July 28, 2025

About 22 km south of Kathmandu lies the powerful and primal Dakshinkali Temple, dedicated to the fierce goddess Kali, consort of Shiva and embodiment of time, transformation, and destruction. Set in a forested gorge where two rivers meet, this temple is among the most important centers of Shakta (goddess) worship in Nepal.

The temple draws thousands of devotees—especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays, which are sacred to Kali. Animal sacrifices, particularly goats and roosters, are performed in open ritual as acts of devotion and offering. For visitors unfamiliar with tantric Hindu practice, the intensity of the site can be jarring, but it also offers an unfiltered look at living, non-sanitized spirituality.

Surrounded by trees and mist, the temple complex includes smaller shrines, a riverbed altar, and vendor stalls selling incense, flowers, and coconuts. Despite the heavy ritual atmosphere, the area is also a picnic spot for local families and a weekend getaway destination.

Dakshinkali is often paired with Pharping, which lies just a few kilometers away. Together, they make for a compelling day trip that combines goddess devotion, tantric legend, and monastic serenity, all within an hour’s drive from central Kathmandu.