Dakshinkali temple is situated just outside the village of Pharping at around 45mn by bus from Kathmandu. Dedicated to the goddess Kali, the temple is at its busiest time on a Saturday and Tuesday when thousands of Hindu devotees, mainly from Nepal and India, invade the sanctuary to worship the goddess and sacrifice animals. It is said that around 3000 animals, mostly cockerel and male goats are offered to Kali every week.
Hidden down a hill, the temple is surrounded by a forest where at morning time, magical sunlight goes through the deep vegetation and smoke of burning offerings. In the fresh air, the smell of incense and the sound of bells ringing is continuous. All over the site, devotees are quietly queuing to enter the temple. In their hands are flowers, coconuts, rice, goats and cockerels to be offered to Kali. They believe that by giving offerings to the goddess Kali, she will deliver them from misfortune and fulfil their wishes.
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