Guhyeshwari Temple Timings, Kathmandu

In Kathmandu, Nepal, Guhyeshwari Temple is a shrine to Goddess Guhyeshwari, secret form of Parvati/Adi Shakti. It is also known as Guhyeshwari Shaktipeeth, Guhyakali Temple.

Guhyeshwari is counted among the 51 Shakti Peethas, sites where a part of the goddess Sati's body is traditionally said to have fallen. Sources disagree on exactly which part fell here, some say the knees or yoni, others the anus/rectum, so this detail is not stated definitively. The temple's name comes from the Sanskrit Guhya (secret) and Ishwari (goddess).

Nepal carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Home to Pashupatinath, one of the holiest Shiva temples in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Darshan hours and daily worship

Session	Timing (as published)
Morning	5:00 AM
Evening	7:00 PM

Extended hours and special puja during Dashain and Navaratri; exact hours can vary by source

Poojas and daily rituals

Daily tantric worship by Karmacharya priests; Vedic rituals by Rajopadhyaya Brahmins during major festivals

Weekly or monthly auspicious daysDashain, Navaratri

Festivals and special-day timings

Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.

Festival	Period	What happens
Dashain	September-October	Nepal's largest Hindu festival, marking Durga's victory over evil; the temple sees heavy pilgrim traffic
Guhyeshwari Jatra		Local temple festival specific to Guhyeshwari

History and architecture

Built or establishedPresent structure dates to 1654 CE renovation; site believed much older

Architecture

Traditional Nepali pagoda style with Newar wood carvings and a gilded roof

History

The temple's name comes from the Sanskrit Guhya (secret) and Ishwari (goddess). The current structure was rebuilt in 1654 CE by King Pratap Malla on the advice of the tantric scholar Lambakarna Bhatta. It stands about 1 km east of Pashupatinath on the southern bank of the Bagmati River and has long been an important site for Tantric worship, with daily rites performed by Karmacharya priests and Vedic ceremonies conducted by Rajopadhyaya Brahmins during major festivals. Vajrayana Buddhists also revere the site as sacred to Vajrayogini.

Planning your visit

Entry feeNo formal entry fee; donations accepted. Non-Hindus are not permitted past the main entrance and can only view the temple from the riverbank

Dress codeModest, traditional dress; shoes removed before entering the shrine

Best time to visitEarly morning for quieter darshan, or during Dashain/Navaratri for festival atmosphere

NearbyPashupatinath Temple, Bagmati River ghats

How to reach

About 1 km east of Pashupatinath Temple and roughly 5 km from central Kathmandu; reachable on foot from Pashupatinath or by taxi

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Where this information comes from

Confidence: Medium. Sources disagree on exactly which part of Sati's body fell here (knees/yoni vs anus/rectum); exact daily timings vary slightly by source

Frequently asked questions about Guhyeshwari Temple

What is the timing of Guhyeshwari Temple?

Guhyeshwari Temple: 5:00 AM; 7:00 PM. Extended hours and special puja during Dashain and Navaratri; exact hours can vary by source

What are the darshan (visiting) hours at Guhyeshwari Temple?

As published, morning darshan runs 5:00 AM and evening darshan runs 7:00 PM. Extended hours and special puja during Dashain and Navaratri; exact hours can vary by source

Is there an entry fee at Guhyeshwari Temple?

No formal entry fee; donations accepted. Non-Hindus are not permitted past the main entrance and can only view the temple from the riverbank

What is the dress code at Guhyeshwari Temple?

Modest, traditional dress; shoes removed before entering the shrine

Which festivals are celebrated at Guhyeshwari Temple?

The main ones documented for this temple are Dashain, Guhyeshwari Jatra. See the festival table above for dates and what each involves.

What is the best time to visit Guhyeshwari Temple?

Early morning for quieter darshan, or during Dashain/Navaratri for festival atmosphere

How do I reach Guhyeshwari Temple?

About 1 km east of Pashupatinath Temple and roughly 5 km from central Kathmandu; reachable on foot from Pashupatinath or by taxi

Who is the presiding deity at Guhyeshwari Temple?

Goddess Guhyeshwari, secret form of Parvati/Adi Shakti

What is the history of Guhyeshwari Temple?

The temple's name comes from the Sanskrit Guhya (secret) and Ishwari (goddess).

How reliable is the information on this Guhyeshwari Temple page?

This listing's confidence is rated medium. Sources disagree on exactly which part of Sati's body fell here (knees/yoni vs anus/rectum); exact daily timings vary slightly by source