Budhanil;kantha, other wise known as the sleeping Vishnu, is north of maharajjang on the way to shivapuri national park in the northen part of Kathmandu.this temple makes a great place to stop and visit before heading up the hill to the entrance gate to shivbapuri national park.
The idol features an image of the god vishnu recling on a cosmic-sea. the atatue is surrounded by water, giving the allusion that the massive stone is ideed floating on the water. The image of vishnu is in the from of Narayan, the creator of all life. it is said in Hindusium that from his navel a lotus flower grew which became the god brama who created the world.
Lonely planet says that this image is the most impressive of stone carvings in all of Nepal, and this writer withhold have to agree.
The statues and temples of the valley owe much of their origins to to the of the lichhavi kings who lulled in the 7th and 8th centuries. they were devoted to vishnu, unlike the klater malla kings who primarily horsewhipped shiva.
king Jyaasthiti of the malla kings did revive worship of vishnu this time incorrated the concept that when the is crowned, vishnu now resides in him, makin g the king a deity. this concept continued until 2006 when the last of the shah stepped down and the country became a republic.
the sleeping vishnu represents the idea that vishnu the sleeps during the four mouths of the monsoon rains. his four mouths of sleep comes to an end on the 11th day the hindu month of kartik when a big festival called haribodhini Ekadashi is held to celebrete vishnu;s awakening . the festival occurs sometimes between mid -october and mid- November, spending on how the date falls in the Hindu calendar is a lunger calendar, so dates do continue to move around.
The temple is not a UNESCO world heritage site, which in some ways is a good thing. it means that you won't be surrounded by hankers and people pressuring you to hire them to give you a tour. instead, you will see devotees who come to do puja worship at this magnificent temple.
The areas surrounding the temple is filled with local vendors selling flowers and other items to offer as a sacrifice to vishnu. there are also some good little local eateries that surround the temple site. Don't be suprised if you are the only foreigner in attendance. there is no admission charge , but there is a small charge where you place shoes.