Mathoraya Temple of Dang lacks publicity

By Liladhar Oli, Ghorahi, June 20:Manthoraya Bhawani Temple, which has religious and historical importance in Dang, has been under shadow.  The temple is located at Uttar Marai in Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City-10.

The religious heritage has been overshadowed by a lack of publicity and conservation.  A religious belief has it that by visiting the temple and offering worship, one will overcome all sufferings and fulfil desires. 

A fair is also held for three days at the Manthorya temple during the Maghi festival in January. Govinda Chaudhary, a local, said that no regular worship is performed at the temple. However, the people visit it and perform worship when they are in trouble, he added.  

Although the temple has religious and historical importance, it has not been protected properly, nor is it publicised, he said, adding that arrangements for daily worship could help publicise and preserve the temple.  

He said, "If the locals make efforts for the protection of the temple and begin daily worship, this temple can be kept clean and developed as a popular place of worship.”

Manthorya goddess is considered one of the revered goddesses of the Tharu community and the Tharus worship it with great respect. 

It is said that the Tharu king Ratna Parikshak of the 40th genealogy of King Dangisharan became famous as Siddharatnanath by performing penance at the Manthoraya Temple in the sixth century. Therefore, the worship is also performed by the Yogi clan of torn ears in the temple. 

The Manthoraya Temple is thus also related to the Goraksha Siddharatnanath Temple located at Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City-17, Chaughera. 

Both Goraksha Siddharatnath and Manthorya Temples are linked with Patandevi Temple in Tulsipur, India. 

The journey to Patandevi begins only after performing a worship at the Manthorya Temple. It is customary to carry out religious work at the Manthorya Temple from the Siddharatnanath Temple and while taking the images of gods at the Patandevi Temple, men from the Tharu community living near the Manthorya Temple have to be on the pilgrimage. 

Devi Lal Chaudhary, a local, said that the Manthorya Temple is also known as a temple prepared in one night. It is believed that the temple was built by the gods and goddesses when they used to walk at night.

According to locals, the practice of offering five types of spices including he-buffalo, goat, sheep and betel nut in the Manthorya temple existed till 1962, but now the practice has faded away. 

Earlier, a boundary wall was constructed around the temple for the protection of the temple, but it has not been built after it collapsed.  

The Manthorya Temple, believed to be built in a single night in the 17th century, lies nine km away from Ghorahi Bazaar at an altitude of 636 meters above sea level.