Bandipur is one of the most famous tourist visiting places in Nepal. It is a hilltop settlement of Newar with its age-old flavor still intact. Because of its beautiful environment and perseverance of the old-time cultural atmosphere, it has increasingly been coming to the attention of tourism.

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BANDIPUR A LOVELY TOURIST
DESTINATION
Bandipur is one of the most famous tourist visiting places in Nepal. It is a hilltop
settlement of Newar with its age-old flavor still intact. Because of its beautiful
environment and perseverance of the old-time cultural atmosphere, it has
increasingly been coming to the attention of tourism.
The population in that area is very thin as at the time of the 1991 Nepal census it
had a population of 9952 people residing in 1929 individual households. Bandipur
is located between the Capital of Kathmandu and the Lake-town of Pokhara ridge
above the highway above Dumre.
It combines traditional village architecture, epic Himalayan views, lovely
countryside walks, local adventure sports, and excellent accommodation. It’s also
an ideal place to break up the drive between Pokhara and Kathmandu while getting
a relaxing taste of rural Nepal in the process. It can also be called a natural view
tower since it lies on the top of the hill and offers a spectacular view of
the Annapurna Range along with the Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Lang tang.
HISTORY OF BANDIPUR
Bandipur was established as a funneling point of a trade by Newar traders from
Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu valley after it had been conquered in 1768 by Prithvi
Narayan Shah. They took advantage of its malaria-free location to develop it into
an important stop. Perched on a saddle high above the Kathmandu-Pokhara
highway, Bandipur consists of a single flagstoned street lined on both sides with
traditional wooden Newari architecture.

2. Bandipur Village Nepal
Once an important stop on the trade route to Tibet, the former merchants’ homes
you’ll find this town has today been mostly converted into guesthouses and cafes.
However, a few traditional shops remain, and their 18th-century architecture
remains utterly charming.
Here, crimson bougainvillea flowers cascade off wooden balconies, and ancient
temples peek out from every street junction. The complete lack of vehicles and
their tooting horns is a particular joy, especially if you’ve spent any time in
polluted and crowded Kathmandu.
FAMOUS PLACES TO VISIT AROUND BANDIPUR
BAZAAR
PURANO KOT (THANI MAI)
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 several old statues. Next to it
stands a newly built temple of Thani Mai. Thani Mai is again another religious
place in Bandipur.
The temple is located at the top of the hill and offers visitors the breathtaking view
of the mountains and the village downhill. Despite being a religious village, the
Thani Mai Temple is famous for a spot for a spectacular sunrise. The visitors
prefer a short early morning hike to the temple to view the sunrise. The hike is less
than an hour from Bandipur.
KHADGA DEVI

3. The temple of Khadga Devi is one of the most revered temples in Bandipur, which
is believed 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 during the Hindu
festival of Dashain.
Khadga Devi
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 if anyone looks at it, he
or she invites instant death by vomiting blood. According to another story, the relic
was a gift 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 means goddess of the sword.
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 sights include the Marsyangdi Valley, Bimal
Nagar, and Dumre.
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 brick before the
start of the planting season. If the eggs kept fresh after one year when they were
uncovered, it meant that there would be a good crop the following year.

4. Chandithan
MAHALAXMI TEMPLE
This temple is located in 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
a new one has replaced it.
BINDABASINI TEMPLE
This temple is located in the main bazaar area and is constructed in the pagoda
style. An image of the goddess Bindabasini is enshrined here. It also contains
statues of other goddesses. During the New Year celebrations of the Bikram
Sambat, the image of Bindabasini is put on a chariot and pulled through town
amidst other revelries.

5. Bindabasini Temple
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 it are installed
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.
PADMA LIBRARY
The Padma Library is at the center of the Bandipur Bazaar. The library is important
because of the special permission from the Ranas, thus reflecting the power of
Bandipur during the Rana time. Being small, the library is famous for its
architecture and design. The library contains books from the time of Rana
administration and is also preserving the historical sources of the village.
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 Siddha 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

6. natural artworks created by stalactites and stalagmites here. Siddha Cave is just
above the cliff of Bimal Nagar, from where it is a thirty-minute climb.
Siddha Cave
You can reach Bandipur through the cave after ninety minutes of easy walking.
Patalidwar This cave also goes by the name of Gateway to Heaven. According to
legend, anyone entering the cave will cause all the sins of their ancestors. And,
to wash away and bring them salvation. The way to this cave is through a jungle
and takes about two hours from Siddha Cave. People celebrate religious fair here
in April when participants perform the Chutka dance.
RAMKOT
Ramkot 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 roundhouses.
Ramkot is safe from 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.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BANDIPUR
The spring (March to May) is the time of maximum tourist flow in Bandipur. The
humidity and the temperature together make the environment warm, where the
average temperature ranges from 21.7°C to 32.5C. The atmosphere in summer
(June to August) is also a popular time to visit Bandipur. The cost of staying in

7. hotels might rise due to the frequent tourist visit. Bandipur experiences snowfall
during November. The flow of the tourists is less during the winter. A trip to
Bandipur is a wonderful experience of the mixture of nature and culture at a place.
So, if you are making a plan to visit Bandipur, make it for either spring or summer.
The winter also offers beautiful mountain views. However, the atmosphere is cold
during winter.
IN A NUTSHELL,
We can say that Bandipur is the traditional and preserved society that provides us
with beautiful views like a mountain viewing tower. It is not only famous for its
natural beauty or different adventures but also for the warm hospitality that is
provided by the local people to tourists. Travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara is long
distance so this typical Newari town is the best place for relaxation point.
The place names around Bandipur indicate that Magars, whose chieftains ruled
numerous principalities of today’s central Nepal, originally inhabited the
surrounding region, known as Tanahun. When Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha set
out to expand his dominion, Tanahun was a powerful adversary that was overcome
only after a hard battle.
The majority of the current residents are originally traders from Bhaktapur in the
Kathmandu Valley, who made their way to Bandipur and settled here. While the
Newars are predominant in Bandipur, the Magar and Gurung ethnic groups inhabit
the hillsides growing rice, millet, corn and mustard on terrace fields.