The deity Vatsalā is considered as one of the Tantric manifestations of goddess Parvatī. She is referred to as the clan deity of the Malla Kings in an inscription (now lost) in Bhaktapur. There are three temples dedicated to Vatsalā in the small perimeter of the Bhaktapur Darbar Square. Among them, this south-facing temple in discussion is located in the centre of the square and is said to be built by King Bhūpatīndra Malla in 1699 CE.

It stands out because of its artistic merits. It is entirely constructed in stone, except for the pinnacle. The temple’s outer structure rests on twelve columns and has a three-level plinth. A bell supported by ornately designed columns and lintel rests on the lowest plinth and a pair of elephants and lions flank the entrance to the sanctum. Instead of a statue, a stone kalaśa is consecrated as the representation of the Tantric deity Vatsalā inside the sanctum. Most of the Vatsalā temples in the Kathmandu Valley have such aniconic stones to represent her. The local community believes that the deity was offered human sacrifice as part of the Tantric rites. The Devamālāvaṃśāvalī mentions that such rites were performed while consecrating goddess Vatsalā and establishing her shrine in Pashupati. Residents of the area also believe that dogs start crying when the temple bell is rung. In the Vatsalā Temple at Pashupati, dogs are said to be taken inside the sanctum during some rituals, and members of a certain guṭhī howl like wolves while kneeling and praying. There appears to be some connections between these rituals and strongly held local beliefs.

The temple, except its plinth, collapsed in the 2015 CE earthquakes and the Bhaktapur Municipality completed its renovation in 2020 CE.

For more information about Vatsalā Mandira, please visit DANAM.