Here, Ganesha is worshipped as Koyena Ganesh and is traditionally believed to have manifested naturally from the waters—hence the name Jal Binayak, “Ganesha of Water.”
Jal Binayak is regarded as the oldest and most important of Kathmandu Valley’s four principal Vinayaks—along with Surya Binayak, Chandra Binayak and Ashok Binayak.
The present temple reflects the beautiful Newar three-tiered pagoda tradition, with intricately carved wooden struts depicting the Ashta Bhairavas and Ashta Matrikas.
The original shrine is associated with the Malla period, with the temple traditionally dated to 1603 CE (Nepal Sambat 723) during the reign of King Shiva Singh Malla.
Hidden in the sacred landscape of Chobhar, Kathmandu, beside the Bagmati River, stands Jal Binayak, one of Nepal’s most revered Ganesh shrines.