Dhulikhel, Nepal

Dhulikhel is the smallest municipality of Nepal in terms of population and is the administrative center of the Kavrepalanchok District. It is located at the Eastern rim of Kathmandu Valley, south of the Himalayas at 1550 m above sea level, and is situated 30 km southeast of Kathmandu and 74 km southwest of Kodari. It is situated in the lap of Greenwood along the ridge that separates the valley of Banepa and Panchkhal.

Dhulikhel

When you see Dhulikhel, it looks busy in conversation with the Himalayan range on the north with a beautiful smile. This is why many people call this beautiful place the 'Queen of the Hills '. The locality people living here are Newars, Brahmin, Chhetri, Tamang, and Dalit.

The Old Town
The oldest town of Dhulikhel, the southern end, is an assembly of fine old Newari houses and temples. The houses may not all have glazed windows, hot water, or modern furniture but the most valuable assets are the beautifully carved windows and doors, fine examples of traditional Newari craftsmanship.

Dhulikhel old house

As one wanders down the traffic-free narrow streets, one passes through a medieval city inhabited for at least five centuries, the plan of the city is based on ancient Hindu planning doctrine with the position, shape, scale, and dominance between buildings, temples, and public squares all having their own meaning and harmony. The stone-paved lands and worn brick buildings, and the open yards surrounded by the traditional houses with flower pots, old pagoda-style temples with glittering Gajurs and a typical lifestyle of the people of Dhulikhel speaks silently of the rich history and the cultural heritage.

There are originally developed compact settlements around Dhulikhel and these settlements on the one hand conserve heat in the cold valley, and at the same time maximize land for agricultural use. One of such old settlements is Shreekhandapur, which lies 2 km west of the core city near Kathmandu University and is also a century’s old Newari settlement. The settlement is protected by Swet Bhairav (an incarnation of Lord Shiva) and Narayan (Vishnu) deities.

The Mountains
The spectacular snow-fed mountains seen from Dhuklikhel seem to be one of the finest panoramic views in the world. When a blue haze covers the lower portion of the mountains, they seem to be floating in the air. With the snowy mountains on the backdrop, Dhulikhel is a stage of immense beauty and a paradise for nature lovers. Green inviting hills of which still virgin and some turned into beautifully carved agricultural terraces cater to the beholders’ pleasure.

Mountain Dhulikhel

Geographically, the plains rise up gradually up to the green mountains and further into the snow-capped Himalayas. The panorama offers a majestic undisturbed view of the Himalayan ranges stretching from Mount Annapurna in the far west to Mount Karolung in the Far East. More than twenty Himalayan peaks including Mt. Annapurna (8091 m), Mt. Ganesh Himal (7429 m), Mt. Langtang (7234 m), Mt. Phuribichyachu (6637 m), Mt. Gaurishanker (7134 m), Mt. Lhotse (8516 m), and many others can be seen in their full glory from the different vantage points in Dhulikhel. In short, it is the foremost point for mountain-oriented sightseeing since time immemorial. The eco-Himalayan atmosphere will surprise anyone with an unforgettable experience in their lifetime.

Temples around Dhulikhel
There are a number of old temples in the town which are important places to worship for local people.

Narayanthan Temple
Narayanthan TempleIn the center of the old town is the Narayanthan Temple with its yellow metal roofs. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and the birthday of Lord Krishna is joyfully celebrated every August here. Alongside is the Harisiddhi Temple whose god responds to the worshiper's problem and sees their good and wrongdoings. Both the temple is adorned with profuse woodcarving and fronted by two Garudas in quite a different attitude.

Kali Temple
The Gaukhureshor Mahadev Temple is about 20 minutes walk to the east of the town near Tundikhel Recreational Park and is located in a peaceful and quiet environment. It is probably the most scenic religious center, beside a small river surrounded by trees.

Bhagwati TempleFurther uphill, one reaches, within half an hour trek, the Bhagwati (Kali) Temple. 

While going to Bhagwati (Kali) Temple, again about 100m from the Tundikhel Recreational Park lies Buddha Vihar, a Buddhist Monastery and lush green 'Dipendra Greenway Park', where cool breeze whispers an ambiance of eternal peace and tranquility.

About 9Km from Dhulikhel on the way to Palanchowk Bhagwati lies a holy temple of Sankat Mochat Hanuman, the monkey god, which represents a symbol of courage and strength practiced through true celibacy. There are other numerous temples and a few Buddhist Stupas in the town.

Namobuddha Gumba
NamabuddhaNamo Buddha is a wonderful place situated in the Kavre region which is around 40 km southeast of Kathmandu valley. Namo Buddha is a delightful place. The place is calm and unadulterated. Its place is clean, with no contamination, and the normal air is so crisp, cool, and sound. Early in the day when you wake up, you can see a lovely sunrise and in the evening a wonderful sunset. You can also enjoy the views of snow-covered Himalayan ranges which look so stunning and wonderful.  

From the Buddhist perspective, Namo Buddha is one of the important places in Nepal among three major Buddhist pilgrimage sites: Boudha Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Namo Buddha.

You can also go hiking to Namo Buddha from Dhulikhel.

Welcome to Dhulikhel !!!


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