Mahakal Temple is one of the most revered temples in Darjeeling resides on the top of Observatory Hill, Chauk Bazak. This ancient temple has deep-rooted history ascribed to it. One of the most exciting facts of Mahakal Temple, making it venerable and unique of all, is that the temple’s altar is shared between Buddhist monks and Hindu priests.
This temple indeed remarks a heritage site. A more interesting fact is, the location of the temple is where the civilization of Darjeeling started first.
Later, this temple was renamed as Bhutia Butsi monastery and used by ancient Buddhist followers for medication purposes. However, the Mahakal Temple or Bhutia Butsi monastery is dedicated to both Siddhartha Buddha and the Mahakal avatar of Lord Shiva.
The temple has a statue of “Nandi” (the mythological cow of Shiva) installed at the entrance. Also, three gold-plated Shivalingas are placed in the temple that embodies the Hindu trinity – Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar (Shiva).
If you visit the temple, you can experience a blend of mixed cultures. Amidst the sound of Hindu prayer, you can feel the Buddhist prayer flags fluttering all over the temple premises. The unification of Buddhist and Hindu temples is indeed a divine experience you can witness for a lifetime.
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