Situated in the historic Newari community of Khokana, approximately 10 kilometers south of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, is the Sikali Temple, a grand monument of devotion, identity, and custom. This pagoda-type, triple-storied temple, dating to over 800 years ago, approximately 336 Nepal Sambat or around 1215 AD, is dedicated to the goddess Rudrayani, or locally known as Sikali Mai or Ajima. It serves as the spiritual and cultural pulse of Khokana, intertwined with its history, festivals, and the indigeneity of Newar way of life. Nestled tranquilly within lush meadows, rolling hills, and paddy fields, the view of reforested hills at Chandragiri and Champadevi offers a calm escape from the city.
History and Architecture
The Sikali Temple was built around the time of King Amar Malla, when there was considerable migration and settlement. According to tradition, the Maharjan and Dangol communities were resettled in Khokana to look after the temple, and this enhancement to the town (Jitapur, as the town used to be called) distinguished it from a town that was not much known. This Sikali-temple is believed to be derived either from the Sanskrit word ‘si’ (stone)-referring to the sacred stone idol of Dhyan Chyo Maju enshrined in the temple, or from the Newari word ‘sinkar’ (wood tax); the area of Khokana was rich in timber.
The temple embodies traditional Newari style; it is large, pagoda-shaped, and three stories high, all of wood and brick. Elaborate carved decorations, the red of vermillion colors, and the motifs of the trident itself contribute to both its architectural beauty and religious significance. The temple site is fairly rural and further away from the close vicinity of the village; the surrounding nature enhances the sacred atmosphere for visitors and devotees alike.
Religious Significance and the Goddess Rudrayani
Goddess Rudrayani, well known as Kali, is at the center of spiritual life in Sikali Temple; she is acknowledged widely as a protector and healer on behalf of the town. Locally she is called Sikali Mai or Ajima who embodies power, protection, and nurturing of life through the natural cycles of birth and death and communal wellbeing. The stone image Dhyan Chyo Maju, represents an even deeper devotion among the Newar people.
Sikali Jatra Festival: A Distinct Cultural Event
Perhaps the most lively aspect in the living heritage of Sikali Temple, Sikali Jatra is a concentrated nine-day festival, which takes place each year, during Dashain festival season, after Ghatasthapana and followed by Kojagrat Purnima.
Very different from the mainstream Dashain festival celebrated elsewhere in Nepal, this unique festival is celebrated with distinct rituals and customs related to goddess Rudrayani.
First, eight young “Kumar” boys are worshiped through a Tantric puja and afterwards, they are kept inside the temple for four days, maintaining the strict inviolable disciplines such as dietary restrictions and ritual bathing in the Bagmati River. These boys will collect votive offerings from the houses that are later given to the goddess through a series of elaborated ceremonies.
Sacrifice is the sober yet requisite element in jatra when three male buffaloes are ritually slaughtered by the Guthis, which denotes purification and continuity. The climax falls on the fifth day when, from the main temple square, the idol of Rudrayani Devi is taken to Sikali Temple, mounted on an ornately decorated wooden palanquin and accompanied by priests and trustees with processions and sacred rites, including Ashvamedha Yagya for two days.
Over the ensuing days, different dancers, dressed as gods, danced through Khokana, some even walking on fire, epitomizing their devotion and spiritual fervor. Nothing binds the community more than sharing rice prasad, considered blessed and healing. This festival would then end with the idol’s return and feasts shared by one and all, rejoicing in the goddess and the end of one sacred cycle to rest the people for the forthcoming harvest season.
Visiting the Sikali Temple and Surroundings
From the center of Khokana, Sikali Temple is an agreeable walk of about an hour along charming goat trails, adding to the pilgrimage experience amidst traditional Newar rural settings: with old brick houses with their wood carvings, ponds for religious rites, and mustard oil mills denoting the traditional local industries. Although the path is difficult to negotiate in places, the effort is well rewarded with views to take your breath away and the friendliness of local people who wish to show visitors the way.
The temple area in itself presents a striking view, with the pagoda structure of the temple standing against lush green fields and hills afar. Visitors often enjoy photography, contemplation, and participation in local rituals where permissible. This is best visited during Sikali Jatra if one wants to immerse themselves deep in the culture, though the peaceful aura of the temple is compelling throughout the year.
Cultural and Community Importance
The Sikali Temple has been an icon of identity and resilience among the Newar community in Khokana, rather than a simple monument of religion, over the years. The temple is a repository of indigenous customs and spiritual practices that have managed to survive several centuries; as such, it stands for the connection between past and present generations. The temple occupies a very significant place in the town’s social and religious calendar, reinforcing communal ties and continuity of culture.
It is also a place of attraction for cultural tourists and devotees who show their interest in a slice of Nepal’s rich cultural mosaic. The place therefore underlines the importance of preserving such heritage landmarks amidst modern urban pressures.
Conclusion
The Sikali Temple has an interesting balance of profound spirituality, rich history, fine Newari architecture, and throbbing cultural life all combined. It projects traditions from the natives of Khokana and their religious devotion to Goddess Rudrayani. The annual Sikali Jatra gives unparalleled color and relevance to the Dashain festivities in Nepal and hence is an enriching experience for pilgrims and onlookers alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the Sikali Temple located?
The Sikali Temple is located in Khokana, one of the ancient Newari towns in Lalitpur District, about 10 km south of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. This temple lies serenely on a quiet hill surrounded by paddy fields and natural beauty.
2. What is the historical importance of the Sikali Temple?
This temple dates back more than 800 years to the time of King Amar Malla, sometime around 336 Nepal Sambat or 1215 AD. It was built as a place of worship for goddess Rudrayani, locally called Sikali Mai or Ajima, who was thought to be the protector of the town and people of Khokana.
3. Who is worshipped at Sikali Temple?
This temple is dedicated to the goddess Rudrayani, an avatar of Kali. She is a protector and healer of Khokana’s people. She is represented by the idol called Dhyan Chyo Maju.
4. What is Sikali Jatra?
Sikali Jatra is that unique nine-day festival conducted during the Dashain season, comprising sacred rituals such as tantric pujas by young boys, symbolic sacrifices, lively mask dances, fire walking, and the procession of the goddess’s idol in a wooden chariot to and from the temple.
