Champavati Temple – An Intriguing Temple

Chamapavati Temple has a Nepali form of architecture depicting a curved cylindrical structure divided into five or nine parts. Built in the Shikhara style, the structure ends in a bell shaped dome. The legend of the place describes about the divinity of the temple. Champavati was a princess, the daughter of Raja Sahil Varman. According to the legend, she loved visiting the temple, but her father doubted that she went to the temple for the priest instead of worshipping the God. So, in order to bring out the truth, he followed her to the temple. When he reached he found the place empty. He then heard a voice telling him that his daughter had been taken away by the Gods. This was done to punishment him for his suspicion. He built this temple in redemption and hence after Champavati was worshipped. The presiding deity of the place is Mahishasuramardini, a manifestation of Goddess Durga. The goddess destroyed the demon Mahishasura and hence revered as Mahishasuramardini.