The Budhanilkantha Temple is a very popular Hundi Major Pilgrimage Site. The most enigmatic of the Hindu God Bishnu, this statue is located at a distance of 10 Km far from the center of Kathmandu. It is located at the base of Shivapuri Hill and is the largest and most beautiful stone carving in all of Nepal. It is also the most enigmatic. Carved from a single block of black basalt stone of unknown origin, the status of Budhanilkantha is 5 meters in length and it lies in a reclining position inside a recessed tank of water also representing the cosmic sea which is 13 meters in length.
Also referred to as the sleeping Bishnu or Jalakshayan Narayan, the statue depicts the deity reclining on the twisting coils of the cosmic serpent shesh, the eternal, multi-headed king of the serpent deities known as Naga, and also is the servant of Lord Bishnu. With crossed legs and eleven heads of Shesh cradling his head, the statue of Bishnu's four hands hold objects symbolizing his divine qualities: a chakra representing the mind, a conch shell; the four elements, a lotus flower; the moving universe and the club, primeval knowledge.
Budhanilkantha receives large numbers of pilgrims during Ekadashi, which takes place during the 11th day of the Hindu month of Kartik (October - November). It is the major festival for the year in celebration of the awakening of Lord Bishnu from his long sleep.