Dakshinkali Temple
Dakshinkali Temple
4.5
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This temple is dedicated to the ferocious goddess Kali, to whom animals are sacrificed twice a week.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
237 reviews
Excellent
119
Very good
75
Average
34
Poor
7
Terrible
2
Rahul G
New Delhi, India219 contributions
Dec 2020
amazing temple. brings peace and a kind of vibration once you enter the premises. great art and architecture. blissful and serene place for blessings of the ma kali. . even in the times of covid, it is open for blessing seekers.
Written December 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tribstringer
Kingwood, Texas1 contribution
One of the most interesting events I have ever seen. If you go to Nepal, hire a guide through the Annapurna Hotel in Kathmandu to take you around the city and surrounding areas. Do not miss going to the Dakshinkali Temple. The sacrifice takes place twice a week. I went on Saturday. The press of the crowd was unbelievable. This is not a spectacle for the weak of heart. Chickens and goats are the sacrificial animals. There is blood everywhere at the sacrificial area.
Devotees believe that the goddess will absorb any ill fortune that has befallen them by sacrificing. Interestingly, the animal carcasses, after the sacrifice, are taken to another area, cleaned/plucked and taken home to be consumed.
If you really want to see something unusual, then a trip to Dakshinkali Temple is a must.
Devotees believe that the goddess will absorb any ill fortune that has befallen them by sacrificing. Interestingly, the animal carcasses, after the sacrifice, are taken to another area, cleaned/plucked and taken home to be consumed.
If you really want to see something unusual, then a trip to Dakshinkali Temple is a must.
Written February 6, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The_Traveling_Expat
Chicago, IL392 contributions
Dec 2019
Apparently Tuesday and Saturday are the two days when there are a lot of animal sacrifices. However, when I went, my guide told me that sacrifices happen daily, and that many tourists do not come here because of the live sacrifices. I have a strong stomach, so I was eager to witness this.
For me, the most memorable part of the trip was seeing a chicken and 2 goats get sacrificed while alive. It is not possible to take pictures, but it it possible to witness the beheading of the animals. This is not for people who have weak stomachs. There is a lot of blood, and if you are animal lover, you will not want to see this, but I thought it was fascinating to see the cultural practices of different religions.
For me, the most memorable part of the trip was seeing a chicken and 2 goats get sacrificed while alive. It is not possible to take pictures, but it it possible to witness the beheading of the animals. This is not for people who have weak stomachs. There is a lot of blood, and if you are animal lover, you will not want to see this, but I thought it was fascinating to see the cultural practices of different religions.
Written December 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jazmin C
Cusco, Peru7 contributions
Jul 2013 • Solo
This is terrible, this is sick. People make a ritual killing animals, this is murder and a disrespect for living life. All of this, as well as the people who likes watching this are sadist.
Written July 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marielaurev31
1 contribution
Jun 2013
How can anyone advice tourists to go see animal slaughters performed in a temple ?
How can this be considered as a must-see experience ?
For those who talk about spirituality, how can such a cruel act bring them closer to god ? Why give away life ? Gandhi was against this shameful act.
For those who condone this practice from the stone age, I would advice you to think truly about the meaning of your doing. Honestly think about it...
How can this be considered as a must-see experience ?
For those who talk about spirituality, how can such a cruel act bring them closer to god ? Why give away life ? Gandhi was against this shameful act.
For those who condone this practice from the stone age, I would advice you to think truly about the meaning of your doing. Honestly think about it...
Written June 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dilip S
Vadodara, India1,122 contributions
Nov 2018
I left Shambling Boutique Hotel at 1500 and reached Pharping village , 22 km away from Kathmandu at 1600 on 3rd November , 2018 . The village was an one street one . I followed the street boasting stalls selling Pooja materials, trinkets and cocks, pigeons & uncastrated male goats for sacrifice .
At the end of the street , on the left side there were long stairs leading to the revered Dakshinkali Temple . As I didn’t want to offer any sacrifice and just wanted to take photographs , there was no need for me to stand in the queue . Near the temple , there was a raised view point to witness the proceedings .
Main entrance was protected by beautiful brass fencing . There were many little ,beautiful brass lamps fixed on the fencing . Two intricately carved brass lions were guarding the entrance of this fencing .
People carrying the animals directly went to the place where they were sacrificed to the goddess Kali . It seemed goats knew their imminent death as it was reflected in their eyes . They were very reluctant to move forward . I documented sacrifices of few cocks , goats and a buffalo . It was a gory job to do . Two young men ln hoodies , were so expert in slicing the neck of cocks , in front of a 60 cm high Kali statue , that in a single sweep of knife they used to behead the cock and threw the head over an adjoining roof . Crows were partying on such heads .
After the sacrifice , the devotees sprinkle the cock / goat blood on both themselves and the Kali idol . Then they used to drag their offerings to the nearby bloody stream to , wash , butcher and prepare the feast .
Tips :
Timings : 0600 to 2100
Sacrifices are offered only on Tuesday and Saturday
If one wants to sacrifice the animal / bird , she should be mentally prepared to stand in a queue for at least a couple of hours .
If one wants to just witness and document the process , she need not stand in a queue .
The process of sacrifice used to come to a halt between 1200 and 1300 to clean kilo litres of blood on the idol and the floor .
The gory experience is not for any feint hearted human being .
At the end of the street , on the left side there were long stairs leading to the revered Dakshinkali Temple . As I didn’t want to offer any sacrifice and just wanted to take photographs , there was no need for me to stand in the queue . Near the temple , there was a raised view point to witness the proceedings .
Main entrance was protected by beautiful brass fencing . There were many little ,beautiful brass lamps fixed on the fencing . Two intricately carved brass lions were guarding the entrance of this fencing .
People carrying the animals directly went to the place where they were sacrificed to the goddess Kali . It seemed goats knew their imminent death as it was reflected in their eyes . They were very reluctant to move forward . I documented sacrifices of few cocks , goats and a buffalo . It was a gory job to do . Two young men ln hoodies , were so expert in slicing the neck of cocks , in front of a 60 cm high Kali statue , that in a single sweep of knife they used to behead the cock and threw the head over an adjoining roof . Crows were partying on such heads .
After the sacrifice , the devotees sprinkle the cock / goat blood on both themselves and the Kali idol . Then they used to drag their offerings to the nearby bloody stream to , wash , butcher and prepare the feast .
Tips :
Timings : 0600 to 2100
Sacrifices are offered only on Tuesday and Saturday
If one wants to sacrifice the animal / bird , she should be mentally prepared to stand in a queue for at least a couple of hours .
If one wants to just witness and document the process , she need not stand in a queue .
The process of sacrifice used to come to a halt between 1200 and 1300 to clean kilo litres of blood on the idol and the floor .
The gory experience is not for any feint hearted human being .
Written October 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bibek C
Berlin, Germany23 contributions
This is one which I like the most. It is not for the People having heart problems. They do Scarification of goat, Hen and other animals to the Holy Kali Goddess. Every Saturday devotee of Goddess Kali cut the head of animals and birds and offers her blood of animals and head of animals. It is really cultural sock for western people.
Written August 5, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhythm D
France3,530 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
This temple is another must visit place if you are wishing to see how animals are sacrificed in Nepal. Situated a bit far from the main town of Kathmandu but really worth a visit if you are wishing to see how Nepali Hindu people are religiously devoted and how animals are sacrificed. I liked everything except the cruel sacrifice of those innocent animals. It's truly natural, green and pollution free place.
Written August 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawa S
Kathmandu, Nepal63 contributions
Oct 2011 • Solo
Situated south of the valley,this temple is dedicated to the most popular goddess Kali, also called Chamunda.
She is consider as a protector of the valley from this direction. Every Saturday, a large number of people visit the temple and offer animals sacrifices, an age old practice in Hindu religion which has been given up in India while its is still being followed in Nepal.
On the way to the Dakshin kali temple on can visit the famous Chobar Gorge where on can see distinct mark of a part of the hill having been chopped off by the sword of Bodhisattva Manjushri to drain out water from the valley.
She is consider as a protector of the valley from this direction. Every Saturday, a large number of people visit the temple and offer animals sacrifices, an age old practice in Hindu religion which has been given up in India while its is still being followed in Nepal.
On the way to the Dakshin kali temple on can visit the famous Chobar Gorge where on can see distinct mark of a part of the hill having been chopped off by the sword of Bodhisattva Manjushri to drain out water from the valley.
Written May 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gautam.Wagle
Kathmandu, Nepal29 contributions
Mar 2012 • Friends
The Dakshinkali Temple situated in the bank of small stream, inside the deep forest of southern Kathmandu. Its also the place for day hike, picnic spot and dating. This is suitable place for all aged people.
Written May 18, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Dakshinkali Temple
- Hotels near Dakshinkali Temple:
- (0.09 mi) Hotel Padmasambhava
- (0.41 mi) Chhaimale Resort
- (0.45 mi) Dakchhinkali Village Inn
- (0.45 mi) Dakshinkali Club Resort
- (3.80 mi) Homestay Nepal
- Restaurants near Dakshinkali Temple:
- (0.00 mi) Kunzang's Kitchen
- (8.01 mi) Graveaty Restaurant & Bar
- (7.97 mi) Yala Cafe
- (7.95 mi) Nepalaya Rooftop Restaurant
- (5.83 mi) El Mediterraneo
Dakshinkali Temple Information
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