2026-10-17 Sat

Today, we celebrate the seventh day of Navratri, dedicated to Goddess Kalaratri, one of the powerful manifestations of Goddess Durga, let us explore a beautiful example of Nepal’s religious and philatelic heritage: a definitive postage stamp depicting Palanchowk Bhagwati, also revered as Shree Durga Bhawani.

Goddess Bhagwati holds a special place in Nepalese religious traditions, where she is worshipped as a manifestation of the Divine Mother and a symbol of feminine power, protection, and courage. The Palanchowk Bhagwati Temple, located in the Kavrepalanchok district of Nepal, is one of the country’s celebrated Shakti shrines. Dedicated to Goddess Durga, the temple is renowned for its exquisite stone sculpture of the goddess, depicted with multiple arms holding various divine attributes.

Navratri celebrates the triumph of good over evil and honours the many forms of Shakti, the divine feminine energy. The worship of Goddess Durga connects devotees across India and Nepal through shared religious traditions, rituals, and devotion to the Divine Mother. The seventh day, associated with Goddess Kalaratri, reminds devotees of the goddess’s fierce and protective power against darkness and negativity.

The Palanchowk Bhagwati Temple is situated on a hilltop in Nepal’s Kavrepalanchok district, east of Kathmandu. The three-storey pagoda-style shrine houses an exceptionally fine stone image of Goddess Durga, celebrated for its artistic detail and spiritual significance. The goddess is depicted with eighteen hands, embodying divine strength and the power to overcome evil.

The temple’s heritage is associated with Nepal’s Licchavi period, and it continues to attract devotees, particularly during major Hindu festivals. Its enduring popularity reflects the deep-rooted reverence for Bhagwati as a protective and benevolent manifestation of Shakti.

On 17 October 1969, Nepal Post issued a definitive postage stamp depicting Palanchowk Bhagwati. The 50-paisa stamp, titled “Palanchowk Bhagwati Shree Durga Bhawani,” commemorates a revered deity and an important landmark of Nepalese religious heritage. The issue offers philatelists a glimpse into the country’s rich artistic and spiritual traditions.

As we celebrate the seventh day of Navratri, this historic stamp provides a meaningful opportunity to appreciate the many forms of Goddess Durga and the cultural connections that unite devotees across South Asia. Through postage stamps, sacred art and religious heritage travel beyond geographical boundaries, preserving stories of faith for generations to come.