The Legend of Bimsen - Part I
In the square of Patan Durbar lies a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Bhimsen. In Newari, he is called Bhin Dyo. He (Lord Bhimsen) is one of the five Pandava brothers of the epic Mahabharata. Amongst them, he is the only one worshipped as people believe he alone attained divinity.
He was an extraordinary child with great strength and bravery. Hence he was named Bhimsen, meaning terrific. During his youth, he was famous for two things: his brute strength and a large appetite. Reaching adulthood, he grew a robust moustache, one to match his terrific and fierce outlook.
The highlight of his life was a great battle fought against Dushasana, his rival. He (Dushasana) was one of the Kauravas who dragged Draupadi. She was the common wife of the Pandavas. During an event, Draupadi was pulled by her hair and stripped naked right before her husbands. Bhimsen was consumed with rage but was helpless. He upheld the code of honour but marked Dushasana and vowed to kill him.
During the great war of Kurukshetra, he killed Dushasana with one blow from his mace.
In a land, east of Kathmandu valley lies Dolakha. Here it is believed the Pandavas spent their twelve years of exile. It is also home to a unique temple dedicated to Bhimsen. In the centre of this temple is a triangular shaped stone idol of Bhimsen. The local people worship it as an idol. The temples uniqueness comes from its ability to foretell danger.
The idol perspires from time to time, and it symbolises a bad omen for the country. The locals believe that it is Bhimsen trying to protect his people by warning them through sweating. The idol is said to have sweated in:
1. 2007 B.S: When the Rana Regime ended
2. 1934 A.D: Before the great earthquake
3. 2001 A.D: A few days before the royal massacre
In an ancient time, a lady of Dolakha was married to the prince of Lalitpur. She brought with her a clay idol of Bhimsen as dowry. It depicted him engaged in battle with Dushasana. The figure was enshrined in a small temple by them.
The temple was restored after a fire in the 17th century by King Sri Nivas Malla. He raised it to 4 storeys high and placed three roofs.
After the death of Sri Navas Malla, his son Yog Narendra Malla became King. He desired to replace the clay idol with a metal one. He paid a visit to the workshop of a renowned artist and put forth his request. This craftsman was known for being the best in metal casting and modelling. The King envisioned a magnificent statue of Bhimsen stance in a fighting pose against his rival.
The artist began work, and within a few days, he prepared a handsome wax model. An ancient technique where molten metal is poured onto a wax mould to develop a cast.
The King inspected the model but was disappointed as it lacked life. He requested the artist to remodel and focus on a more lively fighting style. The artist remodelled it as requested, but the King was still disappointed. The King became so furious that he caught hold of the artist's neck.
The artist cried loudly, my King, forgive me. I know what is missing, and you have shown it to me. Give me another chance. I shall not disappoint again. He let go of his neck and gave him one last chance.
He was able to satisfy the King in his final attempt. The idol looked fierce, lifelike and portrayed Bhimsen in a fighting stance about to kill Dushasana.