Bandipur

Bandipur is a beautiful place blessed with natural scenery that anyone at the first instance lose themselves towards its beauty .In previous days road being rough then, only Landrovers made it up there but these days, things have changed and blacktopped road takes you all the way. Bandipur Bazaar (1,030m) sits atop a solid rock rising 500meters above the Marshyangdi valley is the main attraction of Bandipur.

From Kathmandu its 4 hrs drive to Dumre (143 km west of Kathmandu) and. There we have to turn left and headed up to the long and winding road’ except that it wasn’t long, just winding. After 30min drive the surprisingly large Tundikhel overlooking the huge expanse of the Marshyangdi valley with a backdrop of Himalayas. The turquoise Marshyangdi meanders like a giant serpent. The view is astoundingly beautiful. It’s a straight drop to the Prithvi Highway on the valley below. Feasting our eyes on the mountain ranges of the Annapurna, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and Ganesh Himal. People of the Bandipur are well-known for their hospitality.Good facilities of food and lodging in Bandipur and Mountain Resort beside the Tundikhel makes tourist fully facilitated with natural touch .

Bandipur has got its religious importance too.Famous temple ,The Khadga Devi Mandir (temple) was built in 1819. An ancient sword that belonged to Mukunda Sen, who once ruled here, is kept in the inner sanctum and is displayed once a year during the Khadga Jatra (festival) in October. The Newars who immigrated here from Bhaktapur (supposedly after Prithivi Narayan Shah invaded the Kathmandu valley) also brought the Bisket Jatra here, which is celebrated in April.

Gurungche Danda, the top of the hill or rock rather is accomplished with a small shrine. The shrine however, was not the attraction, but the spectacular sunset makes anybody’s mind behold. The climb wasis little bit steepy, but rewarding with a great view of the mountains. At sunset, the sun appears to melt away, painting the sky in different hues of red and yellow.

Walking back through the small bazaar we came across the pagoda style Bindhebasini temple built in 1918, and the famous Old Inn, an hotel that retains the local architecture. We were to have breakfast here the following moring. Back in the Mountain resort, we relaxed in the spacious immaculate rooms, which open out to the balcony with yet more views of the snowy peaks.

Early the next morning, I took off on my own for the hill. The skies were clearer at 6:30 am than the previous day, so I hurried up the steps and took some pictures as I knew the clouds would soon be coming up to obscure the mountains. On the way back to the Old Inn for breakfast, I climbed up to the terrace of an ex-British army soldier’s house to capture Bandipur Bazaar on film. Originally inhabited by Magars, Bandipur has witnessed a major change as Newars slowly outnumbered the local residents. But today, it’s the Gurung ex-servicemen who have moved in as the Newars are leaving for greener pastures in search of business ventures. “the Gurungs are slowly dominating the Bandipur population, replacing the Newars,” said the guide. The very well known Ghantu dance of the gurungs can be Observed here from time to time.

After breakfast, we headed down the rock face towards the famous Siddha Cave. It was tough going down the narrow steps that were wet as the winter sun stays south of the hill. After an hour of careful treading, we finally reached the mouth of the cave where the guide distributed headlamps and led us in. The cave is massive, rising 64m up and stretching 220m awards. The paths are treacherous, which adds to the adventure, but a fall can be quite serious. The stalagmites and stalactites stand like words of art and one that resembles a crown has been aptly named “Shripech”. There are those that look like plants reaching up to the ceiling. The cave is located 1,016 m above the highway where a small settlement called Bimal Nagar is the starting point. Here you will also find a well-established restaurant if you’ve worked up an appetite.

Bandipur Eco-Cultural Tourism Project (BECTP) has been in the forefront of developing and promoting Bandipur. “Our project made the steps leading to the cave and we also did the fence that you see in Tundikhel, besides the places where people can sit around. In the bazaar, we are renovating old building and one of them will house the Tourist Information Center,” informs Pawan Chitrakar, the tourism officer of the BECTP.

If you haven’t visited Bandipur, I don’t know what you’re waiting for. As for me, I left a piece of my heart there, and know I’ll be going there again someday.

FACTS ABOUT BANDIPUR: It’s a 4 hr drive from Kathmandu on the way to Pokhara. Paragliders take off from the hill above Bandipur.

Nature walks are arranged and visitors can also trek through Magar villages that’s are known for their unique round houses.

The entry fee for the Siddha Cave is NRs 20/- for foreigners and NRs 5/- for Nepalis. Tickets can be bought at Bimal Nagar. Headlamps can be hired for NRs 20/- Guides are also available.

Source:- Sahiho.Com