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]]>Among the gigantic mountains of Nepal, stands a warm hilltop settlement and municipality in the Tanahun district called Bandipur. This establishment was formed on 18 May 2014 by merging existing Dharampani and Bandipur village development communities. According to the 2011 Nepal census, the town had a population of 15591 people living in 3750 individual households.
The timeless culture and architecture has been preserved till date depicting its glorious past. Because of the old Newari flavor to the town, Bandipur has become a major tourist attraction.
Around Bandipur
The town of Bandipur stands at an elevation of 1030m on a mountain saddle approximately 700m above the Marsyangdi river valley. Its medium elevation presents an excellent view of the Himalayas, the Marsyangdi Valley, Mount Manakamana, and Gorkha.
This settlement is neighbored by Kathmandu on the west and Pokhara on the east.
A Visit to the Past
Bandipur was established as a trade point by Newari traders post their exodus from Bakthapur in Kathmandu Valley. This happened because of Prithvi Narayan Shah’s invasion in 1768.
In the early 19th century, the Bandipur we know today, was a simple Magar village. With the growth of trade, Bandipur became a booming trading center and developed town-like characteristics that were outlined by the traditional buildings with the Newari-fashioned look, shuttered windows and slabs of silver.
Bandipur saw some glorious days during the Rana times (1846-1951) when it was at the helm of power and prestige. It was at this time that it was granted special permission to have its own library, known as Padma Library which exists till date.
A Walk Around the Town
An important characteristic of the Newari town is its main street which has a covered veranda that runs across its northern-length
The Bandipur Bazaar has several popular temples and tourist places around like the Khaga Devi, Bindhabasini temple, Chandithan, Mahalakshmi temple, Narayan temple, Tundikhel.
Other Surrounding areas include, Paharpani Mahadev, Purano Kot, Tandrang Tundrung, Gadhi, Teendhara, Raniban, Padma Library, Ramkot Mukundeshwari, Chadbi Barahi and the Siddha Cave.
Interesting Places around Bandipur
Tundikhel
Located towards the north of Bandipur’s main bazaar, Tundikhel presents a spell-binding view of the Himalayan range which includes the charming peaks of Dhaulagiri, Macchapuchhare, Langtang, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. One can enjoy a view of the Gorkha Palace and the famous Manakamana Peak.
Purano Kot
At about 500m to the west from the main bazaar, lies the Purano Kot. This tourist destination was originally a fort. A 20-minute walk over the stone-pathway will take you to the top. Situated nearby is a temple with many old statues and a newly constructed temple of Thanithan Mai.
Local Belief: People believe that praying to Lord Shiva at this spot will bring rain during a period of drought.
Siddha Cave and Ramkot Village
The downhill trek and the uphill climb to Ramkot village will be a treat to adventure seekers. Ramkot village offers tourists a reflection of the Newari culture.
Raniban 
A treat to Nature enthusiasts, the Raniban is a forest of Sal trees. Its beautiful greenery and tranquil atmosphere can have a calming effect on visitors.
Gadhi
The ancient fort is situated on the northeast of Bandipur and came into existence since the rule of Mukunda Sen. Its higher elevation enables visitors with a stunning view of the mountains.
Festivals at a Glance
Bandipur celebrates with great fervor festivals like Bisket Jatra, Baisakh Purnima, Janai Purnima, Gai Jatra, Dashain, Tihar, Yomari Purnima, Shivaratri, Chaitra Dashain and Ram Nawari.
Dashain or Khadga Jatra is the most important festival of Nepal and is celebrated with great fervor in Bandipur. The celebration prolongs for many days. A grand religious service is observed around the Khadga Devi temple. People from the Magra and Kamis communities carry the sacred sword and parade through the town to be worshipped by devotees. This is followed by a procession of the military band.
The People of Bandipur
The existence of Bandipur begin with the Magars but today Bandipur has a mix of several ethnic groups. Bahuns, Chhetris, Newars, Damais, Kamis, Sarkis, Kasais, Magars and Gurungs are the ethnic groups that share a peaceful existence in the quintessential Newari town.
How to Get There!
A drive from Pokhara or Kathmandu will bring you to Dumre Bazaar by midday, and from there it takes about a half hour to Bandipur Bazaar in a bus ride from Piple, 1 km west of Dumre. From Dumre , you can take the local rides that commute between Dumre and Bandipur.
You can also hike through the historical route “Bandipur Old Trail, will take you about two hours. The hike ends in Tundhikhel and a five-minute walk from there will take you to the heart of Bandipur: Bandipur Bazaar.
Route through the Siddha Cave: This route to Bandipur will present you with the visual delights of the caves and the Bandipur hillside. The journey begins from Bimalnagar and takes you via the Siddha cave which is probably the biggest cave in the Himalaya. The trek will get you to Bandipur in about an hour and a half.
Make a trip to Bandipur and live the age-old culture of the Newars.
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]]>The post Nepal, The Perfect Tourism Destination for an Unforgettable Holiday Experience appeared first on Nepali Sansar.
]]>With an unbeatable combination of natural beauty and cultural riches, Nepal provides a unique and rewarding holiday experience to all travelers, and is a most-sought global tourism destination for rich culture and heritage.
Here is a compilation of some of the most popular tourist attractions which you can plan to visit on your next trip to Nepal.
- Kathmandu
- Nagarkot
- Patan (Lalitpur)
- Sarangkot
- Bhaktapur
- Chitwan National Park
- Pokhara
- Parsa Wildlife Reserve
- Lumbini
- Chandragiri Hill
- Janakpur
- Poon Hill
- Boudhanath
- Mustang
- Swayambhunath
- Daman
- Dharan
- Bandipur
- Sauraha
- Tengboche
- Lobuche
- Annapurna Massif
- Lukla
Kathmandu – A City of Glory
Nepal’s capital and largest city Kathmandu is usually the first stop for all tourists to the country and is also popularly called the gateway to Nepal tourism.
Ranked among the world’s Top 25 tourist destinations, Kathmandu is situated in the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley and surrounded by four major mountains: Nagarjun, Phulchoki, Shivapuri and Chandragiri.
With a rich history spanning almost 2000 years, Kathmandu is famous for a number of famed religious monuments, temples, palaces, museums, gardens and other heritage sites. Read More…
Patan (Lalitpur) – A City of Beauty
Patan or Lalitpur, meaning ‘the city of beauty’, is one of the three royal cities in Nepal and is famous among tourists for its rich architecture, beautiful courtyards and squares and fantastic wood carvings. Patan had over 1200 unique monuments prior to the disastrous 2015 earthquake that caused a lot of damage to the city.
Most tourists visiting Kathmandu also visit Patan, which is located in close proximity, as part of a day-trip.
Bhaktapur – A City of Culture
Bhaktapur, another historical city in the Kathmandu Valley and the third largest in Nepal, is popular as “the city of culture” and “the city of devotees”. The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and comprises mesmerizing temples and edifices with exquisite art and architecture.
The city is renowned for cultural handicrafts, pottery, puppets, masks and a wide range of other souvenirs. Bhaktapur is also popularly called as Nepal’s Cultural Gem.
Pokhara
Considered to be the gateway to the Himalayas, the popular city of Pokhara is surrounded by some of the world’s highest mountains including Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu.
Located 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu, Pokhara is Nepal’s second largest city and boasts of a perennially pleasant climate, beautiful scenery and clean air, along with a large number of lakes including the internationally famous Lake Phewa. All treks to the Jomsom and Annapurna regions begin from Pokhara. Overall, Pokhara could be your perfect leisure tourism destination in Nepal. Read More…
Lumbini
The birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha, Lumbini attracts thousands of Buddhist pilgrims and other tourists each year and is known for celebrations on special occasions like the Buddha Jayanti, among others.
Visitors experience a feeling of tranquility and spiritual enrichment in the peaceful environs of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is located on the route from Pokhara to the Chitwan National Park.
The Maya Devi Temple located amidst a large park comprising lakes and monasteries is the main attraction of Lumbini.Read More…
Janakpur
The city of Janakpur, also known as Mithila Nagari, is a bustling tourist destination in the Terai region and is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Rama’s consort Sita.
The Ram Janaki Temple in the center of the city is visited by several thousands of devout Hindus, more specifically during Sri Ram Navami and Dashain, the country’s biggest annual festival.
One of the attractions of Janakpur is the popular local cuisine comprising sweets and vegetarian specialties with an Indian touch. Janakpur is popularly known as Nepal’s Center For Religious And Cultural Tourism.
Boudhanath
The Boudhanath Stupa is one of the world’s largest Buddhist monuments and is the most important shrine in the Kathmandu Valley. The spherical stupa houses the remains of Kassapa Buddha.
Dating back to the 6th Century A.D., this UNESCO World Heritage Site is in a good condition despite sustaining a minor damage during the 2015 earthquake. Read More
Swayambhunath
Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, is one of the most ancient and culturally significant shrines in the Kathmandu Valley and has been designed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Meaning the “self-existent one”, the Swayambhunath stupa stills atop a little hillock and provides a panoramic view of the valley.
The Sleeping Buddha, the Dewa Dharma Monastery with a bronze icon of Buddha and traditional Tibetan paintings, and the temple dedicated to Harati, the goddess of children, are a few of the important monuments in the region. Read More
Dharan
The beautiful city of Dharan at the foothills of the Mahabharata Range is a popular Hindu pilgrimage location and is recognized as one of the Shakti Peethas (holy places of cosmic power), a place where Lord Shiva’s consort Sati’s limbs fell.
The city is also a hotspot for nature lovers with bamboo-forested hills, banana plants and rustic shacks. Dharan’s crowed marketplace offers a variety of shopping options to tourists. Dharan is one of the must visit places in the itinerary of visitors to Nepal. Read More
Nagarkot
The picturesque hill station of Nagarkot is located at a short distance from Bhaktapur and offers visitors breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountains.
Stunning sunrise and sunsets along with multiple trekking options, which include long winding tracks and thick woods are a few attractions of Nagarkot, which is often called the ‘perfect honeymoon destination’ in Nepal.
Sarangkot
Sarangkot is a popular tourist spot near Pokhara and offers a spectacular view of the Annapurna range. Almost all tourists to Pokhara stop at Sarangkot for a night just to glimpse the magnificent sunrise over the mountains.
Paragliding, ziplining and wildlife viewing are some of the activities popular among visitors to Sarangkot. Read More…
Chitwan National Park
Nepal’s first national park, Chitwan is spread across an area of 932 square kilometers in the Terai region and is home to a large and diverse variety of flora and fauna.
Located at a distance of 10 kilometers from Bharatpur and 55 kilometers from Kathmandu, Chitwan attracts nature lovers both from Nepal and other countries with a very large collection of rare wildlife species. Explore the Chitwan National Park !
Parsa Wildlife Reserve
Situated on the eastern side of the Chitwan National Park, Parsa Wildlife Reserve is the largest wildlife reserve in Nepal and is home to large hordes of tigers, leopards, wild elephants, rhinos, sloth bears, cobras and pythons, among others.
Over 900 species of flora and 300 species of birds also abound in the region.
Chandragiri Hill
Chandragiri Hill, a major tourist destination in the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley, provides panoramic views of several Himalayan mountain ranges from Annapurna in the west to Everest in the east.
The Bishnu Devi temple and the Bhaleshore Mahadev temple on top of the hill are a couple of the major attractions here. The cable car is one of the most popular modes of transport used by visitors to reach Chandragiri Hill.
Poon Hill
A popular destination for trekkers in the Annapurna region, Poon Hill is widely acclaimed as the Photographer’s Paradise and offers one of Nepal’s most famous viewpoints.
The region is known for its ethnic communities, traditional villages, rhododendron forests and spellbinding views of over ten snowcapped mountains.
Mustang
A region with rich Tibetan Buddhist culture, Mustang is very popular among visitors for the enticing scenery, landscapes and amazing trekking trails.
The holy Muktinath temple, which is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, is a popular pilgrimage center here with immense cultural significance.
The Lower Mustang region has an abundance of Jurassic-era ammonite fossils from the period much before the formation of the Himalayas.
Daman
Daman is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in central Nepal and offers the only unimpeded view of the entire 400-kilometer Himalayan panorama from Dhaulagiri to Mount Everest.
The Risheshor Mahadev Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and the ancient Tibetan monastery are the places to visit here. Hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking along with boating and fishing at Kulekhani (Nepal’s largest man-made lake) are the most popular pastimes in Daman.
Bandipur
Bandipur, one of Nepal’s most charming towns, is a prominent symbol of the old Newari culture with attractive 18th-century European style architecture.
The Khadga Devi Temple, Bindyabashini temple, Tindhara, Siddha Cave, Raniban or Queen’s Forest and the Tundikhel View Point are the principal attractions in Bandipur.
Tengboche
Located at an elevation of 3867 meters, Tengboche is another important tourism center in the Khumbu Pasanglhamu rural municipality. The village is also an important Buddhist monastery ‘Tengboche Monastery’ with the region’s largest gompa.
This monastery is considered as the oldest Sherpa celibate. Tengboche offers a panoramic view of the famous mountain ranges such as Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, among others.
Lobuche
Lobuche lies at an elevation of 4940 meters to the east of Kathmandu region. Lobuche peak consists of two different summits towards east and west at the range of 6,119 m and 6,145 m, respectively.
This is one of the stops that provides lodging option to mountaineers on the trail to Everest base camp in the southeast route. Lobuche will be busy during the April month with hundreds of porters and Sherpas visiting the place on their way to Everest base camp.
Annapurna Massif
It is a 55-meters long massif home to four main summits: Annapurna-I (8,091 meters), Annapurna-II (7,937 meters) in the western and eastern sides of the range, and Annapurna-III (7,555 meters) and Annapurna-IV (7,525 meters) in between them.
Annapurna-1 is the world’s 10th highest mountain. Historically, Annapurna range is also considered as the most dangerous mountains to climb.
Lukla
Lukla is a small town part of Khumbu Pasanglhamu rural municipality in the Solukhumbu District of Nepal, standing at an elevation of 2860 meters.
It is a popular place for tourists visiting Mount Everest and also offers the best accessibility to the Everest peak. The region also has a small airport that makes it accesible to the outside world.
Sauraha
This is another interesting tourism destination in southern Nepal region. Part of Ratnanagar Municipality in Chitwan District, Sauraha is considered as a gateway to Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion. The region is near the East Rapti River and 23 km away from Narayangarh city.
Famous tourism places around Sauraha include Chitwan National Park, Devghat- a Hindu pilgrimage, international elephant polo games, night tower, among others. Sauraha is eastern gateway to the famous Chitwan National Park. The town also provides jungle safari services and more for the visiting tourists.
The Ultimate Vacation
With an extensive range of interesting places to visit and a wide variety of leisure, shopping and adventure options, Nepal undoubtedly provides tourists with a memorable and unforgettable holiday experience.
So, what are your waiting for? Plan your trip to Nepal immediately and make the most of your fascinating travel experience to the enchanting land.
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