Sankata Temple

Legend has it that during the rule of the Malla King Narendra Dev, a Gubhajyu and Buddhist Vajrayana Guru, skilled in Tantrik practices, named Bandhu Ratna Bajracharya, used his Tantrik powers and brought Sankata and Yogini into two different holy pitchers and worshipped them, with the permission from the king. Later, a temple for the god was established during the reign of King Gunakama Dev.^[2] Even today, every 12 years, the priest of the temple, a Buddhist Gubhajyu of the Newar Bajracharya clan, worships the deity in a holy pitcher along with another pitcher for Yogini at the Katuwal Daha at Chobhar. Both of these goddesses are enshrined in the temple.

According to cultural expert Indra Mali, who grew up in Te Bahal, Palah: Dya is not originally from Kathmandu. There's another legend that states Palah: Dya, as Buddhists call the deity, was brought from Kamaru Kamachya (the present Kamakhya) in Assam. Palah: Dya later became widely known as Saṃkaṭā.

The deity is worshiped by following secret Tantrik rituals. The priest must not have physical contact while at the temple, nor must the statue of the deity. The statue of the deity is draped in cloth covering his body except for his head because deity belongs to the esoteric Vajrayana tradition, which stipulates that it shouldn't be seen by those who have not received initiation.

Devotion to Palah: Dya is commonly believed to ward off troubles and bad omens. Although religious rites are carried out daily, the temple is frequented primarily on Saturdays, or on one's birthday. Everything required for worship is available immediately outside the temple grounds. Worshipers may also ask the priests to perform a puja for placating one's unfavorable planets and stars. Materials used in the ritual include oil, iron, black cloth and black lentils.

Every 12 years, the priest worships the deity in a holy pitcher along with another pitcher for Yogini at the Katuwal Daha at Chobhar and then the goddesses are enshrined in the temple. The route of the 12-year jatra is kept secret.