About Dhulikhel

Dhulikhel is located in Kavre district of Nepal. It lies in the southeast direction of Kathmandu at a distance of 30 kilometers. The two major highway of Nepal B.P Highway and Arniko Highway passes through Dhulikhel making it even more accessible.

 

Dhulikhel is one of the major tourist destinations with several attraction from natural scenario to cultural and historical elements. You can have an exquisite 180-degree panorama view of mountains including Annapurna, Ganesh, Langtang, Lhotse, Gauri Shankar, and others. The place also holds cultural and religious sites like Kalidevi, Gita Mandir, Bhagawati and Gaukhureshwor. Dhulikhel was an ancient Newar town, but now it is mainly inhabited by Newars, Brahmin, Tamang, Chhetri, and Dalit.

 

History of Dhulikhel

Back in the days, when Nepal wasn’t born, there were only small states and with a vision to conquer them and make them as one whole nation, Gorkhali king Prithvi Narayan Shah went in a quest to annex those states. Among states which were annexed, at last, Dhulikhel is one of them. As per an eyewitness that Prithvi Narayan Shah faced a lot of difficulties while capturing Dhulikhel. It took him more than six month time to get a victory. Ghorkalis won Dhulikhel in 1820 B.S. Then Khadpu, Panauti, Banepa, Sanga and Nala were conquered simultaneously.

 

Things to do in Dhulikhel

 

One day hike

Dhulikhel is popular as one of the one-day hike destination around the Kathmandu valley; the hike is Nagarkot to Dhulikhel. The trail is filled with lush forests and a stunning view of mountains. In this hike, you will come across the amazing hill station of Dhulikhel and Nagarkot from where you can witness the mountain view and panorama of beautiful hills. Nagarkot is situated at a distance of about 30 kilometers from Kathmandu, and it is a very famous tourist spot as well. The tower of Nagarkot is at an elevation of 2,195 meters from where you can have the beautiful view of sunset and sunrise. Annapurna range, Manaslu range, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Jugal, Rolwaling, and other mountains view can be witnessed from Nagarkot viewpoint. Along with Nagarkot, Dhulikhel itself is a natural and cultural spot. Stunning mountains, hills with green and delightful forest, rich culture and ancient heritages, are enough to lure tourist to Dhulikhel.

 

So, one day hike of Nagarkot to Dhulikhel will give you the best experience of natural scenery with a touch of culture and tradition.

 

Kailashnath Mahadev statue

Kailashnath Mahadev statue is a very popular place to visit. The statue is claimed to be the tallest statue of the world with a height of 143 feet. And as per the list of statue by height, Kailashnath Mahadev statue is the 40th tallest statue. Made out of copper, zinc, concrete, and steel, construction of this statue began in 2003 and was completed in 2010. The foundation of the statue is about 100 feet deep.

 

Namo Buddha

Also known as Thrangu Tashi Yangtse, Namo Buddha is a monastery. It is one of the sacred pilgrimage sites for Buddhists around the world. The monastery is extremely beautiful and offers the best landscape panorama of hills. There are several big and small monasteries, and stupas, prayer flags and the inside as well outside design of monastery is amazing.

 

As per the legend, over 6000 years back a prince gave his life to save a life of tigress because her five babies were still sucking milk from her. The tigress left nothing but bones, and those bones were brought back in the village and buried, where lies the actual stupa of Namo Buddha. Then after about 3500 years later, Gautam Buddha came to the village and conducted three tours around stupa. He declared that he was the reincarnation of the prince and in the same moment Buddha renamed the village which is henceforth the name of Namo Buddha meaning homage to Buddha.

 

Namo Buddha

 

Visit Narayan Temple

Narayan temple is another fine piece of Dhulikhel. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna (incarnation of Lord Vishnu). It has yellow metal roofs and fine woodwork. There are several other temples alongside Narayan temple like Harisiddhi temple, Bhagwati temple, and Gaukhureshwor Mahadev temple.

 

Visit old town

The old area of Dhulikhel lies at the southern end. It is an assembly of old Newari houses which is often occupied by twenty or more members of local extended families. You will witness several beautifully carved doors and windows, showing a fine example of traditional Newari craftsmanship. The narrow streets of the town are typical of a medieval city inhabited for at least five centuries. The city is based on an ancient Hindu planning doctrine with position, shape, scale, and dominance between temples, buildings and public squares all of them having their meaning and harmony.