, it is erected by adhering to the hill itself. Furthermore, Suryabinayak’s image is not built on any platform. Instead, it is obvious that it is rooted on the earth.
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