Sali Nadi Temple Sankhu

Sali Nadi Temple is a famous temple on the easten corner of Sankhu Valley (an ancient Newari town) located at north-eastern corner of Kathmandu valley where thousands of worshippers worship Goddess Swasthani during the month of Magh. It is believed that Sali Nadi holds religious significances Goddess Parvati used to bathe on its month during her meditation month. Many Hindu devotees visit Sankhu starting from full-moon day of Poush to the full-moon day of Magh for visiting Swasthani Mata Temple and also for taking holy dip in the river after taking Madhav Narayan fast for a month.

The eight-cornered temple of Goddess Swasthani which is also known as Swasthani Mata temple sits on the hilltop on the bank of Sali Nadi which has a gold-plated roof supported by wooden struts that features carvings of the goddess Swasthani with a lion which serves as her Vahana (vehicle). There is a gigantic statue of the goddess seated on the lion inside the temple where devotees worships and believes that Goddess Swasthani bless them with long life, prosperity and children. There is also a big fire-altar where devotees offer sacrifice to the sacred fir to impress the goddess. From temple to the river, there is a path of stone steps and few meters away from the temple there lies a small stone hut which is believed to be the home of Goma Brahmin (a mythical character in Swasthani) with several rest houses and stone statues nearby.

In this place, fair is conducted on yearly basis named as Sali Nadi fair and sees the presence of thousands of pilgrims and local people. The fair exhibits different locally produced items like food, clothes and jewelries. Hence, the temple along with river has many religious values and goddesses are worshipped with high beliefs in this place.