CHHEPU

According to legend, long time ago, the Kathmandu valley was a huge lake inhabited by the countless numbers and types of aquatic animals, mostly serpents known as Nagas. So it was known as Nag Rhada or Nag-Daha meaning the home of the serpents or the lake of the Serpent-Gods. One day,  Manjushree Bodhisattwa, a Buddhist saint from China, saw the lake and cut through the southern hill of the valley with one stroke by his legendary sword Chandrahas and drained of the water compelling all the marine creatures to leave the lake. But a creature known as Chhepu stayed back. When, by his yogic power, Manjushree realized that a giant creature known as Chhepu was still hiding somewhere under the water, he commanded him to leave the lake without any delay. Devoid of power and naturally terrified, the Chhepu promised to leave on the condition that Manjushree would not see his ugly self as he moved out of the lake. Manjushree agreed to it but, as the legend goes, he could not resist opening his eye partially out of curiosity while the huge bodied Chhepu was moved out to leave the lake. As soon as the fear-stricken creature noticed that Manjushree was watching his ugly body, he got upset and quickly dived deep under the water to hide himself again. Manjushree became ashamed for breaking his promise and, therefore, assured Chhepu  never to  see the lower half of his body which has not been seen by anybody so far and that he would be  treated  respectfully. He was also allowed to occupy a very significant place in the temples to be built up in Kathmandu valley and would remain there half-hidden for ever.

The architectural tradition of showing only half of Chhepu’s body above the tympanums of the temple doorways in many temples of Kathmandu is based upon the above legend. Figures of this fascinating creature Chhepu in bronze, brass, wood and stone can be seen in Buddhist as well as Hindu temples situated in and around Kathmandu Valley.