CHANDRAGIRI; A SHORT YET FUN DESTINATION

INTRODUCTION:

Chandragiri Hill ( Nepali: चन्द्रागिरी ) is seven kilometres from Thankot, and lies on the south-west side of Kathmandu Valley which is 2540 metres above sea level. This hill is connected with both Buddhist and Hindu religions. The hill provides panoramic views of Kathmandu Valley and the Himalayan ranges from Annapurna to Everest with the monumental Bhaleshwar Mahadev Temple.
Chandragiri day tour would be your absolute destination if you are lookin for a one day trip to escape from your hectic Kathmandu life and enjoy the view.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Before the Tribhuvan Highway was built, travelers used the historic trade route passing through Kulekhani, Chitlang, Chandragiri Pass and Thankot. King Ranajit Malla of Bhaktapur was so distressed that he was driven to compose a lament filled with regret at having trusted the Gorkhali king. According to eyewitnesses, Malla wept uncontrollably when he paused at the hilltop of Chandragiri on the valley rim for one last look at his former kingdom. From Chandragiri, the route descends south and exits the valley to continue on to India. The Bhaleshwar Mahadev temple of Lord Shiva is on top of the hill. Legend says that King Prithivi Narayan Shah worshipped in the temple before conquering the valley during his unification campaign.

HOW TO GET THERE:

You may get the buses from the New Bus park, Gongabu or from Ratnapark to take you directly to the Chandragiri Hills.

ATTRACTIONS OF  CHANDRAGIRI

1. BHALESHWAR MAHADEV TEMPLE:

Chandragiri Bhaleshwor Mahadev Tour is the newly introduced destination for the traveler. There is a pagoda style temple of God Shiva. It is nearby hill station from Kathmandu and snow-capped mountains can also be observed in the clear weather.

According to Hindu mythology, with reference to the description written in Himvatakhanda, it is believed that Bhaleshwor Mahadev appeared at the spot where Satidevi’s ‘Bhala’ or the forehead fell off from her dead body.It is believed that Satidevi, Shiva’s consort, gave up her life by jumping in a fire pyre at her father Daksha Prajapati’s yagna (sacred fire ritual) after Daksha insulted her husband Shiva in front of scores of gods and goddesses invited at the religious ceremony. An enraged Shiva then carried her dead body on his back and walked across the world like a madman for long span of time, without taking note of Satidevi’s decaying body. Different ‘shakti-centres’ were established at sites where different parts of Satidevi’s body fell in course of Lord Shiva’s mourning.

   It is believed that the people who come here to worship Bhaleshwor get their wishes fulfilled and that they will find abode in the Shivaloka or Lord Shiva’s world in their after life.

2.CABLE CAR RIDE TO CHANDRAGIRI TEMPLE OF BLESHWAR MAHADEV:

A cable car trip is the shortest means to reach Chandragiri Hills’ top station. The 2.5 km long cable car ensures a smooth and safe journey, all the while giving you an up-close view of the untainted wilderness.The 2.5 km cable car ride takes 9 minutes to reach the Chandragiri Hills’ top station.



Ticket Rates for the Cable car ride are;




                            NEPALESE         SAARC         CHINESE           FOREIGN
ONE WAY           NPR 415           NPR 664            USD 9                   USD 13
ROUND TRIP NPR 700           NPR 1120           USD 15                 USD 22

                                                                                                      (Source:www.chandragirihills.com)


To conclude this exotic Chandragiri trip in a nutshell, this destination are for those who wants to have a short yet fun and attractive trip alongside with family, friends,grandparents or loved ones

TREKKING IN NEPAL

Nepal is home to network of trails also called the Great Himalaya Trails, an extensive trail system that covers Nepal from Humla and Darchula in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east. The diversity of trekking in Nepal cannot be found in any other region of the world. In fact, the lowest point in Nepal is 59 m above sea-level in the Terai region while the highest point is Everest, 8,848 m above sea-level, the two points are, in a straight line, only 200 kilometres apart.

The majority of visitors to Nepal come in via the Tribuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. It is in Kathmandu that trekkers need to acquire their permits and other documentation, either from a trekking agent or from the appropriate offices. These documents will be checked along the trekking route. For those with little time to spend in Nepal there are half-day hikes from Kathmandu to witness breathtaking Himalayan views otherwise trek for weeks over stunning challenging mountain passes.