Shree Ram Temple, Pokhara
Shree Ram Temple is located in Pokhara-17, Birauta, a little below Birauta Chowk, on the right side of a canal made from Fursey Khola. To the east, there is a canal built for electricity production. On the north is an irrigation canal, on the west is the main road, and on the south is an ashram house for saints and yogis. The temple area is peaceful, green, and full of spiritual energy. Every morning and evening, the sound of bells and bhajans makes the entire area feel holy.
Temple Establishment and History
This temple, dedicated to Lord Ram, was established on 30th Asoj, 2040 BS. On Ram Nawami of the same year, the temple was inaugurated after performing Pran-Pratishtha. On the 25th anniversary, a silver anniversary pillar was unveiled by Swami Shri Atmananda Guruji Maharaj of Galeshwar Ashram, Devghat. According to local belief, a Ganesh stone (Ganesh Shila) appeared naturally at the site, giving a divine sign that this place is meant to be Ram’s temple. Because of this, the name “Shree Ram Temple” became natural.
Structure and Idols
The temple area covers about two ropani of land and has three temples. The main temple has three towers. Inside, there are artistic idols of Ram, Laxman, and Sita walking during their forest exile, allowing devotees to experience the scene from the Ramayana. The main tower features wood carvings of Ram, the ten avatars of Vishnu, and above that, carvings of the three main deities, Bhairav, and Buddha. Wood art is the main architectural attraction of this temple. On the left of the main temple is a two-towered Ganesh Temple with a statue of Ganesh’s vehicle, the mouse, in front. Next to it is a two-towered Shiva Temple, housing a four-sided Shiva Lingam inside and a Nandi statue outside, which devotees worship respectfully.
Entrance Gates
The temple has three entrance gates. The main gate opens only during festivals and big events like Dashain, Tihar, Ram Nawami, Shivaratri, Mangal Chauthi, and Ganesh Chauthi. The second gate is used daily for morning and evening puja, aarti, and darshan. The third gate is for large groups, pilgrims, buses, and participants during big yagyas or religious programs.
Legend
During the initial construction, while digging the land for irrigation, a big stone (Ganesh Shila) suddenly appeared. Locals considered it a divine sign to build a Ram Temple here. This stone is still kept safely, and the Ganesh Temple was built based on this divine sign.
Religious Activities and Festivals
Many special pujas take place at the temple. Since 2076 BS, a continuous Akhand Kirtan has been performed daily from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, which is a unique tradition of the temple. On Ekadashi, many devotees gather here. Durga Sthapana, special Durga Puja, Bratabandha, weddings, Mangal Chauthi, Ganesh Chauthi, and Ram Nawami Rath Yatra are organized regularly. There are also two separate yajna areas where Mahayagya, religious rituals, and pujas are performed.
Management and Protection
Shree Ram Temple is an important religious, cultural, and social center of Birauta. Saints stay here and spend their time in meditation and bhajan. The Ram Temple Committee manages everything, including cleanliness, yagyas, pujas, festivals, and arrangements for devotees.
Beauty and Importance
The temple’s appearance is very attractive, with traditional wood art, paintings, and Nepali architectural style displayed beautifully. The forest-exile idols of Ram, Laxman, and Sita, wood carvings, temple structure, yajna areas, and other statues give visitors a memorable experience.
Why You Should Visit
There are many reasons to visit Shree Ram Temple. It has a peaceful and spiritual environment, beautiful wood and painting art, rare idols of Ram, Laxman, and Sita in forest-exile form, continuous Akhand Kirtan, the special Ganesh Shila, grand Rath Yatra during festivals, and it is suitable for family puja, rituals, weddings, and yagyas. All these make the temple the religious, cultural, and social center of the Birauta area.
