Kaskikot Kalika Temple is located on the northern side of Fewa lake, approximately at a distance of 18 km from Lakeside. The temple also falls on the trekking route to the Annapurna region, 6 km far from Sarangkot. It sits on a mountainside ridge with an altitude of 1,788 meters that offers panoramic views of different snow peaks. From the northern side of the this Kot; Mount Dhawalagiri and Mount Annapurna are visible towards the far west. Other mountain ranges such as Panchase, Bhimdikot<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Macchapuchre, Manaslu, and Annapurna can also be seen from the area. On the eastern side, a clear view of Pokhara can be seen across Fewa lake.\u00a0You can see almost all of the boundaries of Kaski district from here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Padam Puran, a Sacred Hindu literature, Kaskikot Kalika Temple\u2019s name \u2018Kaski\u2019 is associated with the famous sage Kashyap. In Chapter 1 of Utara Khanda, from verses 16-35 of the Puran, there is mention of the sage praying to MahanKaleshwor or Lord Shiva due to the scarcity of water in the Madhya Chetra area. The current Kaskikot area is described as \u2018Madhya Chetra\u2019 in the Puran. Due to the sage\u2019s intense prayer, Mahadev was having a difficult time maintaining his meditation or posture. Mahadev shook a strand of his dreadlock(Jata) and as a result, the Ganga River, Shukla Gandaki, and Kali Gandaki Rivers originated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is believed that Sage Kashyap\u2019s intense meditation ended the drought and eventually the place was called as \u2018Kashyap\u2019 that changed to \u2018Kashya\u2019 to \u2018Purana Kaski\u2019 and finally as \u2018Kaski\u2019. The origin of the name \u2018Kaski\u2019 is associated with the same place Kaskikot where Sage Kashyap\u2019s prayers were answered. In another version, the Sage Kashyap writes a precious Ayurvedic Literature named \u2018Kashyap Samhita\u2019 in Kaskikot, and gradually the name \u2018Kaski\u2019 was derived, due to this legendary attainement in this place. Some of the other stories associate the name derived from the word \u2018Kash Khib\u2019 of the Gurung language which translates to the people that wear specific cloth material named \u2018Kachad\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another story associates the derivation of word \u2018Kaski\u2019 with \u2018Kaskut\u2019, a metal alloy that was produced in the same region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The word \u2018Kot\u2019 direct Nepali meaning is \u2018Durga\u2019. Its meaning directly translates to the area where soldiers are stationed. The Temple was also used to store weapons and it was an important stronghold for soldiers. So, it is also referred as \u2018Kotgar\u2019. Historically, this place was used to worship battle weapons as the soldiers believed they were the means to protect dharma. It is an excellent location as \u2018Kot\u2019 according to Vastu Sastra, an ancient Hindu system of architecture and design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The innermost sanctuary, sanctum sanctorum called as \u201cGarbha Griha in Nepali, is Gupta Kalika Devi. There is also an ancient meeting hall for special discussions known as \u2018Bhardari Kakshya\u2019 used by Kings. On the east side of the courtyard, there is a \u2018Hom Kakshya\u2019 used for chanting mantras and prayers. Alongside the wall, there are many artificial tiny holes that were used to look out for enemies. There are also discrete rock formations around the temple area called as \u2018Aad\u2019 and \u2018Pyad\u2019 made for teaching about ways to attack and defend against the enemy. You can still find many old bunkers spread across the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kaskikot Kalika Temple is made up of traditional and naturally occurring materials. The Saal wood provides the foundational strength of the temple. Brick dust and limestone were used as core ingredients in the construction of this temple. The roof of the temple is made up of stones. All of these building components showcase the richness of the temple\u2019s architectural art that is restored in the same Shikhar and Pagoda design style as the original. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The goddess of this temple is also called \u2018Gupta Kalika\u2019. According to a local mythology, it is believed that a huge blaze of fire originated from Alam Devi, Syangja, and passed from Alam, Nuwakot, Kali Rohini, and finally reached Thumko and stayed hidden there. A mysterious voice from the sky said that Kalika Goddess wanted to remain hidden in this place. Thus, the goddess of the Kaskikot Kalika temple is called \u2018Gupta Kalika\u2019 which translates to \u2018Hidden Kalika\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Historically, this place was reigned by King Kulamandal Shah. Shahrajas became kings from this kingdom and expanded it to Lamjung and Gorkha and later whole Nepal was unified. Kulamandal Shah\u2019s youngest son Yasobram Shah became the king of Lamjung. Yasobram\u2019s youngest son Dravyashah became the king of Gorkha. After that, his descendant Prithvi Narayan Shah united Nepal. In the surrounding of the temple, there are stones used by Kings to pay tribute to soldiers or other people. There is also \u2018Gazal Thumki\u2019, a place where Kings used to listen to Gazals. During the time of Chaubise Rajya, this region was one of the most vital states in all of Chaubise Rajya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with Tantric and Vedic rituals, there is tradition of daily worship that is performed in this Shakti Peeth. On special occasions such as the Bada Dashain Festival, the range of worship rituals may differ and extend throughout the festival. There are a total of 18 pujaris for the festival which includes 6 banedars, 6 pandits, and 6 pada and they worship Goddess Gupta Kalika for the entirety of the festival. The goddess is worshipped from Ghatasthapana till Bijaya Dashami by both Baidhik and Tantric worshipping rituals. Within the temple, Tantric rituals are performed by playing the Malshree rag and the Baidhik rituals are performed by playing Sankha just outside the temple. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the seventh day, (Fulpati) of Dashain, the traditional battle training of skilled soldiers called \u2018Sarun\u2019 is performed by playing different musical instruments. This battle of sword and shield is a display of battle skills and strategies that were used by soldiers in ancient times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
54 types of these battle training are performed at Dhupichaur Kulamandal Park near this Temple on Fulpati. On the same day, you can see youths and old people singing the Malshree Rag (a type of melody) with great enthusiasm. On the same night known as \u2018Kalratri\u2019, during half moon, it is believed that the presence of Mahabali can be felt. The ninth day of Dashain known as \u2018Maha Navami\u2019 is celebrated by offering Panchabali and making secret holy vows or \u2018Bhakal\u2019. On the tenth day known as \u2018Bijaya Dashami\u2019,\u00a0people put tika only after the \u2018Bisarjan\u2019 ritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Chaitra Ashtami or \u2018Chaite Dashain\u2019, Nepal\u2019s biggest musical instrument \u2018Dhup\u2019 is played while performing worship rituals. On the last day of Shrawan month known as \u2018Shaune Sankrati\u2019, Wali, Chandi, and Panchabali called as \u2018Panchaparvi pujas\u2019 are also performed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other Attractions around the site<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kaskikot Kalika Temple offers wide range of natural, cultural and historical attractions for all types of travelers. More specifically, different types of attractive flowers such as excellent quality of Rhododendrons, Golden Orchids and Noble Orchids market can be found around this area. Also, there are different lakes near here such as Harpan, Mardi, Shui khet, Ghatte and Madi rivers. There is also Kashyap Lake named after Sage Kashyap nearby. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As for the traditions you can experience the ancient battle strategies like Sarun, Barsan, Bagdarjan and ways in which Ghuiyetro Barsa and Katari battles were fought. Other than that, different musical cultures like Naumati Baja, Bhajanchudka and Sorethi, Kauda are practiced by people on lower belts of Kaskikot. People from different cultures that play musical Instruments like Dhup, Sandhup, Nagara, Shahanei, Narshimha, Sarangi, etc. can also be found in the Kaskikot area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This temple also attracts religious and devoted worshippers as well as spiritually aware people. Other famous attracts are Mahankaleshwor, place where Sage Kashyap meditated, 300 years old Chap tree, Maula Pokhari, Rumal Jhankri, Khadakkot, etc. There is also a famous myth with many religious believers that the people that who pray in the temple with pure heart and unwavering determination can make their wish come true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n