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The Miraculous Eternal Flame of Shirasthan Dailekh | Suresh B Shahi
Temple
Shirasthan Eternal Flame Temple
Shirasthan Temple (शिरस्थान मन्दिर), situated on the tranquil riverbank of Gardi Khola on the western boundary of Narayan Municipality, is the supreme head shrine and starting point of the sacred Panchakoshi pilgrimage circuit in Dailekh. According to the ancient Swasthani Brata Katha and Himavatkhanda scriptures, when Lord Shiva wandered the universe carrying the mortal body of Goddess Sati, her divine head (*Shira*) separated and fell at this holy spot. Deep within the temple sanctum burns a miraculous, eternal blue flame emerging directly from subterranean natural gas fissures and flowing spring water atop solid stone, a geological marvel that has blazed without interruption for hundreds of years through monsoons and winters. The complex features an ancient pagoda-roofed sanctum, sacred Shaivite lingams, a historic Dharmashala hermitage, and peaceful riverside stone ghats where sadhus and pilgrims from across Nepal gather during Maha Shivaratri, Chaitra Dashain, and the month of Shrawan to seek divine blessings.
Overview
Shirasthan Temple (शिरस्थान मन्दिर), situated on the tranquil riverbank of Gardi Khola on the western boundary of Narayan Municipality, is the supreme head shrine and starting point of the sacred Panchakoshi pilgrimage circuit in Dailekh. According to the ancient Swasthani Brata Katha and Himavatkhanda scriptures, when Lord Shiva wandered the universe carrying the mortal body of Goddess Sati, her divine head (*Shira*) separated and fell at this holy spot. Deep within the temple sanctum burns a miraculous, eternal blue flame emerging directly from subterranean natural gas fissures and flowing spring water atop solid stone, a geological marvel that has blazed without interruption for hundreds of years through monsoons and winters. The complex features an ancient pagoda-roofed sanctum, sacred Shaivite lingams, a historic Dharmashala hermitage, and peaceful riverside stone ghats where sadhus and pilgrims from across Nepal gather during Maha Shivaratri, Chaitra Dashain, and the month of Shrawan to seek divine blessings.
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