Adjacent to, and bordered on three sides by Gokarna Forest Reserve is the old Newari village of Gokarna, which is notable for its Shiva temple.

Built in 1582, the triple-roofed Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple stands on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here, Newar Buddhists and Hindus of all ethnic groups celebrate special festivals in honour of their deceased. The temple's great interest is the surprisingly diverse collection of sculptures and reliefs throughout the site featuring a varied collection of gods and goddesses, some dating back more than a thousand years.

Shiva, the most popular god in Nepal, is a complex personality, exalted under 1,008 different names. Shiva is both destroyer and re-creator. Vishnu, Preserver of life and of the world, is the benevolent saviour, adored in multiple forms. Brahma created the cosmos and the other gods and goddesses.

      

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