Namaste! Today, We will know about the Radha Krishna Temple located at Gharipatan, Pokhara-7.
Introduction
The Radha Krishna Temple is an important religious site located in Pokhara–7, Gharipatan. Inside the temple, along with Radha Krishna, idols of Ganesh, Shiva, Vishnu, Laxmi, Indrawati, an elephant statue, Shaligram, and a Tulsi mound have also been established. The temple is divided into three sections—Radha Krishna in the center, Shiva’s idol on the left, and Ganesh’s idol on the right. Because of the presence of various deities, this place has become a sacred center where many religious forms can be observed in one location.
Establishment
Before the temple was built, there used to be a pond here. Since it was located in the middle of the pathway, it is believed that instead of removing it, a religious site was created. According to some locals, this place was once a worship spot used by people coming from Sarangkot. At that time, there was only a chautari (resting platform) and a stone placed on it. Later, in 2053 B.S., local residents collected money through bhailo and constructed the temple. Thus, on 1st Baisakh 2056 B.S., the local mothers’ group officially established the Radha Krishna Temple. Afterwards, in 2072 B.S., the temple was renovated by a resident of Gharipatan. Before the temple’s establishment, this place was known as “Syaldulle,” but today it is known as “Radha Krishna Tole.”
Geographical Location
This temple lies on the right side of the old Pokhara Airport. The road above the temple leads toward Prithvichowk, while the lower side connects to the RTO Road. From behind the idol area, there is a direct path that goes to Gharipatan. For this reason, the area is considered to be in a very convenient location in terms of geography, settlement, and road networks.
Temple Structure and Design
The Radha Krishna Temple looks slightly different from a typical temple. In this temple, a concrete base was constructed first, and only then was the pinnacle (gajur) placed on top. The temple is surrounded by an iron gate, there is a large pipal tree platform behind it, and a drinking water source is located nearby. To prevent incidents such as idol theft, CCTV cameras have been installed in the temple premises. On the left side of the temple is a shrine, while on the right side a water tank has been placed.
Naming
This area was previously known as “Syaldulle.” However, after the construction of the temple, the identity of the place changed, and it came to be known as “Radha Krishna Tole.” With the establishment of the temple as a religious center, the social and cultural importance of the neighborhood became even more prominent.
Religious Features
The biggest attraction of this temple is Janmashtami. On this day, special religious activities such as offering milk, offering flowers, and taking out a chariot procession are performed. In addition, festivals such as Shivaratri, Durga Puja, Phulpati, Thulo Ekadashi, Gai Jatra, and Janai Purnima are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Every evening, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, bhajan and kirtan are held, creating a very sacred and spiritual atmosphere.
Community Engagement and Future Plans
Locals have been maintaining cleanliness around the temple by placing dustbins, managing resting platforms (chautari), and ensuring overall sanitation. The Radha Krishna Temple Committee has been formed to preserve and look after the temple. For the future, plans such as installing railings around the temple, arranging water purification facilities, and constructing a much-needed toilet have been proposed.
References
Kanchha Kumar Jalari Former Ward Chairperson, Ward No. 7
नमस्ते। आज तपाईंले पोखरा–७ घारीपाटनस्थित राधाकृष्ण मन्दिरको बारेमा जान्नु हुनेछ ।
परिचय
राधाकृष्ण मन्दिर पोखरा–७ घारीपाटनमा अवस्थित एक महत्वपूर्ण धार्मिक स्थल हो। मन्दिरभित्र राधाकृष्णका साथै गणेश, शिव, विष्णु, लक्ष्मी, इन्द्रावती, हात्ती, शालिग्राम र तुलसी मोडको पनि स्थापना गरिएको छ। मन्दिर तीन भागमा विभाजित छ—बीचमा राधाकृष्ण, बायाँपट्टि शिवजीको मूर्ति र दायाँपट्टि गणेशजीको मूर्ति। विविध देवताहरूको उपस्थिति भएकाले यो स्थान एकै ठाउँमा अनेकौं धार्मिक स्वरूप देखिने पवित्र केन्द्र बनेको छ।
स्थापना
मन्दिर बन्नुअघि यहाँ एउटा पोखरी थियो, जुन बाटोको बीचभागमा पर्ने भएकोले नमेटाएर धार्मिक स्थल बनाउने निर्णय गरिएको मानिन्छ। केही स्थानीयका अनुसार यो स्थान पहिला शरङकोटबाट आएका मानिसहरूले पूजा गर्ने ठाउँ थियो। त्यतिबेला यहाँ केवल एउटा चौतारी र चौतारीमाथि रहेको ढुङ्गा मात्र थियो। पछि २०५३ सालमा त्यहाँका स्थानीय बासिन्दाले भैली खेलेर पैसा जम्मा गरी मन्दिर निर्माण गरिएको थियो। अतः वि.सं. २०५६ वैशाख १ मा स्थानीय आमा–बाको समूहले औपचारिक रूपमा राधाकृष्ण मन्दिर निर्माण गर्नुभयो। त्यसपछि २०७२ सालमा घारीपाटनका निवासी छोराद्वारा मन्दिरको मर्मत गरियो। मन्दिर स्थापनाअघि यो स्थान ‘स्याल्दुले’ भनेर चिनिन्थ्यो, तर अहिले ‘राधाकृष्ण टोल’ नामले परिचित छ।
भौगोलिक स्थिति
यो मन्दिर पुरानो पोखरा एयरपोर्टको राइट साइडमा पर्छ। मन्दिरको माथिल्लो भागबाट जाने बाटो पृथ्वीचोकतर्फ जान्छ भने तलपट्टि RTO रोड पर्छ। मूर्ति रहेको स्थानको पछाडिबाट सिधै घारीपाटन जाने बाटो अवस्थित छ। यस कारण यो क्षेत्र भूगोल, बस्ती र मार्ग–सञ्जालको दृष्टिले अत्यन्त सहज स्थानमा मानिन्छ।
मन्दिरको बनावट र संरचना
राधाकृष्ण मन्दिर अन्य सामान्य मन्दिरभन्दा केही फरक देखिन्छ। यसमा पहिला कङ्क्रिट (ढलन) को संरचना बनाइएपछि मात्र माथि गजुर राखिएको छ। मन्दिर वरिपरि फलामे गेटले घेरेको छ, पछाडि ठूलो पिपलको चौतारी छ, र छेउमै खानेपानीको मुहान रहेको छ। मूर्ति चोरीजस्ता घटना रोक्न मन्दिर परिसरमा CCTV क्यामेरा जडान गरिएको छ। मन्दिरको बायाँतिर माइथन छ भने दायाँतिर पानीको ट्याङ्की राखिएको छ।
नामकरण
पहिले यो स्थानलाई ‘स्याल्दुले’ भनेर चिनिन्थ्यो। तर मन्दिर निर्मित भएपछि यहाँको पहिचान परिवर्तन भई ‘राधाकृष्ण टोल’ नाम प्रचलनमा आयो। धार्मिक केन्द्र बनेसँगै टोलको सामाजिक र सांस्कृतिक महत्त्व अझ प्रस्ट बनेको छ।
धार्मिक विशेषता
यस मन्दिरको सबैभन्दा ठूलो आकर्षण जन्माष्टमी हो। जन्माष्टमीको दिन यहाँ दूध चढाउने, फूल अर्पण गर्ने, रथ निकाल्ने जस्ता विशेष धार्मिक गतिविधिहरू गरिन्छ।
यसका अतिरिक्त—शिवरात्रि, दुर्गा पूजा, फूलपाती, ठूलो एकादशी, गाईजात्रा, जनै पूर्णिमा जस्ता पर्वहरू उत्साहपूर्वक मनाइन्छन्।
हरेक दिन साँझ ७ बजेदेखि ८:३० बजे सम्म भजन–कीर्तन हुने भएकाले साँझको वातावरण अत्यन्त पवित्र र आध्यात्मिक देखिन्छ।
सामुदायिक सरोकार र आगामी योजना
स्थानीयले मन्दिर वरिपरि डस्टबिन, चौतारी र सरसफाइको व्यवस्था मिलाएर वातावरण स्वच्छ राखिरहेका छन्। राधाकृष्ण मन्दिरको संरक्षण र हेरविचार गर्नका लागि राधाकृष्ण मन्दिर समिति बनेको छ तर भविष्यमा मन्दिर वरिपरि रेलिङ जडान, पानी शुद्धिकरणको व्यवस्था, र निकै आवश्यक मानिएको शौचालय निर्माण—जस्ता योजनाहरू अघि सारिएको छ।
