The location and importance of Gokarneshwar
Adjacent to, and bordered on three sides by Gokarna Forest Reserve is the old Newari village of Gokarna, which is notable for its Shiva temple.

Built in 1582, the triple-roofed Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple stands on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here, Newar Buddhists and Hindus of all ethnic groups celebrate special festivals in honour of their deceased. The temple's great interest is the surprisingly diverse collection of sculptures and reliefs throughout the site featuring a varied collection of gods and goddesses, some dating back more than a thousand years.

The Legend of the area of Gokarna
Shiva, the most popular god in Nepal, is a complex personality, exalted under 1,008 different names. Shiva is both destroyer and re-creator. 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.

Shiva, disguised as a one-horned golden deer, hid himself from the gods and from mankind in Pashupatinath 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.