Manakamana Temple

Manakamana Temple is a sacred Hindu temple located in Khandbari Municipality

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The Sankhuwasabha district, located within the Arun Valley, is extremely important from a tourism perspective. This district features attractions for tourists such as mountains, hills, terraces, valleys, flora-forests, birds, and various indigenous languages, cultures, and traditional attires. In addition to these, it also has religious and archaeological sites. Among such religious sites is the Manakamana Devi statue, the Manakamana Temple, and the surrounding area (Manakamana religious area) situated on the banks of the Arun River.

The Manakamana religious area is located near Tumlingtar, ward no. 9 of Khadbari Municipality in Sankhuwasabha district, on the banks of the Arun River. It is not clearly known who established the Manakamana Devi in this area and when it was done. Further study and exploration on this subject are necessary. However, there are prevalent legends regarding this matter:

In ancient times, a group of Kumal people, who made earthenware, came to Tumlingtar in search of sticky soil. Their primary task was to create various pots from the sticky soil found in Tumlingtar and then exchange these pots for grains in the surrounding settlements to sustain their livelihood. Along with their pottery business, the Kumal people started raising cows and engaging in farming. As they began farming and cattle rearing, the young men of the Kumal community would make earthenware and work in the fields, while the elders would take the cattle to graze in the forest. One day, while grazing the cattle, the most milk-giving cow, who was about to calve, disappeared.

Despite searching everywhere for the missing cow, she could not be found, and the disappointed Kumal elder had a dream while he slept. In the dream, a maiden appeared and told the Kumal elder, “Do not worry about your lost cow. She has come to me, given birth, and offers me milk daily. I am Manakamana Devi. My idol is inside a stone temple on the banks of the Arun River. Go there immediately, worship, and arrange for regular offerings of incense and light. It will be beneficial for you.” After the dream, the Kumal elder woke up and, along with some companions, searched along the banks of the Arun River, where they found the cow and her calf at the present site of the Manakamana stone temple on the Arun River bank. The delighted Kumal elder believed this to be the site of the goddess Manakamana and established the idol there for worship. After bringing the cow back home, worship was initiated by a qualified Brahmin priest, a practice that continues to this day.

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