Places to visit around Bandipur
Bandipur is between Kathmandu and Pokhara lies on the hilltop. A Newar town with its age-old flavor still intact. Climb through pristine forests on the historical trail at Dumre Bazaar to a town that has hardly changed. Well preserved Bandipur today invites travelers to experience its unique offerings: rich hill culture, mountain views, and hiking.
Bandipur village located on a wide saddle at a height of 1,030 m the surrounding hills of Bandipur are ideal for hiking along trails that take you through tribal villages, verdant forests, and hilltop shrines that once doubled as fortresses. which has a magnificent view of the central Himalayan peak (Manaslu, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri) and the Marshyangdi valley. The main resident of the old town, Newars, are cultural and friendly. The ancient type old building, untouchable culture of Magar village and the pure Nepalese way of living are the extra experiences to explore in Bandipur Hiking.
Bandipur also welcomes all the adventure lovers with its challenging rock climbing, ragging Marshyangdi River rafting, caving and cycling tour activities. Walking distance of Bandipur hiking is just 10 km uphill from highway and in between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Some people, who would love to hike, walk from Dumre to Bandipur which will take approximately 3hrs.Bandipur Hiking, thus, is a combination of cultural tour and village hiking tour which will help travelers understand actual hidden history from the ancient Nepal. The weather in Bandipur is good all round the year.
Strolling around the town to enjoy the life on the streets, hilltops and mountain views, the largest cave in Nepal (Siddha Gufa). This is something you definitely won’t have enough. Strolling around bandipur, you got a sense of eternalness to the point that you even expected some medieval arches to jump from the enormous fig trees while trade caravans were packing their goods.According to Hindu legends, the diferent types of fig trees represent different gods - the fig trees at Tundikhel represent Vishnu, Brahma and Hanuman. Himalayas are best seen in the afternoons and before sunset and until dusk. The morning fog from the nearby valleys blurs the views over the Himalayas, but makes the scenery fairy-tale like.
Khadga Devi temple
The temple of Khadga Devi is one of the most revered temples in Bandipur, which is belied by its look of a residential house except for the finial. This temple is opened to devotees only once a year on the day of Phulpati (seventh day of the Hindu festival Dasain). The shrine does not contain any statues of gods or goddesses, but a Khadga, a sacred sword wrapped in layers of cloth.. Legend has it that the relic was a present from Lord Shiva to Mukunda Sen, king of Palpa (1518-1553 A.D.) The Khadga is worshipped as a symbol of the female power, hence the name Khadga Devi, which means goddess of the sword. Another mythological story is that if anyone looks at it, he or she invites instant death by vomiting blood.
Bindhabasini Temple
This temple is located in the main bazaar area and is constructed in the pagoda style. An image of the goddess Bindhabasini is enshrined here. It also contains statues of other goddesses. During the New Year,the celebrations the Bikram Sambat, the image of Bindhabasini is put on a chariot and pulled through town amidst other revelry.
Chandithan
This temple lies to the west of Bandipur Bazaar. According to folklore, people would place 12 eggs inside the temple and cover it with straw and a brick before the start of the planting season. If the egg remains fresh after one year when they were uncovered, it is believed that there would be a good crop the following year.
Mahalaxmi Temple
This temple is located to the southeast of the main bazaar. Its architecture shows it to date from the medieval period. The temple is in the style of a pagoda. The struts and tympanum are adorned with figures of Bhimsen and various mythical creatures. The original statue of the goddess Mahalaxmi, however, was stolen, and it has been replaced by a new one.
Narayan Temple
This temple lies to the east of the main bazaar area. Statues of the god Harihar and the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu are installed inside.
Tundikhel
Tundikhel is an excellent vantage point situated to the north of Bandipur's main bazaar. From here, one can view the magnificent Himalayan Range including the spectacular peaks of Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Langtang, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal, among others. The legendary Gorkha Palace and the famous Manakamana Peak can also be seen clearly. Other sites include the Marsyangdi Valley, Bimalnagar and Dumre.
Paharpani Mahadev
A fifteen-minute walk to the north of Bandipur Bazaar brings one to the shrine of Parpani Mahadev. From above, it appears as a small bush. A stone pathway leads to the cave-like shrine. Inside, there is a waterspout, and below are several small statues of various gods. They are known as Parpani Mahadev. In the old days, people gathered here to sing hymns and bathe under the fountain before going to work in their fields. A pond has been built here to add to the beauty of the site.
Purano Kot (Gurungche Hill)
Purano Kot, originally a fort, lies at a distance of about 500 m to the west of the main bazaar. It takes about twenty minutes of easy walking over the stones to reach the top. There is a small temple nearby containing a number of old statues. Next to the temple stands a newly built temple of Thanithan Mai. The local people believe that praying to Mahadev at this spot during a drought will bring rain.
Tandrang Tundrung
Tandrang Tundrung is a fifteen-minute walk to the west of Bandipur Bazaar. Its unusual name is said to imitate the sound that is produced when a stone is thrown into the well here. According to the old-timers of the village, it was used by Mukunda Sen to pass between Mukendeswari and Tandrang Tundrung to perform religious deeds.
Gadhi
This ancient fort lies to the northeast of Bandipur and is believed to have existed from the time of Mukunda Sen. Since the spot lies at a higher elevation than the bazaar; you can get a stunning view of the mountains from here.
Teendhara
This place lies to the east of the main bazaar and can be reached in ten to twenty minutes. The name of this place means three water spouts. Two fountains were added later. A shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva lies nearby.
Raniban
This is a forest of Sal trees located to the east of the main bazaar. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the spot for its greenery and tranquility.
Padma Library
This historic library lies in the heart of Bandipur Bazaar. It was transformed into its present magnificence from a shelter for sages in 1945. It has been serving book lovers from the days of the Rana regime.
Ramkot village
Ramkot village is a two-hour walk to the west of Bandipur. It is an easy hike passing through Muchuk Village from where you can also visit Mukundeswari. Ramkot is a typical Magar village with traditional round houses. Ramkot is untouched by modern development and offers an opportunity to experience the lifestyle of rural Nepal. From here, one can go on to Chabdi Barahi, which can be reached after two hours of easy hiking.
Ramkot Village hiking from Bandipur
Ramkot village is pure authentic country side village of Nepal. It is inhabited by the indigenous Magar community, originally descendant of Mongol species. As such, these people are hard working, courageous and friendly people of Nepal. Just get ready for about 2 hours hike to reach the village from Bandipur Bazar. Experience unique Nepalese society enriched with traditional culture, history and local life style in Nepal
Mukundeswari
Mukundeswari lies at an altitude of 1,830 m. It is about a two-hour walk to the west of Bandipur. The place looks like a gallery of ancient weapons and other antiquities as swords of different shapes and sizes lie scattered all around.
Siddha Cave
Bandipur amazes visitors with its geology as much as with its scenic and cultural attractions, and it would be unthinkable not to visit its caves. The must-see destination here is Sidhha Cave, discovered only in 1987. It is said to be the largest cave not only in the kingdom but also on the South Asian subcontinent. Sightseers can check for themselves by exploring its inner recesses which are filled with natural artworks created by the stalactites and stalagmites here. Siddha Cave is situated just above the cliff of Bimalnagar, from where it is a thirty-minute climb. The cave can be reached from Bandipur after ninety minutes of easy walking. Patalidwar This cave also goes by the name of Gateway to Heaven. It is believed that anyone entering the cave will cause all the sins of their ancestors to be washed away and bring them salvation. The way to this cave is through a jungle and takes about two hours from Siddha Cave. A religious fair is held here in April when participants perform the Chutka dance.
Hike to Siddha Cave
This half day trip to one of the largest cave in South Asia. It takes about one and a half hour hike each way if it’s muddy. Alternatively, you can also march uphill to the cave from Bimalnagar (which lies on Prithvi Highway). It will take just 45 minutes to reach the cave. Dirt path and stone path are the only way to reach there which are slippery so it’s very necessary to take every step with care. The path is being managed and maintained to make it easy for travelers to explore around. It is also essential and somehow compulsory to hire a local guide as well to know more about the cave.
Hike to Silk Farm
Bandipur is regarded as the living museum of Newari culture, located at an altitude of 1030 m in Tanahun District. More the 65% of Bandipur's buildings are traditional Newari Houses with wooden carved windows and Ovenhanging slate roofs. Another intresting spot of Bandipur is the Bandipur Silk Farm and short hike which is about 30 min walk to the southern part of the village.
