Jal Binayak Temple

 

Jal Binayak Temple ( Jal means water & Binayak is Lord Ganesh ), just below the Chobar Gorge / Manjushree Park, On the riverbank, One of the valley's most important Lord Ganesh shrine. Ganesh is one of the most popularly worshiped forms of divinity - as a remover of obstacles and the embodiment of good luck. He is the most beloved and revered of all the Hindu gods, and is always invoked first in any Hindu ceremony or festival. Ganesh is represented as a short, pot-bellied man with an elephant’s head with one tusk, four arms and a yellow skin. His vehicle is a tiny mouse.

Temple was built in the early 20th century. Present temple has been constructed in 1603 AD. On temple's eastern platform there is an aged & worn image of lord Shiva & Parvati in Uma-Maheshwor Pose, which predated temple by 500yrs, Although there was probably a temple here even earlier. The temple's Lord Ganesh image is very likeness to the elephant-headed huge rock. The triple roofed temple’s strut depicts eight Bhairav and eight Ashta Matrikas (Mother Goodness) with whom Lord Ganesh often appears. On the lower roof Lord Ganesh himself appears on some of the struts, with beautiful female figures standing beside him & tiny, brightly painted erotic depictions below. A bronze of Lord Ganesh Bahan 'vehicle' a Rat stands respectfully in the courtyard and face the shrine.