Every year, the Chovar Mahotsav starts on the day of Ashwin Shukla Purnima and runs until Kartik Shukla Purnima. Buddhist devotees kept fast for the past 5 days without food and spent the night under the sky in the temple premises called Karunamayi Vrat. Various utensils and ornaments are offered after conducting a Sapta puja in the temple during the Mahotsav.
Both Hindu and Buddhist Devotees from the Kathmandu Valley and surroundings take part in the Chovar fair. There is a belief that visiting the temple during the fair brings family happiness and prosperity and eliminates fear, diseases and troubles. The Temple was established by Lichchhavi King Amshu Verma, the temple has historical and archaeological significance. In the temple, there is an idol that reflects the combined shape of Shiva and goddess Parvati which is called Ardhanareshwor or Adinath.
Both Hindu and Buddhist followers hold faith in the temple. Hindu followers worship Aadinath as Shiva Shakti and Buddhist followers worship Adinath as Aanandayi Lokeshwor. Buddhist people respect and worship the deity as a symbol of compassion and call it Karunamayi. Buddhist people hold the belief that meditating on Lokeshwor will bring longevity and wealth and save one from dying prematurely.
Sweta Singh (Kathmandu)
