Bhutan Devi is one of the famous temples located in Hetauda ward no 10 in Makwanpur district of Bagmati Province, situated at a latitude of 27°42’41” and a longitude of 85°02’32”. It is considered as one of the sacred locations for Hindu devotees as Bhutandevi is regarded as the sister of demoness “Hidamba” who was later married to Lord Bhim and gave birth to Ghatokach during the Mahabharat era, and the goddess is believed to be the reincarnation of Goddess Durga, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, with the widespread belief that devotees visiting with a pure heart are blessed with peace and prosperity. This temple is a unique piece of architecture built in Nepalese Pagoda style by the rulers of the Sen dynasty during the Medieval era and is considered to be more than a century old based on bells and other elements, though it was renovated in 2028 BS. Inside the temple, there is a statue depicting the goddess destroying Mahishasura, a demon who terrified everyone and took control of all three worlds after defeating the gods. As a result of that defeat, the gods’ fury manifested as a mountain uniting the power of all three worlds, turning into a woman who destroyed the demon in a nine-day-and-night struggle, a battle currently commemorated as Nauratha or Navaratri. Within the Bhutan Devi temple grounds, there are several minor temples dedicated to gods and goddesses such as Radha–Krishna, Laxmi–Narayan, Shiva, Manakamana Devi, and others, and it is stated that she possesses the power of all of these deities. A huge fair is organized in this temple for nine days during the festival of Navaratri during Dashain, and visitors from all over the country, as well as tourists and devotees from neighboring countries, visit this temple easily reachable from Hetauda Bus stand via roadways, especially on Saturdays or auspicious festivals. Fulfilling both modern architectural and Vedic Vaastu principles, the mesmerizing temple is a true symbol of ancient Nepali art and culture where visitors strongly believe their problems and grief will be eradicated. While situated in a peaceful premises providing a tranquil and calm aura with the major pro of not being in an extreme geographical region, its major con is that monkeys all around the temple might create problems for visitors. In a nutshell, Bhutandevi temple is one of the most significant holy temples for Hindu devotees as it showcases ancient cultural, historical, religious and spiritual traditions and values of the country, making it highly recommended for those searching for peace and blessings.
