Kasthamandap

Kasthamandap (Sanskrit: काष्ठमन्डप, Nepal Bhasa:मरु सत्तल "Maru Sattal") is a three storied temple situated in Maru tole of Kathmandu. It is one of the largest and most noted pagodas of Nepal. The pagoda enshrines a statue of Gorakhnath.

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.