Photos: Shaileshowori Doti, शैलेश्वरी डाेटी

डोटीको सदरमुकाम शिलगढीमा प्रसिद्ध शैलेश्वरी मन्दिर छ । स्थानीय बासिन्दाहरू शैलेश्वरीलाई शिलादेवी पनि भन्ने गर्दछन् । शैलेश्वरीको उत्पत्तिका सम्बन्धमा स्थानीय बासिन्दाहरूमा प्रचलित एउटा लोकोक्ति अनुसार, शिव–पार्वती एकअर्कामा हाँसखेल गरिरहेको समयमा त्यहीँ अन्य देवताहरू टुप्लुक्क आइपुगेछन् । त्यसबाट पार्वतीले सरम मान्दै शिलाको रूप लिइछन् । यसैबाट शैलेश्वरीको अभ्युदय भएको हो । शैलेश्वरी मन्दिरको स्थापना पाँच पाण्डवले गराएका हुन् भन्ने जनविश्वाससमेत छ । शैलेश्वरीलाई अर्धनारीश्वरका रूपमा समेत पूजाआजा गरिन्छ । शैलेश्वरीस्थानमा कात्तिक पूर्णिमाका दिन ठूलो मेला लाग्दछ । शैलेश्वरीमा पूजाआजाका लागि भारतबाट समेत दर्शनार्थीहरू आउने गर्दछन् ।

The Shaileshwori Temple is located in Doti Bazaar, the district headquarters of Doti District, and is known to residents of the area as Shila (Stone) Devi (Goddess). It is believed that the Goddess Parvati was once frolicking with the Lord Shiva in the vicinity of the village when they were espied upon by a few other gods and goddesses, upon which Parvati turned in shame immediately to stone. Another legend has it that the temple was established by the five Pandavas. Shaileshwori is also worshipped in the form of Ardhanarishwor, and a big fair is organized on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, during which a large number of pilgrims from Nepal and India visit the temple.