Guhyeshwari Temple

Guhyeshwari Temple (Nepali: गुह्येश्वरी मन्दिर), also spelled Guheswari or Gujeshwari, is a Hindu temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. The temple is a Shakta pitha and is about 1km east of Pashupati Kshetra and is located on the southern bank of the Bagmati River. It is an important pilgrimage destination especially for Tantric worshipers. King Pratap Malla renovated this temple in the 17th century.

The Devi Bhagavata Purana mentions this temple in its list of sacred places of Adishakti and refers to the deity of Nepal as Guhyakali.

गुह्यकाल्या महास्थानं नेपाले यत्प्रतिष्ठितम्।

The great abode of Śrī Guhya Kālī is established in Nepal

— Devī Bhāgavatam 7th Canto, Chapter 38, Verse 11

The temple's name originates from the Sanskrit words Guhya (secret or hidden) and Ishwari (goddess). The Guhyeshwari Temple marks the spot where Sati's anus and rectum are said to have fallen.

The daily rituals (nitya pūjā) at the Guhyeśvarī Temple are performed by a priestly clan from the Newar community, in accordance with the Sarvamnaya Tantra. The temple's regular tantric rites are conducted by the Karmacharya, who are the traditional Kaula priests. On special occasions and during major ceremonies, Rajopadhyaya Brahmins, who are both Vedic and Kaula priests, perform the Vedic rituals, while the Karmacharya continues to officiate the tantric rites.