Dakshinkali Temple: A Sacred Shrine in a Forested Gorge

Dakshinkali Temple: The Fierce Goddess in the Forest

Dakshinkali is one of Nepal's most important and striking Hindu temples, dedicated to the fearsome goddess Kali. Set at the bottom of a lush gorge where two streams meet, the temple is about 22 km south of Kathmandu.

The Temple

The main shrine houses a black stone image of the six-armed goddess Kali. The temple is particularly active on Tuesdays and Saturdays, when Hindu devotees arrive in large numbers to offer animal sacrifices — primarily roosters and goats — to the goddess.

**Note for sensitive visitors:** Animal sacrifice is a living Hindu tradition at Dakshinkali. If you are uncomfortable with this, visit on other days when the temple is quieter and sacrifices are less frequent.

The Setting

The gorge is beautiful — forested hillsides, a clear stream, and a peaceful atmosphere (outside of sacrifice days). Many Nepali families visit Dakshinkali as a picnic excursion, combining worship with a day out in nature.

Nearby Attractions

• **Pharping** — a nearby town with important Buddhist and Hindu sites, including the cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated.
• **Champa Devi Hike** — a scenic day hike from Pharping over the ridgeline with views of the valley and Himalayas.

Getting There

Take a bus from Kathmandu's Ratna Park (1.5 hours) or hire a taxi (1 hour). The road passes through scenic countryside.

Dakshinkali is a window into the living, visceral side of Hindu worship — powerful, ancient, and unlike anything most international visitors will have encountered.