Bhringishvara Lingam (Suvarneshvara)

The Bhringishvara Lingam (Suvarneshvara) is described in the Purana Nepal-Mahatmya. It is mentioned in the story about how Bhringhi, as Gunadhya circumambulated the sacred valley and got back his divine powers a translation of the Nepal-Mahatmya from Sanskrite into English from the book the Glory of Nepal by William P. Forbes.

The Lingam is located in Sunakothi, it is on the left side of the road arround half way up to Chapagaon from Patan (the road goes very close from Satobato).

You will notice the white dome. The temple is located in a remarkable clean and peacefull courtyard, where children play and adults play music. In front of the temple is one of the biggest Nandi's (the black cow in the picture) (of the Kathmandu Valley. Nandi is a big devotee of Shiva and became Shiva's Guard. 

In short the Bhringhi goes as follows. Bhringhi transformed himself into a bee to hear a secret story that Shiva was telling Parvati (his wife). Shiva finds out and sends Bhringhi to earth as a human being. After having a very dedicated live Bhringhi has to circumambulate all the main temples of the Katmandu Valley and finish with making a lingam. And so does Bhringhi, Shiva is very pleased with his dedication and makes Bhringhi devine again. 

Bringhi who's human name is Gunadhya asks the muni's that accompany him during the circumambulation of the Katmandu Valley how to call the lingam he established. And the Muni tells him about his life as Bringhi so you should call this lingam Bhringishvara Lingam. Then another muni says in the Kali Yuga which is the current Yuga we live in. (A Yuga is an era / period marked by a new incarnation of Vishnu). This Lingam will be know as Suvarneshvara (The Lord of Gold).

Like all lingams worshipping the Bhringishvara Lingam is good for many things including washing away sins. Worshipping the Bhringishvara Lingam is said to make even the most barren woman conceive. Special days to worship the Bhringishvara Lingam are the 8th and 14th day of the Lunar Cycle, and the so called Shankranti day when the sun passes from one sign to another).

William P. Forbes believes that the Bhringishvara Lingam is the one inside the temple of Sunakothi.

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