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Nepal JyotishTraditional Science
Goddess Names

Varadadevi

The story of Varadadevi, through the grace of whose chosen deity Tripurasundari Jumla conquered Achham.

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Varadadevi

After the king of Jumla won victory over the kingdom of Achham through the favour of his family deity Tripurasundari, he gave the goddess the title 'Varadadevi' (the goddess who grants boons) and built a magnificent temple at Gurja.

Later, when war broke out in Achham, Sikandra Khadka of Gurja was captured by the enemy army. Preparations were made to put him to a terrible torture — binding him in gokhelauri and lighting lamps at his ears to kill him.

A well-wishing sworn friend of his devised a plan for his rescue and, on the pretext of punishing him, brought him to the bank of the Karnali River and untied his bonds.

Though Sikandra Khadka did not know how to swim, remembering Varadadevi he leapt into the surging flood of the Karnali, saying, "If my life is saved, I shall offer a buffalo sacrifice." By the goddess's miracle the waves of the river cast him onto the safe bank and his life was saved. From that time on, the tradition of offering a buffalo sacrifice at the temple of Varadadevi has continued.

Note: These are traditional Nepali folk tales (kimbadanti), passed down orally through generations. They may or may not reflect actual historical events, but they are told and believed as part of Nepal's cultural heritage.

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