Padmagiri

From Mahachin the Bodhisattva Manjushri arrived at Nagahrad with his two shaktis, Varada and Mokshada, to behold the Swayambhu light. Staying three nights on Mahamandap hill, he beheld the Swayambhu light and began to plan for the welfare of humankind.

He saw that to establish human settlement, the water of Nagahrad would have to be let out. Surveying the entire ring of hills, he found the mountain to the south to be somewhat low. He decided to open a passage for the water by making a gorge there.

Manjushri placed his two shaktis on the Fulochha and Dhyanochha mountains. Standing himself in the gap between them, he raised his Chandrahasa sword and struck the mountain with a swift blow.

The blow of the sword cut the mountain and formed a deep gorge, and the water of the lake began to flow out with a roar. The place where the ridge was cut came to be called Katuwal Dah.

Along with the water, the Naga kings too began to flow out. There was a fear that if the Nagas were displaced, the valley would become dry and barren. So Manjushri, following the Naga king Karkotak, pleaded: "O Naga king, do not leave this land. May the great lake here be your permanent dwelling. All the wealth of this country will remain in your care, and its inhabitants will always live in happiness."

Accepting Manjushri's prayer, the Naga Karkotak agreed to live in Taudah together with his wife.

After the water flowed out, the vast lake dried up, and at the foot of the Swayambhu light the beautiful Padmagiri mountain, shaped like a lotus, appeared. Manjushri planted trees near Guhyeshwari and founded the first city named Manjupattan. Making Dharmakar its king, Manjushri returned toward Mahachin. Later, in his memory, his disciples established the Manjushri Chaitya, where his footprints are still preserved today.