Photos by: Sanjog Manandhar

The Taleju Bhawani temple at Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu has been opened to public on Thursday, on the occasion of Mahanawani, the ninth day of the 10-day Bada Dashain festival. 

As the temple of goddess Taleju Bhawani is opened for general public only on the day of Mahanawami, a large number of worshippers thronged the Temple since early morning for worship and prayer. 

Representatives from the Hanuman Dhoka Herchaha Adda (HDHA) and volunteers have been managing the crowd of the devotees that is expected to surpass 80,000. 

It is believed that by worshipping Taleju Bhawani on this day, the worshippers are blessed with peace, prosperity and domestic happiness.

The temple which was built in the 13th century dates back to the Malla-era. According to the temple management committee, devotees thronged the temple since 3:00 am today to pay homage to the Goddess Taleju Bhawani. 
 

The temple remains open throughout the day today and a large number of devotees, approximately 100 thousand, are expected to visit the shrine. Daily worships and rituals take place in the temple in remaining 364 days, but it is not opened to the public. 
 

Taleju Bhawani, worshipped as the patron deity of the Malla Kings who ruled the then Nepal (Kathmandu Valley) from the 12th and 18th century, remains as the clan goddess of the Newar Community in the Kathmandu Valley. It draws a large score of devotees from the Valley and adjoining areas on the day of Mahanawami.