Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

3031 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
Early medieval · Hindu · Nepal

Naradevi Temple

Naradevi, Kathmandu · 27.7076°, 85.3060°

Sweta Kali, called Nyata Ajima by NewarsGunakamadeva era
Sacred since
800 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
9th c. (Gunakamadeva)
Gunakamadeva era

History & significance

A shrine in central Kathmandu dedicated to Sweta Kali, known among Newars as Nyata Ajima, and believed to have been founded in the ninth century by Gunakamadeva, the founder of the city; its three-tiered roof includes a gilded storey carried on carved struts.

Sthala katha — the traditional account

What follows is the temple’s own traditional account, transmitted through liturgy and local memory. It is recorded here as tradition, not as attested history.

A king of Patan who lost his way while hunting and was chased by a wild elephant is said to have hidden in a tree at this spot, where the goddess Swetakali appeared and gave him back his life, upon which he founded the temple.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-28 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Gunakamadeva era