About Jal Narayan Temple (Budhanilkantha Temple)

Jal Narayan Temple

Located in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, Jal Narayan Temple is the iconic Lord Vishnu’s Temple, which is also known as Budhanilkantha Temple. It is located almost 8 km north of Kathmandu in the Shivapuri Hills. Jal Narayan Temple is a holy place with great spiritual and historical significance. It is an outdoor temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in a sleeping position. It is one of the most unique temples, where devotees can see the deity resting in the middle of a large pond. The large reclining statue of lord Vishnu is carved out of a single black rock, resting on the coils of the serpent Sheshnag in the middle of the sacred pond. And this is why the temple is named “Jal Narayan”. Jal means “Water,” and Narayan is the “Lord Vishnu” himself. So, Jal Narayan means Lord Vishnu or Narayan in water.

About Jal Narayan or Budhanilkantha Temple

Jal Narayan Temple is in Nepal, which is of great Importance for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims. This temple is also known as the Budhanilkantha Temple. Well, the word Budhanilkantha derives from the ancient Newari language, where “Budha” means “Old”, Nil means “Blue”, and “Kantha” means “Throat”. The temple is full of spirituality, positive energy, history, and beautiful architecture.

Apart from its spiritual significance, the temple is renowned for its stunning architecture and natural setting. Its beautiful surroundings of lush greenery with serene ponds and the Shivapuri National Park make it one of the must-visit places in Nepal. The centre of attraction of this temple is the magnificent statue of lord Vishnu, the protector of the universe in the Hindu Trinity.

This temple is the prime testimony of the Vaishnav worship in Nepal. During your Budhanilkantha Temple tour in Nepal, you will explore the records of history, describing the origin and evolution of this holy shrine. You will marvel at the temple’s ancient architecture, which tells the story of craftsmanship and devotion.

Buddhists' Connections and Local Beliefs

Jal Narayan Temple is primarily associated with Hindus and is a sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus. However, it is a holy site for Buddhists also. It holds a spiritual significance in Buddhism, because of:

  • Bishnumati River: It is a sacred river flowing in the Kathmandu Valley that originates from Tokha on Shivapuri Mountain. Bishnumati literally means the beloved river of Lord Vishnu. Well, this river is also associated with Buddhists because the lord Krakur Chand Buddha had performed sacred rites along the banks of the river.
  • Buddha Purnima Jatra: Another connection of this sacred shrine with Buddhists is that the pilgrims follow a procession from Yeja to Chandeswari Temple in Tokha, reflecting the religious confluence.

Major Attractions of Jal Narayan Temple

With its stunning architectural and natural setting, Jal Narayan Temple offers top attractions to explore that draw devotees and visitors alike. Here are the top attractions in and around Jal Narayan Temple:

Reclining Lord Vishnu Statue

It is the centre of attraction of this temple. The main deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu, settled in the most unique way. The temple is famous for the reclining idol of lord Vishnu, which is made of a single block of black stone. It is approx. 16 feet tall, which makes it one of the tallest sculptures of lord Vishnu in Nepal. Vishnu Bhagwan is sleeping in the coils of the serpent Sheshnag, which signifies the cosmic ocean, representing the universe’s creation and maintenance.

Sacred Pond

Another significant and vital part of the temple is the sacred pond surrounding the temple. This is a holy pond that adds to the spiritual significance of the temple and is important in temple rituals, festivals, Hindu ceremonies, and traditions. The locals believe that the water in the pond has divine origins. While some believe that the water comes from an underground stream that flows in from Gosaikunda Lake in the Langtang Himalayas.

How to Reach

The temple is located just 8 km north of Kathmandu. So, you can take a local bus from Kathmandu or hire a taxi to reach the Budhanilkantha Temple. Both public transport and private transport options are available from Kathmandu to the Jal Narayan Temple.