Kathmandu is a valley of temples. There are thousands of temples and stupas, some grand and famous, others quietly hidden. Many remain unknown to people because they are tucked deep within the maze of Kathmandu’s narrow Alleys. One such temple lay concealed in a gully until the day I stumbled upon it.
When I was very young, I once got lost while playing. Near my home, there was a gully surrounded by high walls. It was narrow, twisting, and shadowed, with turns that seemed endless. I didn’t know where it led, and as a child, I presumed it was dangerous. I convinced myself that this gully was the very place where I had gotten lost, even though it wasn’t. My mind believed it, and so did I. I warned my friends, saying, “I got lost inside this gully. It’s dangerous, don’t go there.” For years, I avoided it entirely, letting fear shape my imagination of what lay inside.
As I grew older, curiosity began to overcome my fear. I started wondering what lay at the end of its turns. Was it truly dangerous? Could it be the place my childhood memory had exaggerated? One day, I decided to finally walk to the very end of the gully and see for myself. Nervously, imagining the worst, I stepped in. The walls loomed close on either side, the turns wrapping around me like a secret. After four bends, the narrow path opened to reveal something I had never expected.
There stood a big white temple of Lord Shiva, simple yet majestic. It was surrounded by lush green plants, and in front of the temple stood a murti of Nandi, calm and watchful. The whole scene was mesmerizing. I felt as if I had discovered a hidden treasure. The greenery softened the stone, adding a serene, almost magical atmosphere. The scent of earth and leaves mingled in the air, and the quiet was profound... so different from the bustling streets I had left behind. Suddenly, the fear and nervousness I had carried dissolved into calmness, awe, and even a little amusement. I asked myself, “You were afraid of this?”
That moment stayed with me. I realized how often fear keeps us from discovering beauty, how avoidance can prolong anxiety, and how courage, even just one step, can lead to a remarkable ending. That hidden temple became more than a place of worship; it became a symbol of bravery and wonder. Even now, I visit it often, to pray to Lord Shiva and remembering that the world still holds hidden treasures for those willing to take a step forward.
Who knows how many temples are hidden within the labyrinth of Kathmandu’s alleys? Many remain unknown to most people. Perhaps that’s why we truly call Kathmandu, the city of temples because its treasures await those brave enough to explore.