Bedetar

Bhedetar is a transit to Dhankuta from Sunsari district. It's 16 kms northeast from Dharan. It's at the top of a hill almost 1450 meters high from sea level. People from far and wide visit the place for picnicking in winter and to enjoy cool fresh air in hot summer season. Charles' Point, a peak the British Prince Charles climbed in 1994, and now Bhedetar Viewpoint has been constructed, is a point one should reach.

Bhedetar is a most chosen picnic spot in the eastern part. From here a road goes for Kamphek, Dandabajar and Ravi. Good lodges and hotels are available. The place enjoys electricity, water supply and telephone.

There are Nepal Television Sub-station, the Relay Tower of Nepal Telecom and the Tower of Kantipur FM radio Station. Walk some distance to the west and you'll reach the famous Second Pathibhara Devi's temple. Bhedetar is a viewpoint of the beautiful scenery of the plains of Kosi river down at the Terai, and charming Himalayan ranges like Kumbhakarna and Makalu.

One can easily catch regular buses for Bhedetar; or hire taxis at Bhanuchowk, Dharan.

Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

1. Located at 45 km southwest from Dharan.
2. Locked by the Kosi river at all directions.
3. World famous marsh.
4. Area 175 sq. km.
5. The main objective : protecting the rare arna (wild buffalo) of Nepal.
6. 480 species of birds.
7. World's rare birds.
8. Birds migrate all the way from Siberia, too.
9. Dolphins and gharial crocodiles in the Kosi.

Baraha Kshetra

Baraha Kshetra Mandir is at the confluence of the Kosi and the Kokaha rivers. It's 21 kms northwest of Dharan. Historically, archeologically and naturally very important and beautiful place of Baraha Kshetra is one of the four Hindu Puran-ic kshetras (shrines); two of which fall in Nepal: Muktinath Kshetra and Baraha Kshetra).

According to Scriptures, the third of ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the Baraha (wild pig) incarnation lifted and protected the Earth from drowning in the Sea. Lord did this while he resided here. People visit this shrine for rituals and ceremonies such as shraddha, marriage, and bratabandha as well as for sightseeing, for climbing hills and for rafting in the Kosi.
Pilgrims from as far as southern India and Bhutan visit the shrine during Kartik (November) and on Maghe Sankranti (January).
Bishnupaduka

Location: 4 km northwest from Dharan, 4 km north from Baraha Kshetra, two hours' ascent on foot. It's the origin of the holy Kokaha river. In the temple, there's a roce with two clear footprints and popular belief is that those are the footprints of Lord Vishnu. That's how Bishnupaduka got its name.

The 110th Chapter of Bhrahmapurana clearly states that Lord Vishnu, decorated with his consort Laxmi (Barahi Prithvi) had observed shraddha (worship and ritual remembering of one's ancestors) of the Arsha and other Divine Ancestors. Innumerable Hindus gather here in Paush New Moon (Nov.- Dec.) for the shraddha of their deceased parents and ancestors. Scriptures have well accepted this shrine to be older and holier than Gaya of the Bharat Varsha.

Bishnupaduka

Location: 4 km northwest from Dharan, 4 km north from Baraha Kshetra, two hours' ascent on foot. It's the origin of the holy Kokaha river. In the temple, there's a roce with two clear footprints and popular belief is that those are the footprints of Lord Vishnu. That's how Bishnupaduka got its name.

The 110th Chapter of Bhrahmapurana clearly states that Lord Vishnu, decorated with his consort Laxmi (Barahi Prithvi) had observed shraddha (worship and ritual remembering of one's ancestors) of the Arsha and other Divine Ancestors. Innumerable Hindus gather here in Paush New Moon (Nov.- Dec.) for the shraddha of their deceased parents and ancestors. Scriptures have well accepted this shrine to be older and holier than Gaya of the Bharat Varsha.

Akhanda Ram Dhuni

This shrine is almost 32 km southwest from Dharan. One can reach the place quite easily by a taxi. It's among lustrous garden deep inside a green thick jungle.

In Treta Yug (era), as legend goes, Lord Ram happened to arrive here while he was in a pursuit. The night fell and He made a fire for the night halt. The fire has been burning ever since. People firmly believe it. If the fire goes out, it should be re-lit from the fire of the Akhanda Deep (incessant lamps) at Pindeshwor, Dharan.

Other than the Dhuni, white and black shaligram stones and shaligram statue of Lord Shiva is worth seeing. Religious fairs take place during Bibah Panchami (Nov.), Bala Chaturdashi (Dec.) and Ram Navami (April). For tourists, the Tourism Information Center has made a comfortable Dharmashala ( a shelter for pilgrims).

There is a good motorable road to Ram Dhuni, but there are no regular buses from Jhumka. You can hire a taxi. It's a two-hour walk, if you enjoy.

Panchayan Dham

Location: 9 km from Dharan, 7 km west from Tarahara.

Specialties
1. Statues of Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesh, Surya and Devi. The Devi is placed among all lords and worshipped. A grand fair on the occasion of New Bikrami Year (mid- April).
2. Facilities such as electricity clean drinking water and telephone available.
3. Good picnic spot.
4. Taxis available at Dharan, Tarahara or at Itahari.