Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
4 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
5 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
6 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
7 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Nepal Shankharapur Shiva Statue

Shiva Statue

The spot where Parvati convinced Shiva to marry her, has become a pilgrimage site for married and unmarried women.

Shankharapur, Nepal

Added By
Edward Denny
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Shiva Statue   Edward Denny / Atlas Obscura User
Shiva Statue   Edward Denny / Atlas Obscura User
Shree Swasthani Temple.   Edward Denny / Atlas Obscura User
Shiva Statue   Edward Denny / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Not far from the headwaters of the Manohara River, Shiva sits overlooking a sacred spot marked by the Swasthani Mandir. It was here that Parvati fasted and endured extraordinary hardships in an effort to charm a grieving Shiva to become her husband.

As the story goes, Shiva was in mourning after the death of his first wife, Sati. While he was secluded the demon Tarakasura, who could only be killed by a son of Shiva, ran amok. The other gods implored Shiva to leave his retreat, marry Parvati (an incarnation of Sati), and produce a son that could stop the rampaging Tarakasura. 

Shiva eventually relented, but tested Parvati’s devotion through multiple trials performed along the banks of the Manohara River. Revealing herself to be steadfastly faithful, Shiva married Parvati and their son, Kartikeya, vanquished the demon.

The rituals performed by Parvati are associated with Swasthani, the goddess of good fortune, and the nearby temple is named in her honor. Every year between the full moons of January and February, thousands of women gather at the temple to recite the "Swasthani Barta Katha," a cycle of 31 stories originally narrated by Lord Kumar, a son of Shiva and Parvati. For a full month, married women fast and pray for the well-being of their husbands, while single women emulate Parvati in hopes of gaining a spouse.

The festival concludes when the women offer (among other items) 108 holy threads, 108 sel­rotis (ring-shaped sweet rice bread), and 108 fruits to Swasthani. Women without husbands or sons give a portion of the offerings to the river. The number 108 symbolizes Shiva’s 108 attendants. So while the goddess is worshipped for her power, it's in the context of Shiva’s patriarchy.

As a result, the stories of the Swasthani Barta Katha are interpreted differently by different generations. But at this sacred site, tradition endures under the watchful gaze of Lord Shiva.

Related Tags

Religion History & Culture Pilgrimages Rituals Sacred Spaces

Community Contributors

Added By

Edward Denny

Published

December 14, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/the-mythical-symbolism-laden-stories-of-swasthani-1117
  • https://alakalamsal.blogspot.com/2015/01/manahora-river-drains-kathmandu-valley.html
  • https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/the-mythical-symbolism-laden-stories-of-swasthani-1117
  • https://alakalamsal.blogspot.com/2015/01/manahora-river-drains-kathmandu-valley.html
Shiva Statue
Salinadi
Shankharapur, 44600
Nepal
27.728626, 85.469086
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Buddha Peace Park

Mahamanjushree Nagarkot, Nepal

miles away

Changu Narayan

Changunarayan, Nepal

miles away

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur, Nepal

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Nepal

Nepal

Asia

Places 47
Stories 12

Nearby Places

Buddha Peace Park

Mahamanjushree Nagarkot, Nepal

miles away

Changu Narayan

Changunarayan, Nepal

miles away

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur, Nepal

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Nepal

Nepal

Asia

Places 47
Stories 12

Related Places

  • A river winds along paved banks lined with pilgrims.

    Haridwar, India

    Har Ki Pauri

    The Hindu god Vishnu is said to have walked at this Hindu pilgrimage site.

  • Sankt Olof Holy Springs

    Simrishamn V, Sweden

    Sankt Olof Holy Springs

    These two springs are tied to several legends, one of which involves the travels of Saint Olof.

  • Garments on Eej Khad.

    Sergelen, Mongolia

    Eej Khad (Mother Rock)

    Buddhist pilgrims journey to this sacred rock to leave offerings and have their wishes granted.

  • Mahakal Mandir

    Darjeeling, India

    Mahakal Mandir

    At this unique temple in Darjeeling, Hindu and Buddhist practices co-exist harmoniously.

  • Wooden Bridge at Monda just 5km from Bhaderwah town.

    Bhaderwah, India

    Wooden Bridges of Bhaderwah

    These bridges were designed to guide the soul on its spiritual journey to heaven.

  • Sinsedong Seven-story Brick Pagoda

    Andong, South Korea

    Sinsedong Seven-Story Brick Pagoda

    The largest and oldest brick pagoda in Korea.

  • Missiri Mosque

    Fréjus, France

    Missiri Mosque

    This mosque was based on Sub-Saharan Islamic architecture and created for the Senegalese Tirailleurs.

  • The hermit’s house seen from inside the cave with the well on the lower left

    Rieti, Italy

    Eremo di San Leonardo (San Leonardo Hermitage)

    This small hermitage is located along an ancient route that connected the Tiber and Rieti valleys.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.