Chandeshwari Mandir

The Chandeshwari Mandir stands above the river gorge little more than a kilometer out of Banepa. The three-storied temple is dedicated to Durga, said to have once rescued the valley's inhabitants from the demon Chand and consequently portrayed as a youthful and angry Chandeshwari ("the one who slew the Chand"). The legend is depicted in a modern relief above the entrance gate. Chandeshwari is honored every year with a procession, during which the silver-embellished image is taken from the temple and borne through the town on a chariot.

The carvings on the recently restored roof struts represent the Ashta Matrikas and the eight Bhairavas. On the west side can be seen a vast and highly colorful wall painting of Bhairava, with blue face, teeth bared and hands in various Tantric mudras.

From the gate in the south wall a path leads down to the River Punyamati, beside which are steps used for the customary cremations.