Kasthamandap
Coordinates: 27°42′14″N 85°18′21″E / 27.70400°N 85.30583°E
Kasthamandap (Sanskrit: काष्ठमन्डप, Nepal Bhasa:मरु सत्तल Maru Sattal; literally "Wood-Covered Shelter") is a three-storied temple situated at Maru, Kathmandu. It is one of the largest and most noted pagodas of Nepal. The pagoda enshrines a statue of Gorakhnath.
This temple is built in pagoda style design. It was built in the early sixteenth century by King Laxmi Narsingha Malla. The whole temple is built from just wood of a single tree, and covered with the shrine. The name of capital city is named after this temple. Once a year a huge ceremony is performed in the temple. On that day people gather around the temple, and they stay up all night. The people share the legendary stories about the temple, and enjoy themselves with different varieties of foods. This temple is one of the major tourist attractions too. Everyone is allowed to visit inside the temple, but people are not allowed to take photographs inside the temple. The temple is open after mid day until midnight. The unique feature of Kasthamandap has made it the most noted pagoda of Nepal.
Mythology
It is believed that Gorakhnath, a disciple of Machhindranath (Nepal Bhasa: Janamaadya) visited Nepal during a chariot procession of Machhindranath morphing as a normal human. A tantrik spotted him and trapped him under a spell rendering him from leaving Kathmandu. Upon knowing that he is trapped, Gorakhnath asked the tantrik to make a wish so as to allow him to be freed from the spell. The tantrik asked for materials enough to make a temple. The very next season, a giant tree grew in the farm of the tantrik. Using this single tree, the tantrik constructed the temple of Kasthamandap.
It is also believed that the term Kathmandu arises from Kasthamandap.
References
Ramesh Jung Thapa. Kasthamandap