The reclining Lord Vishnu
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (336918)
Rockingham, Australia
January 28, 2020 2:46am CST
Last Saturday, we were taken to see the reclining Lord Vishnu in the Budhanilkantha Temple. The statue is considered the largest stone carving in Nepal. It is also said to be floating but, as no-one is allowed to touch it, it seems this isn’t verified. We could take photos from outside the compound but not from within. Those who wanted to could leave their shoes outside and walk past the foot of the statue.
The black statue is carved from a single block of black basalt. It is 5 metres tall (about 16.4 feet) and set in the middle of a pond. The deity is depicted reclining on the coils of a serpent. The temple is sacred to Hindus but also very venerated by Buddhists, and shows the religious harmony which exists in Nepal.
There is a belief that the temple should not be visited by members of the royal family as it will result in a death. Apparently, the Crown Prince visited the temple shortly before he massacred twelve members of his family.
The Hindu wedding that we will attend in two days’ time will be held in the area around the temple. It was chosen for its sacredness. It is also supposed to rain but what will be will be. No point worrying about it.
19 people like this
25 responses
@arunima25 (87454)
• Bangalore, India
28 Jan 20
That's interesting. If it's floating it would change it's position. The deity looks decorated with flowers. So seems some special people like a priest are allowed to touch the deity to decor it.
3 people like this
@arunima25 (87454)
• Bangalore, India
29 Jan 20
@JudyEv Yes the temple authority or priests take those offerings and money.
2 people like this
@Alexandoy (65308)
• Cainta, Philippines
28 Jan 20
I am confused with the Hindu and Buddhist religions especially with the gods that they have. When I attended an international seminar in Singapore, a Nepali who is also a participant gave me an image of Ganesha which has an elephant face. Until now I don't know if it is a Hindu god or a Buddhist god.
1 person likes this
@Alexandoy (65308)
• Cainta, Philippines
28 Jan 20
@JudyEv my niece is a follower of both Buddhism and Hinduism so maybe that is why I am confused.
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@JudyEv (336918)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jan 20
@Alexandoy Some of the people here seem to be a bit of a mix too.
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@JudyEv (336918)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jan 20
I enjoy seeing the different statues and learning about the different religions.
@ptrikha_2 (46692)
• India
1 Feb 20
I learnt something new today. I was never aware of such a deity. And older people had so much skill in creating such a statue. Any idea as to how old it is?
Actually, Lord Buddha is also believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, so Buddhists also revere Lord Vishnu - the preserver of this universe as per Hindu mythology.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (46692)
• India
4 Feb 20
@JudyEv
Well even I am not much conversant with Nepalese history.
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@JudyEv (336918)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 20
Quote from Wikipedia - 'Another legend states that the statue was sculpted and brought to its current location in Kathmandu during the reign of the seventh-century monarch Vishnu Gupta, who controlled the Kathmandu Valley under the Lichchhavi king Bhimarjuna Dev.' I couldn't find much else about it.
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@allknowing (133556)
• India
28 Jan 20
Happy you are enjoying the place. I was on office duty in charge of organising a conference for 11 delegates who came from all over the world. My husband accompanied me.
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@Aquitaine24 (11813)
• San Jose, California
30 Jan 20
That figure is very striking.
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@JudyEv (336918)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jan 20
Exactly. I'll bear that in mind as I'm getting soaked. 
@JudyEv (336918)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jan 20
We saw relics from time to time in Europe - mostly in France.
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
28 Jan 20
what a wonderful picture - what an amazing stone carving.
the legend is kind of sad...
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@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
28 Jan 20
@JudyEv i have seen similar in Thailand and Afganistan, amazing!
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@jobelbojel (35112)
• Philippines
28 Jan 20
We study Vishnu in Literature when I was in High School or College
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@wolfgirl569 (103675)
• Marion, Ohio
28 Jan 20
It does look like it is floating.
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@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Jan 20
It does pose a striking effect.
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