The temple ... with Snakes and Ladders !

Nepal has many ancient temples. This weekend, I visited a Hindu temple that opened less than 2 years ago: Shashwat Dham temple. It is less than 30km from where I live. It is also called CG Temple because it was built entirely by the richest businessman in Nepal: Binod Chaudhary, chairman of the CG business group. Does this mean he will be welcome into Hindu Heaven with open arms? Perhaps he will; because he is a generous philanthropist as well as an industrialist.


The temple is dedicated to Krishna; the God of compassion, tenderness and love. He is often depicted with black, dark or blue skin. Here he is as a newborn being carried across the river.

He grew up to be a bit of a womaniser ... and had eight wives. Here, he entertains some of them.

He also danced on the hood of the multi-headed cobra ...

... and fought as a brave charioteer.

Cameras are not prohibited in the temple grounds ... but smartphones are ok ... so everyone used them to take photos instead! Here is a photo of some detail on the outside of the temple building.

An example of the religious symbiosis that exists here, is the inclusion of a statue of Buddha ...

... as well as prayer flags in the Hindu temple grounds.

A different style of artwork appears on the cafe wall. This was created by a minority indigenous group of women who live in a remote region in Nepal. It tells a story ... but I am sorry I’ve forgotten what it is!

Some outdoor parks in Australia, and elsewhere, have a large checkerboard marked out on the ground where people can play a game of chess. Well, instead of this, Shashwat Dham has a concrete area marked out to play Leela. This is an ancient Hindu game with the intention of teaching moral values. It is the precursor of Snakes and Ladders. I bet you didn’t know that!

Namaste!