The Legend of the area of Gokarneshwor
Shiva, the most popular god in Nepal, is a complex personality, exalted under 1,008 different names. Vishnu, Preserver of life and of the world, is the benevolent saviour, adored in multiple forms. Brahma created the cosmos and the other gods and goddesses. According to the Skenda Purana Shiva disguised as a one-horned golden deer, hid himself from the gods
and from mankind in Sleshmantaka forest. While he spent his days frolicking, the world suffered. Vishnu the preserver, Brahma the creator, and Indra the king of gods, took matters into their hands and searched for him. A goddess revealed Shiva's disguise and when they finally caught the deer by the horn, it burst into fragments and Shiva revealed himself. He asked the three Gods to establish his horn in their three worlds. Vishnu installed his section in his celestial abode in Vaikuntha, Indra in his realm in heaven, and Brahma enshrined it at the sacred site of Gokarneshwor
