Pathibhara

Pathibhara Devi
Statue of Pathibhara Devi
Pathibhara Devi Location in Nepal
Name
Proper name	Pathibhara Devi Temple
Devanagari	पाथिभरा देवी मन्दिर
Bengali	পাথিভরা
Geography
Coordinates	27°25′46″N 87°46′3.8″E / 27.42944°N 87.767722°E / 27.42944; 87.767722Coordinates: 27°25′46″N 87°46′3.8″E / 27.42944°N 87.767722°E / 27.42944; 87.767722
Country	Nepal
District	Taplejung,
Locale	Taplejung
Elevation	3,794 m (12,448 ft)
Culture
Primary deity	Pathibhara Devi
Architecture
Architectural styles	Pagoda
History and governance
Website	http://pathibhara.com.np

Pathibhara Devi (Nepali: पाथिभरा देवी मन्दिर) or Mukkumlung (as mentioned in Mundhum of Limbu people ) is one of the most significant Hindu temple in Nepal, located on the hill of Taplejung. It is also considered one of the holy places for Kirat Limbu. Worshippers from different parts of Nepal and India flock to the temple during special occasions, as it is believed that a pilgrimage to the temple ensures fulfillment of the pilgrims' desires.

The temple is located 19.4 North East from Phungling municipality at an elevation of 3,794 m (12,444.32 ft). It serves as a secondary route of Kanchenjunga trek. The list of devotees includes the ex-Royal family of Nepal. The pilgrims offer animal sacrifices, gold and silver to please the goddess. After the Gorkha (Khas) invasion of Limbuwan the holy temple of Kirat (Manghim in Limbu language) was also included into the mainstream Hinduism and is also worshipped as one of the Hindu Shaktipeeths without changing the earlier belief or the practices of the Kirats.

The Goddess at Pathibhara temple is believed to possess supernatural powers and diligently answer devotees' prayers. She is considered by her devotees as a manifestation of the divine feminine also determined with other names as AdiKali, Maha Maya, Maha Rudri among many other of her divine forms.

It is believed that local shepherds lost hundreds of their sheep while grazing at the same place where the temple stands today. The distressed shepherds had a dream in which the Goddess ordered them to carry out ritualistic sacrifice of sheep and build a shrine in her honor. When the sacrifice was offered the lost herd supposedly returned. The ritual of offering sacrifices inside the temple is believed to have started after the incident.