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Nepal JyotishTraditional Science
Water Names

Roshmati (Rosi)

The story of how the Roshmati (Rosi) river came to be when the kings of Patan and Panauti asked for the water of Phulchoki.

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Roshmati (Rosi)

Both the king of Patan and the king of Panauti were devoted worshippers of the goddess Fulocchagiri (Phulchokimai) who dwelt on Phulchoki mountain.

Once a new and large spring of water burst forth on the Phulchoki ridge. Both kings, wishing to bring that lovely water to their own kingdoms, began to dig channels.

Then Phulchokimai laid down a condition before both kings: "Whichever of you offers me the most beautiful garland of flowers first, to his kingdom I shall turn the source of the water."

The king of Patan summoned the blacksmiths of his kingdom and had them make a precious garland of gold and silver. But the king of Panauti plucked the yellow mustard flowers and white radish flowers blooming in his own field, hastily strung a garland, and reaching the mountain, offered it to the goddess.

The goddess, pleased with the king of Panauti's guileless devotion and simplicity, turned the spring toward Panauti.

Later, the king of Patan, arriving with his splendid garland of gold and silver, was extremely angry to see himself defeated. Because it was born of the anger and wrath (rosh) of the king of Patan, that river was called 'Roshmati', which is today called the 'Rosi' river.

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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