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Nepal JyotishTraditional Science
Goddess Names

Shaileshwari

The story of how Parvati (Shailaja), the daughter of the Himalaya, wandered with Shiva and became the goddess Shaileshwari.

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Shaileshwari

Lord Shiva and Parvati, riding on Nandi, wandered through the delightful forests and groves of the Himalaya and arrived in the region of Silgadhi in Doti.

When Parvati became very thirsty there, Shiva struck the mountain with his trident and brought forth a stream of pure water, which came to be called 'Setiganga' (the Seti River). The two of them, sporting in that water, became absorbed in joy.

Meanwhile, when the demons attacked heaven, Brahma, Vishnu and Indra came there searching for Shiva. Seeing the other gods suddenly before her, Parvati was overcome with shyness and vanished into a shining rock within the pond.

Brahma, praising that divine rock, prayed: "O Shailaja (daughter of the mountain), may you remain enshrined in this rock in the form of Shaileshwari." Parvati emerged from the rock and granted the gods freedom from fear.

At the place of that sacred rock a famous temple of the goddess Shaileshwari was built, and that fortress came to be called 'Silgadhi'.

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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