Manakamana is temple of Durga Bhawani (Hindu Goddess), situated in Gorkha District of Nepal. Manakamana means the “wishes”. It is believed that Goddess Manakaman fulfills the wishes of ones who worship her with pure heart. It is very true when someone wish something from the heart; it is fulfilled by the God.
Manakamana temple is situated at about 1300 meters at a top of a hill surround by a small village community. It is about 9 Km north-east of the town of Mugling and at about 90 Km West from Kathmandu and East from Pokhara.
How to reach Manakamana
Transportation to Manakamana : Bus takes three to four hours from Kathmandu or Pokhara. Generally micro buses and mini buses run to Kurintar. One can take bus in transit from east/west (Janakpur, Kakadbhitta, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj) to Kathmandu or Kathmandu to east/west.
There was transportation to Abu Khaireni until the cable car was installed. And people walk uphill for 3 hours to reach Manakamana temple. Now, the cable car operates from Kurintar. Cable car takes 10-12 minutes to reach the top.
The cable car generally operates during the day time (9 a.m. to 5 p.m). It stops for a lunch break from 12.00 to 13.30. In festive occasions and on Saturdays and holidays it starts operations an hour before schedule time.
Manakamana Cable car
The charge is US$10 (tax extra) for foreigners, and Rs. 250 plus tax for Nepalese people. However, there is no method of separating foreigners from Nepalese other than self declaration by the tourist. The sacrificing animal especially goat is also charged Rs. 140 one way fare. Cock can be carried together with the passengers.
Worship and sacrifices
Manakamana is Hindu Goddess so she is worshiped with offerings of flower, sound, scent, dress, make-ups and colors. There is a tradition of sacrificing animals at the temple. Devotees stand in line for even for 5-10 hours during festivals. The line started from the temple gate reach longer than few kilometers sometimes. People can be seen standing in line with pooja samagri (worship materials) in hand and some of them carrying duck, cock or goat with them. People seem to enjoy standing in the line without food, some even with no water.
Source: http://www.weallnepali.com/about-nepal/historic-places/manakamanatemple
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