Shree Gha Chaitya

Kaathe Swayambhu Shree Gha Chaitya, also known as Kathesimbhu stupa or Kashi Swayambhu, is a scaled-down replica of the famous Swayambhunath Stupa. Situated in Kathmandu, Nepal, this sacred site holds great significance for Tibetan pilgrims and was constructed around 1650 AD. The stupa is also referred to as Shree Gha-Shanti Ghat Bhajradhatu Mahachaitya.

The central stupa is encircled by smaller chaityas, inscriptions, statues, and an ancient cloister reminiscent of Tibetan monasteries. A statue of Avalokiteshvara is positioned in front of the stupa, adding to its spiritual aura. Kathesimbhu stupa serves as an alternative pilgrimage destination for those unable to visit the Swayambhunath Temple, ensuring that all pilgrims can benefit from its divine presence. Notably, the thirteen steps on the spire symbolize the thirteen stages one must traverse to attain Nirvana.

According to mythology, Acharya Vak-vajra of Kwa-baha was requested by the King of Benaras to consecrate a chaitya built in the region. In response, Vak-vajra sprinkled water from the sacred Ganges River over the monument. However, the king doubted his powers. To demonstrate his extraordinary abilities, Vak-vajra entered a state of deep meditation and effortlessly transported the chaitya to its current location in Kathmandu. Another legend suggests that the materials leftover from the construction of the Swayambhunath stupa were utilized to build this magnificent structure.

Historical records mention the stupa in a 1552 AD inscription (Nepal Sambat 762). The inscription reveals that Megharaja, in remembrance of his deceased son, donated the golden pinnacle of the chaitya. He also established a guthi, a religious trust, to conduct annual commemorative rituals. This guthi maintains close ties with the priests of the nearby Kwa-baha region. During the reign of King Pratap Malla (1624-1674 AD), the stupa underwent repairs. In 1647, the chaitya was de-consecrated but was later restored by Vajracharya in 1653, preserving its sanctity and historical significance.

Taleju Temple, Kathmandu

 Taleju Bhawani, the Nepalese Malla dynasty's royal goddess, is honored at the Hindu temple named in her honor. It is situated in Hanuman Dhoka, Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was constructed in 1564 by Mahendra Malla. Taleju Bhawani and Kumari Devi each have their own shire inside the temple. The Taleju Temple only opens once a year, during Dashain. 

ZONE

 Nepal is divided into 14 zones for strategic coordination of administrative districts as well as balanced and integrated socio-political and economic development of the identifiable geographical areas. The zone is known as Anchal in Nepali. See Anchal .                          

ZILLA

 It is a local term for the administrative district of Nepal. There are altogether 75 zillas or districts in Nepal. Zilla is the most identifiable administrative unit with all line agencies of administrative, political and development activities of the country. The grass root political units below District is either a Village Development unit or a town. There are about  3900 VDC’s and 59 Municipal towns.      

YUGA

 Yuga means the age or the aeon of the universe. Yugas are described in different ways under various beliefs. In Hindu religious text the time of the universe is divided into Yugas, Mahayugas and Kalpas. There are four Yugas namely, Krita Yuga or Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga and Kali Yuga. How long are all those a eons? It is incredibly a huge calculation for a human mind. Here goes the lengths of all four Yugas as described in Hindu mythologies. The years are calculated in terms of our years and the years of the gods which have different connotations. Each year of the gods is equivalent to 360 years of men. Hence,

Krita Yuga  has 4800 years of gods x 360 equals to  1,728,000 years of ours

Treta  Yuga has 3600  years of gods x 360 equals to 1,296,000 years of ours

Dwapar Yuga has 2400 years of gods x 360 equals to 864,000 years of ours. Kali Yuga  has 1200 years of gods x 360 equals to   432,000 years of ours

Total  number of years of all four Yugas is  4,320,000 years of ours. Total period of all four Yugas becomes one Mahayuga. i. e.,  4,320,000 years

Two thousand Mahayugas makes one Kalpa.

One Kalpa is just a day and night for Bramha, the creator. Every time he goes for retiring, he destroys the whole creations except gods, sages and elements. Next day of his, as soon as he gets awake, he again starts his creations for another day of ‘His’ which is equivalent to 2,160,000,000 years of ours.

It is believed that this process goes on for 100 years of Bramha.